CURRENT MISSION

Self-actualization

ABOUT ME

I tend to be quiet, light-hearted, good-natured, and often distracted in thought. Happy to relax and just be, particularly on my deck or by the fireplace, and equally jump at any chance to go on a solid hike or soaking up the outdoors. I'd rather be in a cabin near some pretty woods or near the shore. So I head off for some time outside whenever I can. I am currently enjoying soaking up the PNW.

PHILOSOPHY

Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day. -Rilke

I think we all have to create our own meaning in our lives.

Ultimately we are all alone.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Happy to host, would love to surf when I get the chance.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Just started, folks have been telling me I'd love it.

Interests

my favorite things involve anything outside...long hikes with my dog, being at the barn and riding my horse, camping in the woods and looking at the stars, trying out my snowshoes & waiting for fresh snow to fall, or finding the coziest of coffee shops and being in absolutely no hurry at all.
Chilling in front of a fireplace with a good book is just plain happiness.

• cats
• dogs
• books
• wine
• coffee
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

Gregory Alan Isakov, Lake Swimmers, Laura Marling, Miles Davis, Rachmaninov -- you can pretty much be sure that if it's mostly mellow, chill music, I'm liking it. I rarely get to the movies, but love old theaters when I do. There are usually 12 or more books stacked on my nightstand in varying stages of progress. These days, these are typically psychology books on an existential lens, and as I new to the PNW, several Moon guides on Oregon hikes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I think you can experience amazing things all the time if you are open to it and look around. Once of the best things, for me, was a time when I was on the big island hawaii. I swam out to a cove early in the morning with my sister. No one else was in sight. It was overcast with a slight drizzle, and the water was cold, but pretty calm. I tried to keep up with my sis who is a great swimmer, but I was barely holding my own. I tend to take in far too much water! She disappeared for a bit beneath the water, came up for a sec, scared the crap outta me by grabbing my leg, and pulled me under. And right there was a huge group of spinner dolphins swimming below us. And they kept on coming, their numbers were beyond words. I was, at first, scared out of my mind. I love the ocean, but was not so comfortable in it. But then I listened and heard their clicks, and began to relax into the experience. They were so close I could reach out and touch them. And I just floated there with my mask in the water taking it all in. Saw a mother with her baby swim side by side right past us. The whole scene seemed to last a long time. And, then, just like that, like all things, the moment had passed.

Teach, Learn, Share

I like to eat foods from different cultures. I pretty much like to learn about anything that I am curious about, and I tend to be interested in or willing to try just about anything.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A nice glass of wine, wood burning fireplace, deck with Mount Hood view, a shy but sweet mutt, aggressively affectionate cat, and some spots to check out in Portland and Oregon.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Canada, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Peru, Scotland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States