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Carra

@carrative1

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I share adventures through photos, essays + humor ✈️ ✍️😁

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As you may know, my Peru trip was cancelled mere days before departure due to unexpected torrents of rain, high-elevation sub-zero temps, road erosion, etc. So, I got a refund from Delta, emptied my suitcase of merino-wool layers, and pulled out my “where-in-the-world-to-go-last-minute?” spinner.

SLOVENIA wins! Within two days, I repacked with summer hiking gear, a cute sundress, printouts of maps, reserved a rental car, and booked a flight into Venice. I flew to Italy because the ticket was almost $1k cheaper than flying into Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia) and the city name that took me a week to pronounce.
(Lee-yoooh-blee-yah’-nuh, said with a Boris and Natasha accent.)

What a country of lushness and breathtaking views painted in blue and green hues. The nature, architecture, food, and friendliness of locals all exceeded my expectations. And I felt so safe—a rarity and a bonus.
I have countless stories and hundreds of photos, but here are Carra’s Cliff Notes:

Flew to Venice, stayed in the seaside city of Trieste, Italy. Next day, navigated back roads, through the forest, into Slovenia. Goulash never smelled so good.

My first stop was Postojna. Visited Predjama Castle (800 years old, built into the mountain). Dragons!
Then, I drove to the capital. Stunning. So clean. Bridges. The food!!!
Showed up at the city center for the walking tour, but ADHD walked me away. Would love to return.
Drove to Lake Bled. Exquisite. Hiking, water sports, another castle. A church on an island.

Then to the largest lake, Bohinj. Spiritual experience running around. Thunderstorm! Hiked for miles. Castle, but wasn’t in the mood.

Triglav National Park. Trekked up to Slap Savica (slap = waterfall).

MOST FUN: driving onto a train that travels into the Soči Valley. Like a sightseeing countryside rental-car rollercoaster without doing the driving.

Drove up to Bovec, Julian Alps. Slap Bocaj Alpine hike.
In Kobarid, skipped Slap Kozjac, but got a pic of the sign for my detective-show-loving mom.

Last stop, two days in Cividale, medieval Italian town on border. Cobblestones. Bridges. Churches. Gelato!!!

Fantastic adventure. ❤️ full.
Travel bug reactivated. taken in Slovenia by @carrative1

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a month ago

Peru out.
Process. Pivot.
This is the second time my Machu Picchu trip was thwarted.
The first time was due to the global shut-down six years ago.

This time, horrific unexpected storms, propelled by El Niño, created mud and landslides, road erosions, and unprecedented cold temperatures in the Andes. Two porters lost their lives on the mountain near Cusco, hundreds of hikers were trapped on the Inca trail… and then two days later, there was an earthquake outside of Lima.
Needless to say, I feel deep concern for those who were caught in the midst, and, dare I say, deeper gratitude for having missed those tragic mishaps.

I took off time from work, saved some cash, and had doggie-care commitment. After three months of strength and altitude “training”, and let’s not forget…putting aside pickleball, sacrifices were made.

Ok, where to go instead, on a day’s notice, now solo, to a location safe for women, where I could still hike that didn’t require more vaccines or a visa, and where I’ve never been?

I’ve already begun my new journey, and I am smoothly settled into my most authentic ecstatic space, filling it with curiosity, love of nature, different cultures, and the freedom and privilege of travel.

No spoiler alerts! Just guesses :-)
xo

More fun to come
#seetheworld #travelbuglife #liveyourbestnow👍#hikingtrails #culture #essaywriting #travelblogger by @carrative1

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a month ago

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2 months ago

Ahhh July…. Waterfall hikin’, Back Street Boys Sphere watchin’, seein’ all the kids, and the Grandma, and the best ole friends. ❤️

#lovemyfamily #vegasbaby #hikingtrail #beachbod #headstand #doglovers #seetheworld #backstreetboys #liveyourbestlifenow👍 by @carrative1

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2 months ago

What’s more fun than Forest hiking AND eating? So, when Kelli asked me to join a foraging class my inner hunter-gatherer foodie couldn’t resist. The teacher, Pascal Baudar, is a wild-food artist and a fermentation master. He’s written books on edible seeds and grains, wildcraft cuisine, and brewing.
The group met at a designated spot in the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains. Before convening at the trailhead, Kelli and I stopped at a diner for a quick coffee shot and a pre-emptive pee.
Little did we know that we fell upon an historically famous spot called The Ranch Side Cafe. The decor was “cowboy”, yet the signage above the front door boasted Ethiopian/Mexican/American Cuisine. “Veggie Shiro Wat or the Chile Relleno Burrito?” We opted for the Homemade Peach Cobbler.

