Hi there, new friend! I’m Alex; nothing too exciting here, just your typical adventure seeker, Ecologist, storm chaser, music nerd, and foodie. Oh, and can’t forget jenga master. I was born in Virginia, raised in North Carolina, and have been a Midwesterner since college (Purdue). I’m a naturally curious kinda guy, always up for an adventure or simply chill and talk, and have a knack for turning the most mundane tasks and events in life into something exciting!

I work for the National Park Service and just moved to southern Nevada in April of this year (2019). Before I got here, I worked at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in 2018 & 2016, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 2017 and 2015 was spent in Kansas at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

Recently, I had my yearly 2 week furlough approved and that means I'm looking at traveling all over the 4-corners region and beyond looking to see sights I have yet to explore, meet new people along the way, and enjoy my vacation.

A but more about me, I’m most in my element when I am taking hikes on less traveled paths, people watching, and on road trips to random locations. Being out in nature gives me a sense of peace. I tend to spend a lot of time outdoors and can get cabin fever rather quickly.

We only get one shot at this thing called life (wasn’t there a Prince song that starts with a eulogy about celebrating life..or something oddly cool like that?) Anyway, we have one life; let’s make the best of it, yeah? :-)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I enjoy meeting new people, and when I visit a new place, it’s way better to hang out with the locals and get a true sense of their host city or where they call home. I’ve never been one to frequent the touristy sights and sounds in an area, unless you count family vacations and well, what kid has a say in those? Plus, staying in hotels are boring and often smell of old, worn out socks.

Interests

I seriously could not list all of my interests in this box. Isn't there a character limit?

• traveling
• music
• hiking
• food

Music, Movies, and Books

This again would take an incredible amount amount of time to figure out. If it tells a story, I'm into it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I talked to some Bison, and they listened! I was part of a bison cull event in 2015 to bring about 20 bison back to the park I worked at and when it came to the ones that where destined to our park, I was in charge of giving them their inoculations. I noticed that the other bison where flinching a lot when they got their shots, and thought, "wouldn't it be awesome if I could calm them somehow?" Sure enough, with some pats on their necks and gentle words, none of them even blinked with me.

It's fascinating how another other species can understand love.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can talk your ear off about nearly anything biology, travel, or music related and willing to learn all about what makes someone esle unique.

I read this somewhere, and can't recall the author - "Make friends with people who aren't your age. Hang out with people whose first language isn't yours. Get to know someone who doesn't come from your social class. This is how you see the world. This is how you grow." -How true is this?

Countries I’ve Visited

Mexico, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States