valley

Across the 100 or so miles west of Madison, bluffs still soar, valleys still plunge and the air still holds more birdsong than bustle.

Initially, the sea was a narrow rift valley filled with lakes, then became a wider gulf when it was flooded from the Mediterranean 23 million years ago.

This saw the south Wales valleys' numerous coal mines close for two weeks in the summer, prompting families to head to the coast for their annual holiday.

Koerner’s house sits just west of Lake Avenue, where mountain and metropolis meet, with sweeping views across the valley and down to the sea.

"Even in this valley of deepest sorrow, we have been upheld by extraordinary courage and kindness from so many."