Day 2: Chautauqua-Jamestown-Chautauqua (uh, 32 miles...)

Given the weather (yesterday's Chicago TV predicted 'treacherous' travel in the afternoon), we decided to stay put in Chautauqua for the day. We walked Papi in the rain, and visited the bookstore (terrific, almost overwhelming selection - reminds me of the old Harvard Coop bookstore), and of course we were thrilled to see our good friend and third-generation and lifelong Chautauquan Clint Wilder's book Clean Tech Nation on prominent display in the current events section.  And then we went to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.

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the visit starts with a touch screen where you pick your favorite funny people.  that generates which comics you'll see in various interactive video exhibits.  Apparently I like the absurd and quirky. Who knew?

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Mark Twain, in his own hand. I love this stuff. Even more when it includes edits.

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From the Dick Van Dyke show and the inimitable Carl Reiner. Edits included. Years ago, Terry Gross interviewed Reiner on Fresh Air, and he made two points he believed were key to the longevity of the show. First, it was never mean-spirited (Everybody Loves Raymond, I'm talking to you). And it never used references to current events, or slang that would date it.

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I'm sure my parents can relate.

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Bob Hope's USO shirt, hat, and ID.

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This sign advising me that I'd already given them my release appears for the first time just before the gift shop at the end of the visit.