CURRENT MISSION

Travels in Indonesia!

ABOUT ME

I've spent the last few years working and playing outdoors in Fairbanks, Alaska, then moving back to my home state of Colorado to work as a Botanist/Ecologist.

PHILOSOPHY

I define myself through the natural world and through an ecological lens. I try my best to live a mindful and present life, to live with love and empathy, to bring something of joy and kindness to the people around me. I try to live a balanced life, yet in my practice balance is best taken only in moderation :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have met so many wonderful friends through couchsurfing! Across the US, from Oklahoma and North Carolina to Seattle, Fairbanks, and at couchsurfing groups at home in Colorado. I love to learn how much I have in common with strangers and to see how quickly we become friends. I have a month-long trip in Indonesia, and I am looking forward to meeting locals and exploring some more rural areas of the islands.

Interests

Nature, hiking, backpacking, backcountry living skills, wild edible plants, music, cooking, poetry, reading, meditation, permaculture, singing while cooking, meeting new and interesting people, challenging myself with new experiences

• animals
• poetry
• singing
• education
• cooking
• baking
• meditation
• gardening
• reading
• woodworking
• music
• hiking
• backpacking
• skiing
• ecology
• teaching
• plants
• botany
• wilderness skills

Music, Movies, and Books

Poetry, Woods Woman, Into the Wild, The Last Frontiersman, A Sand County Almanac, Like Water for Chocolate, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Hatchet, Last Standing Woman

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I studied Tropical Ecology and Conservation during a semester abroad in Monteverde, Costa Rica in Fall 2010. This trip was challenging academically (I was conducting research for an honors thesis), yet so enjoyable and rewarding, especially the month I spent living with my homestay family. I learned much from them in the way of generosity, gratitude, respect, education, ecological values, farming, and building community.

Teach, Learn, Share

What I can share: some "primitive" backcountry skills, knowledge of some edible/medicinal wild plants, a love for nature, knowledge of ecology, plant identification, all kinds of cooking and baking.

What I'd love to learn!:
In Indonesia I would love to learn about the wild plants, especially the wild edible and medicinal ones. Would love to learn some traditional gardening and building techniques as well.

In general, I'm interested in cabin and yurt building, gardening and permaculture, raising chikens and goats, and I love to talk to wanderers about home on the road. Always willing to gain skills in woodworking, axe-wielding, animal-skinning, hide-tanning.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Bad ukulele playing! But a good singing voice. I can recommend good books and movies. And I have a vast knowledge of wild plant species, and a pretty good background in wilderness survival skills.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States