When I first learned that SB might make the trip to Minnesota, there
were a few absolutely essential places that I would make sure to visit
and photograph. Truthfully, those handful of things were about the only
ones I could come up with as 'these will happen' until the reality of the scooter actually
arriving came to be. Never sure if the wooden scooter would be here
during riding season or our other season, my plans were to remain
flexible, focusing on Red Wing proper as an absolute bare minimum.
Hoping to get a chance to "ride the region", but not really counting on
getting that lucky, things nearby, the same things I'd have shared with
Bob had he stopped for an afternoon or quick evening were my main focus.
Water.....
Bob's
riding adventures were always fun and so very easy for me to relate
to. At the same time, his exploits and discoveries often weren't that
far off from mine. Of all the Posting that Bob did, the ones
consistently my favorites were the ones along the Vancouver waterfront.
His walking along the docks, the photographs he took and the life in
those places, human and otherwise really struck a chord with me.
Everyone of those little trips brought the sounds and aromas of the
Pacific all of the long way back to the Midwest.
Having
been born within shouting distance of the Mississippi River, our big
water has always had a deep connection with me. Even though I've spent
precious little time on this river, being near and in the vicinity of
has always brought comfort, whether it's here on the upper river or
further downstream. Red Wing's connection to the river has been and
essential kinship from its earliest days and so, sharing a part of this
river with Bob to the extent that I could was something I was very much
looking forward to.
Red Wing's area famous Floating Boat Houses......
I
came to appreciate Bob's sense of exploration, something I thought he
and I shared. Seeing the inscription on this plaque reinforced that and
just seemed like the right spot for SB to pause for a bit in the quiet river park.
Baypoint Park's "The Boy" statue.....
"What
kind of man would live where there is no daring? I don't believe in
taking chances but nothing can be accomplished without taking any
chances at all. Charles Lindbergh
Red
Wing's waterfront, Barn Bluff in the distance. The Mississippi running very
high for mid-summer due to the region's recent heavy rains.
Kid's Fishing Day.......
They don't do Crocs but they do specialize in footwear and have been for 111 years.....
Up to Memorial Park (Karen was there when in town), this plaque explains our limestone bluffs and glacier-eroded valleys.
Barn Bluff off SB's tail, the main channel of the river immediately beyond.
In the Lower Quarry section of Memorial Park, signs commemorating the limestone mining industry.....
This flat section of the park (very little flat around here) is the floor of the quarry, rock removed, shear walls all around.
Another sign mentioning this valley's continental flyway....
There, a taste of Red Wing and a few of the local things I was anxious to share with our friend Bob Scoot.
Very nice tour of Red Wing. I hadn't thought about the work boots being made there.
ReplyDeleteRichard, we hear that a lot.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I always loved Bob's waterfront pictures as well. I think he would have loved this tour.
ReplyDeleteThis one would have been an easy one to do and to share. Definitely would have been our first.
DeleteBob would have loved your tour. Maybe he would have switched over to redwing footwear, do you think? Glad to hear you got to meet up with Erik and Nancy. I remember those green crocks.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun getting together and I'm glad that there were 4 of us. RW Shoe has much to choose from though most if not all are a bit more restrictive than what Bob might have preferred.
DeleteScooterBob and the Giant Boot. Great title for a children's book, don't you think.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this brought Bob into your life in a tangible way.
Great post Doug.
David, it really does have a children's book ring to it doesn't it?
DeleteThis has been good and much appreciated. There's life in this little scooter I tell ya'.