Howdy, greetings, good-tidings, hey! My name is Erik, I am proud to say I am part Cherokee Indian, and have been born and raised in Oklahoma.

I am proud to be an Okie (that is a person from Oklahoma). I love being outdoors, hanging with my friends, spending time with my smokin'-hot wife, Juliet, drinking coffee, Coors, and whiskey, watching movies, reading books, chatting with strangers, making friends, trying new things, and living as though I am the protagonist in an adventure story.

I also like snow-skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and cooking meals on the grill whenever the season calls for it. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday because I love fireworks, cheeseburgers, and America.

PHILOSOPHY

Thomas Jefferson once said, "Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."

"Love everybody." There's enough craziness in this world; let us celebrate the human family!

"Forever I will move; like the world that turns beneath me."

Pray for rain, not for lightning, and believe in the good things coming.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to see the world and meet/greet the people that help it go-round.

Interests

My interests vary widely, depending on the season of my life. But music always hits the spot. It fits any situation, and always improves the mood. I love art: architecture, paintings, photos, pretty much anything beautiful or thought provoking.

My favorite sport has always been baseball. I am a Sooner football fan and rabid OKC Thunder follower. I have never really been exposed to soccer, but have a blast watching the matches during the World Cup.

Being outside: hiking, fishing, playing catch, disc golf, geocaching, biking, and jogging (although I cannot run very far!) are always a blast if the weather permits (it changes quickly and often here in Oklahoma).

I have this car, slightly ridiculous, a 1978 El Camino, that I love driving or working on when I have time.

My wife Juliet is a huge part of me. We're best friends and do pretty much everything together. She'€™s not as adventurous as I am but I will admit it'€™s probably for the best. Watching movies, chatting, reading, going to Happy Hour and traveling together are our most frequent activities!

• arts
• books
• architecture
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• running
• drinking
• happy hour
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• skiing
• sports
• baseball
• soccer
• swimming
• golf
• world cup

Music, Movies, and Books

Smokey and the Bandit is probably the movie I have seen the most in my life.

I like Superhero movies a lot too.

I can listen to anything, but Classic Rock always makes me feel groovy.

Guster is probably my favorite band, but I'll say the Beatles are probably the greatest band of all time, and their music never gets old. In no particular order I also like: Elvis, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Shwayze, AC/DC, Slightly Stoopid, Queen, Brett Dennen, Cake, Citizen Cope, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, James Blunt, Kid Cudi, Kings of Leon, Lil Wayne, Pepper, Echo Movement, Sublime, and who can forget Bob Marley.

Sherlock Holmes stories and history books really get me excited, and The People's History of the United States (1492-present) by Howard Zinn is a book that I think everyone should read.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My siblings and I rescued a mule deer fawn that was caught in the fence of our property when we were children. We raised it until it was too large to handle and then gave it to the Oklahoma City Zoo. That was pretty surreal.

Teach, Learn, Share

Are all qualities each person should live by. Each one is important, fun, entirely necessary on this road we call life. Teaching is one of the most beneficial things we can do, people should not pass up opportunities to help others tone their skills, shape their mind, or sharpen their intellect.

Stop learning and you might as well stop breathing.

Learning is my favorite past-time, please teach me your ways!

I'm not at expert at anything in particular but I know enough things to be dangerous.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Funny stories, places to see, things to do, and a bit of good food (if you're lucky).

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States