Homestead Hill...that's what we call it, because that's what it used to be...someone's homestead.
All that remains of that homestead now is a row of bright, yellow daffodils that, more than likely, lined the drive or a walkway that lead up to the house.
I've visited this spot a couple of times recently, but never went beyond the break of the hill. Today I ventured further.
From the top of the hill I could see a smattering of old bones...big bones...bleached white from the sun. Upon closer inspection the bones revealed the remains of, not one, but, two different bison.
The two sets of bones were several yards away from each other and both had been there a very long time. One set of bones was much larger than the other. One set, most likely, came from a
bull bison; the other from a cow or, perhaps, a juvenile animal that had not quite reached maturity.
This jawbone was found some distance away. It was probably dragged there by a coyote long ago.
As I made my way toward the creek I thought about Homestead Hill. Who had lived here? And how long ago? What were the people like that lived there? I imagined a fresh-faced, young farm wife planting those lovely daffodils.
I could almost see her, years later, standing in the doorway of her farmhouse, smiling at their sunshiny-faces...thankful to see them after a particularly long, cold, and snowy prairie winter.
As I neared the ridge above the creek I thought of my Grandma Viola. When I was a kid she and Grandpa lived on place very much like this surrounded by pastureland. She and I would often walk the pasture and make our way down to the creek just like I was doing today...only their creek was much deeper and wider than this one.
At the ridge's edge a deep ravine led down to the creek. It was much too steep for me to try to make it down. I continued on.
Along the way I passed this animal den. I have no idea what might live in it, but it was the largest den I've seen on the prairie.
Another thing I noticed along the way were these rocks. They were completely covered in lichen. Lichen indicates that the air quality here is very good!
Soon I came to a flatter, more gentler slope that led down to the creek. It was, obviously, a favorite crossing for the bison. Hundreds of hoof prints were left behind in the well- and, obviously, often traveled-ruts.
The creek wasn't wide here, but it was pretty.
After exploring a bit around the creek crossing, I made my way back to the ridge and followed a deer trail that ran parallel to the creek for a while.
Soon, I turned and started making my way back to the place I started from.
It was fun exploring another never-seen-by-me area and I look forward to doing it again soon!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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