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The Barefoot Beat

  • Life Musings

    Gratitude

          I first learned about the power of gratitude while reading Sarah Ban Breathnach´s devotional Simple Abundance. Sarah is a lovely author who speaks to the heart of women while weaving principles…

    November 6, 2012 by Mariah
  • South America, Travel Stories

    La Madre Soltera

         ¨Are you married?¨ she asked me. I look up to respond and the first thing I see are her eyes. They are a light hazel, unlike the others in her community. ¨No,¨ I respond.…

    November 2, 2012 by Mariah
  • The Devil's Nose
    South America

    The Devil´s Nose

    I take the bus to sleepy Alausí to ride the train named after the Devil´s nose. I wonder where it will take me and if the Devil has had plastic surgery to…

    October 31, 2012 by Mariah
  • South America, Travel Stories

    Finding my way in Cuenca

          I hate being lost. Let me re-phrase that. I hate retracing my steps over and over for what seems like the millionth time. I actually pride myself in generally having a…

    October 28, 2012 by Mariah
  • Faith, South America, Travel Stories

    Looking Poverty in the Eye

           I am on a bus going from someplace to somewhere else. I`m hot and anxious to pass the time and arrive at my destination. As I settle in I look across the…

    October 24, 2012 by Mariah
  • Solo Female Travel, South America, Travel Stories

    My (Not-so) Jungle Adventure Pt. II

    Continued… Day 3        I awake with a start just in time to watch the fog clear from the trees, rising and slowly dissipating, bowing to the sun`s powerful rays. My mind…

    October 21, 2012 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!

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