I am a Pastor, a Reverend Doctor in fact, (but please don't categorize me. I am anything but what you expect.) I am a real person, transparent, open, just a person on the journey of life like anyone else. I have a heart for adventure, travel, and seeing the world through the eyes of each person. I care deeply for people and their story. I like to experience life in the fullest. I am not afraid to try anything, and I believe experiencing life from a different persons perspective brings all of humanity a little closer.

People say about me:
I am vibrant and full of life, young at heart and full of energy. I don't know how to slow down, and I can succeed at anything. I am an excellent listener, counselor, friend and support. I have a way of intuitively knowing and connecting to people at great spiritual, emotional, and intellectual depth. Some people have told me I am an old soul in a youthful and energetic body.

Random Things that might surprise you:
I brew my own beer and mead. I usually have a variety of bottles to share.
I have a BA in Musical Theater Performance and been in many shows (Les Miserables, Little Shop of Horrors, Damn Yankees, Annie, Curious Savage, Closer than Ever, My Fair Lady, Sweet Charity, Tales of Hoffman, Savitri, Pirates of Penzance, Working, and many more)
I have worked in: Carpentry, Construction, Retail Management, Theater, Music, Chaplaincy, Clergy and Youth Ministry.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I couch surfed before it existed, staying with families in Mexico, Thailand, and around the USA. I am glad to now be a part of a larger community and look forward to sharing more life adventures and meeting new people.

Hosting - I love any and all diversity, conversation and new adventures. I want to visit and show people around, or point them toward local adventures. I enjoy offering my best, including meals, drinks, comfy beds, shower, home, and entertainment. If I am busy, I will do my best to assist.

Travelling - I love to travel, to meet people, and see the culture. I don't want a tourist view, I want to meet real people and share life. If you choose to host me, know that I am very flexible and can accommodate your schedule, house rules, and even assist with chores.

Interests

I am a very diverse person. I love adventure and creativity. I love to bike ride, rock climb, hike, camp, fish, geocache, snowboard, and find new and interesting places. I spend my spare time playing the guitar and singing, making stained glass, woodworking, or reading a good book. (not that I have much spare time) I appreciate fine art and poetry. I relax with a glass of wine, good beer, or a dram of Scotch. And I love to talk about all things life and hear peoples stories.

I have tried most things once, and wish there was more time in a day. If you have a favorite hobby, interest, or adventure activity, I hope you will introduce me to it.

• fish
• arts
• culture
• books
• poetry
• singing
• music festivals
• dining
• wine
• beer
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• woodworking
• guitar
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• camping
• religion
• mountains
• disc golf
• geocaching
• scotch
• mead
• musical theater
• stained glass

Music, Movies, and Books

I do love to read and do my best to enjoy many genres:
Fantasy - Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Wheel of Time Series
Science Fiction - Orson Scott Card,
Classics - East of Eden
Poetry - Kahlil Gibran
Religion - Adam Hamilton, Rob Bell, Barbra Brown Taylor
Many more.

Movies are the same, I love diversity, but may lean towards thrillers (Law Abiding Citizen, Fight Club, Shawshank Redemption) I like a show that I keeps me guessing or throws in a twist I don't expect.

Music, again I love variety, (Pop, Rock, Folk, Acapella, Theater, Dance) however I find I am drawn to the words. I love songs that have meaning, deep, rich, intricate, and layers of discovery. (I can also love the silence of nature that somehow hums the larger song of life)

One thing that I have learned most about myself is that rather than reading, watching, or listening, I prefer to be the one living the adventure, trying new things, seeing life, and sharing life.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Spent a day with the Lisu Tribe in the mountains of Thailand and Burma
Built huts for the Moken People on Ko Phayam after the 2005 Tsunami
Rock climbed in the High Seirra's California
Sang in Lincoln Square and St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fasted 60 days (yes no food)
Took 4 month renewal leave and hiked 1,000 miles in Scotland and yes Couchsurfed a lot!
Started Bike Touring in 2022 and rode my first RAGBRAI (Ride Across Iowa - 462 miles) *Planning some larger trips in the future.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have many life experiences and hobbies and love to share.
I love to learn or try almost anything new.
Shared experiences are always the best.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Conversation, Adventure, Activity, Music, Hobbies, Stories. "Ask and you will receive." I am a considerate guest. I keep a clean space and am glad to assist with chores.

And in case surfing doesn't work, here is a short list of activities to consider while in the Des Moines Area:
World Food Prize Building
Capitol tour
Historical Building
Ray gun store in East village
Host Sherman Place
Art Center
Science Center of Iowa (with or without kids)
Mainframe Studios
Bridges of Madison County
Pappa John Sculpture Park
Jordan House
John Deere in Ankeny
Farmers Market
Terrace Hill
Living History Farms
Salisbury House
Grey's Lake
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Saylorville Lake
High Trestle Bridge
Botanical Gardens
Des Moines Public Library
Central Sticks Gallery
Meals from the Heartland
Camp Dodge

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Canada, England, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Thailand, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States