CURRENT MISSION

Giving my son the opportunity to experience as much of what life has to offer as possible.

ABOUT ME

Hard to figure out - spontaneous but also like to plan, level-headed but like to challenge myself, love traveling but also love being at home, am comfortable being alone and in big groups. I don't mind roughing it but I also enjoy luxury. I can't stand fake things or places or people, so you won't see me on the Strip in Las Vegas. There is so much to explore and experience in California, but I love going pretty much anyplace. The art of adventure isn't so much about the location, but the act of getting there and your frame of mind.

PHILOSOPHY

I have no right to complain. Life is what you make of it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have surfed five times, met up with a CS non-host once, hosted over a dozen times, and I am able to host.

Generally I cannot host with less than at least one week's notice, but you might get lucky.

Please be verified. I will likely not consider hosting you otherwise.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Five times with this group, and I've surfed couches throughout Europe, Australia and the US via friends and friends of friends. I try to give back to the host via gifts or buying them dinner, as I realize the effort that hosts go to in allowing me to stay with them and share their lives for a few days. Most of the travelers who have stayed with us have been thoughtful in this regard. I love the friendships that have developed.

Interests

Love backpacking, being with my family, hiking with my dog (she passed a couple years ago), photography, exploring new places both local and distant, drinking good wine. Free time has become very precious to me. In my earlier days I spent years backpacking around the world and I was always amazed at the hospitality of people. I'd like to be able to return the favor.

• dogs
• arts
• photography
• wine
• drinking
• traveling
• hiking
• backpacking
• sailing
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

The Winter of Our Discontent(Steinbeck), biographies, autobiographies, Into the Wild, Still Life with Woodpecker, The Art of Racing in the Rain, any book by James Herriot; Grateful Dead, jazz, Rolling Stones, Mark Knopfler.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbing Ayers Rock in Australia when it was still legal to do so; sailing to New Guinea in a gale and being blown 50 miles off-course; traveling through the Thar Desert on camel; accidentally surprising an elephant while hiking in Tanzania.

Teach, Learn, Share

How to make a mean (good) gin and tonic. I can tell (show you) great places to hike.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will help with any tasks that you have, I'm pretty good at being a good conversationalist, and I'm always up for a game of chess if I'm not too tired.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, United States