I’ve spent my entire life in the mountains.
Any time I go somewhere that I can see more than a few hundred feet of unobstructed view [i.e., no trees] it freaks me out...:))
I’ll never forget the first my family went through the N & S. Carolina flatlands from Myrtle Beach on our way to the Smokies.
The sight of *miles* of flat land and endless, hypnotic rows of tobacco plants nearly gave me a panic attack.
I felt so naked and exposed.
I’m in a hollow [”holler”] where 1 mountain 2 ridges come together in a “V” shape.
It’s very sheltering, comforting and more importantly, easily defensible.
[I’m sure whoever built this log house in the 1700s had that in mind because of Indian attacks which were common back then]
Bless them for it.
I feel safe with my back against the hills.
[having to drive across Oklahoma would probably make me totally bonkers]...;-D
I felt the same way when we took our vacation out West. While I loved the West, the wide open space gave me the willies. I also live back in the hills although I’m not as remote as you are. I still have to live fairly close to work but the day I retire I plan to sell this old farm and head to the mountains where there are no people, if there is still a place.
I’m close to the Great Smokey Mountains and told my husband that I’d like to sell the farm and move back to the mountains. He wants to move to Wyoming. That would drive me nuts unless it was in the mountains. I’m descended from a long line of Appalachian hill folk.
You and I are on the opposite poles. If I lived where you do, I’d panic from claustrophobia. :)