CURRENT MISSION

Travel around with my dog while I study natural history wherever I happen to be wandering.

ABOUT ME

I'm a photographer/writer/naturalist currently splitting my time between a home base in Ontario, an old house that I'm restoring in Nova Scotia, and winters in the southwest U.S. (mainly Arizona). My husband and I were very active hikers and canoeists. He died about four years ago after battling cancer for a year. Since then, I've spent winters traveling, camping and living in the southwest U.S. From spring through autumn, I'm in Ontario and also Nova Scotia where I'm currently trying to rescue a very old but formerly distinguished house that has been unoccupied for over a decade (in other words, it's quite a wreck!). Despite its many shortcomings, its a wonderful place surrounded by trees and a stream. When traveling, I like to spend time by rivers and the ocean, but also love the desert very much. I share my life and home a large Collie dogs (the "Lassie" type collie). I will be at my Nova Scotia house from around May to September 2013, so travelers to the Annapolis Valley area may touch base with me there.

PHILOSOPHY

Live in the moment -- that's really all we can count on.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Although I have a summer place in Nova Scotia, it's not really up to scratch for hosting people (embarrassingly so). Very primitive - no running water, it has composting toilet, etc... Two summers ago, I did host a CSer looking for a place to pitch a tent, and just recently hosted someone in a very modest guest room that I have fixed up. Can probably manage something similar this summer for a person(s) who is okay with really roughing it - maybe tent or car camping, or possibly a room in the house. Whatever, you must like dogs as there is a large one living here. If interested, message me and we'll figure out if a visit could work. I do like a couple of days notice if someone wants to visit. Otherwise, I am a reasonably good resource for info on the area. Message me if you would like info on travel in this part of Nova Scotia and I may be able to help.
Note: DOG FRIENDLY - I may be able to host those who are traveling with a *friendly* dog or two - especially if you are self-contained. My yard is mostly fenced and fairly safe for dogs.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

One CSer camped here in 2010. I hosted another surfer in my house in 2011. Also met with and assisted a couchsurfer traveler to find a wwoofing position on a local organic farm. I travel a lot, but usually camp in remote areas, so have not stayed with any other CSers. Before the days of Couchsurfing.org, my husbsnd and I did host email friends from Europe and the U.S. I still do meet up with email and blogger friends and host them at my place.

Interests

Nature, Photography, Biology, Art, Literature, Archaeology, Architecture.

• dogs
• insects
• arts
• writing
• literature
• architecture
• photography
• running
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• camping
• art history
• biology
• geology
• history
• lakes
• rivers

Music, Movies, and Books

I play fiddle - mostly celtic or old time tunes.
Mostly books having to do with natural history. Most of what I read are field guides on flora and fauna. I don't listen to much music but do play several musical instruments -- just started learning to play the fiddle this winter. I like being outdoors listening to sounds in the natural world and appreciate others who like the same things.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Much of what I see through my camera lens are the most amazing stuff I've ever seen -- caterpillars molting, spiders building egg cases, dragonflies eating other insects. A lot of the geology of the PNW and southwest states blows me away.

Teach, Learn, Share

Enjoy playing music with others.
I can teach people about nature - flora and fauna and species biodiversity. I know a lot about invertebrates, especially insects. I'm a photographer who does a lot of work with macro photography of insects and spiders. Although I'm not involved in farming now, I used to keep a herd of dairy goats. I also used spin and dyes wool and other fibres. I have degrees in English and Art History and know quite a bit about architecture. I've built my own cordwood (stackwall buildings). I have canoed for about 20 years - flatwater paddling on lakes and rivers. I enjoy sharing the things that I know about the natural world and also like to learn from others who spend time outdoors in nature.

Countries I’ve Visited

United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada

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