Day 126, 127, 128, and 129 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Our day 126, was Wednesday September 9th. It is the day Becky & Peter arrived at Ives Run for an overnight, before we start to head southwest toward Branson, MO. 

We had a great sight to see them arrive. Yes, for those of you that follow us, but might not know Peter & Becky. Yes, their RV looks just like our old one. They looked at many rigs before they found this one. It is a year newer than ours but the same paint scheme. Before our new one, we would look like twins traveling down the road!

They got set up and we took them on a tour of Ives Run. Then we headed into Wellsboro for an early dinner. We selected The Roost. The circa-1900 building has a long commercial history, operating as Simmons Restaurant during the 1940s and 1950s before later becoming a bar. Owners Sean and Robin Adams previously ran an inn and coffeehouse across the street called The Wired Rooster until 2016. After finalizing the property purchase, across the street, in December 2015, they kept the bar open briefly for a pool league before closing in March 2017 to start a massive two-year, floor-to-ceiling restoration. The restored interior mixes modern touches with salvaged local materials. The original historic tin ceiling remains intact, light fixtures are crafted from industrial pipes repurposed from the local Osram Sylvania glass factory, and the walls feature recycled wooden planks. The Roost opened as a hybrid dining establishment featuring a light menu, house-roasted coffee, and adult beverages. Over time, it has evolved into a well-loved downtown pub and restaurant known for craft burgers, local ingredients, and seasonal entrees, even being featured on the America's Best Restaurants roadmap. Becky and I had the same salads, but we had different beers! I went for the Strawberry Pretzel Salad Ale. Charlie and Peter each enjoyed something different. Everything was delicious! 

After our early dinner, we took them to see PA's Grand Canyon. The Pine Creek Gorge, commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is surrounded by approximately 165,000 acres of the Tioga State Forest. The PA Grand Canyon begins south of Ansonia along US Route 6 and continues for approximately 47 miles. 

The maximum depth of the canyon is 1,450 feet at Waterville, near the southern end. At Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks, the depth is more than 800 feet. We headed to the Leonard Harrison State Park, because it is closest. The overlooks, at both State Parks, offer the most spectacular views.

Pine Creek Gorge received national acclaim in 1968 when the National Park Service designated a 12-mile section as a National Natural Landmark. Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks are on opposite sides of Pine Creek Gorge. The scenery is superb now, but I bet in the fall the large abundance of hardwood trees displays beautiful autumn shades of yellow, orange, and red with the pockets of evergreen trees providing a dash of green.

Leonard Harrison State Park is on the east rim of the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, the 585-acre Leonard Harrison State Park has the most famous scenic views of the canyon. Leonard Harrison State Park honors Leonard Harrison (1850-1929) of Wellsboro. Mr. Harrison was a civic-minded businessman and banker who contributed his time, energy and finances to the betterment of his home community. Originally consisted of 121 acres and was called “The Lookout.” Mr. Harrison owned and developed the area as a public picnic ground. He gave the area to the Commonwealth in 1922. The park was further developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the mid-1930s. A bronze monument to their achievement is on the overlook. Becky posed with the bronze hunk! 

The rain came in and spoiled our chances for a fire back at the campground. So, it was a night to stay inside and prepare for our travel day tomorrow.

Thursday September 10th is day 127 for Charlie and I. It is day 1 of our adventure with Peter & Becky making our way to Branson MO. Becky and I enjoyed my last walk at Ives Run. It was another foggy morning, but the sun peaked out behind the clouds and gave us an eerily beautiful picture!

We met up at the gate house to get hooked up and do our last minute checks before we pulled out!

We are taking US Route 6 in Pennsylvania for a good portion of today's drive. Route 6 enjoys a storied past. The route can be traced back to 1807 when state officials mandated a road be cut through the Moosic Mountains to enable easier travel to the western parts of the state. As the state and nation grew, so too did the road. Carved out of hundreds of miles of wilderness, the road eventually united all of the county seats in Pennsylvania’s northern tier. The fledgling highway quickly became a vital link between the industry of the west and the railroads in the east. Along its length sprung charming villages, plentiful farming communities and thriving towns.

