Just to note, today's episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts.

I'm Kelly McEvers, and this is Atlas Obscura, a celebration of the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places.

So I don't know about you, but I like to keep track of all the places that I have visited, say in the past year.

I have lists of all the countries that I visit in a given region.

Each year I go back to my like handwritten calendar planner book thing because, yes, I still write everything down.

I have kept track of all my trips and that helps me remember all the places I visited and the people I saw.

Most people I know are, of course, more advanced than this.

They actually keep digital records, like lists of restaurants where they want to go,

or Google Maps with pins on places.

In case you have somehow stumbled upon this podcast, and you don't know too much about Atlas Obscura,

we actually have a map, an Atlas, filled with thousands upon thousands of unusual places across the globe.

Each place is submitted by a person, and it is a fun tool to use, whether you are on vacation or you want to get to know your own hometown better.

My guest today has visited over 1,000 of these places.

Her name is Caroline Mazel Carlton, and she has been working toward that goal for more than 10 years.

This project, visiting 1,000 places, was about more than just taking items off the list.

She says, I helped save her life.

Caroline, welcome.

Oh, I'm getting teary already.

It's so good to be here.

Thank you, Kelly.

Yeah, welcome.

So talk about your first ever visit to an Atlas Obscura place.

...