It's summertime in Hohman, Indiana, and 14-year-old Ralph Parker can't wait to get his first job. His friends Schwartz and Flick are less enthusiastic, and the job turns into a nightmare presided over by the story's author, Jean Shepherd, in hilariously unconvincing movie makeup. Ralph's dad hardly can wait for the family's upcoming fishing vacation in Michigan at the movie title's resort but will have to drive their old car through a sea of troubles to get there.