Somewhere in Ohio

46°f, about 8°C, pouring rain and very foggy as I write this at 10:25pm. It rained all day but not hard. Heavy rain is predicted to continue through the night.

So a dreary, cold, rainy day. What to do? Well, this guy had a nice old bench for sale, so we decided to use this day to pick up the bench and then see what else we could find. It has been quite a while since we've had a "junking" day, and this seemed as good a time as any.

A stop at Mineral Wells fulled our tank with gas 50 cents a galloncheaper than anywhere we would see all day. Then we picked up the bench and 4 narrow wood doors, and continued on over the Ohio River into Ohio. 

Ice still clings to cliffs here and there, and we found some areas still had some unmelted snow. Most ponds were still ice-covered, although the ice seemed to be sinking and melting.

We stopped in Nelsonville, home of the famous Rocky Boots, where we visited their Goodwill (and I found this colorful new pair of Rocky clogs). 

This town was bypassed by the new 4-lane Route 33, and it was sad to see how it had changed. Maybe it was just the gray day, but it seemed so...empty.  Maybe we need to revisit on a sunny day.

Places seen along our way:

We bypassed Logan, Ohio, one of our favorite towns in Ohio and home of the Washboard Festival and close by to Old Man's Cave and the Hocking Hills region,  which defies Ohio's reputation as flat and boring. 

Next stop was a St. Vincent De Paul store in Lancaster, where I noted they had changed their name from "thrift" to "outlet". Maybe that was why the prices equaled or exceeded those of antique malls? Very few bargains there,  but it was fun to browse.

Then on to Peddlers Junction, a vendor mall where you may find just about anything from potato chips to tractor batteries to new clothes to astic junk to vintage and antique items. We fared better here, finding enough to make the day worthwhile. 

Last stop was The Rushcreek Pub in Bremen, Ohio, another small town that seems to be struggling. 

But the pub was lively and apparently thriving, crowded with families, and we seemed to be the only non-locals in the place. Just the kind of place we like. Since we had not eaten since the morning's oatmeal, we were famished, and the big sandwiches did not disappoint. I noticed as we were leaving that the pub also serves breakfast, beginning at 3:00am. Really! I wondered if that was for late-nighters or early risers, but as this seemed to be about the only show in town, maybe it was a community service.

Then began the long 2-hour trek home in rain and fog. A good public radio show on roots musician James Black filled the time nicely though. (I often wonder what I would do without public radio. It seems to be the only sane  listening space left.)

Finally back across our dark, familiar ridge, and home to our dogs, who always make us feel as if we have been away for weeks. It was nice to go and as always, nice to come home.

I will try to remember to post photos of some of our haul, but it is all still in the van tonight. Because who wants to unload in pouring rain? Not us.

Stay well, friends.

From John's blog, 20 April 2011:

Spring Gardens 2

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