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The Barefoot Beat

  • Solo Female Travel

    Ladies: How to stay safe while couch surfing (and have a good time)!

    My time in Ghana is drawing to a close, which means it’s time for me to hit the road again. This means endless hours on Workaway and Couch Surfing, planning my stay…

    February 23, 2014 by Mariah
  • Life Musings

    Creature Fear

    Darling, when the wolves are circling around, you bare your teeth. You show ‘em what you got. These lanky, shadowy animals bear one name: Fear. They come out in packs, when the…

    February 20, 2014 by Mariah
  • Pathfinders

    Pathfinders: Coming alive in Africa

    “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman This latest story comes from…

    February 17, 2014 by Mariah
  • Africa, Life Musings, Travel Stories

    By the big tree

    I live down by the big tree. If you’re taking the tro-tro from Teiman to Abokobi, tell the mate you’ll alight under the big tree. They’ll know the one. If you go…

    February 12, 2014 by Mariah
  • Life Musings

    The gift of uncertainty

      “If you knew what was going to happen, if you knew everything that was going to happen next—if you knew in advance the consequences of your own actions—you’d be doomed. You’d…

    February 8, 2014 by Mariah
  • Africa, Faith, Travel Stories

    A safe and secret place

    Little hands hold mine on either side of me, swinging my arms wildly and looking up with big grins. They have me wrapped around their little fingers. I walk them back to…

    February 4, 2014 by Mariah
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About Me

About MeHello! I'm Mariah. I'm a travel writer, poet, and debut novelist living in Southeast Tennessee with my husband and son. In 2013, I quit my job as an ICU nurse to backpack solo around the world—a journey that became the foundation for my debut novel, "The Pattern Shop" (coming in 2026!). I started this blog to share those adventures and have been documenting my journey of finding home, healing, and a simple life of adventure ever since. When I'm not writing, you'll find me exploring the outdoors, advocating for social justice, and cultivating community. My hope is to inspire you to live your own life of love and adventure, wherever you are. Let's do this, together!

Popular Posts

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  • DSCN3216 How To Travel the World (On a Budget)

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