the group topped the rise of the hill , and as it descended they cast their eyes on more of the same scenery that they had just passed , the same tall weeds , with the same thorny bushes and thistles , the odd cedar or fir tree standing alone amidst all of it , the tree line of the woods fading away to their left , being replaced by this open area of nothing but shifting plant life , dank humidity and brow beating sunshine .