People sometimes ask me why I am so in love with the state of South Dakota. Well, there is no easy answer for that. It could be the hundreds upon thousands of acres of land to roam free wherever you please or maybe it's the friendly people who smile at you even if they don't know your name. Whatever it is that keeps people in this state, every South Dakotan knows how amazing the sky is day after day.

While living in the state, I often became completely mesmerized when I looked out of my car window and saw the sun rise before school started or sat at the edge of the lake as the sun set in the summer. Moving to a big city was a change for me. There were these massive buildings called skyscrapers that often covered God's greatest creation. As much I loved seeing more trees in Minnesota, they also blocked my view of the sunsets and sunrises. Once in a while, I've been able to take a walk to the river and see the sunset, but it's still not the same. I truly took sunsets and sunrises for granted.

These pictures were sent to me by family and friends to show the true beauty of South Dakota.

Wall Lake, West of Sioux Falls - Rachel Boy

Sioux Falls - Rachel Boy

Sioux Falls - Andy McVey

Sioux Falls - Andy McVey

Madison - Samantha Langford

Mobridge - Treinae Schweitzer

Hartford - Jordan Hanley

Hartford - Christy Marketon

Bob's Resort, West of Gettysburg - Brandee Miller

Boyers Bottom, Chamberlain - Layne Krier

Lake Campbell, South of Brookings - Alex DeGroot

Take a trip to South Dakota. It's worth it, I promise.