Day 51 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026 - Graduation and Bluegrass

Today, June 26th, we got to mix bluegrass and high school graduation!

12:00, noon the music started with the Open Mic. We only had Radio Bob and Bill, the accordion man, play some "old timey" music. 

At 12:30, Full Steam took the stage. They are five youngsters that have been part of the kids programs in past years. They are often introduced as "The Future of Bluegrass". It is a title they are proud to honor as they look to continue the music and traditions of their heroes. 

Full Steam comes together from across several states to perform the music they love! The original players all met at the International Bluegrass Music Awards' Kids on Bluegrass program and some came together as a band in 2025 to compete at the SPBGMA band competition. 

They take turns singing lead and all support each other with harmonies and instrumentals to deliver a stage show beyond their young years. On banjo today was Izaak Schwartz (14); on bass, Jerry Ankney, Jr. (13); on fiddle, is Mollie Longenecker (13); on guitar is Corbin Easton(14), and last but not least holding down the chop on mandolin, was Leopold Schwartz (14). Adam Burrows even joined them for one song. Mollie the fiddler was surprised and elated with the accompaniment!

At 1:00pm the Country Gentlemen Tribute Band came on. They are continuing to honor the legacy of this historic bluegrass ensemble by creatively adding the Country Gentlemen stamp to fresh and inventive material right alongside the timeless songs that are known and loved by legions of fans. Mike Phipps was on guitar and lead vocals. He began playing mandolin and singing while in his teens. The first bluegrass band he saw in person was The Country Gentlemen, who performed at his high school. His love of Classic Country Music and the influence of Bluegrass artists contributed highly to his current musical style. One of the more seasoned voices and instrumentalists in the world of Americana and bluegrass music, Darren Beachley approaches music like the wide-eyed twenty-something he was so long ago when he began his career. He was the lead singer and guitarist for Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver he became one of the most recognizable voices in the world.

Lynwood Lunsford is a familiar face to Bluegrass Music. In 2019 he joined The Country Gentlemen Show and has been here ever since. An established songwriter Lynwood has pinned over 100 titles with his most popular "Molly Rose" that has been recorded by Sand Mountain , Jeff Parker and Lorriane Jordan. Eric Marshall plays bass and was raised in an area known for its rich heritage of traditional mountain music. He grew up loving to sing. He and his brother started a bluegrass and gospel band, The Marshall Brothers. Eric has written and recorded over 50 of his own songs. Eric cites his biggest influences as Doyle Lawson, The Bluegrass Cardinals, Lost and Found and of course the Country Gentlemen! Wayne Lanham grew up listening to bluegrass and country music and was exposed to live performances early on with his Father. He started playing mandolin as a teen and over the years has developed his own fluid sound. With the Country Gentlemen being a favorite band while learning to play, his mandolin style was greatly influenced by players like John Duffey and Doyle Lawson. Though baritone is his favorite, singing one of the lower parts beneath a tenor or high lead line to help make a great trio blend is what brings it home and pulls the music together, and it feels great to be able to sing a lot of the Country Gentlemen songs. 

At 2:00pm Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road played another set today. Randy Graham joined Carolina Road today on guitar. He is a bluegrass mandolinist, bassist, and high-tenor vocalist who helped shape the genre's vocal harmonies through his work with The Bluegrass Cardinals. Graham pivoted to playing bass and singing for the elite bluegrass gospel group, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Later, he reunited with David Parmley to form the band Continental Divide, cementing his legacy as a top-tier harmony singer.

Adam Burrows joined in for a two fiddle tune. He is a highly accomplished bluegrass and traditional old-time fiddle player and vocalist. Known for his high tenor to deep bass vocal range and energetic "sawing" fiddle style, he is a prominent performer on the bluegrass festival circuit.

At 3:00pm, Gail Towle's and Patty Steven's favorite Bluegrass Band came on stage, Nothin' Fancy. They are a highly celebrated, award-winning bluegrass band formed in 1994 in Virginia. They are renowned across the acoustic music community for their intricate vocal harmonies, stellar instrumentation, lighthearted stage humor, and their distinctive bright yellow tour bus. Over their decades-long career, they have released over 10 full-length albums and have earned the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) "Entertaining Group of the Year" award six times.

