BY: RACHEL WUMKES

Is it just me, or does summer seem to go by faster and faster every year?  At first, I thought it was a result of old age, but my young kids will agree.

In the blink of an eye, June is almost gone.

Of course, it doesn’t help to be crazy-busy from morning until night.  Every. Single. Day.  When I realized it was time to sit down and write another Feed Good Friday blog post, I had to double check my planner to make sure it was, indeed, Friday!

So, what’s been happening at the Lake this week?

Well, everything, really.

Clear Lake is a buzz of activity all day long.  Our tourist season kicked off with a bang in June and has been racing full steam ahead ever since.  Take a stroll down Main Ave around lunch time someday and you will see what I mean.

Bikers, walkers, folks enjoying a picnic in the park, swimmers, boaters… they are EVERYWHERE!  Life as we once knew it is officially back and I cannot even begin to describe how good it feels to see so many smiling faces enjoying our beautiful lake town!

As we sail into the weekend, the phrase is not just a fun saying this week.  We are – literally – SAILING into the weekend with the 2021 MC National Championship Regatta taking place on the lake Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Now, my extensive knowledge of sailing and how it works ends with “the wind moves the boat.”

Thank you, University of Northern Iowa.

Regardless, I must admit it is REALLY cool to watch them out on the water.  There are about 100 boats here to compete, bringing sailors from all over the United States.

I had the chance to chat with a couple ladies here for the event last night during Thursdays on Main.  One had traveled all the way from Georgia.  She asked me if the downtown event was going on because of the races.  When I informed them we actually do this EVERY Thursday night during the summer (except when the carnival is set up) she couldn’t believe it.

As she walked away with her friend, I overheard her say, “What a fun town.”  To which her friend replied, “Right? I can’t believe they do this every week.”

Pride swelled up from deep inside me.  She was correct… we ARE a fun town.  I’ve lived in a handful of places throughout Iowa over the course of my *cough* forty *cough* years – and I have to say, hands down, Clear Lake is the very best of them all.

And so, on that note, to all the Clear Lakers and visitors reading this blog… have a GREAT weekend.  Get out and enjoy everything this beautiful community has to offer.  Treat yourself to a reprieve from cooking and eat at our fabulous restaurants, buy yourself something fancy at one of our many shops, and enjoy all the beauty and wonder of the great outdoors.

Until next week, my friends… see you at the Lake!