There is something about a long drive that clears my mind and fills my soul. The hum of the tires the endless stretch of highway, the way the sky changes with every passing mile, the endless laughter and conversations from the backseat – it all reminds me how beautiful the world and life really is when I slow down long enough to look.

This trip from Texas to Missouri was not just about the miles. It was rediscovering the small, quiet moments — the way the sun rises differently over familiar land, the calm of rivers I have never seen before, and the unexpected reminders of God’s presence along the way.

The morning light slipped quietly through the trees, wrapping everything in gold. I stood there for a moment, still half-asleep, just breathing it in. The stillness felt sacred – like the day was whispering, “slow down … you’re where you’re meant to be.”

The world was calm here – the sky painting itself twice, once above me and once below. I love how water reflects light differently depending on your angle. This morning it mirrored peace, the kind that does not need any words.

Cross this river made me feel small, but in the best way. It has seen storms, droughts, laughter, and prayers — and yet it keeps moving. There is wisdom in water; it flows around the hard places without losing its direction.

As we moved further north, the trees started to change — a soft hint of gold against the bluish-gray sky. Fall has always been my favorite kind of goodbye; it lets go so gracefully. I rolled down the window and just let the wind carry the moment.

Flags lined the dealership like a row of proud guardians under a wild, windy sky. The clouds rolling heavy, the kind that make me want to pull over just to take it in. It reminds me how the most ordinary places can hold unexpected beauty.

The bridge felt endless, stretching across water and clouds that seemed to merge into one. Eufaula Lake is the largest lake in Oklahoma and one of the largest lakes in the world. I love skies like this — moody, layered, and unpredictable. They remind me that there is light even in chaos, if my eyes stay open as long as possible.

Between the states, this river curved softly through the trees like a secret. The colors, the calm — feels like a deep breath after hours on the road. These moments are quiet, unplanned, and completely real.

Raindrops covered the window as I passed a sign that read: “Never forget what I have done — GOD.” I could not help but smile through tears. It was exactly what I needed in that exact moment – a reminder that every mile has meaning.

The closer we got to the AirBnb we found that we were early. To waste some time, we decided to go and check out the stadium before the sea of people showed up. The closer we got to Kansas City, the more the landscape turned urban. We were able to see GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium rise up through the mist felt like a welcoming sign from the city itself — proud, bold, and full of energy.

The final stop on my journey: a beautiful church standing steady beneath the gray sky. Its clean lines and dark windows reflected the storm above, yet everything about it feels calm. I took the photo while driving by it and afterwards it was like the photo whispered, “Thank you!”

Every road I travel teaches me something new — about faith, about patience, about being in the ordinary, and about not losing a person on the interstate about being a passenger driver. This trip there reminded me that the light always follows, even after the storms; sometimes I just have to keep driving towards it.

— Photos by Nikki