South of our town of Northfield, by less than two miles, lies the undisturbed hill side of Valley Grove. Walking to its highest point one can see the farms spread in orderly array, as they stretch to the horizon on three sides. To the South lies Big Woods State Park, quiet and dark. A walk along the hillside brings you to the  merge of sky and the earth. The drone of late summer insects drowns out the rest of natures calls, now diminished, as the rapidly shortening days mark the advance towards cold dormancy. I visit there to think and find inspiration.