Fannin County, Texas -- There was a time not so long ago when it was as American as baseball and apple pie to pack a picnic lunch, load up the family and take off for scenic drive. "See the U.S.A. in a Chevrolet" beckoned one advertisement of that era.

That mood of adventure and family-friendly fun is a trademark of the annual Bugtussle Trek, a late-summer journey made by a group of auto enthusiasts who take the road less traveled as they amble through Collin County, Fannin County and Lamar County.

Led by Wagonmaster Charlie Gambulos, the 48th Annual Bugtussle Trek toured Farmersville, Frognot, Leonard, Bonham, Cotton Center, Bugtussle and Honey Grove en route to the group's destination and celebratory dinner in Paris, Texas.

At age 38, it was Gambulos's 38th Bugtussle Trek.  While obviously he couldn't recall his first trek, Gambulos was certain it would have been in a vintage Cadillac.

After enjoying refreshments at Bonham Visitors Center, trekkers took off for their namesake, the unincorporated community of Bug Tussle, where the group's cheerleaders stood on the front porch of the Bug Tussle store to lead cheers.

From there, it was a short drive to "The Sweetest Town in Texas," Honey Grove.  Guided by Honey Grove Mayor Claude Caffee, drivers parked their vintage automobiles on the red-brick streets and carried picnic lunches inside the Hall Voyer Foundation Learning Center.

Shortly after noon, 42 trekkers fired up their motors, and the 48th annual Bugtussle Trek snaked out of Honey Grove, bound for an evening banquet in Paris.

photos by Allen Rich