CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK, IOWA

We had an easy drive from Cameron Missouri, to Clear Lake Iowa, yesterday.  We knew we didn't have a long drive ahead, so we took our time, cooked breakfast, packed up and didn't get away until 9:00 am and still made it here before 2:00 pm. 

 

It's a simple little State Park, that is well maintained, but there is no running water, which is kinda what we expect, this far north, at this time of the year, and it's also deserted except for us.
 

 

And Sea-Enna loves the freedom that that allows us to give her. 

 

 

The Campground is right on the lake, which makes for a nice view, that really doesn't matter to us, but is probably nice in the summer. 
 

 

 

We spent the day today sightseeing and checking out the main thing that this location is famous for.  "The Surf Ballroom". 
 

 

 

 

The Surf Ballroom was where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, played their last concert before they got on a small plane to go to Fargo, North Dakota for their next gig in Moorhead Minnesota.  As we know they didn't make it. 

 

But I am also interested in seeing the prior history of this place.  Apparently it was built in 1933 and was a well known Ballroom throughout the Big Band era. 

 

Also through the War Years until it burned down in 1947, but was quickly rebuilt across the street and reopened in 1948. 

 

So, it certainly was a thriving place even before Rock & Roll took it over. 

 

 

It still regularly draws large crowds.  There is a big Beatles Revival Concert this weekend and each year on February 3rd they commemorate "The Day the Music Died".   

 

 

 

SO, WE HAVE DONE CLEAR LAKE, IOWA.  NEXT STOP FARGO NORTH DAKOTA, THEN HOME

 

(This barely scratches the surface of the information and pictures I have on "The Surf" and it was very interesting, so I will do another blog dedicated strictly to it.)