There was also a wall with a collection of 8x10 black metal framed, autographed, frayed actor photos of yesteryear—signed headshots from Erik Estrada, Don Johnson, Ron Perlman, and Patrick Swayze, among others, each thanking the female cafe owner for the delicious meal.

At the Forest site, we met the proud-to-be-Belgian Pascal who taught us about native and invasive plants. I learned that paramount to this foraging practice is the ability to preserve the edible treasures, which is done via fermentation using either sugar or salt. Pascal also creates pottery; he uses beeswax inside for waterproofing, preserving, and fermenting.

We sampled everything. One trepidatious taste was lerp, the discarded exoskeleton of tiny insects that feed on eucalyptus leaves/sap. Imagine Crispies. Not rice. Bugs.
Pascal made acorn bread and hummus, vegan cheese, and mustards from 16 various types of native seeds. Delicious! We also tried Gobo, known here as Burdock Root, which is used in Japanese cuisine. It’s got an earthy, sweet flavor, like a sugared Adirondack chair leg.
Among the beverages were wild elderberry and blackberry juices, and Mugwort beer that can transform a shy guy into a chatty Myna bird on Ritalin in one stein. (Side note: The Mugwort plant grows next to Poison Oak and is, ironically, its antidote.)
Such a super fun and informative day! And a perfect cure for a picky eater. taken in Angeles National Forest by @carrative1

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2 months ago

Lil afternoon sweet treat

#humminbird #nectar #summervibes☀️ by @carrative1

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3 months ago

Boise. February and June mash-up.
I’m lovin’ you Idaho, for more reasons than my main one.
See you in the Fall… taken in Boise, Idaho by @carrative1

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3 months ago

Birthday-month dump. 🥳

It’s all about the peeps. ❤️ taken in Ventura County by @carrative1

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4 months ago

Today is a gift
I am unwrapping with intention.

🎁 ☮️ 💝♥️ taken in Satwiwa/Sycamore Canyon Trails by @carrative1

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9 months ago

There’s always room for growth 😉 taken in Big big chair by @carrative1

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9 months ago

Italy/Perugia Oct 2025- Part 2

I awoke with a burst at 5:15am in my comfy bed in Rome. I was excited to complete the travel to my intended destination, Perugia, albeit a day late.

In Italy, the Trainline app is no less valuable than a ceramic cooking collection. They’re both useful and perform well. Now, whether the train arrives on time—or at all— is anyone’s risk or guess. Being a gambler, I booked the 6:30am direct to Perugia Centrale.

I was dressed, packed, left the room keys on the armoire, and stood at the front door downstairs by 5:45am. At check-in the night before, the guy told me to leave the assemblage of keys in my room upon departure.
“I sleep when it’s dark. Let yourself out.”
Problem was, I couldn’t get out. At the front door was a thick, locked bolt. And not one you could turn and adjust with your hand or a knob. I ran back up four flights, got the keys, ran back down, and tried them all. Nope.
OK, Carra, don’t panic.
I scurried up one flight to the “lobby,” but true to his word, Mr. Check-in was asleep, somewhere, but not there.
I skedaddled back downstairs and tried the keys again. None fit. I took a few deep breaths and thought, I’ll just sit here and wait until someone comes in or out.

I relented and headed to plop myself on the staircase when I spotted a barely protruding, fat button on the side wall. It reminded me of a gameshow buzzer. There was a piece of masking tape below it, and in faded back marker and all caps, was written, “PORTA APERTA”.

I pressed that button like a Manhattan car horn, and cha-ching, that bolt unlocked instantaneously. I felt as if I had cracked the safe in Ocean’s Eight. I hustled back upstairs, left the keys, again, tore back down, and my trusty wheelie bag and I hauled ass to the train station.

At the Termini, I went directly to check the destination/track number for my train. It was on time, 6:30, as scheduled. Woohoo! Although the Java Sirens were beckoning me to follow the aroma of espresso, my vision of savoring a macchiato was a pipe dream at that point.
(continued in comments below) taken in Italy by @carrative1

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a year ago

Praia de Paço de Arcos
at Sunset.

#sunsetbeach #paçodearcos #portugal #seetheworld #visitfriends #solotravelgirl #liveyourbestlifenow👍 taken in Praia de Paço de Arcos by @carrative1

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a year ago