3-09- 2012- by chance

       headed out to rogers flea market and auction in rogers oh. Rogers Community Auction - , and along the way made note of different things i wanted to see on my way back. one thing i noted going into lisbon ohio on st. rt. 30 was a sign for columbiana county overlook. well i went onto rogers passing by the shortest covered bridge in ohio and noting it for return also. i then turned left onto st. rt. 154 for the final leg into rogers not really noting much i needed to check out on way back.

        rogers auction and flea market had changed considerably from the last time i was there. adding an auction barn and inside viewing of auction items , and some outside auction items for sale. an over-abundance of this and that awaits you at every turn and this was a slow day. it has the usual flea market items and produce of all kinds. and some vendors with items ranging from puppy dogs to shotguns. i picked up a couple of miniature tractors for my collection , and a penknife at reasonable prices. warm food and fresh home made donuts so huge it can be shared by 2 people. it was  kind of like having a bundt cake wrapped around your finger warm and fresh. 

         it was on my way back that i had decided to take that little tour out to the lookout point . think they need to re-calibrate their mileage meter as i can attest to the fact that it sure seemed a lot longer. a washboard road and a full bladder sure wanted me to see the light of this lookout point and a port a jon badly as this road leading now into strip mine reclaimed lands ,  pot holes so deep was making this road  continually looking like a well worn path. to well worn. eventually i climb this hill after what seems like forever to get there and i am amazed at how nice this little park is. 

        it has a covered bridge like the one in frame above. sitting high and dry on top of a hill/ mountain  in south eastern ohio. unfortunately if the water  ever gets this deep that this bridge is functional we will all be treading water. also there  was a nice one room cabin and horse trails before you get there, and thankfully a port a jon. 

       the view was probably great at one time as it appeared to be reclaimed strip mine land the lookout was situated on. but the trees had grown limiting your view in all directions except one. but still a nice park , and was an experience. as i came out instead of heading out the way i came i continued on and eventually i was out so far that there were no power poles to be found and telephone lines ended and trees appeared to be planted on reclaimed srtrip mine lands as they were densely planted and i was pleased that they had actually created cover in what looks like 20 -30 yr, trees. making the area vaguely reminiscent of its former self. it was beautiful as it transitioned into a valley and naturally growing trees. 

        

           this lovely stream meandered its way down though the valley and while looking over the edge saw the lovely covered bridge in the first pic. and a sign pointing to it. i had to stop and take pictures as it was quite quaint in its dilapidated style showing its age in broken timbers and sag in its structure. boards missing could indicate higher waters and a relief valve that opened allowing the water force pushing on it from upstream to ebb. and saving the structure for another day. old wood shingles rotted with time, stained the the roof of bridge, barely able to keep rain and rot at bay from the sagging and bent  timbers. it goes no where as there is no road no more , having been abandoned i assume when mr . peabodys coal train hauled the hills away. taking lost homesteads , and memory lane with it. so who needs a bridge to nowhere. alaska? i  guess we all do.