A Big Boot and a Little House

July 9, 2013

One BIG Boot!

Did you know that Red Wing, Minnesota is home to the World's Largest Boot?  I didn't either until we started getting travel and tourist information from the different states.  This stop in Red Wing was on several of the kid's lists of things they wanted to do on the trip - so here we go to Red Wing!  It's only about 50 miles southeast of Minneapolis and a pleasant drive through the farmland.

Have ever seen painted cows along a city street?  The CowParade concept began in 1998 in Switzerland and really took off the following year when more than 300 cows lined Chicago's "Miracle Mile" and raised upward of $3.5 million for charity. Some 75 cities in 30 countries have held CowParades since then, and tens of millions of dollars have been raised for nonprofit partners. We've seen the Parade concept used now with a number of different animals; cows, bears, horses, and even Moose. 

Well, The folks in Red Wing have taken the concept to a different level - one that is unique and fits right in here in this "boot city" - the boot parade!

The St James Hotel - THE place to stay when in Red Wing.

Unless you bring your place with you!

Ah, the awaited purpose - The World's largest boot!  

I know, you think this is some sort of trick photography, right?

Well, guess again!

Those laces are about four inches in diameter!

I found this interesting letter in their museum

They even had a dress-up and play area for the kiddos!

After some more fun - it's off again!

Just across the Mississippi river and a bit south is Pepin, Wisconsin - the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 and died on February 10, 1957 at the age of 90. She . During her lifetime she traversed the country by horse and wagon, survived the long winter of 1880-1881 in Dakota Territory, farmed with her family, taught school at age 15, lived during (what we call) the pioneer days, and saw modern America develop. From horses and mail by ponies and trains to automobiles, electricity, planes, and television – Laura lived a fascinating life. Her books have never been out of print and they continue to delight and educate readers all over the world.

The original log house and barn are no longer there. The big woods is gone, too. What once was the big woods is now a modern farming community. A highway winds through the land that was the Ingalls farm, probably following very closely the wagon track which Laura describes in her book.

One thing that still remains is the "beautiful lake" about which she wrote. People still admire its beauty just as Laura did on her first visit to the village of Pepin. Both commercial fisherman and sportsmen still catch fish in Lake Pepin just as Pa did in the 1870's..

A replica of Laura's birthplace.

Little Alice on the Big Road of vacation.

 The Big Lake - Lake Pepin on the Mississippi river.