The last night of our first Airstream Caravan was a bluegrass show in the pouring rain, and we wouldn't have missed it. This is Part 4, the last part of our trip on Virginia's Crooked Road, with the show, the drive home and a look back at all eleven days. Part 1 covers our first base camp, Part 2 our second and Part 3 our third.
Day 10 ·
Day 10: Dailey & Vincent in the Pouring Rain
Written by Dan
Big Stone Gap Kept Us Busy
Our group in the middle of the field at Frog Level Park, with many other campers around the edges.
The days were mild and full of things to do, from listening to great music around town to exploring the area with Heather and the dogs. There was the Powell Valley Overlook the day we moved in, and a free day up at the High Knob Observation Tower with the dogs along. Even on Saturday, with the remnants of Isaias on the way, the daytime was fine.
The town is busy, but it has a small-town feel that is both welcoming and charming. It's small-town America, the kind of place where it seems like everyone knows everybody. There are lots of little shops to explore, as well as places to grab a bite to eat and a drink.
Back at Frog Level Park, our group was parked in the middle of the field, with a whole crowd of other campers around us who weren't part of the caravan. I sent the drone up to get this view.
The Big Stone Gap Visitor Center
The Big Stone Gap Visitor Center.
The visitor center is right in the middle of town and has plenty of information on things to do in the area.
It's in a vintage gas station, and it's also a movie set, with booths where diner scenes from the movie Big Stone Gap were filmed and memorabilia from the film, The Trail of the Lonesome Pine and the old Powell Valley High School. The staff can recommend places to eat, attractions and local hidden gems.
Bike rentals. The town's biking page says the center offers bike rentals, which would have solved our no-bikes problem on the Greenway.
The movie. The center is in the building that was Carmine's in the film, and the town's movie tour lists other filming sites, like Curklin's, the old Mutual's Pharmacy.
Where
306 Wood Avenue East, in the middle of town
Hours
Every day, 9 am to 5 pm, as listed by the town
Phone
(276) 523-2303
Email
tourism@bigstonegap.com
Inside
A vintage gas station and movie set, with information on things to do in the area
The path along the creek, on the right side of the aerial photo above, is the Greenway. It leads from Frog Level Park directly to the venue at Bullitt Park, about 0.6 miles one way, and downtown is a little farther. During Blue Highway Fest, the city also ran free shuttles back and forth from the campground to the venues and downtown, though not all the time. The town's official name for the path is the Greenbelt Walking and Bicycle Trail, and the town describes it as a paved three-mile trail around Big Stone Gap along the Powell River.
It's lighted at night, so it's easy to see when walking in the dark. The trails are bike- and e-bike-friendly. We didn't bring our bikes on this trip, and it's a decision that I definitely regret…
Black bears are all over the area, and one of our caravan members encountered one, but there were no issues. The bear ran away, but it's important to stay alert. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources suggests making noise as you walk so bears know you're near, backing away slowly if you meet one, and not running.
To the venue
About 0.6 miles one way, from Frog Level Park to Bullitt Park. Downtown is slightly farther.
Shuttles
Free city shuttles from the campground to the venues and downtown during the festival, but not all the time
Trail
Paved and lighted at night, looping nearly 3 miles around the whole town
We had no hookups for three nights at Big Stone Gap, and our rig held up great. Between our Battle Born lithium batteries, our Bluetti battery unit, our four Bluetti folding solar panels and our generator, we had plenty of power to keep us going. The festival's own Camping & RV Guide for Frog Level Park says to arrive self-contained, with water on site but no electric or sewer, and generators allowed until quiet hours begin at 11 pm.
Batteries
Two Battle Born lithium batteries, 760 amp-hours each
Power station
Bluetti AC200
Solar
Four Bluetti folding solar panels
Generator
Predator 3500
The solar panels and the Bluetti are in Part 3, along with the forecast track of Isaias.
Dailey & Vincent at Blue Highway Fest
We planned on staying regardless of the rain. We knew the storm would weaken, so a little rain wasn't going to stop us from enjoying ourselves.
Dailey & Vincent put on a fantastic show despite the rain from Hurricane Isaias. We roughed it out, but it was worth it. We had our ponchos on, and we stayed dry despite the pouring rain.
Dailey & Vincent on the Blue Highway Fest stage during a short break in the rain.
Dailey & Vincent is built around two bluegrass veterans, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent. Jamie spent about nine years singing with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and Darrin spent more than ten years with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. In 2003 they were both asked to record for a Christmas compilation, and their version of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” went to number one on the Prime Cuts of Bluegrass chart. That led them to perform together more often, and they made their Grand Ole Opry debut as a duo on December 29, 2007.
