Before I left for Washington I knew I was in store for something special, but maybe not to a specific extent. My mom had said “It’ll be heaven for you” and so she was correct. I embarked on a journey from the plains of Oklahoma to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Washington(and Oregon for a second) I discovered a beauty that truthfully surpassed my wildest expectations. In these enchanting states, the natural wonders of the world unfolded before me in an outpour of mountains and valleys that stretched into seemingly infinite distances with the ocean ever so close.

It made me feel more connected to the world than I can ever recall being before. The ocean, a constant companion to the grandeur of the mountains, added a rhythm to the landscape that resonated with every part of me. In these places, each step felt like a dance with nature, a celebration of the Earth's wonders, and a reminder of the profound beauty that surrounds us when we take the time to look.