Exploring Clear Lake, Iowa With Cousin John

My sister Susan and our cousin John and I visited Clear Lake, Iowa last week to explore the town where our Great Great Grandfather Alex Nelson, Great Great Grandmother Imogene, and Great Grandmother Sophie moved to in 1879, and where our Grandfather Claire Hoyt grew up. After reading thousands of issues of the Clear Lake Mirror and Reporter from 1880 to the 1920s, we found the locations of their two houses, but not the houses themselves, due to streets that have been renamed and lots reconfigured since the late 19th Century. But we did get an idea of what it was like to live in that neighborhood, which is just as important. The photograph on the left shows my cousin John posing along Clear Lake, a block to the west of where our relative's homes were located.

The neighborhood where our family lived is in the original part of Clear Lake and consists of modest homes such as the ones seen in the photograph on the right. Just to the east of this area are some very large, very beautiful Victorian homes on big lots, which since they are located in Iowa, I assume are very reasonably priced. I have heard rumors that George Clooney and wife Amal have sold their Lake Como estate in Italy and bought one of those bargain Victorians in Clear Lake. A very smart move, I must say.

It was pretty unsettled weather during our stay in Clear Lake. One minute it was sunny and the next minute it was raining like hell. Right off the town square the "Lady of the Lake," seen in the photograph on the left, was docked, and available for cruises on Clear Lake. I myself thought it might be fun to go on a boat ride when it was a little rough out there - kind of like riding a roller coaster - but there were no cruises offered that day. Plus, John felt that old paddle-wheeler did not look very seaworthy. To that I say nonsense! That boat is probably inspected every three months or so and totally shipshape. Plus, they sell beer on board to calm your nerves. We also visited the cemetery to see the graves of all our relatives, but found there were no headstones at the spot where they were buried. What gives with that? I definitely intend to make some phone calls to get some answers. Perhaps Frank Azar, "The Strongarm," will be willing to take a break from accident cases here in Denver and look into this outrage.