I'm a fiction writer and a journalist. I grew up in the midwestern U.S., lived out on the West Coast -- Portland, Boise and San Francisco -- for several years, and am now staying warm in Minnesota, where my wife was born and raised. I love reading, hiking, basketball, food, conversing over a beer, and talking about running -- though actually running is a different story.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I started couchsurfing in college, mainly as a surfer. Now I'm not quite as active, but I do host surfers periodically and I attend local couchsurfing events. I've couchsurfed along Route 66 and through California, in Europe, and in other random parts of the U.S. When my wife and I are not traveling, we love to host.

Interests

I love a good road trip. Coffee is good, and coffee shops are excellent. I love to try any new beer. I try to write and read a lot. I like meeting new people. I love my energetic, loving puppy. I get a grandmotherly satisfaction from feeding people, too.

• writing
• dancing
• folk dancing
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• coffee
• running
• reading
• traveling
• hiking
• basketball
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

This is an endlessly long conversation we can have sometime.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

This is very hard to answer under pressure. Getting bluff charged by a mama bear wasn't necessarily "amazing" but it was exhilarating once I realized I wouldn't die. A lot of things I saw in Alaska qualify as "amazing." Folk dancing in Bruges, Belgium on the hottest day of the year was a rewarding experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a little bit about a lot of things and a lot about only a few things. I can maybe teach a little cooking. Maybe teach a little writing. I'll try to make you laugh. It may not work, but I'll try.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States