The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera

20. Huck on the Seaside

May-June, 1994

Do you like the beach? Have you dreamed of a trip to the seaside if you've never been there? Huckleberry Hound loves the sea, and given that he lives in Southern California now, the beach is only a hop, skip and a jump away. But he grew up on the other side of the country, in North Carolina near the Atlantic Ocean, and even though he found the Pacific Ocean to be just as beautiful, there was just something about the Atlantic that felt...well...a little more close to home.

It was a gorgeous day and June was just around the corner. Huck was tidying up the house from his big Memorial Day weekend barbecue when he decided to organize his bedroom closet a bit. He opened the door, and an avalanche of various items came pouring down on top of him! Wow, he must have been way behind on the organization, given how many things he had stored in there! Better get to work!

"Huhuhuh! I guess I've become quite a collector!" he chuckled to himself as he looked at the large toy hippopotamus that he'd won at Super Family Funland.

He started to sift through his stuff, when he heard a "twang!" He looked down and saw that his guitar was sitting in the mess of stuff, and three of the strings had broken!

"Shuckins! My dang guitar strings are busted again," he muttered, shaking his head. "Guess I'm gonna have to take it to the shop again."

He sighed as he set it aside, then he ran across a photo album. Curious, he opened it up and took a look. He laughed as he came across a picture of himself in a little sailor's outfit at the beach. He had the little neckerchief and "Dixie Cup" cap with a little anchor stitched on the front. He smiled as he flipped to another picture, where he was trying to bury his late father Blackberry in the sand. All the Hound family were smiling and laughing in the photo. Huck let out another sigh, overcome by feelings of nostalgia. Just then, he heard the phone ring, so he freed himself from the pile of junk to go and answer it.

"Howdy! Huckleberry Hound speakin'!"

"Nephew! Howdy! How are you?"

Huck gasped in surprise. "Uncle Boysenberry!?"

"Yep! Surprise! I called to see how things were goin'. It's been a little while since we talked!"

"Yeah, it sure has!"

"Well, listen. I was wonderin' if you would like to come to the Outer Banks with me next week! We're plannin' a little trip, me and your Aunt Tayberry, and Mulberry and Juniper! We were wonderin' if maybe you'd like to come along too."

"Me, Juniper, and Mulberry?" Huck exclaimed. "Oh, yes, yes, YES!! I'd love to! And I'll bring my guita...ohhh. I forgot. I gotta take it to the shop. The strings done broke whilst I was cleanin' out my closet."

"Awww, that's okay, nephew. Mulberry's been practicing, and he can play some great songs!"

"Mulberry can play the guitar too?" Huck asked. "Gosh, that sounds great! Maybe I can bring along another instrument. I have plenty!" He paused for a second as he suddenly thought of another idea. "Say, I was thinkin'...could I bring along a couple of my friends too?"

"Why, of course!" Boysenberry grinned. "I'd love to see them again!"

"Great! I'll invite them right now, and I'll hop on the next flight to Charlotte!"

"Sounds good! We'll see you soon!"

Huck hung up the phone, and thought about which of his friends he could invite with him for the trip. It all depended on who was free and who was busy, and he sure had a lot of friends. Which ones would be the most willing to go with him?