Season 2 (Spring) Episode 7 (Cowen Lake)

On Today’s episode of Adventures with Gary The Wood Sprite: Season 2, (Spring) episode 7 (Cowen Lake). It’s April 19, 2026. We started at Cowen Lake State Park in Wilmington, OH. From there we took the Lotus Grove Trail. This was my very first-time seeing boats! Yay!

I have never been on a boat (maybe someday?)

My dogs friends came. Awwww. They were so happy. Found a tick crawling on Luna (yellow lab mix) afterwards so we carefully checked all three dogs for ticks. No more found. Phew.

Cowen Lake is special. Its man-made, created in 1950 by damming Cowan Creek to form a 700-acre reservoir for recreational purposes, such as fishing and boating. There are so many things I could teach you about boat safety, ah where to begin. Most of which you already know, wear a life jacket, don’t drink and boat. Etc. I know, I know I have never been on one technically but you remember: osmosis (S2E6).

Here is what makes Cowen Lake different from its nearby Caesar Creek Lake: boat engines on Cowan Lake may NOT exceed 10 horsepower. So, sail boating and kayaking is really popular here. There is even a Cowan Lake Sailing Club that started in 1954. They promote the sport. So just like cars on the road: go the speed limit! Slow down. Peace out.

Do you see the writing? There are so many names carved in the beech tree. Poor beech trees are targets for carving because of the smooth bark. This poor fella has really been through it. There was a heart one in the last episode. Carving exposes the tree to infections, pests, and fungus that can lead to rot, disease, and stunted growth. Beech trees are especially vulnerable because their thin, smooth bark does not develop thick protective furrows, leaving them susceptible to long-term injury or death.

The best nature find in this group is the white flower with the black and red dots. See it?

That’s called woodland stonecrop. Which is a native, low-growing, creeping perennial that forms dense, evergreen mats. It is highly useful as a "green mulch" in shade gardens.

Other nature finds: trash (shot gun shell, yes hunting allowed but only in specific areas, and dates), horsetail starts, several bridges that will likely get a much-needed make over soon – it’s important to volunteer and rebuild bridges (see S1E2), ground ivy (purple flower), see the hole in the tree trunk? There was something inside screaming loudly! I think it was maybe baby birds? Dunno. Also, there is a white flower that sort of looks like baby’s breath. That is longstyle sweetroot and the stems tasted just like licorice! Yum.

Ever been on a boat? Speed boat? Kayak? Canoe? Pontoon? Sail boat? Pool noodle? (Hah).

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