Now that my son is raised and out of the house and my 34-year career is solid and stable, I find myself yearning to travel more. I have been to mainland Europe a couple of times in the past; in 1982 while in high school and again in 2017 when my son graduated from high school. I find myself joining Facebook groups to follow and learn about what to see when I travel to certain countries. I find myself thinking about when I can go there, for how long I can go, where do I want to stay. So many things run through my head, but the most exciting point is when you book your trip and have something to look forward to.
In January 2024, I traveled, by myself, to Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. I have a friend in Colombia, so I was to have my private tour guide there. In planning the trip I thought, well, you are so close to Costa Rica and Panama that you might as well include those two countries into the trip as well.
I love white water river rafting, so I did that in Costa Rica. Completely lovely! I also stayed at a beautiful beach resort on the Pacific Ocean side called the Tango Mar. Very relaxing and quite a charming place to stay. I highly recommend the Tango Mar.
In Panama, I was captivated by the whole lesson in what is “The Panama Canal.” It was much more interesting than I had imagined it to be by far. Colombia was quite interesting as well. The age of some of the cities date back to the 1500s when European settlers were first finding South America. Among other towns, I went to Cartagena which is a Walled City on the Northern, Caribbean side of Colombia. Walled for defense. The walls were constructed in the 1600s. It took nearly 200 years to construct the walled fortress and the walls were made completely out of Coral. Imagine the harvesting of huge bricks of coral that made the fortress to protect the city. The immense size of the fortress was mind blogging. Very fascinating indeed.
I also had a once in a lifetime experience when my friend and I were invited by complete strangers to their family fish stew, BBQ of sorts, next to a river. They were so gracious, and it was really a lot of fun to get to know them, use my Spanish and watch them make their fish stew over an open fire. The fish stew was outrageously delicious too. Such a nice family and an experience you just can’t plan or pay for either. I feel so lucky to have had that experience and I will cherish those memories.
My second trip was in June of 2024 with 3 girlfriends to Scotland and Ireland. In Scotland we were on a Scottish Folk Music Tour, so part of the tour was private performances by local musicians almost every evening. We saw many castles and lochs and glens (Lakes and Valleys). The Scottish Highlands are stunning, and I especially enjoyed The Isle of Skye.
Edinburgh is lovely and very rich in history. I also enjoyed Stirling and Glasglow. The Scottish people are some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. They are also true dog people. Everyone had dogs. Sometimes two or three in tow and they are allowed inside all establishments. It may just be me, but I find dog people to be good people!
Ireland was another tour for 8 days around the entire island including Northern Ireland. The North was interesting and sad at the same time. I’m old enough to remember when the conflict was active in Northern Ireland but being there the realities of the conflict there really sunk in. My favorite places in Ireland were the Cliffs of Moher and The Giant’s Causeway. The Giant’s Causeway was one of the most interesting geographical places I’ve ever seen. The hexagonal volcanic ‘steps’ of the Causeway are simply amazing.
As for cities, Killarney was my favorite town that we visited. Not only was Killarney a charming town, but it also was next door to Killarney National Park which was over 2600 acres with lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and several historical buildings with natural heritage. You could ride on horse drawn carriages through the park and learn from your guide.
To add to my travel bug, I recently joined a website called “Trusted House Sitters” There is a part of that group is named “Trusted Pet Sitters.” I currently have 5 nights promised on the Coasta Blanca of Spain in November 2025 to watch two small Terrier dogs named Walter and Fred. I’m having fun planning a trip around that scheduled sit.
I’m going to visit Lisbon and the Algarve region of Southern Portugal, then off to Seville, Spain. After a couple of days in Seville, I will rent a car and drive along the Costa del Sol region of Spain and visit towns like Marbella, Malaga, Ronda, and others, on my way to make adventures with Walter and Fred near the Alicante region. After my stay with the boys, it’s off to Valencia for a few days before traveling home through Madrid.
While in Madrid for one night, I already have dinner reservations at Sobrino do Botin which has been in continual operation as a restaurant since 1725, making it the oldest restaurant in the world. Fun fact about this restaurant is Ernst Heminway used to enjoy the house specialty, Suckling Pig, often when he spent time in Madrid. His novel, “The Sun also Rises” ends with the last scene taking place in the restaurant’s dining room. The restaurant is lovely and I think I am going to enjoy dining there very much.
With the help of Trusted Pet sitters, I can visit anywhere in the world. My next plan after this year’s travels will be to visit Croatia and Greece. Other places on my wish list include all the Nordic countries and other countries in South America like Brazil, Peru and Argentina. There’s an enormous world out there and I enjoy learning from all of it. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my travels and I might have inspired you to “Book that trip” to look forward to!
As we move further into 2025, the direction of the housing market will largely depend on mortgage rates, economic trends, and changes in housing supply and inventory. While affordability challenges persist, strategic financing and a long-term investment outlook can help buyers navigate this competitive market.
For those thinking about buying or selling, working with experienced real estate professionals and mortgage lenders is key to ensuring you’re purchasing wisely. Despite the market fluctuations, Thurston County remains an incredibly desirable place to call home—offering a strong economy, an unbeatable outdoor lifestyle, and the perfect balance of city and nature.
Helping people is a passion of mine, I genuinely enjoy being a resource. If you have any questions or just want to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!
Carla Boyer traded the bustling streets of Manhattan Beach for Olympia’s lush landscapes in 1990, bringing her business and marketing background from California State University at Long Beach. A dedicated real estate broker since 1991, she specializes in residential properties across Thurston, Lewis, and Mason Counties. Her passion for adventure extends beyond real estate, with white water rafting experiences spanning multiple continents and a love for outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, and beach walks with her dog. Carla finds her greatest joy in time spent with her son Jared and in creating lifelong relationships with her clients. Her professional philosophy is simple: put the client’s needs first and approach every challenge with enthusiasm and care.
