Zac and Ashley dropped me off at a dock in Wabasha, MN and promised they would meet me for dinner once they return the boat rental. I head up the dock to Main Street and have no idea where I am going to spend the evening. This is a holiday weekend and nothing appears to be open. As I walk toward a café I notice an American Legion Post and decide to stop in and inquire about a campsite in town.
As I enter I immediately meet Mike and we visit about why I have a pack on my back. I state that I need a place to bed down for the night. He offers me a beer and then offers me his business property which sits on many acres as a place for the nite. http://www.loonlakedecoycompany.com/ The site is out of town and there would not be any facilities or a place to eat before I head back down the road. I appreciate the offer, but must decline.
Another gentleman sitting at the bar introduces himself as Vern and says that the local campground in town is run by a man named Wally and he may have room. With the help of other friends sitting at the bar, they explain how to find the site.
I meet Wally in his RV at the site and he is full, but allows me to set up my tent in his yard. I then have time to meet Zac and Ashley for dinner at Slippery's Pub and Restaurant which served as the backdrop for the movie "Grumpy Old Men." http://www.slipperysumr.com/
Also here in Wabasha is the National Eagle Center where they rehabilitate injured eagles. What a majestic center. http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/
Thank you to the fine residents of Wabasha for their immense hospitality. I wish I could have spent more time in Wabasha, but winter is coming. I can tell because the trees are already starting to change from green to yellow, orange, and red.
Pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=108901
My history of the friends I have met on the road catching up with me and assisting me in my travels appears to know no bounds.
This time it was Zac and Ashley who appeared in Lake City. How this occurred was via a text message to my Blackberry. They asked if I would like a boat ride down the Mississippi River to my next stop at Wabasha, MN. How could I decline an entire day spent on the river with friends during the Labor Day holiday?
They had rented a boat and picked me up at the Skyline Restaurant where I was enjoying a delicious brunch. We loaded up and headed down the "ol' Miss." What an incredible day of relaxation and conversation. It definitely beat a long walk down the highway!
I give many thanks to Zac and Ashley for being such good and dependable friends. I will never forget your unselfishness and kindness.
I continued on my journey along Hwy 61 directly alongside the Mississippi River until I almost reached Lake City. I was probably 3 or 4 miles out of town when an oncoming vehicle passed me and honked the horn as it went by. I took little notice of it other than to wave (it happens often enough; motorcyclists tend to be the friendliest) and continue on my walk. Shortly after, the same vehicle passes me going in my direction and pulls over in front of me. I am not averse to accepting rides, but I always approach cautiously. This was no different.
I walked to the passenger side and peered through the open window. To my relief, it was one of the friends I had made the nite before at Jimmy's Pub. It was Jen, one of the many who were participating in a grand wedding in Miesville (yes, the same town where I had slept in a backyard) and reception at the St James Hotel (the hotel where I loved staying). She graciously offered me a ride the rest of the way into Lake City. What could I say?
She took me all the way into town and dropped me off at the campgrounds. I thanked her profusely for the ride and hoped that she and her group of friends would enjoy the wedding festivities. She wished me well on my journey and then departed. Much thanks to Jen. I appreciated your very kind words of support and encouragement. For you, continue to run and pursue life's goals.
After checking into my campsite and setting up, I walked over to the Skyline on Lake Pepin Restaurant and Lounge where I met a fine gentleman whose name was Rick. He was a well traveled man and we had a nice conversation about the world and what it has to offer while enjoying a meal of fresh caught blue gill and twice baked (smoked) potatoes. Skyline definitely offers superb dining and the staff was excellent. http://www.skylineonpepin.com/ Rick then introduced me to the owners, Duane and Becky. We enjoyed a couple of cocktails and then it was time to head back to my campsite across the street.
This trip keeps getting better and better. Final note...as I progress across the US, the coffee just gets better .
I spent the last evening in Red Wing at Jimmy's Pub and made some new friends.
I appreciate and enjoy the friendship of all I meet no matter how brief the encounter. For all the friends I have made on this journey I hope you enjoy happiness, prosperity, and success in all endeavors. Enjoy your own personal journeys!
I had heard from the locals that the Jordan River runs beneath the entire town of Red Wing and they stated it could be seen in the basement of The Sheldon Theatre. I headed down the street to the theatre and briefly stood outside. Upon entering, I looked to my right and there was a young gentleman speaking with a nice lady who was inside the ticket booth. I paused for a moment and then the man moved aside so I could approach the booth.
She was kind enough to say hello and then asked if I needed anything. I stated that I would like to see the theatre, take some pictures, and if possible, see the mysterious river. Her immediate response was, "No. That's impossible." I then explained my backpacking adventure, but she still held firm that it wasn't possible.
As she speaks, the gentleman that was visiting with her previously made his way into the ticket booth and while he proceeds to sit down, the young lady states that she is the only one in the theatre on that day. Well, I had just watched this man walk into her booth and casually take a seat, so I ask who he is. She appears to be slightly uncomfortable and then starts to fidget with the scarf around her neck. She didn't quite come up with any coherent explanation.
