Globetrotting adventurer and travel writer living life to the fullest following tragedy and loss.

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Category Archives: Peru

Adventure in Peru

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Jessica Carpenter — 3 Comments ↓

My mom and I traveled together for the first time since I was a kid to the beautiful South American country of Peru. I’d been talking about going for over a …

Posted in Destinations, Peru, South America | 3 Comments ↓

Welcome!

Hi! I'm Jessica Carpenter, US based writer and founder of My Feet Will Lead Me. I love my dog, crêpes, all things Disney or Christmas, and traveling! Let's get to know each other!

jessica_traveler

➳ Globetrotting adventurer • Pharmacist • Dog mom • Widow • Living life to the fullest📍PNW
Email: [email protected]

I grew up an only child (until I was 13 and gained

I grew up an only child (until I was 13 and gained adopted siblings). My parents and I lived in the PNW wilderness with no neighbors for 3 miles, no phone, a generator and batteries, and my dad was building a hydroelectric system. My dad was a bit of a “prepper” so we had a little bomb shelter, a huge garden, and we were off grid. I spent most of the summer days playing in the woods pretending I was an explorer. I have no idea how my mom didn’t fear for my life, but she would just tell me to take the dog and a whistle and if I didn’t come home for dinner, something probably ate me. My best friend and I lived about 5 miles apart with similar upbringings. We’d ride our bikes between our houses, spending about 95% of the summer together. We used old pallets to float around the algae covered ponds and made fishing poles out of sticks and safety pins. Sometimes lunch consisted of wild strawberries, dirt covered carrots, peas, and rhubarb pulled out of the garden. In the winters, we trudged through waist-deep snow up the mountain (which we’d affectionately named “Mt Hightop”) dragging a sled. The moment we’d sail off the cliff airborne tandem on the sled was one of the most exhilarating feelings. We’d land in a tangle of bodies and sled, not knowing which way was up, buried in a sea of snow but laughing and glad to not have any broken body parts. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, but it explains why I feel a constant pull toward retreating to a hidden dwelling somewhere deep in the mountains. It explains why I feel most happy and at peace when I sit quietly, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. I know everyone feels most peaceful in nature, but I have this particular nostalgia for the place I grew up. We sold it, and the home my parents spent years building was burnt down shortly after. The 120 acres remain vacant now, but almost every year, I walk the mile long driveway into the forest and see how nature has reclaimed my old home. Beaver dams have changed the landscape but you can still find blue kitchen tiles buried in the dirt. A metaphor for life. Our landscape may change, but the fragments of our past can still be unearthed.

I’m working on a Jasper and Banff week long road

I’m working on a Jasper and Banff week long road trip itinerary that I hope will be published next week. With the quarantine, you’d think I’d be churning out posts and catching up on all the things I’m behind with, but honestly I’ve never been so unproductive. Not to mention, I’ve been working the whole time, but still. Lazy AF. I can admit it. Anyways, I’m getting back into the swing now, and hoping there’s a chance we can even get back to Banff for a long weekend this summer (fingers crossed for borders to open). Hope you’re all well and finding joy in the small things like me! 😘
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#morainelake #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #mybanff #ohcanada #canada_gram #canadatravel #pnwadventures #albertacanada #visitalberta #visitcanada #stayadventurous #passportpassion #starttheadventure #wanderingsoul #seekmorewilderness #outdooradventure #thedreamytravels #ig_travelerworld #liveinthenow #takemetothemountains #sheisthewild #folkscenery #wanderwomeninc #beyondthelands

I missed the tulip fields this year, so I’m remi

I missed the tulip fields this year, so I’m reminiscing about our fun little road trip to Oregon last year. Griffey will never wear this rain jacket I bought for the pictures again, but #worthit 😂 Did you get to enjoy some flowers this spring?
#tulips🌷 #tulipfields #woodenshoetulipfestival #visitoregon #oregonisbeautiful #dogsofinstagtam #pnwadventures #pnwcollective #pnwdogs #flowersfordays #pnwlove #pnwwonderland #starttheadventure #seekmoments #traveldaily #thedreamytravels #photosinbetween #liveintentionally #mydomainetravels #findyouradventure #allaboutadventures #folkscenery #stayadventurous #happyadventuring

