I grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota, and some of my best memories are in the Black Hills. The winding roads of Needles Highway, the thick pine trees, and the endless hiking trails those places shaped my love for nature. I spent so many days hiking through rock formations and breathing in the cool winter air. One of my favorite spots was Dinosaur Park, looking out over the city, especially at night when everything felt quiet and small but yet so big from up there. No matter how many times I went up there, it still felt stunning and like I could pause time.

When I moved to Tennessee at eighteen, I didn’t know what to expect. But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this place too. After mourning the place I grew up, missing family and friends and the snow, I saw the beauty of Tennessee. The trees are thicker, almost tangled together, and everything feels older in a way that’s charming and full of stories. I love the history, the old houses with ivy creeping up their sides, and the slower pace of life. It’s different from South Dakota, but I’ve found that same sense of peace here. Even though I still miss the hills, I feel at home in Tennessee. The landscapes are different but beautiful in their own right.