Day: August 22, 2024

It’s been almost four years since the last time I visited Walsh County, the Homestead region designed by Randonee Noel (see: Walsh County’s changing seasons in Second Life), so when Moon Cloud contacted me to tell me there had been an “incident” there which needed investigating, I decided to don my Dana Mulder disguise (see what I did there? 🙂 ) and head off to take a look.

Walsh County takes its name and inspiration from the North Dakota county of the same name, a place describing itself as “a land of prairies, croplands, river valleys, and rolling hills.” As one might expect from this, the actual Walsh County derives most of its income from farming – crops, together with beef, dairy cattle and swine.

Walsh County (SL) very much reflects the first of these farming influences, presenting a simple but effective setting of rolling croplands around a pair of fields (the region itself) where the crops are either being grown or harvested (at least during my previous visits!). Not much has changed in this respect when arriving in the region – except it’s now night, rather than day. The fields are there, crops growing,  the land apparently peacefully, the familiar tree and water hole sitting within the larger of the two fields as it lay bounded on two sides by unpaved roads (or tracks). But A simple look up with reveal something unusual; whilst the familiar forms of clouds are draped are draped here and there under a canopy of stars, the sense of a serene summer’s night is tilted sideways by the fact the entire sky is – cue that theme music) – casts in an eerie green tint, complete with a faint glow!

Arrive at the right time and whilst looking out across the sky, you might spot an aerial vehicle retreating into the sky (if not, never fear, it will be back soon enough to let you spot it!), having just buzzed one or other of the two fields as if if crop dusting or engaged in aerial topdressing – but who does either at night? More particularly, who does that at night whilst flying a saucer-like vehicle with a domed canopy and sans wings? No, this craft has an altogether different intent than the innocent pursuit of crop=caring. Indeed, one might say that it is patrolling the sky.

As to why it might be patrolling over the fields, well that answer might be the fact that a somewhat larger craft of a similar style is busily helping itself to a sample of the local diary produce – by which I mean it is hauling aloft by way of a tractor beam a poor cow. Nor does this appear to be a singular event; there is much evidence to suggest these craft have been around before. Tables have been set-out with food and drink on the road close by, with bunting strung between tall posts, balloons, and much sign of merry-making. The revellers (whomever they might be) also seem to have come prepared for a potentially length shindig-come-vigil: a pair of  portaloos (as we often call them in the UK) also being present.

Quite where everyone has gone is unclear. Maybe the party ended and they staggered home; or maybe something started them. Whatever the reason, the table and its detritus did fleetingly put me in mind of the scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, with the folk up on the Indiana hillside awaiting the return of their strange aerial guests – although in that case, what did turn up wasn’t quite so mysterious or other-worldly as found here.

Nor is that all for the setting. Along the road from the landing point sits a Winnebago-style camper (with room to sit within) and apparently parked for the night. Whether attracted to the spot by the strange goings-on over the field, or as a result of the Cadillac Ranch-like installation of vehicles on the other side of the track, I’ll leave to you to decide.  Those who fancy more than walking around might want to ignore the Road Closed sign next to the landing point and head west to where a go-kart rezzer awaits those wishing to add their own noises (and mayhem?! 🙂 ) to the setting.

With these hints of CE3, The X Files (and doubtless other films / series you could mention), this iteration of Walsh County presents a fun setting in the same easy-to-explore vein of previous iterations of the location, with opportunities for photography and fun.

SLurl Details

• Walsh County (Campton, rated General)