CURRENT MISSION:

I’m currently exploring southern Europe for the first time (France, Portugal, Spain, Italy) and am absolutely LOVING it! My companion is young Carson (aka “ The Wisconsin Kid/ Dances with Stones” 😄). He was my bunkmate this past winter in the Rocky Mountains and asked to tag along for his first ever trip outside of the U.S.A. I’m glad he did; he’s a good-hearted kid, a lovable goofball, and we get along like peas and carrots!

Me? I'm an easygoing extrovert that marches to my own beat. Awhile back I decided that a conventional lifestyle fits me like socks on a rooster, so I now work at restaurants in ski resorts (Aspen, Colorado, Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, etc.) during the winters and summers and travel on my own dime in between. As a result, I've seen some great places, done some fun things, and met a lot of great people.

I'm a minimalist in that I don't collect "things.” In fact, I try my best to get rid of them and keep it as simple as possible. If I had to choose one word that best represents all that is wrong in this world, I would choose "greed."

PHILOSOPHY
Live and let live.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I enjoy sharing my home and showing people a good time.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I think "Couchsurfing" is one of the best ideas to ever hit the internet and have enjoyed both hosting and surfing immensely. It seems to attract the type of people whose company I enjoy (open-minded, outgoing, adventurous, and kind-hearted). I also like the fact that it's unconventional, and I rarely pass an opportunity to thumb my nose at "The Establishment."

Interests

I've been surfing (real surfing - in the ocean - not on couches) for over 30 years, and yes, you CAN surf in Texas. In fact, there is a close-knit subculture of surfers in the Lone Star state. I've traveled all over Mexico and Central American, as well as both the east and west coasts of the U.S and Hawaii in search of good waves. I also play two-man sand-court volleyball, tennis, basketball, ski/snowboard, play the guitar and sing ( I'm partial to twangy, blues-influenced country and rock). I dabble in various art forms, but I recently began videoing (and editing) my adventures, which has added a new (and fun) layer to my travels.

• singing
• photography
• dancing
• reading
• guitar
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• scuba diving
• skiing
• snowboarding
• basketball
• tennis
• volleyball

Music, Movies, and Books

MOVIES: The Shawshank Redemption, The Matrix, Scent of a Woman, Forrest Gump, The Road to Perdition, Whiplash. BOOKS: My favorite novel is hands down, "Lonesome Dove” which is widely considered a modern American classic (western). MUSIC: Rock, reggae, twangy old country, and I will freely admit to loving disco (Kool & the Gang, Bee Gees, Micheal Jackson, etc). If you haven't enjoyed sharing a bottle of wine while preparing dinner with friends and having spontaneous disco "dance-offs" - you're not living, my friend!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Ten years ago, I sold most of my belongings, packed my backpack, surfboard, guitar, and boarded a bus in Houston bound for Mexico. I spent the next four months surfing, relaxing, socializing, scuba-diving, hiking - you name it, all the way to Costa Rica and visiting every country in between.

Teach, Learn, Share

Lighten up. Very few things are truly worth getting your underwear all twisted in a knot. With the right attitude - it'll all work out.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I´m very low-maintenance, tidy, and known to tell a story or two. Also, I was raised by neither wolves nor hyenas, and I didn't grow up in a cave. Therefore, I know how to act accordingly when I'm a guest in your home. I travel with everything I need to camp and can sleep comfortably almost anywhere or time. My friends are amazed by it. I carry a "bivy sack" which is like a tent/body bag that enables you to sleep warm and dry almost anywhere. Bam! Instant hotel.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Peru, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, United States