CURRENT MISSION

I'm on a lifelong journey to meet and interact with as many people as possible! I focus on surrounding myself with good, positive, open-minded people who know that, together, we can change the world and leave the place better than we found it!

ABOUT ME

I am a very open-minded, ever curious individual, fiercely independent, who enjoys meeting new people, discovering new places and, always, learning new things. I have 3 beautiful, intelligent daughters who I learn from every day. I enjoy a rich life and try not to take much for granted, as I have found the world to be quite humbling.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is short, and - even though you can't dance with butter on your head - why not go all out?!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am not so new to this CS project, having discovered the enperience through my European travels many years ago. In recent years, I have mostly hosted others. And it's always good to learn something new from someone other than yourself!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Both host and traveler, always rewarding!

Interests

I enjoy anything outdoors, am a regular "Boot Camp" attendee, travel as often as possible, and always try to live life to the fullest extent, focusing on self improvement, a better (greener) world, and projecting a positive image and energy onto others!

• dancing
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• camping

Music, Movies, and Books

Most of my books come from the Library of Sam (my great friend from college and former Navy SEAL), who now resides in Asheville, NC. I'm not a TV watcher, but I love good movies (I tend to go for the independent, art house type films) and sporting events.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've walked across the country from Walla Walla, Washington to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania as part of the Bicentennial Wagon Train (July 4, 1976). I've met every President (except Obama) since Nixon, and all were remarkable individuals. I've crashed a helicopter into the North Arabian Sea and survived many broken bones. I've landed a plane on a frozen lake in Antartica. I've lived in Guam, Japan, Russia (briefly), Iraq, Afghanistan, California, Washington, Michigan (my home state), Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia and Rhode Island. I've learned more about the world and life through the eyes of my children, always an amazing path of discovery.

Teach, Learn, Share

I spent 30+ years serving in this country's military. I haven't always agreed with the direction we take, the choices we make or the way we impose our beliefs on others, but I get the job done because that's what I signed up for. I have met many incredible people in the military - great thinkers and leaders who impart positive energy on others and who aren't afraid to stand up for what they believe in while accepting other's values and philosophies. I discovered this was not a stereotypical, rigid, single-minded breed of warmongerers, but rather a strong group of "doers" who had the uncanny ability to take action and get things done when necessary.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I spend most of my C/S time as a host, so I understand that role extremely well. I have been pleasantly surprised by the great many "gifts" I've received as a result, including home-baked goods (prepared in my kitchen), beautiful "live" music, the best of conversation and the most interesting world travelers!

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Federated States of, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Barthélemy, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales, Western Sahara, Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guam, Japan, Russian Federation, Singapore

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