This 70 mile stretch of PA’s US Route 6 takes you back to the kind of vacation you might have experienced in your childhood. Drive through rolling, emerald hills, very much like those of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each twist and turn offers stunning views, dotted with villages with pieces of small town life. You will see signs of family recreation areas, like river outfitters, mom and pop motels and campgrounds. 

Route 6 is officially designated as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Major William L. Anderson, Jr. of the U.S. Army proposed naming a major transcontinental route after the Grand Army of the Republic, which was the official fraternal organization for Union Civil War veterans. Route 6 was chosen for the dedication because it was the longest continuous highway in the United States at the time. It stretches from Bishop, California, to Provincetown, Massachusetts.

We passed the  Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. Nestled in the wooded mountains of Potter County, the museum invites visitors to discover the courageous yet reckless spirit of Pennsylvania’s lumbering past while learning to care for the forests of the future. Interactive exhibits simulate activities such as swinging an ax, sawing a tree, piloting a log raft and racing locomotives for a hands-on experience with history. Outdoor exhibits located across the 10-acre campus include a re-created early 20th-century lumber camp, a 70-ton Shay geared-locomotive, and Barnhart log loader, and a log cabin built by the CCC. They operate their steam-powered sawmill at three annual events, Spring Show, Bark Peelers’ Festival, and the Fall Show.

The Coudersport Theatre on Main Street in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, was built in 1922–1923 by Harry Kane and a business partner at a cost of about $25,000. The building officially opened with a screening of the silent film A Wise Fool, requiring a live piano accompanist, in January 1923. A distinctive, hand-painted stage curtain was installed. It depicts the Spanish knight Amadis de Gaula on one side and Spanish dancers on the other, representing contrasting philosophical ideas. It remains inside the theater today.

Motor through one-blink towns like Mina, Roulette, Burtville and the larger Port Allegany, named because it was a landing site for Native American canoes. In Port Allegany is the Serenity Glass Park. After a blighted building at the corner of Mill and Main streets was demolished several years ago, borough officials knew it needed to be replaced with something that would serve both as an anchor and attraction for the downtown area. The end result is the colorful Serenity Glass Park. It embraces Port Allegany’s Glass Manufacturing history and also highlights the importance of the Natural Gas and Lumber industries to our town.  Featuring the artistic and architectural talents of many Port Allegany residents and natives, this park is a must see when visiting PA’s Historic Route 6, the Pennsylvania Wilds, or the Pennsylvania Lumber Heritage Region.  

Then you will arrive in Smethport. The Capital Seat of the County, Smethport was once a bastion of oil and lumber tycoons. At the turn of last century, this town had serious money. The evidence still lines Main Street, the Smethport Mansion District, a village of 30 opulent properties boasting history and architecture and showcasing the luxurious life of Smethport's past. The Colonial Hotel was created in 1931 by converting one of the town's finest private dwellings, the former Charles McKean Mansion, into a leading hostelry along Route 6. In October 1941, Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Monsch purchased the hotel from the estate of the late Mr. Munn. Monsch brought elite international hospitality experience from Switzerland, England, and Italy, along with prominent management roles at the Hotel New Yorker and Hotel Gotham. Advertised as a premier American and European plan stopover, the hotel featured all outside rooms, running water, private bath options, and an active bar and cocktail lounge.

Mt Jewett is most famous as the gateway to the Kinzua Bridge State Park and its famous SkyWalk over the historic, partially tornado-damaged Kinzua Viaduct. The historic Kinzua Viaduct, once known as the highest and longest railroad bridge in the world. 

Mt Jewett is known locally as "the Swedest place on earth," the town celebrates deep Swedish immigrant roots. These roots date back to the late 19th century when Swedish immigrants settled in the area to work in lumber and local industries. They celebrate this heritage with a popular annual Swedish Festival every August. This weekend festival celebrates the town's ancestral roots with a traditional Swedish smörgåbord, a grand parade, ethnic food, and live entertainment.

