Colonel William Colvill came to Red Wing in 1854 to practice law and publish the new Red Wing Sentinel. A strapping 6-foot-five, he was the first in Goodhue County to enlist when the news of Fort Sumpter was announced. Colvill's fellow soldiers elected him captain of the 100-soldier Company F. The company boarded a steamboat to Fort Snelling on April 27, 1861 where they joined with other units from around the state to become the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Fast forward to May 15, 2021, the glorious day began with cool temperatures and predictions of perfection with a slight chance of dramatic weather in the evening. No matter, we Nutters are a hearty lot; the rain is no matter.
The Blessing of the Bicycles proved another hit by the Vicar, we also heard from the Queen Herself with the “Notes from the Queen” letter read by Duchess Chandra. Sir Noel Robinson was also there to encourage the group. A few other details were ticked off the list and off we went.
The new Highway 63 bridge over the Mississippi has solved an old problem with a combined bicycle and pedestrian lane; it works well and we had no trouble with cars or trucks. Moving past the Bow and Arrow roadside marker we made it to Bay City and even though Flat Pennies Ice Cream has been closed for years, we still have to stop and press our noses against the glass.
We stalled for as long as possible but eventually we faced the inevitable and began the march up the Bay City Hill. It seems innocuous at first since the grade is moderate but soon your thoughts evaporate into the void of oxygen depletion. The many turns and steepening grade hide the summit but soon the familiar Tabor Church pokes it’s steeple over the horizon proving the difficult battle has been won.
The Smiling Pelican Bakery had been warned of our invasion and Sondra and Dave did not disappoint. The big hit was the Bristol Banana Crème pie; a glorious creation with a healthy bit of whipped cream on top. We lingered, chatted and took photos in the garden but soon we were off.
Stockholm was next and it is another little village to stop, sit a while and chat with the locals and the tourists.
The little town of Pepin was next on the map and to really see the sights you must get off the highway and loop through this beautiful harbor town.
Next is [Lord] Nelson but to get there you need to slog through the Chippewa River delta; a longish and flattish stretch that comes at a time when you are facing fatigue, wind and heat. A little ice cream at the [Lord] Nelson Creamery will refresh and fortify you enough to get you over the bridge into Wabasha.
Turning Waters B&B&B were our hosts for the evening and Brenda did a cracking job putting on a garden party with great food, music and, of course, home brew. We watched the lightning, hail and rain come down while staying warm and dry in the brewpub.
Sunday morning we were at Turning Waters again for breakfast with a wonderful selection of treats to get us started on this misty and cool English morning.
Lake City was our destination and it came soon enough on the newly-paved Highway 61. The Brew-Up lived up to its reputation with picnic blankets, tea kettles and a vast array of English treats everywhere. Coming out of Lake City, a new bicycle lane coupled with a healthy tail wind made for an easy run out of town.
Coming into Old Frontenac on Garrard Avenue, we turn onto Faribault Street, then stop at Manypenny Avenue. Here we find the location of the Light-Up at The Old Stone Wall; a treasured spot to do nothing more than get off your hard saddle, chat with old friends, take photographs and enjoy the day. Lovely stuff, this. Many brought pipes that were lit-up and the smell of your fathers old Dr. Grabow filled the air. The display of old English iron was unforgettable.
Next up was Frontenac Station then the popular alternate route down Ski Road; this provides a bit of gravel riding with vistas into the bluff country forest and across the valley.
Finally back at Colvill Park, all of the Nutters were tired and relieved. Another Tour was under their belt.
Captain Colvill had a long and courageous life with many ups and downs with stories of bravery and injury but still he soldiered on to become an honored and treasured bit of local and national history. The parallel is uncanny; this is much like our ‘umble 3-speeds which are always at the ready to prove their strength, durability and un-faltering readiness to save the day.
Date(s): May 15 & 16 2021. Album by STO. Photos by STO. 1 - 93 of 93 Total. 1886 Visits.