The International Bluegrass Music Association named them Entertainer of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and the Opry made them members on March 11, 2017. Darrin grew up playing in his family's band, The Sally Mountain Show, with his sister, Rhonda Vincent, so Blue Highway Fest had a Vincent on its stage on both Friday and Saturday night.
Our last morning at base camp started out rainy and gray, and Pax took up her post at the window, where she minded everyone's business but her own.
Pax on window watch on our last morning.
Here's my guess at what she was thinking. Rain, still. Low clouds sitting on the mountain, same as yesterday. A whole field of trucks and trailers, and not a single squirrel in sight. She went over it like a Ground Security Coordinator reading a report and decided there was nothing out there that couldn't wait. The patrol could start whenever the rain quit and somebody opened the door. Then she turned and gave me a look that said the briefing was over and breakfast was overdue.
The Last Group Breakfast
The clouds were still hanging low over the mountains, with the sun starting to break through in places, when the group got together one more time for breakfast before everyone headed home. We thanked both Jerry and Jeff, had some fun conversation, and enjoyed one last time together as a group before setting out in our different directions for the journey home.
Our last group breakfast before everyone headed home.
Before we pulled out, I took one more picture of our rig on the grass.
Our rig on the last morning, before we pulled out.
The Drive Home and Buc-ee's
We pulled out of Base Camp 3 and headed into the mountains on our six-and-a-half-hour drive back home. Of course, we had to make our stop at Buc-ee's in Richmond, Kentucky, to top off the diesel as well as get their famous brisket sandwiches. We arrived safely home around 4:30 pm, right on schedule.
Buc-ee's, as usual, was a madhouse, with lots of cars and camping rigs. We fit just fine in the fuel lanes despite our 53-foot overall length. One thing worth noting: there isn't a lot of room to park a camping rig in the regular parking lot, so we parked on the street just outside of it.
That Buc-ee's sits just off Interstate 75 in Madison County, near mile marker 83. It opened on April 19, 2022, and it was Kentucky's first.
The Buc-ee's in Richmond, Kentucky
Where
Richmond, Kentucky, at Interstate 75 and Duncannon Lane, near mile marker 83
Opened
April 19, 2022, as Kentucky's first Buc-ee's
Size
53,000 square feet, with 120 fuel pumps
For rigs
Our 53-foot rig fit the fuel lanes. Parking is tight, so we parked on the street just outside the lot.
The caravan was our first, and we really didn't know what to expect. When we pulled into base camp in Galax on that first afternoon, most of the group was already there, twenty Airstreams in all. Most of them belonged to seasoned Airstreamers, and only a few of us were on our first caravan. We were strangers, with eleven days ahead of us through the Appalachian Mountains and bluegrass music country.
Eleven days later, we were lifelong Airstream friends. In that time we shared a Thursday night jam at a small-town theater, a catered barbecue and a bluegrass band at camp, a day in Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music, and a final night of live music in the pouring rain. That's how a group of strangers turned into friends.
All the credit goes to our two hosts. Jerry Hanson was the caravan leader and Jeff Cutright was the co-leader, and this was their second year doing this caravan. They're both from the Virginia Airstream Club 109, and the caravan was hosted through the national Airstream club, Airstream Club International (ACI), so it's a national caravan. They were awesome, and it was evident that they truly cared about each of us in the group. They made our caravan fun, eventful and memorable, and it's an experience we'll take with us. Because this was our first, it has us wanting to do more, and I credit both Jerry and Jeff, as well as the rest of the group, for those memories and experiences.
Dates
October 1–11, 2026
Cost in 2026
$1,991 for the two of us for the eleven days, with camping, park fees, dinners, event admission and breakfasts included. Costs fluctuate, and refunds are not guaranteed.
Rigs
Started with 22, finished with 21
Miles
1,662total round trip from home, including the moves between base camps, the caravan events and our own excursions
Base camps
3
Without hookups
3 nights, at Big Stone Gap
Our rig
53 feet overall
Hosted by
Airstream Club International (ACI) as a national caravan, led by Jerry Hanson and Jeff Cutright of the Virginia Airstream Club 109
What It Cost, and What It Covered
If you're wondering what a trip like this costs, the caravan was $1,991 for the two of us for the eleven days. That covered all of the camping and park fees, several catered dinners, admission to all of the events, and breakfast every morning.
It's a non-profit caravan, so it's zero-sum, and any leftover money is divided equally and sent back to the group. Keep in mind that the cost of this caravan will fluctuate, and any refunds due to overages are not guaranteed.