A sculpture made out of recycled bicycles has made quiet a splash after its installation along the rail trail in Kane! The large, eye-catching metal sculpture was installed along the trailhead of the Knox and Kane Rail Trail near where Route 6 intersects with Route 321. Jody Aiello of Aiello Metal Works, a local artisan known for his intricate metal fish sculptures, said it took around 300 hours to complete the piece. It’s made from 15 different bicycles, parts of which you can clearly identify within the sculpture. 

In Kane, we cut-off Route 6 and took PA 66. Kane, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1864 by Civil War General Thomas L. Kane and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Denniston Wood Kane. Kane was a social reformer, abolitionist, and Union commander of the "Bucktails" regiment. While surveying the Allegheny plateau for the McKean and Elk Land and Improvement Company, he fell in love with the forested high ground and chose it for a new community.

Local medical doctor EH McCleery saved an entire subspecies of Gray wolf from extinction starting in 1921. He is considered the Father of the American Endangered Species Movement.  The McCleery wolf sculpture was originally designed and built in September 2020 by nationally known artist Bill Secunda, who created the adult wolf out of 25,000 hand cut nails. This wolf overlooks the intersections of US Route 6 and PA Route 66. The sculpture is a testament to one man’s vision, dedication and commitment. In 1921, when Dr. McCleery began his efforts, the Biological Survey had a program to eradicate all wolves from the Great Plains. Dr. McCleery, a local physician in Kane, began buying gray wolf pups through the federal government and other sources in an effort to save the Great Plains Buffalo Wolves. The real pups were captured in their den in the Highwood Mountains of Montana and shipped via railroad to the Kane depot. Between 1921 and 1930, Dr McCleery had acquired more than 30 wolf pups from the Great Plains.

General Kane helped route the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad through the area. The rail line brought trade, connected isolated regions, and transformed Kane into a bustling timber and logging hub. The Depot was built in 1871 for the Pennsylvania Railroad, it now houses the Kane Historic Preservation Society museum.

The Allegheny National Forest is all around us! No wonder, it encompasses 513,257 acres! Over 600 miles of trails crisscross the ridges and valleys of the Allegheny National Forest. It provides opportunities for hunting, fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, boating, mountain biking, riding ATV’s, boat/camping and more.

When we drive on the rural stretches of America’s farmlands, we occasionally come across an unusual sight. On the road-facing exterior walls of barns are painted murals for Mail Pouch chewing tobacco. Mail Pouch Tobacco barns are classic American roadside advertisements painted on the sides of barns by the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, based in West Virginia. The program started in 1891 and ran until 1992. At their peak in the early 1960s, approximately 20,000 of these iconic roadside advertisements were spread across 22 states. Today, less than 2,000 Mail Pouch Tobacco barns remain standing today across the US.

Lakeview Self-Storage in Sandy Lake PA features a unique statue out front. It's an old truck with a Big Boy statue in the bed. But, instead of a hamburger, he is holding a pad lock.

The Greenville Railroad Park & Museum was started in 1985 by a group of volunteers interested in preserving and promoting Greenville’s railroad history. The property was donated by Mr. Marc Rinella. The Bessemer Railroad donated the 1936 steam engine, an iron ore car and caboose #1985. Over the next few years a group of very dedicated volunteers built the museum building, the operator’s office/gift shop, the speeder shed, the maintenance shed and completely landscaped the grounds. Along the way another caboose was donated by the UP Railroad, a flat car came from Cooper Bessemer, and the W&LE caboose arrived from Norfolk Southern. 

We arrived at Pymatuning State Park, or home for the next two nights. There are two state parks, each named "Pymatuning State Park", on the lake in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania side of the state park covers just shy of 22,000 acres. It is the largest state park in Pennsylvania and contains the 17,088 acres of Pymatuning Lake, three-quarters of which is in Pennsylvania and one-quarter is in Ohio. There are two natural areas, 161 acre Clark Island and 725 acre Blackjack, in the park. The park is also home to the University of Pittsburgh's Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology. Like all Pennsylvania state parks, admission to the Pymatuning is free. There are 3 active campgrounds. Pymatuning is one of the most visited state parks in Pennsylvania.

