Sullivan County and World's End State Park -- Chapter Five of Pat and Ron's Excellent Adventure

Tuesday, September 29: Today was the day that was going to make this whole dreary vacation worth it -- the Trace Adkins concert at the Bloomsburg Fair! Of course, I told the mister, it was really the whole State Fair experience I was looking forward to. (Riiiight!) Again, the morning was bright and sunny and we just crossed our fingers.

The exit off I-80 actually directs you to the "Bloomsburg Fairgrounds." The parking lot is bigger than Dushore. There were shuttles, but we weren't too far from the gate, so we walked. It was afternoon now, and the weather had turned blustery. My "Ladies Love Country Boys" tank, my pink jean western shirt and my pink leader fringe jacket kept me warm enough, but I did wish I had thought to bring my L.L. Bean silk long underwear.

There we were, a "past middle-age" couple strolling down the midway, holding hands and just enjoying the sights and sounds of a country fair. (I used to smile at people like that. Now old ladies smiled at US!) As we passed the games of chance, I knew that no matter how badly I wanted that cute stuffed animal, I could buy four of them at ToysRUs for what it would cost to win one. The only ride we considered was the Ferris Wheel, but when we saw a roustabout climbing up it with tools, we looked at each other and said "Nah!" Instead, we sat and enjoyed the performer doing a Johnny Cash tribute.

We reached the harness racing, which is all Ron really wanted to see. While he watched the horses, I people-watched. Three women who had to be in their late 80s or 90s were rolled by in wheelchairs, bundled up like babies. I couldn't believe my eyes, and figured they must have been the queens of the very first Bloomsburg Fair. I smiled nostalgically watching the young couples with children, and teenagers who thought we didn't know what they really had in those cups.

When the harness racing ended, I claimed my Trace tickets at "will call," and we wandered over to the animal exhibits. The first barn was the poultry and rabbit exhibit. I don't know why they paired them up, except maybe because they knew they wouldn't eat each other. The next barn was the dog show. You have to question the priorities of people who put mini brass beds and fringed lamps in cages with their Chihuahua. The few large dogs were lying down with one eye open, wondering if that Lhasa Apso was lunch. I'd venture a guess most of the dog people weren't farm people. We moved on to the horse and cattle exhibits. We really couldn't see much of the horses, they were all behind dense cages and heavily guarded, but I did get to talk to one lovely young lady who allowed me to take her picture. I do admire the young people up there involved in 4H. You can just tell it builds character.

I learned more at the cattle exhibit about showing cows than I cared to know. One of the first things I saw was a guy shaving a cow's udder. When I questioned the reason for this, I learned all about udders and the vein that runs down them and how their dimensions demonstrate the cow's milk-producing capabilities. Okaaaay. These people are serious about their cows, many owners spending the night with their animals. One guy was buried in hay, leaning on his cow, reading the newspaper. Another entire family was also lounging with their cows and I had a nice conversation with them. On their urging, we went next door to the arena where a cow competition was on. One woman had so much trouble handling her cow, it probably ended up as dinner that night. Finally, we reached the 4H goats and sheep, and caught one of their competitions. These judges were tough on these kids. "I'd like to see a little more weight on No. 2, No. 3 could use a bit more grooming. No. 4 has an attractive carriage, but her walk needs a little more power" No. 5 needs a bit more control." And none of these kids talked back!

It was 4:30 and, exhausted, we decided to return to the truck before the concert to take a break and put on warmer clothes. This time we both hopped on a shuttle. Ron needed a nap in his orthopedic car seat and I needed to change for the show. While he rested, I climbed in the back of the truck to change. (We have a cap and tinted windows, it wasn't THAT bad!) See, the "Ladies Love Country Boys" tank had to be visible at the concert, so I lay down and stripped it off, pulled on two long-sleeve Phillies tees and a sweatshirt and then re-donned the "Ladies" tank, topping it with my pink leather where it was perfectly displayed. (Yes, I am such a priss!)

As I climbed in the cab with Ron, I started laughing, realizing that we were sleeping and changing clothes in the truck between acts at the state fair. Some might say we were now officially redneck white trash!

Slideshow of Dog Show; Slideshow of Poultry and Rabbit Exhibit; Slideshow of Cattle and Horse Exhibit; Sheep and Goat Slideshow; See Chapter One; Chapter Two; Chapter Three; Chapter Four; Chapter Six; Chapter Seven; Chapter Eight; Chapter Nine and Conclusion