I co-own a sustainable "green" design & build company in CT with my husband and we create living spaces/homes that are better for the planet (use less energy/lower carbon footprint) and also, better for the people who live in them -- healthier, more comfortable, durable, and resilient. In addition to building, I am passionate about spreading the word and inspiring others to demand better buildings and homes.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Our first experience in less-than-conventional travel occurred about twenty years ago, when thanks to the internet (sounds ridiculous, but true), we stayed with a woman in Barbados who had a little cottage behind her house. From that time on, we realized that staying in hotels and the like, was too sterile for us. Fast forward, we have stayed in many hostels and Air BnB's since then, and have really come to appreciate that it is the people we meet along the way that make for the most rewarding and rich experiences. My 20-something daughter introduced me to couchsurfing and after listening to her experiences, I thought it sounded like a community I'd like to be a part of. Currently, our house is listed for sale so hosting would be a challenge, but I look forward to being able to share our space when we land with permanence.

Interests

Cycling, Gardening, Reading -- books, fiction & non-fiction, Sunday Times, NPR, Food Adventure/Cooking, Craft Beer (husband is a great brewer), Meditation, Kirtan, Meandering.

• dogs
• organic food
• meditation
• food
• craft beer
• hostel
• green living
• green energy
• kirtan
• road cycling
• urban gardening
• reading and writing

Music, Movies, and Books

To try and narrow down what I'm into would be pointless, because I appreciate such a wide range of The Big Three.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

A 3-day bike trip on the central Coast of California. It was definitely a push for me to scale the longest hills I have climbed on a bike but I really enjoyed the challenge of it. And I will never forget the beauty of experiencing the landscape over the handlebars of a bike.

Teach, Learn, Share

Share my travel & local food adventures which means any/all food/drink I buy along the way....Teach the possibility of living in homes for the 21st century passive -- made zero energy by renewable energy, healthier & more comfortable all-year round thanks, more resilient (able to shelter in place), thanks to the passive house building standard (my favorite!). Know a lot about gardens & plants - perennials & vegetable but looking to learn about permaculture and sustainable landscaping.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Conversation & curiosity, food or drink I discover on my travels -- always on the look-out!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Honduras, Iceland, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Switzerland, Virgin Islands, British