Become part of my world wandering adventure. I love to experience the outdoors in a variety of ways, backpacking, hiking, climbing, biking, swimming, snowshoeing, canyoning, abseiling, cross-country skiing, etc. My world wandering previously had me in the Oceanic region with a variety of mini and not so mini outdoor adventures.

Now that winter is approaching in the southern hemisphere I am preparing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the eastern United States. I am looking for people to share my AT lifehacks with and impress with the mass quanities of food I can eat when hike hunger sets in.

Afterwards I will be hitting the road with my a sweet, cute adventure mutt (see profile pics) and camping my way across the country. I am hoping to hit most the National Parks and National Forests. I am not sure where I will go adventuring after winter returns to the northern hemisphere. I am open to any and all suggestions.

A chemist (scientist not pharmacist) by training, I found myself working a desk job that was cramping my style. I decided to take a few years off (quarter-life crisis) de-cramp, travel, and discover what I really want to do for the next few decades. I am a huge fan of NASA, space exploration, and space science, and know way too much about the topic for someone who has never been employed there.

Favorite activities include backpacking, hiking, and most any other outdoor activity. Although I am afraid of heights I try not to let it limit the things I will do, but it takes some work to overcome it.

However if you are not keen on outdoor activities, other leisurely pursuits include food, yoga, food, art/theater (not participating but appreciating), and food. Did I mention I like to eat?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to get insights to the area I am visiting. I have a list of thought provoking questions that has never failed to begin interesting conversations and offer cultural insights in a way that blunt questions don't. Hopefully this teaser has you intrigued and motivates you to connect with me and/or add your own questions to the list.

Interests

• theater
• yoga
• gardening
• garage sales
• hiking
• food
• climbing
• canyoning
• tramping
• mountain hiking
• abseiling

Music, Movies, and Books

Not a huge, huge music fan but I love to read. That being said I always get a kick out of live music and am a sucker for the saxophone and acoustic guitar.

I named my dog after Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird." My guilty pleasure reads are pulp horror from the 80's and pulp sci-fi from the 60s.

Favorite movie is Silence of the Lambs, I guess I have dark side.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I will have to think more on this one. I am from the Midwest of the US which makes me stereotypically very modest and reluctant to call anything I have done "amazing."

Teach, Learn, Share

I lived and worked just outside of Washington DC for 4 years and know the region pretty intimately. If anyone is looking to travel there or wants to know what life is like in the US capitol I am your gal. Contact me for pointers or travel planning.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I grew on a rural "lifestyle" farm in the United States. Many crazy anecdotes about learning to care for animals after we got them.

I am looking to volunteer as a way to give back and offset the carbon footprint of traveling. If you know of any great outdoor volunteering opportunities send them my way.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Barbados, Canada, Denmark, Fiji, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, United States