In 1883, Lily Hopkins leaves her home on the East Coast to seek a new life in Northern California. Tired of the limited opportunities for love and family, she rejects marriage brokers and newspaper ads, yearning for a more genuine connection. She embarks on a train journey across the country, determined to find adventure and a place where she belongs. As she travels through the vast and unpredictable landscape, she encounters many challenges and wonders if her romantic notions will hold up in the rugged West. Lily's journey takes her through several stops, each presenting new experiences and dangers.