TRAIL ANGEL. HIPPIE SOUL. FOOTHILLS LOCAL.
Carla Thomas “Mz TAZ” is the heart and free spirit behind My Hippie Waze. Raised along Tampa Bay with the Gulf as her backyard, she grew up drawn to water, wilderness, and wide-open adventure. Today, she calls the South Carolina Foothills home, serving hikers and travelers as a shuttle driver, trail advisor, glamping host, massage therapist, survivalist, and proud “Trail Angel.” With a background spanning leadership, caregiving, animal rescue, and remote medical work, Carla blends capability with compassion—making every guest feel supported, safe, and right at home in the wild.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CARLA
ROOTS & EXPERIENCE
Carla was raised in Tampa Bay, where the Gulf was her backyard and adventure was part of everyday life. Over the years, she has built a diverse professional background that reflects both leadership and compassion. She has worked as a Store Manager for Lady Footlocker, provided in-home child care, served as an Animal Shelter and Rescue Specialist, and became a Licensed Massage Therapist. For the past six years, she has also worked as a Remote Medical Billing Specialist — a role that allows her the flexibility to fully support and serve the Foothills Trails she now proudly calls home.
WHAT CARLA OFFERS
Carla supports hikers, travelers, and locals through a wide range of services, including:
- Hiker Shuttle Service
- Airport Shuttles (Greenville, SC & Asheville, NC)
- Foothills Trail Advisor & Guide
- Glamping Host
- Primitive Camping Host
- Pet Sitting
- Pet Transport Service
- Hiker Massages
Her focus is always the same: reliable support, local knowledge, and genuine care for every person she serves.
PASSIONS THAT SHAPE THE WORK
Carla grew up on the water and still feels most alive outdoors. She loves swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, rafting, and fishing. As an avid hiker, she has explored deserts, mountains, forests, swamps, and iconic trails including sections of the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Her adventures have taken her backpacking 10 days in the Arctic Circle in Alaska, six days in Denali, and across Dartmoor in the UK.
She enjoys mushrooming, gardening, tending birds, and working the land. A committed survivalist with strong bushcraft and general survival skills, she practices archery and is working toward her first hunt. Music, art, nature, a good latte, and dancing her “hippie waze” off all fuel her spirit.
WHY MY HIPPIE WAZE EXISTS
My Hippie Waze was created to fill a real need for the many hikers and sightseers visiting the South Carolina Foothills. Carla and John saw a gap in dependable hiker and airport shuttle services, immersive off-grid accommodations, and knowledgeable local guidance. Their goal is to provide reliable transportation, a one-of-a-kind nature stay at the Off Grid Camp, and trusted advice for all things Foothills Trail.
THE VIBE
Carla describes herself as an easygoing “hippie chic” with a big heart. She deeply cares about people and animals and goes out of her way to help — whether supporting hikers, rescuing lost dogs, sheltering strays, or caring for wildlife. At home, she shares life with her pack: two Huskies, a Malamute, and a Great Pyrenees. Around the trail community, she’s proudly known as “Mz Taz,” a Trail Angel who supports her hikers 100%.
