Our barren topography. Goats will chew anything to the ground and not leave muc, hence the name that Driftless region pioneers applied to barren patches, always facing sun-warmed southwest slopes. This unusually large goat prairie is opposite Winona’s Bridges Golf Course. With lots of sun, the freezing and melting inhibit tree growth. Typically the ground below the topsoil is bedrock, which also impedes tree growth. Right now this goat prairie is rising to a brilliant blue sky, taking in the sun in anticipation of spring. Image: Kevin O’Reilly