Where on Earth is Riverdale?

"Officially Riverdale has no location. It is essentially located wherever the reader wants it to be."

– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

All my life I've looked for Riverdale. Finally, I get it…

I have always had a fascination for Riverdale – the home of Archie Andrews. It's like what Wikipedia says… to me Riverdale is not only a place; it's a dream, my personal Utopia.

Comics were my staple in childhood. I've been through it all – Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Laurel & Hardy, Flash Gordon, Richie Rich, Tintin, Asterix, Blondie… you name it – I've read it. Dennis the Menace tugged at my heartstrings, Calvin & Hobbes gave me hours of laughter-filled afternoons, but Archie and gang overwhelmed my all.

I can't begin to tell you how many hours I've spent walking down the corridors of Riverdale High School, avoiding Mr. Weatherbee, the principal, and steering clear of the school cafeteria and Miss Beazley's culinary concoctions. I can't recount the hours I've spent with Dilton in the chemistry lab. Or with Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica at the beach (keeping a safe distance from Moose and his girlfriend Midge, of course!). And how can I forget Pop Tate's Chocklit Shoppe – my first introduction to American fast-food?

Well, Riverdale was my introduction to all things American; punched with all things Utopian. And that, dear fellows, makes for a heady cocktail! Riverdale is a dreamer's dream… A place where the height of violence is getting punched and seeing stars… where life is an endless series of fun-filled events… where roads are clean, girls are all beautiful, and life is a riot of colours… where friends dominate your waking hours, and dreams too… Dreams! I keep coming back to it. Somehow they have become synonymous… Me, my dreams and Riverdale.

And all through life I've been looking for Riverdale. Through the ups and downs of life… through the failures and disappointments… through the pain and suffering. Riverdale was my escape when things went downhill… And my home when joy ruled supreme…

But where on earth was Riverdale?

Thanks to Wikipedia, I've finally solved the riddle.

Riverdale has always been there inside me.
In a secret fun-filled compartment in my mind...
Everywhere.
And Nowhere.
My inspiration in happiness.
My refuge in sorrow.
My source of sustenance.
All of my existence.

The answer is clear.

'I' am Riverdale…

Riverdale is wherever I am!