Ohio's Covered Bridges

[cowboyup3371]

We decided to explore some of Ohio's bridges but, due to time constraints, chose to limit it to only 6 for today. With Helena and the other two kids following in the Chevy, Charmayne saddled up to ride with me to the first couple of bridges.

Our first stop was just up the road from us in Germantown, supposedly the worlds only covered suspension bridge of its kind. The signposts show it was moved around 1963 to its current location and was built with an inverted bow string truss. I don't understand much about architecture or the different styles but I noticed how it's more open than some of the other covered bridges I have seen.









Then it was off to the Jasper Rd Covered Bridge. This is one that you really have to be watching for or you'll drive right by it. I can honestly say that as I actually ride through that area fairly often and have never seen it until today. It too, and Kern's cabin associated with it, was moved at one time to supposedly protect it; I assume it means the grounds were going to give way???






Kern's cabin was built and moved from about 3/4 of a mile south of the current location.



From here Cheyenne jumped on the back but only rode for a few miles up one of my ride routes as it started to rain and I didn't feel comfortable with her on. Although it stopped soon after making her get off, I chose not to let her back on for the rest of the day.

We then made it to the Brubaker bridge, the first of two we were allowed to drive through. It was built in 1887 but I haven't search for any other information yet.

[marvinsc]

Interesting, my Grandmother Marvin's Maiden name was Kern.

[cowboyup3371]

From there we took off for the Black (Pugh's Mill) Covered Bridge in Oxford Ohio. After my non-reserve warning $%&* petcock decided to rear its ugly head and Helena got gas for me, I almost had an unfortunate meeting with my side stand. I'm not sure how I made it the two miles from when I took off to the stop sign when Helena and Charmayne screamed at me but it was enough to make me shake my head. All ended well however and we made it to the bridge.









We stopped for lunch in Oxford at what we thought was a standard bar and grill only to find it was a Mexican restaurant after we got inside. This isn't a big deal (we love Mexican) for us but we just had Mexican the day before. Even so we stuck around and had some of the best enchiladas and quesadillas we've had in awhile. They serve a lot of it too so we brought some home for later.

We then headed to the next drive through bridge - Harshman. Again, there's not a lot to this one and was actually pretty out of the way (my Google directions sucked) but we saw what we thought was a Crane lift out of a small stream.



After a couple of wrong turns away from there, we started to Roberts Covered Bridge but couldn't find the access to it so decided to skip it for today and made our way back home. All had fun and we'll probably go looking for more after they come back from a Colorado trip next month.

[cowboyup3371]

Interesting, my Grandmother Marvin's Maiden name was Kern.

Scott, the name on the signpost at the bridge was Homer Kern if that helps

[dorkburger]

Very interesting, especially the historical plaques....I enjoy those.
I know of 1 covered bridge here in NJ.

[marvinsc]

Scott, the name on the signpost at the bridge was Homer Kern if that helps

I know little about her family except she was from the Mansfield, Wooster Ohio area.

[indybob]

Looks like a fun excursion. Enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for posting.

Bob

[Crankthat]

Need to watch that side stand!
Been there done that, good thing for parts bikes and good luck!

Thank you for sharing your covered bridge adventure.
Some nice picts!

[Chuck78]

You REALLY should make a trip up to the Rock Mill Covered Bridge and mill and waterfall/cliffs sometime, it's a great spot, and is just 10 minutes north of where the really great hills (& twisty fun roads) begin in the Hocking Hills State Forest area.

http://www.historicalparks.org/rock-mill-covered-bridge/

I have a very very excellent back roads route from there on Mount Zion Road and Revenge Rd down to Clear Creek Rd/ Metro Park, and then onto State Route 374 through Hocking Hills. It is one of the most excellent rides you can do in Ohio (278N/E-78E-685E-13N-78E-555S-550W, & OH-26/255/260/etc being the other two).just linking up with those roads that I mentioned and then heading route 56 West at the end of that for a few miles is a very excellent route. I have a lot of side roads and back roads that I ride on that are on and off of 374 and 664 as well, but those three major numbered State Routes will give you a very excellent ride and about 10 GREAT cliffs/waterfalls scenic stops, some of which are right off the parking lots, some of which require short to medium hikes in to see the natural beauty that erosion created in these blackhand sandstone gorges in the hills. Hocking is a truly unique & special place in Ohio. There are dozens of other cliff cave and waterfall areas in the region that arent even marked tourist destinations... AND the roads are excellent! I often link up my Hocking route with 56 to 278 to 685/78 through Burr Oak (400' high ridgetop ride with nonstop sweepers and epic panoramic views like the blue ridge parkway).

You gotta check out these rides!

[Chuck78]

Also OH-26 is known as the Covered Bridge Scenic Byway, and is a great ride in itself, has 3 covered bridges right off of 26 (follows the muskingum river), and has about 40+ amazing side road and state routes nearby it that are GREAT to ride. 78 & 26 meet up in Woodsfield, so taking 78 E then 26 W is an EXCELLENT ride...

[simon kuether]

You're making me "home sick" . We don't be got them covered bridges down this way .
Say G'day to the family for us .
Should I send you some green olives (just for a giggle) ?

Cheers , Simon .

[cowboyup3371]

You're making me "home sick" . We don't be got them covered bridges down this way .
Say G'day to the family for us .
Should I send you some green olives (just for a giggle) ?

Cheers , Simon .

G'day back Simon. I'll ask Paul tomorrow when I talk to him and mom (they went to Colorado for a couple of weeks, I'm home alone with the two girls )