A Pilgrimage: Son of TOM Returns After 50 Years

Tom's oldest son, Steve, recently made a trip to his original hometown of Red Wing, Minnesota. If you've READ TOM, you might realize the significance of that visit. Before going, he asked his dad about some of the places highlighted in the book. In particular, where did the famous "Robin Hood of Ellsworth" once roam the Wisconsin woodlands?

During Steve's visit he snapped various photos of the places he visited and sent them by text message to his dad. Tom sent replies back ...

• "Been there many times! I've fished it!" Referring to Lake Pepin, near Lake City, MN.
• "I used to play softball there. Me and your mom spent many hours there. Great fish restaurant there too." Referring to the town of Wabasha, MN.
• "Little Steve wasted no time!" Referring to the old St. John Hospital building where Steve was born.
• "That top window is the kitchen ... where Danny gave you the pacifier ... that yellow lounge chair where you slept on my shoulder and sometimes puked on me!" Referring to the old house on Wilkinson street that Tom and Isabelle lived in so long ago.
• "Brings back so many old memories."

There were several other text exchanges, but after that last one Steve chose to give it a rest. After Steve left the Red Wing area he posted a few photos and a message to his private family group. This is now being shared here ...

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It was truly a joy exploring the area my mom and dad called home when they were just a young couple starting out in life from 1966 - 1968. It was sort-of medicinal to drive along the same roads and imagine my mother so vibrant and full of life in 1967, 20 years old, with the windows down in the 1962 Ford Falcon, wind in her hair, dad was probably whistling a 4 Seasons song ... makes me smile, and also miss her a little more.

Here are a few photos from places I visited ...

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