Mike Andes began performing publicly at age 14. Mike will tell you his music ability is God-given. He plays by ear and has never had any lessons or professional training. In 1994, was a founding member of Nothin’ Fancy. Mike always wanted a full-time career in music and Nothin’ Fancy has given him the opportunity to fulfill this goal. During his time with Nothin’ Fancy, Mike has been nominated for Mandolin Player of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Individual Entertainer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year through the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA). Multi-instrumentalist Chris Sexton is usually seen with a fiddle, and sometimes contributes to the vocals. He debuted with the band in 1998. He appeared as a guest on the band's second and third self-released albums and joined the band in the summer of 2000. Although his first instrument was a mandolin, Chris soon focused his energies on the violin. Throughout middle and high school, he grew as a violinist in symphony orchestras, the All-Virginia Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Apprenticeship Program, while keeping his bluegrass roots. 

Jacob Flick is a student at East Tennessee State University. He is majoring in Appalachian studies with a concentration in bluegrass, and is among a new generation of bluegrass musicians who are pursuing the study of the music in institutes of higher learning. Jacob has been a fan of Nothin’ Fancy for years, and considered playing with Nothin’ Fancy “a dream job” ever since. The crew of Nothin’ Fancy are happy to make that dream a reality! Curt Gausman is returning to bluegrass after a stint off the road with bands based out of Northern Virginia in the 1980s. He enjoyed success as a charter bus tour coordinator operating his own tour bus company until the pandemic of 2020. Curt came to the Nothin’ Fancy festival and delivered some impressive tenor on his audition with strong rhythm guitar to back it up. He joined them at several performances and the responses from the crowd over Curt’s seasoned voice and affable smiles were enough to earn his place with Nothin’ Fancy. Jenkins is the fresh face to Nothin' Fancy and carries the torch of bluegrass music in his heart. Jenkins is an entertainer both on the stage and while hanging out with you in the fields of bluegrass festivals far and wide, and he only asks that if you're going to throw tomatoes at him, remember to take them out of the can first. 

At 4:00pm the Little Roy & Lizzy Show was on stage. They are a highly energetic, award-winning bluegrass, gospel, and country music group based out of Lincolnton, Georgia. Formed in 2009, the band is fronted by legendary multi-instrumentalist Little Roy Lewis and virtuoso vocalist & musician Lizzy Long. 

Little Roy Lewis is a bluegrass icon who played for 58 years with his family's legendary group, The Lewis Family ("The First Family of Bluegrass Gospel"). He is a master of the banjo, guitar, and autoharp, and is inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. Lizzy Long is the daughter of Little Roy. She is a multi-Dove Award-winning vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who plays fiddle, banjo, guitar, autoharp, bass, and mandolin. Mentored by bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs, her solo album Blueberry Pie peaked at number two on the Billboard bluegrass chart.

Every member of their band are multi-instrumentalists... just look at these pictures!

After the dinner break, the second set for the Country Gentleman Show, had the guys all dressed up! Our friend, Billy Lee Cox, joined them for a song. He is an award-winning bluegrass musician and National Banjo Champion. He is recognized for his driving 5-string banjo style. Making it his career didn’t happen until after a stint in the Air Force. He got a gig playing with Chief Powhatan, one of the most colorful bluegrass acts of the 1970s and ’80s. Billy learned a great deal watching the Chief, as a natural entertainer. He is best known for his 15-year tenure touring with the prominent bluegrass band Remington Ryde. That explains his love of this festival!

Lorraine Jordan & Country Grass played tonight, since their set was rained out last night! It is their take of classic country hits with a little bluegrass flair. 

Modern technology also allowed us to watch our granddaughter in NY graduate! Congrats Natalee! You are destined for great things!

Graduating from a small school is so cool, because they highlight each student! Grandpa and I counted 7 or 8 awards and scholarships! Way to go, kiddo!