What's nice is that all the logistical stuff is taken care of, from the campground reservations to the dinner reservations, so you don't have to spend time trying to get reservations and accommodations. You just show up and enjoy the trip.
If you want to go back through the trip, here's where each part is:
What worked. Honestly, everything worked. The gear that earned its keep was the Bluetti AC200 power station, the solar panels and our Predator 3500 generator.
What we'd change. We'd bring the bikes. We didn't bring ours, and it's a decision I definitely regret. The Greenway runs right to the venue and into downtown, it loops around the whole town for nearly three miles, and it's bike- and e-bike-friendly.
The best moments. They were the simple ones: just spending time with Heather and our dogs, Pax and Charlie, enjoying the outdoors and great music. It was our time together, creating memories.
Our rating for our first Airstream Caravan
Overall, the caravan was a fantastic experience. We didn't really know what to expect starting out, but in the end, we'd definitely do it again.
If you've been thinking about a trip like this, I'd say go. A few of us were on our first caravan, and it worked out great. The hosts took care of the reservations and the logistics, the camping and park fees were covered, and all we had to do was show up with the Airstream and enjoy the music, the mountains and the people.
Although it's a bit cliché, I'm going to say it anyway. It's the journey, not the destination, that makes it all worth it. The people you meet, the things you see, and the experiences you have all make the Airstream life worthwhile. But whatever you're traveling in… It doesn't matter. The journey is so worth it.
If you're getting ready for a first trip of your own, our Preflight checklists are free.
Part 4 FAQ
Who is Dailey & Vincent? Dailey & Vincent is a bluegrass group led by Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent. Jamie came up with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and Darrin spent more than ten years with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. The International Bluegrass Music Association named them Entertainer of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and they became Grand Ole Opry members on March 11, 2017.
Did the music at Blue Highway Fest 2026 go on in the rain from Hurricane Isaias? The Saturday night show by Dailey & Vincent did. They played through pouring rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias while the crowd watched from under umbrellas and ponchos.
What is RV camping like at Blue Highway Fest? The festival's Camping & RV Guide describes RV and tent camping at Frog Level Park in downtown Big Stone Gap with water on site but no electric, sewer or other hookups, portable restrooms, and generators allowed until quiet hours begin at 11 pm. Our caravan went without hookups for three nights, using Battle Born lithium batteries, a Bluetti power station, four Bluetti folding solar panels and a generator.
How far is it to walk or ride from camp to Blue Highway Fest? The walking path known locally as the Greenway, officially the Greenbelt Walking and Bicycle Trail, leads from Frog Level Park directly to the venue at Bullitt Park, about 0.6 miles one way. Downtown is slightly farther. The trail loops around the whole town for nearly three miles, it's lighted at night, and it's bike- and e-bike-friendly. During the festival, the city also ran free shuttles back and forth from the campground to the venues and downtown, though not all the time.
Are there black bears around Big Stone Gap? Yes. Black bears are all over the area, and one member of our caravan encountered one. There were no issues because the bear ran away, but it's important to stay alert.
Who leads the Crooked Road Airstream Caravan? The Crooked Road Caravan is a national caravan hosted through Airstream Club International (ACI). It is led by Jerry Hanson and co-leader Jeff Cutright of the Virginia Airstream Club 109, and 2026 was their second year leading it.
How much did our Airstream caravan cost? The caravan cost $1,991 for the two of us for the eleven days. That covered all camping and park fees, several catered dinners, admission to all events and breakfast every morning. It's a non-profit caravan, so it's zero-sum, and any leftover money is divided equally and sent back to the group. The cost will fluctuate, and any refunds due to overages are not guaranteed. The hosts also took care of the campground and dinner reservations.
How many rigs were on the caravan, and how many miles did we drive? We started with 22 rigs and finished with 21. We drove 1,662 miles in total, round trip from home, including the moves between base camps, the trips to caravan events and our own excursions, with three nights without hookups at the last base camp in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Can a truck and trailer fit at the Buc-ee's in Richmond, Kentucky? Yes, in the fuel lanes. Our rig is 53 feet overall and fit just fine. Parking is the tight part. There isn't much room for a camping rig in the regular lot, so we parked on the street just outside it. The store is at Interstate 75 and Duncannon Lane, near mile marker 83, and it's very busy.
What was our first Airstream caravan like? It was a great experience. A group of strangers who met in Galax, Virginia, became friends over eleven days in the Appalachian Mountains and bluegrass music country, led by Jerry Hanson and co-leader Jeff Cutright, who cared about every rig in the group and took care of all the logistics, from campground reservations to dinner reservations. It was their second year running the caravan. We didn't know what to expect going in, and we'd definitely do it again.
Written by Dan