What if every day started this way? Would we tire

What if every day started this way? Would we tire of it or would it seem mundane? Would our perception of its beauty wane?
#maldives🇲🇻 #maldiveslovers
#maldives_ig #fulhadhoo #lovemaldives #droneofficial #dronedaily #djimavic #sandinmytoes #beachtherapy #takemetothebeach #beachdaze #seastheday #travelwithpurpose #stayadventurous #wanderwomeninc #athomeintheworld #travelbloggervibes #travelnowlifelater #mydomaintravels #cntraveller #travelinbetween #passportpassion #wanderlust_tribe #wanderingsoul #seekmoments #thetraveltag

Daydreaming about sunny balconies over bustling ci

Daydreaming about sunny balconies over bustling cities. Patiently waiting for the day when normalcy returns but also savoring this quiet, reflective time.

This is a flashback to my solo trip to Puerto Rico in December. Quite a nice place to go by yourself, and I highly recommend these views at @352guesthouse in Old San Juan.

#sanjuanpuertorico #oldsanjuan #puertoricogram #puertorico_greatshots #balconylife #balconyview #balconies #wheretonext #wanderlusters #athomeintheworld #traveldreamseekers #mydomainetravels #escapeandexplore #thetraveltag #traveldames #shetravelz #travelette #femalesolotraveler #solofemaletraveler #instatravelblog #liveintentionally #lovelyview #inlovewiththiscity

It’s been over a month since I’ve posted. This

It’s been over a month since I’ve posted. This whole thing has consumed me so much, I can’t seem to think of the world the same way right now, and hence it feels like pulling teeth to post on here at all. If I’m not reading or listening to podcasts about Covid-19, I’m trying to distract myself with mindless things like the Tiger King (wtf?!) or home decor websites. I can’t focus on writing, creating, or anything for some reason. Since I’m an essential employee (pharmacist), I’m still working just as much but it’s a bit chaotic and quite frankly terrifying. My company is implementing safety measures that are starting to make me feel safer, but just leaving the house makes me nervous. But at the same time, I’m super grateful for being financially stable. What feels so odd is spring is typically the time when life feels hopeful and exciting. The start of people coming outside to enjoy the sun. Now everything is unknown, scary, and the future is uncertain. My heart goes out to everyone personally affected by this illness. I hope as a society we gain perspective from this, to relish the small moments and never take the privileges and people in our lives for granted. Just wanted to say hi. Thanks to those who have messaged to make sure I’m ok 🙏🏼 #essentialworkers #travellater #quarantineandchill #quarantinestories #quarantinelife #whereintheworld #wheretonext✈️ #somedaysoon #traveldreamseekers #wonderlustcollective #wanderingsoul #travelfemme #travelbloggerlife #maldives🇲🇻 #imisstravelling #planet_locations #quarantine2020

When your dreams of frolicking in perfect, clear b

When your dreams of frolicking in perfect, clear blue water come true...
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@chris_cottrell
#maldives🇲🇻 #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #journeyofgirls #lovelifepassport #passionpassport #passportpassion #passportlife #djimavicpro #dhigurah #maldivesparadise #tropicalparadise #dronestagram #dronelife #planet_earth_shots #earthpix #earth_shotz #earthofficial #maldivesislands #maldiveslovers #sandinmytoes #beachdaze #femmetravel #damestravel #justbehue #liveintentionally #travelnowlifelater #itravelbecause #shetravelz #wanderingsoul

