The sun hasn't even risen as the Traveler reaches Lock Haven, but when he sits in the park, strumming and watching the sunrise, he finds he has company. A fellow trying to retrieve a drone from the top of a warehouse like buiding by using a second drone, comes over for a chat.

"I used to work in that building . It was a company that restored engine parts. But then the company decided to move their work to China, and things went downhill from there. The products are really crappy now."

"So are there any decent jobs in the area?" the Traveler asked.

"You follow all along this river and you'll find town after town that is struggling—there are a few small industries here in Lock Haven... and some jobs in Williamsport, but overall things aren't looking very good."

He continues, "A lot of the young people are bored and turn to hard drugs. People drive to Patterson, New Jersey for pick ups"

"Don't the dealers come here?"

"No, they're afraid that someone will set them up in hopes of getting a lighter sentence.

"So how do the older folks feel about this?"

"Oh, they think the world is coming to an end!"

The Traveler ponders on this, wondering what dark secrets are hidden behind the doors in these seemingly tranquil, law abiding small towns . He wonders, why didn't these problems exist before? Or did they? A few generations back, young people started working young, in the farms and the mills. They also got married and had children at a young age. So they didn't have a lot of time or energy to sit around and get into trouble. Their minds and bodies were kept busy.

Nowadays young people aren't pressured to get married or even to get jobs sometimes. Idle time can lead to self destructive habits which can lead to a downward spiral. Makes you wonder what the future holds for towns like this.

John doesn't have several hobbies to keep him busy. One is downhill longboarding. "I'm heading up to Canada with a couple of friends to longboard down a hill there—we're hoping to break the world record for speed." John continues "Hey, want to come over for breakfast?"

The Traveler accepts. It's been a while since he 's been offered hospitality in one of these American small towns. First they head to John's garage where he introduces the Traveler to the white knuckle sport of longboarding, where you speed down a steep hill on a board at 100 kph and up with no brakes, just your body to slow down and steer...

Over a plate of scrambled eggs, they chat some more. "I'm actually a relative of former president Nixon," John tells the Traveler.

It's a enjoyable and intriguing encounter here in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.