As many of you know, I'm writing a historical novel inspired by family stories my Mexican-Chinese grandma used to tell me: tales of secret immigrants and mixed races, family loyalties and betrayals. I'm also involved in the world of live personal storytelling, and The...
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Just Me and My Cross – Cara Wins The Moth StorySlam in L.A.
? After more than a year striving to find my voice in the world of oral storytelling, I won The Moth StorySlam in L.A. on January 23, 2018. The night's topic was Achilles' Heel. It was humbling to win with a story about my weaknesses. I now qualify to compete in a...
Girls Running With Bulls – Is Jeannie Mark Completely Nuts?
When I was 36, I spent a month in Spain, and I never regretted that I missed running with the bulls in Pamplona. But today I heard the below interview with travel blogger Jeannie Mark, known as the Nomadic Chick, and began to wonder if I've spent my life being too...
Hiking Mount Bierstadt – Guanella Pass, Colorado
Autumn is my favorite time to head into Colorado's high country. Though wildflowers depart, quivering gold Aspen leaves arrive. The trails are quieter, air cooler, lightning gone. Late last September, my husband, Dale, and I drove up gorgeous Guanella Pass to hike...
Hiking to Lost Lake – Hessie Trailhead, Nederland, Colorado
Nederland boasts some of Colorado's prettiest hikes, with waterways, wildflowers (or fall colors), and views of the Continental Divide. Around this time last year, my husband Dale and I hiked the three-mile round trip to Lost Lake - more like four miles since part of...
Hiking Eldorado Canyon Trail – Eldorado Springs, Colorado
Every year I think I'm going to stop discovering more hiking trails near Denver, and every year proves me wrong. Late last summer I discovered the Eldorado Canyon Trail in Eldorado Canyon State Park. This gem lies tucked away just past the Old West resort town of...
Hiking Beaver Brook Trail & Chavez Loop – Clear Creek Canyon, Colorado
After spending several weeks out of town this summer, and adding a few new activities to my life - such as learning Tai Chi, and writing part two of my novel - I've been keeping my hikes relatively low-key this season. I've been focused on trails that are closer to...
Hiking Mount Audubon: Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Colorado
To me, late September means it's time to hit Colorado's high country to see the Aspen turn the Rocky Mountains into shimmering gold. I love to drive the Peak-to-Peak Highway to see the show, and that makes a hike at Mount Audubon convenient. I've hiked this particular...
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE CANDY – But That’s Not the Candy Factory’s Fault
When my sixteen-year-old sister comes to visit, it’s a challenge figuring out what we might enjoy together without breaking my bank, because her favorite thing to do and my least favorite thing to do - is shop. This time, I was sure I had a winner: a free tour at one...
HIKING RED ROCKS & MORRISON SLIDE LOOP – Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, Morrison, Colorado
The last time I hiked Red Rocks Trail, I started at the Matthews/Winters Park trailhead. But on Monday I wanted to focus more on Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the world's coolest natural outdoor amphitheatre - except for maybe that floating movie theatre in Thailand. So...