I’ve always dreamed of paddle boarding in a plac

I’ve always dreamed of paddle boarding in a place like this. As I was cruising along, I could see an occasional ray below me through the clear water. Never have I had the pleasure of being so immersed in my all-time favorite color. 📷 @chris_cottrell
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#dhigurah #maldives🇲🇻 #maldiveslovers #maldivesparadise #mondayblues #turquoisewaters #tropicalparadise #tropicaladdicted #beachplease #beachdaze #sandinmytoes #standuppaddleboard #findyouradventure #getoutsidemore #allaboutadventures #herwanderfullife #journeyofgirls #seastheday #beachyvibes #beachvibesonly #dametravel #travelinbetween #sandandsea

I got 99 problems but a beach ain’t one. How wou

I got 99 problems but a beach ain’t one. How would you like to have this sandbar to yourself??
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Follow the link in my bio to read how you can visit this paradise on a minimal budget too. I still can’t believe how insanely beautiful this place is. 📷 @chris_cottrell
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#blissful #dhigurah #maldiveslovers #maldives🇲🇻 #maldivesinsider #sandbar #lifesabeach #seekadventure #99problems #islandparadise #damestravel #bestdestinations #wheretogo #travelgirl #travelinladies #thetravelwomen #ladiesgoneglobal #traveldreamseekers #travelnowlifelater #theeverygirltravels #travelhacks #travelonabudget #luxuryforless #traveldifferently #findyourbeach #beachyvibes #walksonthebeach #beachdaze

Happy Valentines Day! I’m a big fan of love, but

Happy Valentines Day! I’m a big fan of love, but not commercialized holidays. But I will say this: love is the best feeling in the whole world and it doesn’t matter where it’s aimed or received from, we all need and crave it. And the most important person we should love and celebrate that love with is ourselves! 🥰
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#happyvalentinesday❤️ #selflovefirst #myvalentines #dubaimiraclegarden #miraclegarden #flowersmakemehappy #dubaiinstagram #sheisnotlost #seekmoments #wanderingsoul #passionpassport #wetravelgirls #travelette #girlywanderlust #travelnowlifelater #photosinbetween #liveintentionally #beingatourist #roamingaround #coolplaces #tripmaximizer #intravelist #travelblogs #fodorsonthego #visitdubai #dubaitourism

If you have to live in someone’s shadow, make su

If you have to live in someone’s shadow, make sure they’re a palm tree.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreelove #tropicalparadise #tropicaladdicted #sunshinetherapy #wonderlustcollective #starttheadventure #sidewalkerdaily #travelette #wanderlust_tribe #iamtb #dametraveler #theeverydayproject #sandinmytoes #beachtherapy #toesinthesand #beachvibes🌊 #beachdaze #thepreferredlife #tripmaximizer #inspiredtravels #travelwithfathom #thetravelwomen #travelfemme #femmetravel

The formula for adding years to your life? ⬆️

The formula for adding years to your life? ⬆️ This. 📷 @chris_cottrell
#fulhadhoo #maldives🇲🇻 #beachtherapy #maldiveslovers #maldivesinsider #sandinmytoes #beachhairdontcare #mondayblues #destinationearth #paradise🌴 #speechlessplaces #dametraveler #whitesandbeach #travelinbetween #traveldreams #passportlife #wanderlust_tribe #wetravelgirls #shetravelz #girlaroundworld #instatravelblog #blogtravel #blondesandcookies #tropicalvibes #dirtybootsmessyhair #beachbumming #tropicalwayoflife

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Home
My Story
Destinations
- North America
  - United States
  - Mexico
- South America
  - Colombia
  - Peru
- Central America
  - Belize
  - Costa Rica
- Caribbean
  - Bahamas
  - Cuba
  - St. John, USVI
  - St. Lucia
- Europe
  - Austria
  - Belgium
  - England
  - France
  - Greece
  - Italy
  - Poland
  - Scotland
- Africa
  - Morocco
  - Tanzania
- Middle East
  - Jordan
- Asia
  - Bhutan
  - Indonesia
  - Maldives
  - Nepal
  - Thailand
- Oceania
  - Australia
  - French Polynesia
Work With Me
Travel Resources
- Trip Planning Resources
- Hotel Reviews
Shop