In the early 2000s, Highway 36 carried me from my home in Belton, TX, to dusty Abilene, TX, where I attended Abilene Christian University as an undergraduate. Now, nearing 40 years old, Highway 36 takes me to my Belton roots to visit my parents on holidays then back Houston, TX, the city I've called home since 2009. Her path transforms from the multi-colored rainbow of wildflowers in the spring, to the wash of yellow sunflowers and daisies in the summer, then lies to rest in browns and golds for the fall and winter. But always the evergreen trees in the distance.