The Fernweh Diaries: 2025 Update

As the seasons shift and the year unfolds, I wanted to take a moment to share an update on life, adventures, and the exciting new direction of Following the Fernweh. 2025 is already shaping up to be a year of growth, challenge, and discovery—both in the outdoors and in my creative work.

Adventure & Challenge: Pushing the Limits

This year, I signed up for the Half Grav, which is a two day portion of the Arkansas Graveler. I 'll be doing a two-day 75-mile gravel race that will push me in ways I’ve never experienced before. Training for this race has been both exhilarating and humbling—gravel cycling demands endurance, strategy, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Every ride brings a mix of challenging climbs, peaceful back roads, and the undeniable satisfaction of progress. The first week of June is tour week, and I’m all in! I've signed up for the Graveler with two friends and we have dubbed ourselves the Graveler Barbies. It's going to be an amazing time!

In preparation, I've also signed up to do the gravel race of the Ouachita Challenge on March 30th. I'm excited and a bit anxious to get started!

A new-to-me pair of climbing shoes.

Beyond the bike, I’ve been rock climbing more, rediscovering the mental and physical challenge of scaling new heights. Whether it’s the focus required for technical routes or the sheer joy of topping out on a climb, this sport continues to teach me resilience and problem-solving in ways that extend far beyond the rock.

And because balance is everything, I’ve been spending plenty of time at home baking sourdough—a practice that, like cycling and climbing, requires patience and consistency. There’s something deeply grounding about working with wild yeast, watching dough rise, and ultimately enjoying a crusty, golden loaf fresh from the oven.

A batch of sourdough apple cinnamon rolls made from scratch!

The Evolution of Following the Fernweh

Since launching Following the Fernweh, my focus has always been on storytelling, adventure, and capturing the beauty of the places I visit. Over the past year, I’ve honed my skills in content creation, working with short-term rentals to showcase their properties alongside the incredible outdoor experiences they offer.

Moving forward, I’m excited to grow this side of my business. I’ve officially launched content creation packages for short-term rental owners looking to elevate their listings through high-quality photography, video, and storytelling. Each package is designed to bring a property to life—whether it’s a cozy riverside cabin, a secluded mountain retreat, or a modern hideaway near prime fly fishing waters.

If you own a short-term rental or know someone who does, I’d love to chat about how we can collaborate! I’m currently booking for 2025 stays and can’t wait to visit new destinations, meet like-minded adventurers, and help rental owners share their spaces in the most captivating way possible.

Looking Ahead

2025 is a year of big goals, bold adventures, and new creative opportunities. Whether it’s tackling miles of gravel, reaching new heights on the rock wall, perfecting the perfect sourdough loaf, or growing Following the Fernweh into a thriving creative business, I’m embracing the journey ahead.

If you’ve been following along, thank you! Your support, encouragement, and shared love of adventure mean the world to me. Here’s to a year of exploring, creating, and saying yes to the next big thing!

- Carrie