Lake Pymatuning Reservoir is a man-made lake in Crawford County, Pennsylvania and Ashtabula County, Ohio, on land that was once a very large swamp. The first known inhabitants were the Mound builders. Two of their mounds were flooded by the creation of Pymatuning Lake. The Lenape were living in the area when European settlers first came there. The lake is named for the chief who lived in the area at the time, Pihmtomink. The Lenape were pushed out of the area by the Seneca tribe, a member of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Seneca were defeated by General Anthony Wayne's forces during the Northwest Indian War and left the area under the terms of the Treaty of Greenville. This treaty marked the end of Native Americans inhabiting the area. The first settlers to the area were farmers, whose life was not easy, as the land was very swampy and very difficult to reclaim. Farm animals that wandered off were often lost in the quicksand of the swamp, or fell prey to predators like foxes, bears and mountain lions. The swamps were infested with mosquitoes that brought yellow fever to the settlers.

On Friday September 11th, we remember those we lost on 9/11, 25-years ago. RIP my brothers in arms.

Pymatuning Lake holds 64 billion gallons of water, over a length of 17 miles with a width of 2 miles at the widest and 70 miles of shoreline, with a maximum depth of 35 feet. The lake has served to provide a water supply for the Shenango and Beaver valleys, it has lessened the damage caused by floods, and provided recreation for the people of Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

A scenic 2-mile-long causeway bridge spans the middle of the lake, connecting the towns of Espyville on the Pennsylvania side of the lake and Andover on the Ohio side. The bridge is crowned in the middle, with tall pillars and broad ducts underneath to allow lake water to flow freely across the reservoir, and to permit the passage of sailboats and other pleasure craft travelling from one half of the lake to the other. The Pennsylvania portion also has a spillway separating the (higher) upstream-most portion of the lake from the rest.

  

We took the day to explore. We took Becky and Peter to the Spillway. In the park, near the concession building was a unique art project, it was made from bread ties and twist ties... I am assuming that it is a result of all of the bread bags that are brought and purchased here to feed the fish and wildlife.

Beneath the Pymatuning Reservoir lies the remains of the Great Pymatuning Swamp. The Shenango River once flowed through this ancient swamp. Today, this river and its tributaries supply water for the reservoir, which was built to provide a consistent water source and flood control for communities along the Shenango and Beaver Rivers. Construction of the concrete “spillway bowl” allowed independent regulation of the 2,500-acre upper reservoir to provide optimal wildlife habitat. The flow of water over the bowl brings a constant supply of natural food into the area, providing a smorgasbord of plant material, insect larvae, crayfish and other invertebrates for fish to dine upon.

Let me tell you about the Spillway and the Carp. Their food is white bread, the animals are carp, and the venue is the Spillway on the Pymatuning Reservoir. It's known to the world as, "Where the Ducks Walk on the Fish." This attraction does not advertise, yet it draws over 300,000 hurlers a year. By the town's reckoning, the Spillway is the second most popular tourist destination in all of Pennsylvania, trailing only the Liberty Bell. The spillway is a natural food attraction for fish. People have been coming here, as it's right on the road, since it opened in the 1930's. Throwing bread followed naturally, it was cheap, and it pulled in more fish. Things stayed pretty much unchanged until 2007, when the park built a new venue, with a parking lot and restrooms and benches. The result: people now have a lot more room to toss a lot more bread.

The ducks' role is not so clear. On a recent visit we saw geese, a few ducks, some seagulls, and lots of fish, and lots of bread being thrown at the fish, but no ducks walking on fish. Are the fish so thick that the ducks walk on them? Maybe. I don't know, but the ducks are in there fighting for that bread, and they're getting on top of them. Walking-on-the-fish may be a rarity, but it does visualize the mass of carp that congregate here. One can easily imagine a small animal staying dry, hopping from fish to fish, although they might not last long before the carp carpet pulled them under as another meal.

