A thick fog covered the prairie today here at Coteau Valley Farm. It changed the scenery from the wide open grassy fields, to a smothering and tight gravel road. The dense fog created uneasiness and wonder in the ordinary scenery of the farm. As I went out for my usual walk it did not take much to realize that the fog was going to offer a new view on reality. It’s an unusual feeling to take a familiar walk where you normally recognize your surroundings, to suddenly not being able to see the road ahead of you or behind. Blindness of what you know is there in front of you adds to the excitement of the situation and it heightens your senses and reaction to any given noise. Watching the fog swallow the house and shop behind me as I strolled onward was eerily frightening. The fields beside me seemed to be dissolved in the wet vapor enclosing around me. All the sounds of the Coteau were still there, birds calling to each other, cattle lowing in a neighboring field, frogs chirping and even farm machinery passing by far off down the road, and the clunking and creaking of tractors in the fields. All the surrounding sounds became more sharp and I paid closer attention to everything I heard. Even the grass blades rubbing in the wind seemed more crisp and clear, the grass sounded like a dry canvas paper rubbing against a hard surface. The cold air and wet rains created a shiver in me as my pulse quickened and the rain fell on my face and arms cooling me to a shiver. Sounds I would normally take for granted were loud and alarming. I admit it was thrilling to feel so alone and unsure. I looked over my shoulder a number of times wondering if I would meet an unknown animal or creature,
something scary and unexpected. I did not see much of anything, large flocks of the usual birds flew past and an eagle screeched high above as he hunted for field mice or snakes. The thrill of my imagination fueled the walk. I liked the feeling of not really knowing what was ahead of me or behind me. It seemed like one of my deep sea dives, far below the ocean, where you were only able to see the things that were immediately in front of you and every turn showed a new sight or sound. It also made me remember one of my long lonely rides I would take on my horse. There were many times I spent in the saddle covered in water from fog and rain. As I went slowly and listened to all the new sounds and rediscovered the old recognizable ones, with the wet air and cool wind blowing against my face the walk was a real adventure. The excitement left me wanting to explore farther and longer. I of course did not have that kind of time so I went home. The walk ended and the fog cleared away and the grassy prairie was still there waiting as the mist lifted. It was a wonderfully refreshing walk and I was enlightened again by the beauty and delight of every new day here on the Coteau Prairie.
Coteau des Prairies
South Dakota Hobby Farm
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