Where It All Goes Down
Tinker Creek, Roanoke Valley, Virginia
Although Dillard grew up in Pittsburgh and references her Pennsylvania childhood a couple of times, she moved to Virginia as an adult. Tinker Creek is just outside the city of Roanoke, which is in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Though she occasionally travels from one side of the creek to the other, she's really all about the microcosm here.
As for city life, well, it's not for her. Dillard writes:
I've lived there. I remember what the city has to offer: human companionship, major-league baseball, and a clatter of quickening stimulus like a rush from strong drugs that leaves you drained. (6.16)
Creek, cabin, stack of books, done. Dillard has all she needs, and what she has comprises the contents of this book.