During this, the man then interjects that someone could probably show me around, but first he planned to give the girl a ring he had in a little black box in his hands. Unbelievable! I had walked in on a marriage proposal and he had just moments earlier asked her the "question." She only had time to nod her head and didn't get an opportunity to say "yes" before I walked into the theatre to request to see the river. Amazing.
I apologized and asked if I could take their photo to commemorate the occasion and then I would move on to viewing the theatre while he completed his proposal. They agreed to the photo, we introduced ourselves; he was James and she was Chelsey. They then promised they would show me around immediately after. We all laughed at such an interesting situation. I just hoped her response wouldn't be the immediate "no" that I had received upon asking to see the Jordan River.
What a great day! There were sights to see everywhere. Most of them were within walking distance and those that weren't were accommodated by the waitress from the previous nite, Lori. She drove me thru most of the city so I could see all the old Victorian homes and also the natural terrain features that make Red Wing so amazingly attractive.
As we drive around, she explains the old buildings and points out a hotel on Main St. I had no idea there was a hotel in the old downtown. I immediately asked if we could ask about room availablity, I would like to check in for the day. They have a room available on the 3rd floor of this 5 floor hotel so I check in, go to my room and feel like I have been thrown back in time. It is amazing. The hotel is the St James and it was built in 1875 and has been in operation ever since. http://www.st-james-hotel.com/new/start.php Photos are located here:
http://www.facebook.com/editphoto.php?aid=108007#/album.php?aid=108007&id=672758511
Other sights:
Great views from Barn Bluff and Memorial Park
Goodhue County History Center
Levee Park and Train Depot
The Sheldon Theatre
The evening involved dinner from the Port of Red Wing located in the basement of the St James. I had the filet mignon which was excellent and then headed to the top floor of the hotel to relax in Jimmy's English Pub. Met a few kind people and enjoyed visiting with all of them and hear their thoughts on Red Wing and the surrounding area. It was a great day.
I started out in my new boots in the morning and made good time into Red Wing, MN. It was a 15 mile trip and started out flat, but increasingly became hillier. My boots held up great, but I did get a new blister directly below the dressings I had on my old blister. Great. I will see how it holds up.
Walking into town was amazing. Trees lined both sides of the highway and the weather was consistent with how the weather has been over the entire trip. Mostly sunny with highs in the mid 70's during the day and mid 50's at nite and it look like this weather will hold for the next few weeks.
I walked into town on Hwy 61 and it appeared as though this would be just another highway town full of strip malls and food franchises, I was about to be proven completely wrong.
Upon entering town, I saw several hotels, but I was looking for a campsite to get off of this damn highway. I continued on and walked about a mile thru town and wasn't feeling good about finding a place to camp, so I went into Caribou Coffee, purchased a cup, and inquired about where I could stay in town. The nice lady informed me that there were several hotels at the West end of town (which I have mentioned) and one more at the far East end. She also said that the park was also located near there. I asked how far away the park was and she stated it was another 3 miles and an additional 3 to get to the campgrounds. I did not feel like walking another 6 miles and then have to walk the same 3 miles back out to the highway so I can start out on the road again. This would result in 6 unnecessary miles.
I made the decision to walk all the way back to the hotels I had passed on my way into town and ended up walking thru the old pottery district. They had taken all of the old original brick buildings and turned them into a shopping district. This is where Red Wing pottery is made. I hadn't even realized that. http://www.redwingpottery.com/ This district and the hotels were located on West Main St. My assumption was this was the old downtown district and had been replaced by the highway community.
I found a hotel, The Rodeway Inn, and checked in. Removing my card key, I noticed an advertisement for 10% off at Liberty's Restaurant in the historic downtown district. Again, I thought I was in downtown, so I called the restaurant and asked about their location thinking it would be one of the brick buildings nearby. The gentleman explained that they weren't located near me, but were about a mile from me. That is about 3 blocks from the Caribou Coffee shop I had stopped into and gotten information. Now I would have to walk all the way back into the real downtown to get a meal. I was now a little frustrated, but anxious to see a historic downtown. I was then told that someone on the restaurant staff would drive out to pick me up and also ensure I got home in the evening. I took him up on that.
The car pulled up, we drove back down the highway about a mile and into one of the finest, attractive, and completely restored downtowns I have ever seen. This sets the standard very high for all the other small towns I will visit on this trip. I believe the Red Wing Shoe Company has a lot to do with the success of this district. http://www.redwingshoes.com/ We pull into the parking lot of Liberty's Restaurant and I am seated by the window and enjoy a fine meal of prime rib. http://www.libertysonline.com/ My waitress, Lori, is very pleasant and informs me of most of the history of the town. She also offers to show me the main sites tomorrow. I accept.
After dinner, I take in a few sites, stop into a couple of pubs, and then unfortunately head back out of this beautiful old town to my modern hotel room a5t the other end of town. I will have to explore much more of this great town later.
Zac and Ashley dropped me off at a dock in Wabasha, MN and promised they would meet me for dinner once they return the boat rental. I head up the dock to Main Street and have no idea where I am going to spend the evening. This is a holiday weekend and nothing appears to be open. As I walk toward a café I notice an American Legion Post and decide to stop in and inquire about a campsite in town.
