But the sounds felt like they came form a mysterious creature within the earth.

It must have been The Thing.

I can't help but think of John Carpenter's movie with that title, one of my many favorite (1980s) films.

Love how you take on your walk with us. You write very visually, it's easy to identify with.

The 10 minutes on the 'floor (basically because of laughing )', after being knocked out by the wind, made me smile :<)