Watching this BIG moment in her life was awesome!

I loved the candles representing the class of 2026 and their bright futures!

Each senior "signed off" from high school in their senior video!

Larry Efaw & Bluegrass Mountaineers were up next. Larry is the promoter of this festival. They are an acclaimed traditional bluegrass band known for keeping the authentic, hard-driving "mountain sound" of first-generation bluegrass alive. Deeply rooted in the style of the Stanley Brothers, the band represents multiple generations of the Efaw family, who originally brought their musical heritage from Appalachia up into Ohio. They have nearly a fifty-year history. 

The band was started by Larry’s Dad, the late Ed Efaw. Larry grew up immersed in the music and first took the stage with his father's band at just 10 years old. Larry’s grandson, Chris Wilcox keeps the family tradition alive as the band’s guitar player. He has also started singing a few leads!

The sky was on fire tonight! 

Nothin' Fancy came out for their second set. 

They did a few "old tunes" but focused this set on some of their newer releases.

The last act up tonight at 10:00pm was the Little Roy & Lizzy Show. 

They are great entertainers and people!

Stay tuned for more bluegrass and Two Lane Adventures!

Day 50 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Today, Thursday June 25th is day 2 of the Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival. We had a post office run to make this morning and then we chilled with our camping neighbor, Thelma and her four-legged friend, Ginger.

Music began at noon - 1st Act is Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Roads. She is known as the “Lady of Tradition” in the Bluegrass community. She has made an indelible mark not only on North Carolina music culture, but within the greater Bluegrass culture. To say Lorraine is an original would be the understatement. She not only thinks outside of the box, she builds new boxes. She was behind "Back to the Well,” the 2006 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Recorded Event of the Year. She also was awarded the Society for Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America’s (SPBGMA) “Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year,” 2015. Success is a way of life for Lorraine Jordan. It’s all about a drive and determination that has taken her from the local music scene in Eastern North Carolina to the Grand Ole Opry stage and stellar performances in 40 states and 13 countries. She’s also determined to make your next event a success.

To say she is a chart topper, is an understatement. She has had three #1 hits on Bluegrass charts; the latest “True Grass” stayed at #1 an astounding four consecutive months and on the charts for nearly a year-and-a-half. Also four straight months at #1 with the hit single "Bill Monroe's Ol Mandolin" on the National Bluegrass Chart. She produced and performed the successful collaborative recording “Country Grass,” which featured such legendary greats as John Anderson, Lynn Anderson, Jim Ed Brown, John Conlee, Crystal Gayle, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, Michael Martin Murphey, Eddy Raven, Marty Raybon, Ronnie Reno, and TG Sheppard.

Lorraine’s handpicked Carolina Road band is comprised of well-known musicians: Ben Greene, banjo; Warren Blair, fiddle & bass vocals; Kevin Lamm, bass fiddle; Allen Dyer, guitar; and Tim Tew, dobro. They all have played with a “Who’s Who” in the industry, including Charlie Moore, The Bluegrass Cardinals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, James King, Lost & Found, David Parmley & Continental Divide, and Don Rigsby, to name just a few. Their stellar musicianship and versatility ensure award-winning powerhouse performances of every song. 

The 2nd act up was the Kody Norris Show. Whatever you do, don't call The Kody Norris Show 'retro'. They ain’t retro. They have something different. They have something uniquely theirs. They have something that makes them stand out. While the reigning SPBGMA Entertainers of the Year are known for the rhinestones that shine from their lapels and the fringe that hangs from their collars seem to conjure up memories of times gone by, The Kody Norris Show are very much directing their gaze forever forward.

Their latest project, "Spirit of America" releases tomorrow. They played several singles including “Purple Heart,” and more!

Besides Kody, the quartet is made up of Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, Kody's wife and "sweetie," who drives the band's rich sound on the fiddle and mandolin. Charlie Lowman, known as "Cousin Charlie," holds down the rhythm on the upright bass and offers lead vocals on some songs. The youngest member of the group, who provides banjo picking and vocal harmonies, is Jim Hensley. The 14-year-old musician officially joined the band in January 2026 after filling in for several months following the departure of former banjoist Josiah Tyree. his invitation to join the band came on stage at the SPBGMA Awards to become a permanent member of the group.

The 3rd act up, was supposed to kick off today but bus trouble delayed them. Fast Track is an acclaimed, veteran bluegrass band formed in 2019 following the sudden retirement of long-time bandleader David Parmley. 

Known for a tight, star-studded traditional sound with a modern touch, the group features industry veterans. Their banjo player, Dale Perry, stayed with the bus. So, Ben Greene filled in on banjo. Shayne Bartley was on mandolin; Randy Barnes on bass fiddle; Steve Day was on fiddle and Duane Sparks on guitar. Fast Track are highly decorated within the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) circles and are regular contenders for Best Bluegrass Album, most notably for their acclaimed release, IV.

The 4th act up today was Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys. They are a Grammy Award-winning bluegrass group led by Ralph Stanley II. Yes, he is the son of the legendary banjo player and bluegrass pioneer Dr. Ralph Stanley. Following his father’s passing in 2016, Ralph II honored his father's wishes and officially took the helm of the historic band. Under his leadership, the group continues to preserve the soulful, traditional Appalachian "Stanley style" of bluegrass while successfully infusing fresh, modern energy and original material into their performances. I learned today that one of my favorite songs, "Polly's Revenge" is their song. It went #1 in 48-hours, that is incredible!

Today we had Ralph Stanley II on guitar. He is the leader of the band that is in it's 80th year. He was accompanied by Stanley Efaw on mandolin & fiddle, he is the son of this festival's promoter, Larry Efaw. John Golden was filling in on bass fiddle. Curtis Coleman was on banjo, he used to play with Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers before venturing out on his own.

The 5th act was Lonesome River Band, they were formed in 1982, before I graduated from high-school! They are an award-winning American contemporary bluegrass band originally formed in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. They are widely respected as one of the most influential acts in modern bluegrass music, renowned for their powerhouse vocals, driving rhythm, and tight harmonies.

The band has undergone numerous personnel shifts over its multi-decade history and features no remaining original members. The current group is anchored by veteran leadership and immense instrumental talent. Sammy Shelor is the bandleader and banjo player who joined in 1990. He is a 5-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year and a recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo. 

Jesse Smathers sings lead vocals and plays guitar. He has been with the band for more than 10-years. Adam Miller also sings lead vocals and plays the mandolin. He came to the band in 2021. Kameron Keller plays the bass and joined the band in 2021. On fiddle is Mike Hartgrove, a National Fiddlers Hall of Fame inductee. Over his five-decade career, he has performed and recorded with iconic groups including The Bluegrass Cardinals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and IIIrd Tyme Out (of which he is a founding member). Early in his career, he also played country music alongside legends like George Jones and Mo Bandy. 

After the dinner break, we were back to the original schedule. Fast Track got their set in before the skies opened up and we had a rain delay. Thank God for friends! I walked back to the RV so we could call Gary & Sheryl back, shortly before the rain started!

It was dark for a while, but then the sun kept peeking through the clouds!

Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys came up for their second set after the rains stopped. It was a shortened set with two songs dedicated to young performers. 

Corbin Easton came up and played a Ralph Stanley II song.

Leo in the red & white cap on the banjo and his friend, I did not catch his name, on the mandolin. They were awesome!

The Kody Norris Show was up next. They shed their "Spirit of America" outfits for my favorite purple and orange set! This full set was just as good as the first one! They are good people, they are giving Fast Track a lift back to Nashville on their bus.

They were setting up for the Lorraine Jordan Country Grass set when the rain came back with lightening. Lightening shuts down the show. I came back to the RV and it feels like the rain has settled in for the night, so have I!

Stay tuned for more bluegrass and Two Lane Adventures!

Day 49 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Today is Wednesday June 24th, it's the first day of music at Remington Ryde Bluegrass Festival. I walked this morning, first time in better than a week! I finally felt well enough to get out and hit the pavement! It did feel good! After that Charlie and I enjoyed a quiet morning sitting outside the camper.

Music began at 3pm. The 1st Act was Ironwood Drive. They are a group of five young men based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania featuring powerful harmonies and skillful instrumentation. Ironwood Drive was originally known as the Werner Family Band, which consisted of a father and his sons. When they decided to refresh their branding in 2021, they selected the name "Ironwood Drive" because it felt like a strong, natural fit that paid homage to their rural, down-to-earth roots. The band has continued to thrive with several new faces joining over the years.

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Through pulse-pounding drive and songs sung from the heart, they bring a new and passionate approach to the world of bluegrass.  From hard-hitting traditional covers to new curated material, Ironwood Drive seeks to introduce a new generation to a genre the band loves. 

The band continues to grow its audience with the last year marking the busiest schedule to date. Since overwhelmingly winning "Fan Favorite" at Podunk Bluegrass Festival, the band has performed at festivals such as Remington Ryde and Upperco Bluegrass and will also be playing Blistered Fingers and Orange Army. Recently, they were at Mountain Fever Studios in Virginia cutting ​"Gettin' Outta Here." It is the band's third studio project, releasing this summer.  

The 2nd Act was Danny Paisley & Southern Grass. Danny Paisley is an acclaimed American traditional bluegrass musician best known as the front man of Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass. Born in Landenberg, Pennsylvania in 1959, Paisley is universally recognized for his powerful, deeply emotional "High Lonesome" vocal style and rigorous adherence to a raw, classic bluegrass sound. He has won the prestigious Male Vocalist of the Year award four times from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). They sang "Don't Throw Mama's Flowers Away," which won the prestigious IBMA Song of the Year award, many years ago.

The family legacy continues through the band with Danny's son Ryan Paisley on mandolin, but not today he is finishing up his firefighter academy. Filling in on mandolin was Eric Troutman. However, another family legacy was represented in the band today. On banjo was Danny Stewart Jr, son of Bluegrass Promoter Danny Stewart. Junior is also a member of the US Navy Band Country Current. Long-time legacy bandmates T.J. Lundy (fiddle) and Bobby Lundy (bass) rounded out the band today.

The 3rd Act was Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul. Led by Grammy-nominated vocalist Dave Adkins, are known for their high-energy performances and stellar musicianship. Adkins's raw and powerful vocals are a true highlight of their live shows, whether they are performing his original tunes like "Pike County Jail," or popular covers like "Bad Moon Rising" or "I Can Only Imagine." There is no mistaking the raw and powerful vocals by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Adkins. During his impressive career, he has achieved an extensive list of awards and nominations in Bluegrass, Country, and Gospel music, along with achievements for his songwriting. His extraordinary vocal talents are evident from his live performances.

On bass fiddle is Bobby Davis. He has been with the Dave Adkins Band for 10-years. Bobby got his musical start with the Chicago Bluegrass Band and has since performed bass with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Audie Blaylock & Redline, James King Band, and Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. Layla Cantafio plays the fiddle. She grew up in New Brunswick, Canada. She gravitated to the fiddle from a young age when she heard traditional Cape Breton tunes. When she was 14, her father took her to her first bluegrass festival, which was the start of something new for Layla. She quickly fell in love with the music and the entire community, which prompted her to enroll at East Tennessee State University to study Bluegrass, Old Time, and Roots Music. While still young, she has had many opportunities to share the stage with Junior Sisk, Zink & Company, and many others.

Andy Stinnett plays mandolin for the band. He studied in the renowned Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), which helped shape his musical foundation. After college, he began performing at Dollywood and the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, further honing his craft on stage. Over the years, Andy has worked with several notable groups, including the Clay Hess Band and the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he plays mandolin, bass, and guitar with skill and versatility. Jack Brown is the newest band member and plays the banjo. Jack started learning banjo from Brandon Green at 16. He is continuing his education as a student in the ETSU Bluegrass, old-time, and country music program. He’s shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Barry Bales, Monroeville, and Trey Hensley. In 2024, he embarked on a successful two-week tour of Ireland with fellow ETSU student band Pythagoras.

After the dinner break they repeated the first 3 acts. 

Ironwood Drive

Danny Paisley & Southern Grass also brought up a couple kids from a group to play with them on a song. 

We will see them perform on Friday. I think the name is Full Momentum, but don't hold me to it. I checked the bulletin, it's Full Steam.... pretty close guess!

Dave Adkins & Mountain Soul.

Stay tuned for more bluegrass and Two Lane Adventures!

Day 46, 47, & 48 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Day 46 was Sunday June 21st. Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there! We departed Ives Run around 8:30 AM, earlier than we anticipated. But, we needed to get through Wellsboro before the Laurel Festival got into full swing for the day. It is the celebration of the commonwealth’s state flower. This native, evergreen shrub features glossy green leaves and beautiful clusters of cup-shaped, white-to-pink blossoms with unique burgundy markings. It typically blooms from late May through mid-June. Every part of the mountain laurel plant is highly toxic to humans and grazing animals like horses and sheep. 2026 is the 84th Annual Pennsylvania State Mountain Laurel Festival. The week-long celebration includes a juried arts and crafts fair, queen’s pageant, pet parade, children’s health fair, foot races, a gospel sing, and several musical concerts, as well as the traditional two-hour Laurel Festival Parade.

We took PA 287 for 90% of our drive today. Pennsylvania Route 287 is a 64-mile-long north-south state highway located in the rural, scenic northern tier of Pennsylvania. It serves as a vital connector through the Tioga Valley. We drove 60 miles of this roadway today. Before PA 287 was designated, the alignment relied on a pair of 1850s plank roads built to transport timber through Lycoming and Tioga counties. The highway was officially signed as PA 287 in the late 1920s to formalize a continuous north-south path through the rugged Appalachian Mountains. 

Only a few towns on this route. Morris, PA was originally formed in 1824 from Delmar Township. It is deeply tied to Native American heritage, the timber boom, and the historic tanneries of northern PA. Today, the area is known for its rural charm and outdoor recreation. It is a popular gateway to the Pine Creek Gorge (the PA Grand Canyon) and the Pine Creek Rail Trail.

Next town was Lorenton, PA. The Lorenton Post Office is a noted piece of Tioga County postal history. Operating from 1891 to 1907, its historical postmarks (such as the Doane cancel types) remain collectible items for enthusiasts today. What are "Doane" markings? They are characterized by 4 or 5 killer bars with a numeral in them; they must be rubber handstamps. The name comes from research Edith Doane, who assembled lists of markings and studied their history. The first 500 markings were distributed in 1903.  The type 1 markings have 5 killer bars.  Type 2 has four hollow bars (or paired lines); type 3 has 4 solid bars. A few lasted in service until the 1920s; and some are even seen in the 1930s on philatelic mail.  Most were gone by 1915, however, replaced by 4-bar handstamps (without the number in the killer) or by other types of markings.

photo credit - MVR Vacation Rentals

As we were driving, Charlie said "Is that a ski hill?" Why, yes, yes it is. We later saw the sign for Ski Sawmill. Ski Sawmill Family Resort has been a popular Mid-Atlantic winter destination since opening as "Oregon Hill" in 1969. It is named after the steep ridge it cascades down in Lycoming County. Oregon Hill is also home to Oregon Hill Winery. It was established in 1983, it is the first winery in Lycoming County and is famous for its "Pennsylvania Mountain Wines," which feature popular varieties like Canyon Country Concord.

Salladasburg PA was founded in 1837 by Captain Jacob P. Sallade. Originally a timber and milling community, it was officially incorporated as a borough in 1884. It is historically famous for Cohick's Trading Post, a general store and landmark established in 1924 that famously hosted celebrities. 

Due to the area's excellent trout fishing, notable figures such as President Herbert Hoover, James Cagney, and Katharine Hepburn visited. Hepburn and Cagney both have their names engraved on lunch counter stools inside the trading post. The trading post operated from 1924 to 2015. That is a long run of success!

Larryville, PA gets its name from Larry Burt, a European frontiersman and trader who was living in the area with a Native American wife before official colonial surveyors even arrived in 1769. Before Larry Burt and European settlement, the Larrys Creek watershed was home to the Susquehannock and Lenape peoples. The area remained an untouched, heavily wooded wilderness until the 19th-century timber and lumber boom. Today, Larryville has shifted back to a quiet, mostly forested, and agricultural area. Much of the natural scenery surrounding the village is dedicated to state game lands, hunting camps, and recreational fishing.

We took US 220 to get across the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and then PA 64 to get to Pleasant Gap and over Nittany Mountain to Centre Hall. We were looking down the side streets as we drove through Centre Hall, because you can see our favorite spot to camp here. It looked like our spot was open, we were excited! We paid the camping fee, got our wristbands for the festival and proceeded to the area where the parking staff takes you to your site. Jimmy said "You know where you want to be?" Yup! "Drive on" he said. As we got closer to our spot, we noticed there was no one there yet... we also noticed that all the trees were gone! No more shade! Jimmy came around the rig and told Charlie to get on, he would show him a few alternative sites. Jimmy got us a good site, not too far from the stage and seating areas.

Once we got set up, we had extra time and the wait time at Great Clips was about the length of time it would take us to get there. So, I signed us in and off to State College for haircuts. Charlie and I had 2 different girls, we were both happy with our cuts and then Charlie was thirsty.

Off to Boal City Brewing in Boalsburg, it is between State College and Centre Hall. The microbrewery is situated just minutes from Rothrock State Forest and directly on a local bike path. It features several large, inviting outdoor seating areas to choose from. 

We took a patio table with 2 chairs and an umbrella. If we were there later in the day, we would have selected the Adirondack chairs around the fire pit! It is a family friendly place with activities for the kids to enjoy!

Charlie had a West Coast IPA with 6.5 ABV called, Wheelie, (Notice the bike reference?!) They used Amarillo, Crystal, and Simcoe hops combined with Pale and Honey malts to balance out this IPA. It offers tastes of pine and citrus.

I had a Sour Ale with 5.4 ABV called, Peaches and Cream. They blended Pilsen and Red Wheat malts, and lactose for body. Pureed peaches were added at the end of the fermentation process to create this peachy tart delight.

I have been fighting a head cold, so Day 47 Monday June 22nd, was the perfect day to keep a low profile, stay inside and chill. What else can you do on a dreary rainy day! At 12 noon, we ventured down to the tents and got our chairs set up for the music! We will not be sitting on the hill this year. There is a chance of rain for a few of the days, so we picked seats under one of the tents the venue puts up! We watched a Criminal Minds marathon on TV. It has been a long time since we have done that!

On Tuesday June 23rd, day 48, I woke up feeling much better! No sore throat and my nose was running, which is so much better than being stuffed up! It was still an overcast morning, but it is supposed to blow over. So, grocery shopping was on the agenda this morning. Back to State College through Boalsburg. Found this interesting sign. Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, is widely considered the birthplace of Memorial Day. The tradition began in October 1864, when three women, Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller, and Elizabeth Myers, decorated the graves of fallen soldiers in the town cemetery. They agreed to repeat the gesture the following year, and the practice evolved into an annual community event, eventually spreading to other towns and becoming the national holiday we know today. Being from Western New York, I was always taught that Waterloo was the birthplace of Memorial. The first known Memorial Day celebration was in Waterloo, New York, on May 5, 1866. I guess 1864 is earlier than 1866....

We came back to a sunny grange festival grounds and tons of activity. The stage was going up, so we sat in our seats for a few minutes to make sure that we still liked the view.

We ended up helping a guy, Arvy, paint the lines for the chairs in front of the stage. He was trying to run a rope line by himself and then spray the lines. Charlie and I moved the rope and he did the spraying. He was a talker, always asking questions. We learned he was a retired teacher in Lewiston and he is 86 years young. 

We concluded our day enjoying the sunshine and the setting sun over the hill! Our area certainly has filled in since we arrived on Sunday!

Stay tuned for more Two Lane Adventures!