I currently walk northward on my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and it continues to be an incredibly challenging, yet deeply fulfilling, journey. This hike is a manifestation of how I approach life; I am extremely laid back, enjoy relaxing with friends, and maintain balance through reading, creating music, & meditation. Life is too short to remain sedentary, so I am constantly travelling.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

This journey is about creating friendships and experiencing the incredible beauty & vibrancy found in the wilderness. It is the people I meet & interact with that truly define the richness of life. This website is a conduit to form new friendships, provide a place for others to rest as they travel, and share interests and experiences.

Interests

Hiking is one of my great loves. It provides the opportunity to find solace in nature. I enjoy foraging for edible plants, composing music, writing, reading, and exploring through body & mind.

• writing
• beauty
• meditation
• flying
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• backpacking
• nursing

Music, Movies, and Books

I am drawn to alternative & indie bands, but will flow into classic rock & blues when the mood strikes me.

Lately I have sought out campy, B-horror movies. I enjoy cinema that doesn't take itself seriously. I am also a sci-fi geek. Anyone else ready for the Star Wars reboot?!?

Literature is exploration of the mind & spirit. I gravitate towards philosophers such as Camus, Sartre, and Thoreau. Too much existentialism can muddle the brain though, so I try to balance it out with lighter reading, such as the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A few months ago, while hiking on the AT in Pennsylvania, I rescued a fawn trapped in tall underbrush when it became wet & disoriented. I carried it out of the wilderness and began knocking on doors in a local town until I found a very kind woman who agreed to nurse it back to health & release it.

Teach, Learn, Share

During much of my adulthood, I lived the life of a military officer & aviator. This career provided me with the opportunity for extensive travel, from being shot at while flying in Iraq to handing out bags of rice to hungry villagers in Bangladesh. My recent retirement from that career allowed me to pursue the dream of thru-hiking the AT. So far, I have walked over 1,900 miles of this beautiful path, all of it as an "ultralight" backpacker & would love to share my insights & stories.

All of life is an opportunity to learn. Anyone kind enough to share their home with me is teaching & reinforcing the most valuable lessons of all, provide kindness & generosity to others.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am a traveler who will assist whenever I can and treat you, your loved ones, & your home with respect and gratitude. I am self-sufficient and love conversing with others about their lives & experiences.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, England, Ethiopia, France, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States