Despite the success of her first three albums, including "Woodstock," Mitchell chose to step back from performing in January 1970. In early spring of that year, she traveled around Europe. While staying in Matala, Crete, she wrote several songs for Blue. This journey inspired "Carey" and "California"; "Carey" was about her relationship with Cary Raditz, who was the "redneck on a Grecian Isle" in "California." Some songs on Blue were also influenced by her tumultuous relationship with Graham Nash from 1968 to 1970. Their relationship was strained when she left for Europe, and while on Formentera, she sent Nash a telegram ending their relationship. Songs like "My Old Man" and "River" are thought to reflect this experience.