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Overview

  • 3 references 2 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning French, German
  • 55, Male
  • Member since 2015
  • Independent Consultant, Environmental/Historic Preservati...
  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies, and Law Degree
  • From Toledo, OH, USA
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

I'm 47 years old, returning to life after over a decade of relative seclusion.

I am an avid Bernie supporter here in Toledo. If you are a friend of Bernie, then you're a friend of mine, and are welcome in my home any time.

I cannot offer much, as I am disabled and low income. However, I am happy to share what I have, including my humble abode. Any Bernie volunteers in need of a couch, a meal, and/or transportation?

I have an SUV in which I can transport up to four people, so if transport is needed around the area for canvassing feel free to call on me. I worked for Citizen Action years ago, have managed issue campaigns, ran for local public office a few times both as a Green and an independent, and managed the Ohio Sierra Club office in Columbus.

I am very familiar with both the political process, the geography of the region, and how to get people to where they need to go. So if I can help?

As I mentioned, I've been out of politics and public activism for just over a decade. First I was attending law school ('99-2003), then shortly after graduating I was shot (Dec. 26th, 2004) 3x at close range by a would-be robber who left me to die. I was revived, and survived, but left partially paralyzed, had to undergo several surgeries, and left struggling with PTSD and memory issues. Recovery has been a long, slow, arduous process. I admit there were days I wished I had not survived. But life is a blessing, and I've the gift of a second chance. I hope to truly live.

I took my first steps out from self-imposed isolation to support and participate locally in the Occupy movement. I slept on the ground outside for much of October to support a growing political awareness by the youth in our nation. And I challenged the local Democratic Party establishment, including so-called "progressives", who sought to stifle free speech. That resulted in my wrongful arrest and prosecution for merely daring to hold a small sign displaying the First Amendment.

I fear that Democracy is dying in America. Corporate control, oligarchy, has reached into every part of our society. Money corrupts and permeates every level of elected government. I was truly excited by the Occupy movement as a visible effort to save our Democracy, as is Black Lives Matter more recently. I see the movement lead by Bernie Sanders, and focused now on electing him as president, as the single greatest opportunity to bring together the people for real change. I want to do what I can to support this movement.

Right now, what I can offer is to share my home with anyone working and/or volunteering to get Bernie elected. A couch, a few spots for a sleeping bag, a spare bed in the attic ... nothing fancy.

And I can assist with transporting people for door-to-door canvassing, something I have a lot of experience with, or to events.

Please pass this along.

Peace,
Rick

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To offer to share what I have with those willing to do the same.

Interests

In addition to electing Bernie Sanders president, I'm a historian, collector, explorer, wanderer, and hands-on restorer of all things old, antique, forgotten, neglected, unique, wild or natural.

I am writing a book series on historic canals, and wish to visit and hike / canoe every historic canal. So far, I've visited much of the Miami & Erie Canal, bits of the Ohio & Erie Canal, and hiked the length of the Milan Canal, all here in Ohio. I've seen a bit of the Erie Canal, and dream of traveling it's full length across New York State.

My latest obsession is finding and rescuing rare, antique, vintage and sometimes abandoned "travel trailers", also known as "caravans" (mostly in Europe), and more colloquially as "campers". I rescued a vintage 1946-8 Schult travel trailer from a hill top north of Syracuse, New York, overlooking Lake Ontario. It had to be be towed home to Toledo, Ohio, balanced on a too-small flatbed at 25 mph. Twas a long drive!

Just recently I rescued a rare 1939 travel trailer from yet another hill top in New York, this time in the Catskills. It's identity has yet to be confirmed, but it's origin is Flint, Michigan. It may be an early Palace Travel Coach.

In early July, I'll be traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to pick up a 37' long 1952 Stewart Travel Trailer. It will be the longest I've towed to date!

And later this summer, I'll be driving cross country to California to pick up a 1946 National Travel Trailer. This masonite exterior will need plenty of restoration. But first I have to get it home. I'd appreciate any opportunity to couch-surf along the way there and back, and hope to make the journey be as much the adventure as getting the trailer itself.

  • writing
  • books
  • cooking
  • coach
  • partying
  • clubbing
  • politics
  • traveling
  • restoration
  • hiking
  • canoeing
  • geography
  • history
  • law
  • volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Classic rock, '80s music, some classical, also a Neil Diamond fan!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I survived being shot three times at close range, and have recovered, to the extent possible, re-learning how to walk and function normally in basic ways. Along the way, I've hopefully gained both humility and some measure of wisdom.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook some. Enough to keep myself fed, at least.

And I am pretty handle with home repairs of all kinds and happy to help.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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