Living in suburbia, we often become ignorant to the entirety of this lovely country. Wrapped up in everything going on in an ever polarized and politically divided country, global warming, trade policies and our own daily lives, it's hard to imagine that more is out there waiting for us. This country is full of diversity from the people to the plants and animals, and it has parts in which you can drive for hours without seeing another car or gas station. This part of the country is often assumed to be gone or in places where an average American would never be able to access. This is most definitely not true. There are miles upon miles of untouched land in nearly every state between national parks, state parks and ranches. If you really want to get lost in all of this, head west.

If you look, the statistics are kind of sad. These states that seem like another universe that most American’s cannot name let alone find on a map. For some reason, we Americans forget about some of our own living in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. The states that I’m talking about are Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah, one of the few areas where bison still roam after nearly going extinct. Each of these states is a paradise within themselves — places where one can escape the chaos that is engulfing the world to serenity.

For a little geography recap, Montana sits to the north of Colorado and Wyoming is nestled in-between Idaho and North Dakota with its northern border running parallel to Canada. Coming to Montana you hear that the sky is giant. Personally, before I arrived, I questioned: “How could the sky get any bigger?” The sky reaches to the point where you can nearly make out the curvature of the earth and in the distance stand some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, the Tetons.

Idaho (sitting between Washington, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming) is similar to Montana in that the sky doesn't seem to end, and when the sun goes down, the sky is spectacularly blanketed by stars to the sound of crickets. Continuing into Wyoming, the state is so diverse, you can practically do anything: hike the mountains, head to Yellowstone or move south to a more deserted climate. Utah is also very diverse, ranging from the Great Salt Lake to the deserts of the South.

Looking at the ever growing population and skyscrapers of the city, it's hard to fathom that these beautiful, nearly untouched places still exist. The places make you would feel like you are driving through a postcard, but as a tax paying American citizen, part of these lands are yours. The National Park system belongs to the people as a whole. This means that by not going, you are not only missing out on the beauty of the natural world, but you are wasting your tax payer money. So, go explore, and get lost in time where all problems seem to be taking away at the sight of these breath taking places.