For those not familiar with Saskatchewan, anything other than “the prairies” is hard to imagine but I (Vera) live in the Qu’Appelle Valley, with rolling hills to the north and an echoing lake to the south. These hills are home for many white tail and mule deer. I know this because I often watch them watch me, when I walk our new fur baby, a bouncing 100 pound yellow lab, Bean. (Story of old fur baby here)
I’m thinking of taking a walk on the hills this morning. Would you like to join me? I’ll take you to the third “special spot” Sue and I picked to spend time.
Hmmm, on second thoughts, it’s dang cold up there right now so let’s snuggle with a hot drink and make believe …..
It’s the type of long day we crave this time of year, when the dazzling, hot Saskatchewan sun wakes to greet you early in the morning. The breeze feels warm against my face, softly wrapping around my body like a welcome hug from an old friend. Do you feel it?
A while back, Sue and I talked about drawing maps of our special places. I couldn’t think what I’d put on it. X marks the spot??? But standing here now, it begins to take shape. Are you ready?
We cross highway 56, then turn right by the little tree. It looks much fatter today, or “pleasantly plump”, with its arms full of leaves. This first bit is steep so be careful. I wish I had reminded you to wear sturdy shoes. Flip flops won’t do on the uneven terrain hiding itself beneath this long grass. And if you mistakenly walk on a cactus, it’s going to hurt. Both of you!
Ahead is one of many well worn paths on the hills, the grass trampled down by the deer who roam back and forth visiting, searching for food and maybe even love (I always like a good love story). Whatever their reason, I feel comforted when I find this path, as if they are showing me the way and all I need is to follow in their footsteps.
I’m so excited to introduce you to my first ever plant “friend.” It’s the “Prickly Brain”, who lives on the path just ahead. There will be more blog stories to come about “Prickly”, and the aspen grove off to the right, so we won’t visit now.
Let’s stop to catch our breath here at the top. You know, I never realized how many different types of grass there are. I always thought grass was well…grass. But there are different kinds right here - this one even looks like an eyelash. If I were a kid I’d likely try to glue them on my eyelids. Even its name, Blue Grama, sounds exotic.
Ok, we need to decide which path to follow next. Let’s take the ragged, narrow path on the right. Thank you deer for so many options!
On each side of this path, the land falls sharply, and I often pretend I am balancing on the spine of a dinosaur. Perhaps it’s the world's largest Tyrannosaurus rex that lived in Saskatchewan 66 million years ago.
The piece of land at the very end I call the “Titanic”, a grassy crest with an endless view of the lakes far below. Here, my Maritime roots find their place - on the bow of my imaginary ship, I’m Kate Winslet stretching my arms up to meet the sky, ready to take on the world (no Leo DiCaprio needed in my version). Try it…you’ll feel so free.
Had we turned left along the edge of the farmer’s field, down into the other coulee, we could have visited the “belly button”, a humongous rock born in another age. It has become a touchstone for Sue and I, a place to be quiet with friends who also wonder, “Where will the frogs sing?”
High on the hill above perches a picnic table, a particularly appreciated spot during the tick season. From here we can spy on the deer taking shelter under the canopy of trees below. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, we will see one deftly run up the hill, itself following a path it helped create.
I’m curious, have you ever looked at the veins on the back of your hand? The older I get, the more prominent mine become. It bothered me for a while, but now I see a pattern similar to the traces of the many deer paths crisscrossing the hills - they’ve become a reminder of my interconnectedness with the many living things who make these hills their home. I sometimes find I need a reminder...do you know what I mean?
Thank you so much for taking the time to follow the deer with me today. I hope you’ll come again. Before you wander off, remember to click the green comment button below to share your stories. Maybe take us for a walk to your special spot. We LOVE to hear from you.
xov
“Where will the frogs sing?” is the collaboration of two rural settler artists creatively responding to the beauty and destruction of Saskatchewan’s wild remnants of land to encourage reflection on the land’s intrinsic value.
Thanks for the virtual walk. I totally enjoyed it. I have another National Geographic for you, but haven’t had a chance to drop it off yet. Maybe tonight. And sign me up for walks up your special paths. I’d love to walk them with you! Maybe over Christmas break if we are both here. 😀
Thank you Vera! Enjoyed walking with you as I had yet to be on those trails. The view is stunning. I often go walking on trails in the summer, spring and fall in Halifax but right now with the cold north winds my fur baby & I barely make it past the end of the driveway 😂💕