In the early 1970s, Desiree, a 22 year old free spirit travels the logging roads of Idaho and Washington where she meets a gypsy man named Ruby. Ruby awakens her sexuality but then disappears, leaving Desiree behind to return to her log cabin in the gorgeous and largely untouched Huckleberry Mountains.
On the way she meets Big Paul Skinny, a L.A. songwriter who discovers at once that Desiree has a beautiful singing voice, but despite her rare talents her heart and mind stay with Ruby. When he reappears and decides to settle into Desiree's life, she has, one brief season, the passion she's dreamed of in the home she loves. But soon Ruby leaves for one of his own adventures, telling her that he wants an open relationship. Now pregnant, Desiree is forced to decide what she wants from life.
When Big Paul Skinny comes back into her life to propose a singing career in Los Angeles, Desiree makes a decision for herself, her dreams, and her family, leaving for Los Angeles, and the adventure of the rest of her life.