CURRENT MISSION

Adventure and Exploration; One of the most rewarding aspects of life is experiencing and learning about people from many different regions within the US and around the world.

ABOUT ME

My husband Michael and I have been together for about 12 years and married in 2009 when it became legal in Iowa. We travel together two or three long driving trips across the US and one out of country trip a year. When home we are actively involved in community; serving on boards of gay and non-gay organizations. Michael paints but my volunteerism is more extensive. Michael runs about every day and I bicycle (20 times across Iowa by bike); we both do gym and both enjoy yard and home projects. Also, we enjoy hiking and backpacking. We consider this the absolutely best time of our lives.

We are a gay couple but open to non-gay as well as gay guests. We are open minded and accept all.

PHILOSOPHY

Live life fully. Find and experience those things that are interesting, fun and rewarding. I know who I am by involvement in those experiences and knowing others who live different from me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My husband, Michael, and I have very much enjoyed meeting people and making friends by staying with a number of others and received many guests in our home.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
Note: we will be away from home traveling January to mid March 2019.

The many different hosts that we have experienced have all been great experiences as have been the times hosting. An important part of travel is meeting people. What better way for that to happen than CS. For at least 15 years I have been a very active member of hospitality exchange groups through which I have both received many guests and appreciated many hosts in the United States as well as around the world.

Interests

Prime interest is exploring various regions of the USA and a range of other cultures around the world. When not traveling we are involved in a variety of community organizations, work on our home and gardens, enjoy entertaining in our home, and attend our local symphony and theater. Most days include some physical fitness time.

• theater
• fitness
• traveling
• socializing
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking

Music, Movies, and Books

Watching Netflix is the usual evening activity when not traveling, in a meeting or other activities. Foreign movies, those form a different time and culture or providing a particular social or political perspective are favorites. Classical music is our usual we and seek a range in books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Experiencing cultures and meeting people in many areas of the world, riding my bicycle 500 miles across Iowa 20 times and most recently initiated a program to address issues of older LGBT individuals. Have visited 60 different countries-so far.

Teach, Learn, Share

I think that about everyone has experience from which others can learn.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam