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

Monday October 19th was day 166 of 166 for Charlie and I. We started the day in Salt Springs Recreation Area and ended it at home in Zephyrhills.

The campground at Salt Springs is the largest in the Ocala National Forest and the only one with full hookups for RVs. The campsites are spacious, level, nicely shaded and well away from the busy day-use area. 

This morning I enjoyed my walk around the campground and to the springs. I saw 3 different groups of turkeys on my walk. Some were along the main road, others were in the parking lot of the day use area and another threesome was near the bathrooms in the day use area.

In the area around the picnic area and store is a 200 plus year old Southern Live Oak, whose branches dip and stretch skyward again! It is amazing the resilience that these mammoth trees have! Live oak branches droop due to a combination of factors, including natural growth patterns, heavy weight, and potential stress from environmental factors like drought or disease.

The branches can spread outwards and downward, sometimes even touching the ground. This natural droop can be influenced by the tree's overall health and the specific conditions of its environment.

Salt Springs is a second-magnitude spring that derives its name from its salt waters. The spring pool measures about 190 feet by 130 feet, with spring flow emerging from four vents in the limestone rock floor of the pool. I love to watch the springs life before all the guests come, especially the blue crabs. Blue crabs thrive at Salt Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest because the water contains natural sodium, magnesium, and potassium salts from underground limestone layers.

Gentle boils can be observed at the water’s surface over the four main underground vents. Limestone and sand are on the pool bottom near the vents, with the rest of the bottom covered with aquatic grasses. The north, west, and south sides of the pool are surrounded by a concrete walls. From the pool, water flows southeast about 4 miles down a broad run to discharge into the northwest corner of Lake George. The spring is part of the USDA Forest Service’s Salt Springs Recreation Area, where we are camped.

It has been said that Salt Springs is the legendary "Fountain of Youth." St Augustine might beg to differ with that statement! Scientists have discovered that aging can be slowed by certain minerals and trace elements that are available only in unrefined  groundwater, and the abundance and variety of helpful minerals in the water at Salt Springs can be found nowhere else in the US.

Want more history on the area? The King of Spain originally granted ownership of the property surrounding the Springs along with the five-mile run to Lake George to his supporters, the Hernandez family, who were not particularly attracted to the gift. Because of their lack of interest, the property remained undeveloped until the late 1800's when brothers, Walter and Columbus Townsend, who were prominent gentlemen in the turpentine business, saw an opportunity for shipping turpentine down Salt Springs Run and up the St. Johns River to the Naval Station in Jacksonville.

In 1908, President Roosevelt set aside the vast scrubland surrounding the Springs as the Ocala National Forest and only the  stouthearted braved the hazards of traveling the long deep sand roads to enjoy the waters of this remote jewel. In the 1920's, after having bought his brother's interest in the property and having laid claim to the Hernandez grant, Columbus sold all of the property to the Ray family of Ocala.  With the coming of hard-top roads, many of Florida's natural treasures were popularized, but not Salt Springs; this remained a remote jewel but word had gotten out.  

Some came to be cured, believing that the waters had medicinal value, while others simply wanted to enjoy the bath of crystal clear waters. Regardless of the reason, all manner of homemade shelters sprang up among the oaks to accommodate the explorers who flocked to the Springs. In the early 1960's, Highway S-19 opened exposing the Springs to the world.  Portions of the scarce private land nearby was soon subdivided and sold as campsites to those individuals wanting their own slice of the Forest. In 1979, the US Government bought the Springs from the Ray family, along with the approximately ten acres of the Hernandez grant, for over $12 million.  

In 1900, Daniel Morgan, a prominent Marion County resident and County Commissioner who also owned a timber and turpentine business, constructed a large framed home on the south side of Lake Kerr. This grand lakeside home contained ten rooms, with the kitchen and dining room separated from the main house, all constructed of heart of pine and trimmed cypress.  When Mr. Morgan died accidentally, Columbus Townsend purchased the spacious house as a summer residence for his family, and proceeded to have it moved from the bank of Lake Kerr across the landscape to its present location, adjacent to the Springs.

Moving the house was quite a feat which took almost the whole year of 1918 to complete.  It was said that to move the house, they felled large pine trees laying them in front of the house as rollers and pulled the house with teams of oxen and cattle. In 2009, there was some discussion about the old home being renovated into a bed & breakfast. The old home still stands on the south side of the Springs. They say from the second story windows, you can see the springs. I would not chance climbing those stairs to sneak a peek!

I love my "crossing signs." And a Bear crossing sign is perfect to see on the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway! A Bear Crossing Sign is essential for alerting drivers to areas where bears are known to cross roads, helping to prevent accidents and protect wildlife. Florida's biggest bear populations are around Apalachicola National Forest, Ocala National Forest and Big Cypress National Preserve, each with as many as 1,000 bears.

We drove about 20 miles down FL 19 from Salt Springs. We turned east onto US 40. The route commonly referred to as the "US 40" scenic highway is actually Florida State Road 40 (SR 40), which serves as the backbone for the nationally designated Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway. The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway received its official state Scenic Byway designation on February 20, 2008 by the Florida Scenic Highways Program’s Scenic Highways Advisory Committee (SHAC). The Byway extends approximately 60 miles along State Road 40 from Silver Springs in Marion County east through the Ocala National Forest to I-95 at the City of Ormond Beach in Volusia County. The designation also includes portions of State Road 19 North from Putnam County to South State Road 19 in Lake County.

The Ocala National Forest boasts approximately 387,000 acres of varied terrain, from highlands to coastal lowlands. It’s also dotted with more than 600 swamps, lakes, rivers and springs. The forest is also home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including the state’s largest populations of Florida black bears and scrub jays. Alligators, white-tailed deer and numerous small animals—foxes, raccoons, river otters, skunks, squirrels, bats, gopher tortoises, armadillos and more—also live here among the wooded oak hammocks, palm trees and cypress-studded wetland prairies. 

In addition to being a popular spot for camping and on-the-water leisure, the Ocala National Forest has a few interesting claims to fame. The movie The Yearling was filmed at the Yearling Trail near the Juniper Prairie Wilderness and Juniper Springs. The US Navy does live impact training at its Pinecastle Bombing Range in the forest, and visitors can often see F/A-18 Hornet jet fighters and other aircraft flying low over the trees before dropping their bombs in the designated range a safe distance away. The ghost town of Kerr City—the second town in Marion County, platted in 1884—is also located in the forest, having been deserted after the freezes of 1894 and 1895.

In Ocala, I saw a painted horse and it reminded me of the Rochester NY Public Art Expedition, "Horses on Parade." Horses on Parade was a promotion that showcased the work of local artists, captivated the Rochester community and then helped rally stunned residents after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The event placed fiberglass horses adorned by artists throughout the Rochester area in the spring and summer of 2001 as a way to raise money for local charities. People were enthralled and fascinated by the quirky works, with many heading out on local road trips and scavenger hunts to check out as many of the creations as they could see. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, “Freedom” was an addition to Horses on Parade. The horse honored the victims of the attacks and raised funds for the families of first responders who were killed in New York City. "Freedom" — which still stands on Interstate 490, near Cobbs Hill Park — helped raise additional funds for the families of first responders who were killed in New York City. I am saying this horse did not like the cold weather in Rochester NY and made his way to Ocala! Actually, the painted horses in Ocala belong to Horse Fever, a public art project launched in 2001 by the Marion Cultural Alliance and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.

We turned onto US 27, 301 & 441. These three roads run concurrently as South Pine Avenue through Ocala, before splitting near the center of the city. Where US 301 and US 441 run together in Ocala, the roadway is designated the Rosa Parks Memorial Highway.  US 301 and 441 were selected to honor parks because it is a national highway. It is hoped that other communities along US 301, those north and south of Alachua and Marion counties, will move to dedicate the road to Parks and keep the designation going around the state and nation. So far, it has not happened. Although there are many other roads designated for Rosa Parks. It is here where US 27 joined Route 301. I never noticed that US 27 was on this route before, and we have traveled this route a great deal.

In Belleview, we stayed on US 301. Between the booming metropolis of Wildwood and the sleepy town of Coleman is a new expansion of The Villages along County Road 470 near the Coleman Federal Prison. Sumter County commissioners approved rezoning about 35 acres on the northeast corner of US 301 and CR 470 to commercial from agriculture and another two acres on the southeast corner to heavy industrial. The Wildwood commissioners approved a new community development district south of CR 470 that will cover a neighborhood of 8,280 homes on 2,485 acres as part of the Villages of Southern Oaks.

In Bushnell along a half-mile stretch of trail that cut through pines, palmettos and tall grass, 180 Seminole warriors lay in ambush, an act of war for which the tribal leaders had been preparing for more than a year. Chief Micanopy fired the first shot, reportedly bringing down Major Dade himself, after that, the other Seminoles to begin firing. Within moments, half the American soldiers had fallen. The survivors regrouped and, under the command of Captain George Gardiner, drove the Seminoles back temporarily and managed to construct a makeshift battlement of logs. By the end of the day, however, only 2 Americans survived and the Second Seminole War had begun. The Dade Battlefield Historic State Park commemorates this battle and honors the participants on both sides. Every January features a reenactment of the battle, which is historically accurate and exquisitely detailed.

Coming into Trilby, we were surprised to see that they have not made more progress on the widening of US 301 to two-lanes in each direction. This multi-phase initiative carries an estimated $255 million regional impact to transition US 301 from a two-lane rural road into a four-lane divided boulevard, featuring a wide median and 12-foot shared-use paths.

Ohhhhhhhh, look...We are home!

After 166 days on the road, here are some stats:

We traveled 6,575 miles.

Average diesel price per gallon was $5.39

We used over 550 gallons of diesel.

We spent over $3,000 on diesel fuel.

We averaged 11.91 miles per gallon.

We camped at friends houses for 43 nights.

We stayed at 3 Thousand Trails campgrounds for a total of 10 nights.

We stayed at 8 campgrounds on our 2 Yankee RV caravans for a total of 30 nights.

We paid for camping sites for 82 nights, for a total of just over $3,100, an average of $38 per night.

What an incredible summer we had!

We caught up with old friends, made some wonderful new ones, and reconnected with friends we hadn’t seen in a while. Along the way, we took in breathtaking sights, listened to some great music, and enjoyed countless campfires, beautiful sunrises, and unforgettable sunsets.

It’s amazing how the RV lifestyle brings people together and creates memories that last a lifetime. The miles traveled are wonderful, but it’s the people, the laughter, the adventures, and the special moments along the way that make it all so meaningful.

Here’s to an incredible summer filled with friendship, adventure, and memories we’ll treasure forever! And now, we’re already looking forward to our next Two Lane Adventure!

Day 165 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Sunday October 18th is day 165 for us and day 32 for Tim & Debbie. It was a very chilly 50 degrees at 8am this morning in Hazlehurst Georgia. The clear skies gave us a beautiful sunrise over the campers, but too cold to walk!

Today is the day Tim & Debbie head north and we head south. It has been such a blessing to work with these two and get to know them outside of work. These two are some of the finest people we know! Their pocketbook might not like us for turning them onto Bluegrass festivals and Lynette's inheritance may dwindle a bit! Bit, now they have something to plan their trips around! Still plenty of time to see the states and hear some great music! I captured, just the back corner of their rig, as they pulled out!

We both headed east to Baxley and just a bit beyond that. We stopped at Murphy USA for diesel. Just beyond that is the Appling County Courthouse. By the early 20th century, the county required a more grand and functional facility. The county hired architect H.L. Lewman and the Falls City Construction Company constructed the modern courthouse for $50,000. It is a historic Neoclassical Revival-style structure built between 1907 and 1908. It serves as the civic anchor for Baxley and the broader Appling County community. The Appling County Courthouse was formally added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 18, 1980.

The Appling County Veterans monument is located in front of the county courthouse. In early 2000, volunteers started raising money for a Veterans memorial. They spent three years raising $70,000 for the monument to Appling County veterans. According to Bill Campbell, project organizer, "As we put some money in the bank, people saw it was really gonna happen and then they all jumped on board." Etched in stone are the names of those who gave their lives as well as those who returned home from service in World War I to Operation Iraqi Freedom and in between.

Those that have followed me for a while, know I love murals. Here in Baxley, there is a "Welcome to Baxley" mural. It is prominently painted on a downtown commercial building wall, located on South Main Street. The postcard-style landmark serves as a vibrant gateway to the city, celebrating local roots, agricultural heritage, and historical landmarks. 

East of Baxley, we turned south onto GA 121, aka the Woodpecker Trail. The Woodpecker Trail is a scenic and historic route along state routes 25/121. The 620-mile route was once billed as "the shortest route to Florida's West Coast." It stretches from Charlotte, NC, to St. Petersburg, FL. Total mileage through Georgia is 204 miles, from Augusta to Folkston. The Woodpecker Trail has been named one of the 50 most scenic drives in America. Established in 1947 by the Woodpecker Route Association, the route was well traveled from the 1950s to 1970s. The probable origin of the name is the numerous woodpeckers that inhabit the pine forests along the route.

Our next "big" town was Blackshear, Georgia. It had a McDonald's for Charlie's breakfast and a Sugarfree Vanilla Iced Coffee for me. Originally, this area was Muscogee Creek land. The area was transformed in the mid-19th century by the expansion of the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad infrastructure. Today, its rich past is marked by historic brick architecture, a deeply impactful Civil War footprint, and its legacy as an early powerhouse in the regional tobacco economy. The town was named in honor of General David Blackshear (1764–1837), an influential Georgia military figure and state senator. General Blackshear fought in the American Revolution and later commanded state militia forces during the War of 1812, famously authorizing a defensive chain of 11 forts and overseeing the construction of critical military roads throughout southern Georgia. This picture shows some of the historic brick architecture.

Yes, more murals! Here is a beautiful American flag at the intersection of Hwy Ave and Main Street. We had pulled over so Charlie could use our facilities. I snapped the picture and we had a young man stop to be sure that we were OK and did not need any assistance. It was so very nice of him.  

There is a "Bearville" mural at the corner of Main Street and South Central Avenue. This eye-catching piece was painted by local artist Lee Mobley. Completed in less than 12 hours, the vibrant installment celebrates local "Bear pride" and has become a landmark for visitors exploring the historic downtown district.It features a giant, muscular metallic blue and silver bear walking against a bold blue backdrop that reads "BLACKSHEAR Georgia."

We turned onto US Hwy 1, making our way to US 301. Route 1 in Georgia runs north-south for about 225 miles from the SC border to the FL border or vice-versa. Actually, we were still on GA 121, plus a few more routes joined us!

Entering the town of Folkston GA. This is our last town in GA, before we cross the border into FL. Folkston, Georgia, began as a rail stop called "The Station" in 1881 when the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway built a line through the area, and it was officially incorporated as a city on April 3, 1895. The town was named after Dr. William Brandon Folks, a prominent physician from nearby Waycross, Georgia.

Folkston is home to The Okefenokee Swamp. It is a shallow, 438,000-acre, peat-filled wetland straddling the Georgia–Florida line. A majority of the swamp is protected by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Okefenokee Wilderness. It is world renowned for its amphibian populations that are bio-indicators of global health. More than 600 plant species have been identified on refuge lands.

          

We crossed from Georgia back into Florida. I love the "free" state of Florida sign. Plus there is a more traditional Florida sign too. Along US 1 there was a historical marker for the Battle of Thomas Creek. It was the engagement that ended the Second Florida campaign. This battle involved the land forces of a two pronged continental attack with the goal of taking St. Augustine from the British. The British and their Native American allies laid a successful trap at Thomas Creek that forced the Continental Army to return to Georgia.

 

We took a "non-traditional" approach, for us, around Jacksonville. We took I-295 South for about 10-miles. I did see two cell towers that are "concealed" to look like trees. I have to say when these cell towers are around other trees, it does a good job of concealment. But, when they are standing alone, those fake branches do nothing to conceal what it really is... a cell tower!

We got off the Interstate in Orange Park and started traveling on US 17 S. It was the 44th Annual Orange Park Fall Festival at the Town Hall Park. WOW, there were people everywhere! The Town of Orange Park Fall Festival is Clay County’s oldest and largest Arts and Crafts Festival! The Fall Festival began in 1982 with roughly twelve craft booths and a couple guitar players. Forty-four years later, this two-day festival has over 200 artists & vendors and two stages packed with entertainment from regional and local artists!

We crossed the bridge over Doctors Lake. Doctors Lake is not actually a lake at all, it is a brackish, tidal inlet covering roughly 13 square miles that opens directly into the west bank of the St. Johns River. Its rich history stretches from early colonial agriculture to its evolution into a scenic retreat for prominent regional families. While the exact root of the name remains a mystery, the body of water has officially been called "Doctor's Lake" since at least 1776, appearing on British Revolutionary War maps. Before this, Spanish and early British surveyors typically recorded it simply as a laguna grande (great lagoon). It is widely hypothesized that the name stems from Dr. William Stork, a prominent 1764 British plantation agent who published early descriptive journals to encourage migration to East Florida.

