I just arrived back in WL after another fabulous weekend with Rachel. We stayed with my parents for the weekend to attend the 2-day bluegrass festival at Mansfield Hilltop Farm. She also brought Jack (black lab) along, which I’m pretty sure made my dad’s year. He took him for walks and back to play in the creek. We started our Saturday experience with a walk across the Mansfield Covered Bridge. We later sat along the water to enjoy our butter pecan ice cream. mmm.

Highlight of the day’s performances was Troubled Waters. I loved all the music but all the bands were sort of sounding the same until these guys. Vocals were insanely good and beautiful harmony. I bought their CD and I was lovin’ it all the way back to West Lafayette tonight. Hookups avail on request. We had 8 hours of bluegrass that day but took a little break to explore the mill and little shops. It was such a gorgeous day.

The headliners that night were Kenny & Amanda Smith. Despite being extremely attracted to their crooner look alike bass player, I still enjoyed Troubled Waters the best. However, my sis sat next to us for this one and the three of us succeeded in embarrassing my dad and getting recognition from the band at the end of the show. The people next to us were friends of the band and asked us to cheer a lot for the mandolin player, because the other band members always give him a hard time. So his first solo, we screamed and Jenna yelled “Go Jason!” which noticeably made him blush. We continued our support throughout the show, and he was clearly having to fight a super big smile. We made his night. He even asked everyone else to give us a hand :) He really was very good tho and deserved the cheering. I got singled out by the lead singer b/c I cheered for everything he said. of course, that time he asked if anyone had an “oatsmobile” and Jenna & I heard “oldsmobile” and cheered. They made fun of us. heh

We went out for pizza afterward, giving Rachel a chance to experience Rockville. It’s so sad. The bowling alley is for sale. My friend Carrie & I always swore we’d buy it if it ever ended up on the market. So yeah we got home about 11pm, and I took Rachel and my sis on a night tour around the block. We went by hollandsburg murders location and stopped at Greene Twp HS, but chickened out on leaving the car. Continued past an old cemetery, by my old house, and then to the farm. We petted the pigs and made Rachel climb up in the semi while Jenna & I pretended to drive cars next to it. It’s high as heck. We then looped around the cemetery with my grandparents and by the blue silo where I like to star gaze. Rachel couldn’t get over the sky and all the stars. It really is quite a sight.

We got lazy this next morning and missed banjo & fiddle contest, but did watch The Aviator, which was excellent. After lunch, we joined my family at a neighbor’s pond to do some fishing. Rachel & I seemed to be catching a lot of children (as pictured) that had to be tossed back. I caught a huge bluegill by hooking it on its side. That’s skill. haha. Rachel was all hardcore and baited her own hook, though stopped short of fish handling. We caught a big mess and mom fried them up for dinner. it was SO good, and Rachel was so amazed at the evolution of it from pond to frying pan. She made me photograph the finished product. haha

Sunday afternoon concert before our little fish fry was Rhona Vincent and The Rage. They were fantastic as well. May be purchasing their CD later. Their guitarist had the coolest pants and could pick like nothing else.

I took Rachel for a hike in the woods, out to the man shack after we got back. We ended up sitting out on the porch for a really long time. It’s so peaceful back there. May have a get together there later in the summer. We did decide on canoeing next weekend. So yeah, I have one zonked dog on my floor from her week with poodle. I imagine Jack is pretty worn out from his down on the farm adventure as well. I know I am.

Such an amazing weekend though. This is shaping up to be the best summer of my life. My weekends are pretty much all booked up, which you might imagine is not normal. I think I shall crash now. I have to write an article for the paper by noon tomorrow.