Carp are ugly and creepy. Then there are thousands of them thrashing and gaping up at you. I am glad that there is a steel guardrail between me and the water. Carp can live up to twenty years. The largest Carp caught in Pennsylvania was over 50-pounds! Wow! Carp have an amazing sense of smell, they can smell a worm through several inches of silt. 

There was an albino carp. Yes, an Albino Carp! It is a rare freshwater fish that lacks dark skin and scale pigments due to a genetic condition, resulting in a striking white or gold appearance with distinct red or pink eyes. 

Lunch at Byler`s Family Restaurant in Jamestown. It is a traditional Mennonite restaurant. The selection was extensive and it all looked very good! We all had something different. I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures! Back to the camp to rest!

 

We enjoyed beers at Mortals Key Brewing Company. It was founded in June 2016 by Bruce Woyt, his wife Jennifer, and co-owners Doug and Connie Shannon. The taproom was constructed using mostly repurposed and recycled materials. It features Catholic church arches from Franklin, barn wood from local Greenville barns, and even a UK Bristol Double Decker bus found on a nearby farm. 

The name "Mortals Key" and its ankh logo—an ancient Egyptian symbol known as the key of life—represent the philosophy of chasing your passion, enjoying this life, and finding personal freedom. Their pretzels are even in the shape of the ankh.

We drank wine at The Gatehouse Winery. Every story has a beginning and theirs began in 1802. At that time, a minister named Reverend McClain purchased this property and turned it into a 100+ acre farm and mission post. The stone house on the hill above the winery was built by the Reverend and a group of Virginia carpenters. 

The frame of the house was hewn from locally harvested trees. Sometime around the Great Depression, the Jamison family purchased this property from McClain’s and operated it as a working farm. The original barn burned down as the result of a lightning strike in the 1940s. The existing structure was originally built as an exhibition barn during the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. After the Fair, it was purchased by a local family, the McGranahan’s, who disassembled it in St. Louis and reassembled it on their property here in Jamestown. It was then purchased by the Jamison Family and moved to this location using logs and draft horses. The Jamison’s used this barn to house their livestock. 

The building is not characteristic of barns in the northeastern US. You may notice that there are no trusses spanning the center of the building, giving the structure an open area from floor to ceiling. This is due to the roof being cantilevered from the outside walls. This relocated historic barn serves as the main building for the Gatehouse Winery. 

We enjoyed the music and humor of Piano Maniacs. The creator and one of the performers tonight was Todd Cutshaw. 

Todd has been performing dueling piano show since the late 90's. With a catalog of thousands of songs and hundreds of shows you won't find a more complete and hilarious show. Many dueling piano players around the country have learned from his shows and teachings. 

His dueling partner tonight was Clay Colley, Clay holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance and a master’s degree in jazz studies from the Dana School of Music. From his beginnings in a small church band in Florida at the age of twelve, he has since spent most of his career playing with numerous rock and jazz groups, including JD Eicher, the Vindys, the Labra Brothers, Hoss & the Juggernauts, and his own project, Black Wolf & the Thief. It was kind of like "the OG meets the new kid." What a great show!

On day 129, Saturday September 12th, we caravanned with Peter and Becky from Pymatuning State Park in PA to Mt Gilead, Ohio. Becky and I enjoyed a walk and the sunrise was spectacular!

Are there Amish in Ohio? Yes! There are an estimated over 230,000 Amish in the nation, approximately 24% or nearly 56,000 of them live in Ohio. This ranks Ohio as the leading state in Amish population over Pennsylvania with nearly 52,000 and Indiana with nearly 39,000. There are approximately 26 counties in Ohio that have Amish communities.

