Image: Josef Chelmonski
It was a matter of uncharted waters.
Carstairs had been driving and as always didn’t take a lot of notice of the directions just saw a turn and…..turned. By the time we woke up we were a long way off the beaten track.
Looking around we realized he was driving through a small valley. A stream flowed under a veil of mist and beside it was the strangest array of animals.
Birds I have never seen flew up from the stream, huge avian shapes that momentarily blocked out the sun.
Then the sight that took our breath away, a giant sauropod raised its head and thankfully Carstair’s had the good sense to stop for we would have crashed for sure.
We spent the afternoon exploring and photographing everything we could. This was going to be an expedition that would set us up as explorers to be reckoned with.
By nightfall we were back at base camp and eager to look over the spoils of our day. When we looked at our cameras and started to download the images only the one image was there……the misty image you see above, hardly evidence to prove what we had seen.
Written for: https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2016/07/01/microfiction-challenge-3-shapes-in-the-mist/
Morpethroad 
Isn’t that just always the way? Reminds me of those King Kong, Lost Valley type films. I’m always pleased when the explorers can never find the way back.
Thanks Jane, you chose a challenging image. Have you read Arthur Porges – The Ruum?
Nope. And I’m ashamed to say I’ve heard of neither Arthur Porges nor Ruum.
It’s a great little short story about a guy who comes across a small valley full of captured dinosaurs . I thought of it as I was writing my tale today…
That idea (Nessie, King Kong, Dr. Moreau etc) is one that has really captured the popular imagination.
At least they know what they saw. Maybe one day they will be vindicated…if they say anything about their trip.
Yes Lyn true, but it would be hard to say nothing wouldn’t it….
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I can picture this story in my head. It also seems like it could be part of a larger work–I can imagine the narrator and Carstairs (that name makes me laugh) having additional adventures.
Yes the Carstairs name has that comedic quality about it and I have used him from time to time. He comes in handy when I want a character who is a bit useless…thanks for reading Merril, have a good day.
🙂