In Green Cove Springs, I found another mural on the other side of the road as we were driving south. It is called the Fallen Heroes Memorial Mural located at the corner of North Orange Avenue and Palmer Street. The artists were Sophie Dentiste, Lynette Woodman, Lori Butler, Kim Hinkle, Alison McCauley, Andrea Sibilla, Kathy Plante, and Beth Hazlip. It is a large American flag mural featuring spreading wings and memorializing three local service members and first responders: Clay Fire Rescue Engineer and Paramedic Jeremy J. McKay, US Army Ranger SGT Bradley Crose, and Clay County Sheriff's Office Deputy Benjamin Zirbel.

In Palatka we transitioned onto FL 19. We came to a steep grade in the road. We were going over the Cross Florida Barge Canal. Us west coast Florida people say " a barge canal in Florida?" Yes, parks and park projects were built in the New Deal era by the Civilian Conservation Corps. New Deal funding for the canal ran out within three years. Local critics insisted that the canal would disrupt Florida’s aquifer and waterways. National opposition grew in response to claims that the project was a waste of taxpayer money and of limited value to people outside of Florida. But hope for the canal had yet to run out completely. During World War II, German submarines threatened Florida’s coasts and shipping lanes. During World War II, Congress modified the former sea-level canal project into a lock and dam shallow-draft canal along the same route as the original sea-level project. 

After the war, rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union intensified. Canal boosters pointed to the project as an asset to national security and rehashed old arguments in its favor. Construction resumed in 1964, with President Lyndon B. Johnson presided at the groundbreaking in Palatka, Florida. However, the canal was ultimately not to be. There was a new surge of environmental awareness in the 1960s, and major opposition to the canal emerged. Heading a group called the Florida Defenders of the Environment, activist Marjorie Harris Carr appealed to President Richard Nixon and issued legal challenges to construction. Nixon stopped the project in 1971, ending a long-held but never-realized dream. Over the next decade continued legal battles ensued and the political momentum for the project waned. Congress eventually deauthorized the project in 1990. With the canal only about one-third complete, the land that had been secured for its path sat in limbo. So, what to do with the largest unfinished public works project in history? Turn it into a greenway and name it after the activist that halted the project, The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

We crossed over the Ocklawaha River is a 75-mile-long, south-to-north flowing river. It serves as the principal tributary to the St. Johns River and drains a massive 2,800 square-mile watershed that spans five counties. Celebrated as one of the most scenic and wild waterways in the state, its dark, tannin-stained waters snake through dense floodplain forests, hydric hammocks, and vital wildlife corridors. We drove for miles with the Ocala National Forest on both sides of the road. Finally arriving at Salt Springs Recreation Area, our campsite for the night. It is a US Forest campground, so we get our Senior Lifetime Pass half price. It is a level paved full hook up site for $35 a night!

We are all set up, Charlie has had an adult coke and I had some PB&J from No BS, in NY. It will be an early night for both of us!

Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures

Day 164 of 166 Days of RV Adventures in the Summer of 2026

Saturday October 17th was day 164 for Charlie and I. It was day 31 for Tim & Debbie! We are still at Stagger Lee Music Park for the 6th Annual Headin' Home Fest! It has been blistering hot since we got here and overnight, a cold front came in! It is not going to get above 69 degrees today! Tim & Debbie and Charlie & I transferred all of the "Yankee gear" from their RV to ours. We will get it all back to Rod & Helen.

At noon, the music kicked off with Brad Kaylor & Mineral Bluff Revue. Brad Kaylor & Mineral Bluff Revue is a contemporary bluegrass band formed in 2025 that blends a hard-driving, traditional sound with modern songwriting. Rooted in the mountain traditions of North Georgia and Western North Carolina, the six-piece group is signed to Huckleberry Records, a division of Turnberry Records. The leader of the band is Brad Kaylor on lead vocals and bass. Chris Pope adds the rhythm guitar and vocals. Hayden Bramlett does some serious pickin' on the 5-string banjo and adds to the vocals. Dylan Smith does the pickin' on the flat top as the lead guitar and Tony White is filling in today on mandolin for the band.