Amish Settlements are spreading to many different areas of the state. As they move into a community, the Amish bring along their quiet, simple lifestyle as well as their hard work ethic and quality of workmanship. The entrepreneurial spirit thrives in all of these areas and home-based businesses abound. The roadways are dotted with signs advertising anything from Amish-made furniture to homemade baked goods or hand crafted items. Follow these signs to find hidden gems and treasures off the beaten path. You must be willing to venture away from the main highways though.

While driving to Mansfield on US 42, I noticed the sign along the highway reading "The 42nd Rainbow Division Memorial Highway." What? Where did that come from? I am from the 42nd ID! This memorial goes back to World War I, when the 42nd Division was made up of men from all states in the union and got the nickname of the Rainbow Division. After the war, signs were to be placed at five mile intervals on US 42. This never really happened. However, this regiment was reactivated in World War II and Bob Wirts of Ashland served in the 232nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Rainbow Division in Germany and France. He was well aware of the project to honor this regiment. In 2013, Wirts contacted Sen. Bill Harris, who checked with the military and determined it would be most appropriate to place a sign in Ashland County to honor the division. Paul Dienstberger had seen a sign along another area of US 42 and encouraged placing one here. So now there is one, thanks to their efforts.

Cortland, Ohio is a quiet residential city famous for its close proximity to Mosquito Creek Lake and its classic, small-town "Mayberry" atmosphere. Mosquito Lake State Park is located right next to the city, this massive 7,850-acre reservoir is a regional destination for boating, fishing, camping, kayaking, and bird-watching. Mosquito Lake was created in April 1944 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built an earthen dam across Mosquito Creek. The dam creation was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1938, the project was designed to prevent destructive flooding along the Mahoning, Beaver, and Ohio River valleys.

Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center is a 21,000-acre military installation in Portage and Trumbull counties, Ohio, that transitioned from a massive World War II ammunition factory into a modern National Guard training base. From 1941 to 1944 the US Army built the facility as the Ravenna Ordnance Plant (later the Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant, or RVAAP) to manufacture artillery shells and bombs. At the peak of WWII, civilian workers produced more munitions here for the war effort than at any other single plant in the US. The arsenal continued production and storage operations through the Korean War and the Vietnam War before production activities wound down in 1992. Portions of the land shifted over the decades, operating as the Ravenna Training and Logistics Site and Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center. Officials officially renamed the facility Camp James A. Garfield on October 18, 2018. The new name honored the 20th U.S. President, who served as a Union major general and helped secure early funding for Ohio's militia, alongside generations of his family who served in the National Guard. The installation is undergoing $37 million in upgrades as part of a plan to become a world-class training destination for military units as well as civilian law enforcement and first responders.

The town of Rootstown, Ohio, features a community mural created by local artist Jen Dougherty and her family. The artwork celebrates local heritage, capturing the rich history of the township. It features iconic regional landmarks and historical references, including the historic Rootstown Station railroad depot and the 1875 Captain John Rogers house. Commissioned and highlighted by the Light Up Rootstown Facebook Group committee as a community-driven project to bring residents together and showcase hometown pride. It sure is visible from the main road through town!

Situated at the busy intersection of US Route 42 and State Route 301 in West Salem, is a beautiful mural, even in the rain! The artwork blends local identity, agriculture and history. The mural includes farming, local produce (like apples, tomatoes, and pumpkins), a wheelbarrow, a certified Angus beef barn, the local sports team, the Huskies, and an Amish horse and buggy. It was commissioned and painted by Illinois-based artist Troy Freeman. 

We drove out of the rain and arrived at the Mt. Gilead / Mid-Ohio KOA. It is owned and operated by the Hanawalt family. They began their campground ownership in 2000, by building and operating the Sunbury/Columbus North KOA. In 2019, they sold their previous park and began construction on the new 150-acre property in Mount Gilead, opening it to campers in 2020. In 2025, the park received national recognition when it was named the 2025 KOA Campground of the Year, highlighting its rapid growth, family-run operations involving their children, and modern amenities like full-hookup concrete patios, trails, and recreational facilities.

God gave us a perfect sunset for our overnight here. 

Stay tuned for more Two Lane Adventures!