The Covered Bridge at Mohican State Park was the third and final stop of our short morning out. Which happened to be right after I got off work overnight on Sunday, August 3rd. (Which was Saturday nights shift by night math) I wasn’t sure how long we’d actually be out, but it felt like we still had one last stop in us before heading home. The Covered Bridge made the perfect choice.
This one’s a classic, with the wide wooden beams, but different in lacking the old red color. It sports the color black and though faded it feels right. The Clear Fork River flows right underneath. You don’t have to hike to reach it at all… so another for the easily accessible theme. You can just drive right up, park nearby, and walk across or around it. There is a steady calm feeling here. Even with the few people I encountered around. You hear the river. You feel like the trees lean in a little closer.
Luna and I didn’t take the full trail next to the bridge, just a small part of it. I wanted to get a few side shots of the bridge itself, and Luna was clearly still in an exploring mood. The trail ran alongside the water for a bit, framed with late-summer greenery, and I spotted all kinds of mushrooms just off the path. More than a few bright, orange like those from Blue Rock. A lot popping out from the sides of downed trees like they’d just emerged the battle on top.
Unexpectedly enough it also felt nostalgic in a way. I was reminded of the covered bridge in Belmont County. The one next to my old high school. We took senior photos and class group shots there, but mostly it was where we snuck off to smoke reefers and escape whatever was going on that day. Seeing a bridge like that again, tucked into the woods out here, hit different. It felt familiar in the best way. Even though this one’s in use and their different colors I welcome the pleasure of a fond memory.
This was just one of those slow, winding little forest detours that makes the whole morning feel more complete. We’d already completed the Fire Tower and the Gorge Overlook. This was just the extra bonus. It even reminded me a little of home. I felt relaxed and in my element without the need to rush. Just to feel the forest, with my baby dog who wasn’t quite ready to go home yet. And that’s okay because honestly I never am either.
