Summer is coming back in my neck of the woods. Summer is a meteorological summer to me. June July and August comprise the season. When I think of summer ending I mean it is two-thirds over. The kids see it the same way.

‘We have to set our caps to making summer go out with a bang,’ Jane said. ‘Yesterday we began our summer vacation and tomorrow is school. ‘Let us camp at Giant City and stay out all night with our sleeping bags and tents,’ Jane said happily.

‘I saw a tent erected at the Visitors Center,’ Chet advised. ‘The Woods were alive with activity something special is happening,’ he noted. ‘Could it be that Daniel Boone is leading a hike,’ he laughed.

‘Daniel Boone fascinates me since I have the Daniel Boone Action Figure,’ Billy B enthused. ‘Watching Fess Parker portray him on TV is inspiring,’ Billy B continued.

‘I wonder if Daniel likes Merlot,’ Neva J asked? ‘I will make grits gravy and cornpone for our dinner,’ Neva J continued. ‘Do you think he will have extra coonskin caps,’ she asked?

‘Greetings hikers it is a lovely summer day for our adventure,’ Davy Crockett said. ‘We will hike along the creek and make our own campfire tonight,’ DC added. ‘I have my flintlock rifle perhaps we will see some wild game,’ DC said.

‘Why do you and Daniel Boone look so similar,’ Daryl asked? I find it difficult to tell you apart,’ Daryl continued. ‘Are you brothers,’ he asked DC?

‘No we are both played on television by Fess Parker which has confused more than one viewer,’ DC advised. ‘Fess was so popular in the role that he went on to also have a show about Daniel Boone,’ DC noted.

‘I have my bear with me he is friendly and hungry,’ Daniel said. ‘Brother Fester I did not know you would be joining us on the campout and hike,’ Daniel said. ‘I thought you were in Hollywood making a movie,’ DB said.

‘So you are twin brothers,’ Billy B said. ‘Fess and Fester I presume,’ Billy B said as the light went off in his brain. ‘What is your bear’s name,’ Billy B asked?

‘I call him Ben…Gentle Ben,’ DB answered. ‘Could he have some of your Oscar Mayer Weiners,’ DB asked? ‘Gentle Ben has not eaten since breakfast and is powerful hungry,’ he added.

‘Dad where have you been, Cub Bear asked? ‘Bennie has been asking me about you all morning,’ Cub Bear said. ‘Bennie has a thorn in his foot and is limping behind me,’ CB said.

‘Come here Bennie and I will remove the thorn and then pour some Merlot on it,’ Neva J said as she retrieved her First Aid Kit. ‘This is not my first thorn,’ Neva J smiled. ‘There is no need to hunt wild game as I have a cooler full of hamburger steaks for your enjoyment,’ she laughed heartily!

‘May Lassie and I join the picnic,’ Timmy asked? ‘Lassie loves company and she is a good dog,’ he smiled as he petted Lassie’s head and stroked her ears. ‘We have ventured far from home and I fear we will not be home for dinner and Mom will be worried,’ Timmy said.

‘What is that flying sprite,’ Jane asked? ‘It looks like a petite girl with wings,’ she added. ‘She landed on my shoulder and said she was a representative of the Wonderful World of Disney,’ Jane chortled.

‘There are many animals in the forest,’ Marlin Perkins advised. ‘Be careful that a squirrel does not join you in your sleeping bag,’ Marlin P winked and grinned. ‘Mutual Of Omaha sent me to tell you of the animals in the forest,’ Marlin P said with a chuckle.

‘Wake up Billy B it is time for the first day of school you went to sleep in front of the TV again,’ Neva J said with her typical wake-up clarion call…’ Hit the deck you rubberneck…’