Season 2 (Spring) Episode 4 (Lookout Trail)
- Gary Thewoodsprite
- Apr 15
- 2 min read
On Today’s episode of Adventures with Gary The Wood Sprite: Season 2, (Spring) episode 4 (Lookout Trail). It’s April 7, 2026. We started at Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve in Chillicothe, OH. From there we took the lookout trail. This was my very first time near steep cliffs! Yay!
The trail has a scenic overlook with views of Paint Creek Gorge and surrounding hills. Here’s what is important to learn. Ever heard of physics? Gravity? Can you guess why going near the edge of a cliff in nature is not so smart? The edges on this trail aren’t immediately visible (most edges are undercut or hidden by vegetation), also there are slippery little sandy pebbles where you can lose your footing. Another: if you try to take a selfie near the edge you can get disoriented by looking at your phone and not the edge. Another, when its rainy its extra slippery. Another: If you throw a rock or stick off the edge there could be someone walking on a trail beneath you after reaching tremendous speeds from the fall. Another: if you get started by a bee you could get too close without noticing.
So do this instead: Stay well back from edges (at least several feet), Don’t climb on or over ledges for photos, watch your footing, especially after rain, keep pets on a short leash, Stay alert instead of focused on your phone or camera.
Can I fly since I am a wood sprite? Not that I know of. However, there was this movie called the Dark Crystal and one of the main characters, Kira, a female Gelfling. She has the ability to extend organic, bat-like “gliding wings” from her body when she jumps or falls. It would be great if I could do that. Maybe someday I will meet a female wood sprite and ask her! Who knows!
Some of the nature finds: a broken wing from a luna moth, plant called umbellate bastard toad-flax (ha!), northern sea oats, blue stem goldenrod, Solomons seal, rattlesnake hawkweed, azure bluet (gorgeous color), jack in the pulpit, new growth poison ivy (it starts out maroon)
We also saw, in a pond labeled salamander pond, an Eastern newt. A newt is a type of salamander. This one has a fascinating three-stage life cycle: Aquatic larva – lives fully in water like a tadpole with external gills, red eft (terrestrial juvenile) – the famous bright orange “red spotted newt” stage, adult newt – olive-green and returns to water to live and breed. The ones I saw were (I think the adults). This is different from all other salamanders who are terrestrial in the adult stage.
Have you ever been near a cliff edge? How did it feel?
Beautiful shots. You have a real knack for making spring feel so alive and whimsical.