CURRENT MISSION

To do as much good as possible and enjoy continuing to discover the world and its people! I welcome visitors from around the world hoping they will learn and understand better the interesting corners of this vast country and its real, local people.

ABOUT ME

I'm a retired citizen who has been traveling seriously around the world. I taught high school for 21 years in West Des Moines, Iowa; served 4 years as president of the Iowa State Education Association (teachers' union); worked 14 years for the Michigan Education Association, just south of Detroit, proudly representing great teachers and school support staff, helping them to achieve a middle class life.
I'm intensely interested in politics. And ashamed of our current president.

Grosse Ile is a tranquil, peaceful island of 10,000 citizens located 30 minutes south of Detroit. It is rated the safest city in Michigan for several years. The semi-rural nature of the island with large swaths of land protected from development provides opportunity to hike and walk in forested areas and enjoy the wildlife.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have enjoyed meeting and learning about the couchsurfers I've hosted. It has been a greatly rewarding experience. They have been interesting people with whom I have shared wonderful conversations.

Interests

My greatest pleasure is meeting interesting people in my travels. They have so much to teach us and we have so much to learn from them. It's so much more important than simply visiting a "place".

• education
• gardening
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• teaching

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was invited to the White House twice, and visited both times, in the late 70's. For an ordinary working stiff it was a really big deal. I also shook Barack Obama's hand in 2008. He's my hero!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I will provide a 1-day tour of Detroit, and a second day if desired, to give visitors an understanding of the important and interesting aspects of a fast-changing and vastly improving city. I will provide suppers if you desire and will definitely provide breakfast every day.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States