At 1:00pm, the second band took the stage, NightFlyer. The Original Ohio Band named NightFlyer was around from 2010–2019. The new Florida / Georgia band was formed in 2025 by combining two bands. They are an exciting young band, brought together by a group of friends passionate about creating well-crafted music that comes from the heart and reaches the soul. They bring together years of combined experience to make NightFlyer a band that you won’t forget hearing. They perform classic bluegrass, gospel, and original songs with an excellence that shows their respect for both old and new American roots music. They launched their official presence to step into the regional scene with live performances at historic venues like Everett's Music Barn. 

Brandon Gandy on the 5-string banjo and doing the lead singing and song writing, while Brandon Taylor sang lead vocals and played guitar. Both Brandon's are members of the Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame with Blue Holler. Kaiah Sauls, is a talented upright bass player and provides vocals for NightFlyer. Her brother and bandmate Nathan Sauls (who plays dobro) are also notable members of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Paul Hinkle is filling in on mandolin this weekend.

At 2:00pm The Brothers Five had their second set. The brothers have spent the entire festival parking campers, helping people, selling tickets and merchandise. And they find time to pick at these late night jams!

The fact that these boys spend practically every minute of their lives singing and jamming together shows in their highly polished and entertaining show! Ranging in age from 20 to 12, The Brothers Five have already performed at many festivals and venues across the country. To watch The Brothers Five on stage is to experience a refreshing dose of joy, family camaraderie, and reassurance that the future of bluegrass is brighter than ever.

3:00pm was when Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out took the stage. They are one of the most prominent and heavily awarded contemporary bluegrass and gospel supergroups in the world. 

Formed in 1991 in Cumming, Georgia, the band was originally known simply as IIIrd Tyme Out before updating their name to feature their iconic front man and guitarist, Russell Moore. One of the veterans of IIIrd Tyme Out is mandolin playet, Wayne Benson. On bass, this is his 2nd show with IIIrd Tyme Out, Daniel Sawyer.

For 13 years he played fiddle for IIrd Tyme Out, he took some time off and started a business, now he is back playing banjo, Justen Haynes. By day, he is the booking agent for Ole Smoky Moonshine stages. By night, Matt Flake plays fiiddle and sings the bass vocals.

4:00pm brought our Dinner Break and picture time! Everyone that purchased a festival T-shirt gathered in front of the pavilion for a group photo! 

Tim, Debbie and Cathy got in on the act! After that, we headed to the camper to cool off, we headed there to get warm! What a difference 24-hours makes!

We were all in our seats by 5:30pm with our coats and blankets, to watch the second set from NightFlyer. 

Kaiah Sauls belted out a beauty in their second set!!

At 6:30pm Brad Kaylor & Mineral Bluff Revue came to the stage for their second set. Front man Brad Kaylor grew up in Cherokee County, North Carolina, surrounded by family bluegrass musicians. 

Co-founder Chris Pope was raised on church harmonies and classic bluegrass in North Georgia. Together, Kaylor and Pope also actively promote the Ridge Jam Bluegrass Festival held annually in Blue Ridge, Georgia. They had Leo Lindblom come up and pick one with them!

It was 7:30pm when Headin’ Home took the stage. The family began touring as a bluegrass band in 2018. 

In 2023, Headin’ Home won the Dailey & Vincent Band Contest; in 2024, they won the official Georgia State Bluegrass Band Competition; and in 2026, they took 2nd place in the SPBGMA International Band Championship. The 1st Annual Headin’ Home Fest took place in 2022, and has been a joyful family team effort every year since.

The final act of the 2026 Fall 6th Annual Headin' Home Fest started at 8:30pm. It was Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. Moore himself is widely recognized as one of the finest vocalists in acoustic music history, commanding six IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards. 

Backed by tight instrumental arrangements and signature multi-part vocal harmonies, the group has amassed over 50 industry accolades, including an unprecedented seven consecutive wins for IBMA Vocal Group of the Year from 1994 to 2000. With a deep library of 15 studio albums, the group blends traditional mountain standards with contemporary pacing. Some of their most celebrated tracks include:

"Pretty Little Girl From Galax" — Their most viral hit, racking up over half a million digital streams.
"Hard Rock Mountain Prison" — The breakout single from their self-titled 2009 record.
"Erase the Miles" — The title track of a beloved compilation showcasing their signature heart-wrenching road ballads.

And they sung all three for us tonight!

What a fantastic bluegrass festival! We are thrilled that Tim & Debbie truly had a great time!

Stay tuned for more Two Lane adventures!