#myclearlake

Some notes heading into summertime

OVER LUNCH AT SOME OLD-SCHOOL DINER IN BREEZEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA: In taking our leave of Ocean City, and on accepting an invite from a certain boon companion of Touché Turtle by name of Dum-Dum to join him and Bristlehound for some houseboating on the Mississippi River, yours truly, along with Huckleberry Hound, as well as Touché "himself," took our leave of Ocean City by way of US 50 unto Baltimore by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and thence on I-70 into this rather crazy crossroads of the Lincoln Highway (as in US 30 in these parts) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

In fact, it's on the former that our party of three will be heading out to the Mississippi River for the most part--eventually to come into US 20 through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, thereby offering a direct (if somewhat out-of-the-way) routing towards Dubuque, Iowa and the Mississippi, whence, it turns out, Dum-Dum is calling us from.

"So how is my devoted Touché Turtle?" asked Dum-Dum in a rather effervescent style, to which the heroic-minded turtle responded, "My apologies if you're catching our company over lunch ... but at any rate, we left Ocean City this morning on our way to the river."

"And did I hear correctly," Dum-Dum remarked, "that those Goofy Guards are pulling off a little fencing exercise in Ocean City?"

"On the Boardwalk there, yes." [Pause] "And for only $20 a pop."

"I can hardly believe it!" was all Dum-Dum could respond.

"Nonetheless," responded I, "we can't wait to be on the river with you and Bristlehound."

"And I hope you can stand small-town tavern fish fry on Friday evenings!" was how Dum-Dum chimed in. This even as we were having chicken-and-stuffing casserole in the Pennsylvania Dutch manner, and rather generous on the portions besides, no skimping!

And even then, Huck was still wondering as to the next ideal Character Convocation, timed to coincide with the July 4th holiday no doubt ... prompting him to suggest no less than Clear Lake, Iowa and their 4th of July celebrations, one of the Midwest's largest such for a small community.

"You still remember that time at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake where I crossed paths with the Cattanooga Cats, and we had quite the performance--"

To which Huck remarked, "I assume they're still talking about especially that tribute you and the Cats did there to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper."

"Out of sympathy for the Surf being their last performance before that tragic plane crash on February 3, 1959."

"How right you are, Snag ... and I guess it'll be interesting to imagine the Cats as much as The Banana Splits there in Clear Lake as well."

"Not to mention our whole funtastic pantheon."

"At any rate," Huck remarked over dessert, "Clear Lake for the weekend of the 4th 'tis."

"Oh, and let's not forget Peter Potamus' divers; they'll especially find Clear Lake itself worth some diving."

"I never thought of that, Snag."

"Or, as those Cattanooga Cats sang, 'I never knew the way you'd feel.'"

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Meanwhile, in deference to the Memorial Day break, next Monday (the 27th) will see no Postcard in this space ... hence, returning on Wednesday the 29th. And at any rate, enjoy what the weekend brings forth.