Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Lake Cowan State Park Wilmington, Ohio



It was a quiet day at Lake Cowan on are first visit to have a look.
A beautiful sunny Fall day making the water glisten.
A few colorful trees remained along the shore but most of the more colorful ones had already fallen while the rest remain green.
It has been a strange Fall in Ohio but it goes along with the way the whole year has gone here.

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Even with the sun it was a little to chilly for a picnic.
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Only a few people were walking along the beach.

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The wind was making white caps upon the waves coming onto the beach.

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We only saw one fishing boat and a kayaker on this section of the lake.

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History of the park located near Wilmington, Ohio:

The Cowan Lake region was once a stronghold of the Miami and Shawnee Indians • After their defeat at the hands of General Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the Indian threat subsided and settlement began here • In 1797, the first settler in the area, William Smalley, began clearing land for his home along the river which was later dammed to form Cowan Lake • Smalley had been captured by the Indians when he was a small child and was forced to live with them until he was twenty years old • He later fought in General Wayne's army and was recaptured, but luckily escaped with his life

Cowan Creek was named for the area's first surveyor, John Cowan • A dam was completed across Cowan Creek in 1950, and in 1968, Cowan Lake was dedicated as a state park

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Fall at Conkles Hollow

Now is the time to walk the upper trail at Conkles Hollow to see the Fall leaves.

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Friday, October 7, 2011

Along the Upper Trail

 

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Along the upper trail between Old Mans Cave and Cedar Falls
there are changes to be seen as Autumn has arrived.
The subtle changing of the colors in the leaves on the trees that can be seen at the Look Out point along the trail.

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Native growing wild Asters,Blue Cardinal Flowers, Fleabane and Goldenrod.

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Squirrels and Chipmunks, also called Ground Squirrels around here, are scurrying around finding acorns and hickory nuts to store up for the coming Winter.

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There may be a few things even trying to stay hidden along the trails.

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The wet Autumn has given toadstools and mushrooms fertile growing in the decaying leaves on both sides of the trail.

 

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There is also a few things crawling around upon the trails.

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While above the parking area at Old Mans Cave there is a flurry of construction going on as a new road is cut through for a by pass around the park. State route 664 runs through the middle of the park now often making it hazardous at times for pedestrians crossing the highway to get to the Old Mans Cave trails.
With the new road going around the parking area it will safer for pedestrians at the park.

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