The Weekend

The north end of Lake Pepin begins sixty miles south of St. Paul, MN. where the Mississippi River widens to 3 miles and extends south 28 miles. Lake Pepin is flanked on the Minnesota side by Hwy 61 and on the Wisconsin side by Hwy. 35. Both highways are marked with “Great River Road” green-and-white signs. There is a bridge crossing the river at Red Wing, MN and at Wabasha, MN.

The bluffs, covered with a variety of hardwood trees, rise up on both sides forming the river valley. In the fall, the bluffs appear to be covered with a fall colored patchwork quilt. In the spring, geraniums, marigolds, and impatiens bloom in window boxes hanging from the historic buildings paralleling the river’s shore.

Pepin, WI is only 7 miles north of the bridge at Wabasha. Pepin is home to about 900 very friendly residents and was birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder in 1867. Seven miles north of Pepin is a reconstructed log cabin at her birthplace. Memorabilia and displays of Laura and her work can be found in the museum in Pepin from May to October.

The first weekend in May brings out all the bargain shopper’s as they search for that unique treasure at the annual “100 mile garage sale”. The garage sale takes place up and down both sides of the lake.
The second weekend in May brings out all the art lovers for the self-guided “Fresh Arts Tour”. The tour is along the picturesque Wisconsin winding roads of Lake Pepin and Chippewa River valley. Fourteen artists’ studios and galleries are participating in 2011.

We are lucky enough to have 4 of those artists showing their work right here in Pepin. Johanna Berge will have her handmade jewelry displayed at Bnox, Tom Latane will be a block away with his metal work, Jane and Dave Smith are right on the river with creative metal yard décor and stained glass, and Leslie Stewart’s work will be displayed at the Lake Pepin Art Design Center. All are within easy walking distance. http://www.freshart.org/

Below is a metal piece crafted in the blacksmith furnace of Tom Latane in downtown Pepin. During the tour, we were able to see him working with the irons in the fire, etc.  Fascinating.

Tom's wife, Cathrine makes items out of tin.

Below is Smith Brothers Landing where Dave creates beautiful metal garden decorations. http://www.pepinsmith.com/gallery.htm

Pepin WI – www.pepinwisconsin.com

Bed & Breakfast – Harbor Hill Inn(below) and A Summer Place

Motels – Pepin Motel and Great River Amish Inn

Restaurants – Two Old Guys (huge yummy cinnamon roll $1.50, great pizza, homemade bread by two old guys who own the joint & one old guy who makes bread too.)

Harbor View Café (award winning riverfront elegant, yet casual) http://www.harborviewpepin.com/

We ate here on Saturday.  Bob had the Rattlesnake Beef Loin and Susie had the Chicken breast over pasta.  WOW.  It was terrific.  The next day we went back and shared a piece of Georgia Walnut Pie ala mode.  $7.00 and plenty for both of us. It had to be the best thing we have ever eaten.

The Pickle Factory (lakeside sports bar atmosphere with exceptional ribs, burgers, onion rings, Reuben’s, nachos. Oh, I give up…everything is very good.) http://www.pepinpicklefactory.com/

Dan’s Pepin Marina – our home from May 5th – May 24th. Peaceful, even though trains within 100 yds of our boat zoomed past sometimes as often as 3 times an hours. Believe it or not we actually got used to them.

On Deck Seminars and Charters, David Sheridan, owner. http://www.on-deck.com/

Laura Ingals Wilder - Birthplace - Pepin, WI

We would highly recommend this area for a long weekend destination.