I am currently a contract employee, and thus am shifting from state to state. When I establish a more permanent residence, I will be accepting guests again. I have been living and working outside the U.S. for several years, am now working in healthcare as a nurse. I love travel, long distance backpack trips, river rafting, bicycling, and beer. Since beer goes with everything.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like the comradery of travel. A chance to hear the stories and experiences of others- to connect with the spirit of their journey. I have had numerous people help me out, and provide me with accommodations when traveling in the U.S. and abroad. It is time to begin paying that forward. I am also a member of Warmshowers, and have had numerous opportunities to meet people during long-distance bicycle trips.

Interests

I like being outside. My passions are learning, climbing, hiking, bicycle touring, and having a well earned beer.

• arts
• cooking
• beer
• running
• working out
• traveling
• hiking
• backpacking
• skiing
• rock climbing
• history
• medicine
• physics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Mozart, Jimmy Buffet, and Leo Kottke. Movies: The Man From Snowy River, Zoolander, and Super Troopers.. and Caddy Shack. Plus The Seven Samurai (just because it is a classic).
Books: how much time to we have.. good science fiction when I can find it. Anything by Malcolm Gladwell or Robert Kaplan. Books ranging from medicine to carpentry to religious studies and travel. Beer labels..

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2012 I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from South to North. I finished in October, and it has proven to be one of the most meaningful things I have done in years.

Teach, Learn, Share

The evolution of knowledge is great- but being able to apply it to life is what requires a sense of humor.. and art. I don't have much to teach, except a profound respect for what I do not know :-).
Learn: if you have joy in learning, that you are set. Somethings have to be simply endured.. for all the others the successful application of childlike fascination seems to work better. Just learn how to hide it :-)...
Share: I was doing a Spring snow climb on North Maroon Peak (outside Aspen, Colorado). After a long and exposed snow climb my partner and I had trouble descending. The kind of descent that leaves gear behind and running out of time.. I became "concerned". While giving too much vent to that concern my partner grabbed the front of my jacket, and said: "If I get stuck on a ledge tonight, I'm getting stuck there with an optimist!". I Never forgot that.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A good sense of direction (if you like to get lost). A practiced sense of compassion. Love of history, science, physics, and art. Allot of Chuck Norris jokes. Concrete skills: carpentry (rough), emergency medicine, backcountry travel, trad climbing, canyoneering, long distance backpacking, brewing, rafting, and the ability to cook. If someone teaches me..
Oh yeah: and a love of good beer.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antarctica, Bahrain, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bahrain