As a native who grew up on the Front Range, my excursions west to places like Ouray, Grand Junction and Moab always left me totally enchanted. I've been all over the state but always looked forward to returning to these rivers, canyons and high peaks.

I've finally, recently moved to GJ after spending four years in South Texas. We are still moving everything in, so it will be a little while before we can accept guests. Sorry.

I'm nearly done with my undergrad and plan to transfer to MSU or WSU to finish in Biology or Anthropology. I've always been a little anthropologist at heart - known to frequent dive bars for the conversation and nursing homes to chat with elders at length.

I love the outdoors, and enjoy a wide variety of activities, but there's nothing better than just lacing up my boots and hitting the trail.

My background is in public safety, and I volunteered for search and rescue for several years in both Colorado and Texas. I plan on getting involved again here as soon as I can.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My life's passion is learning about people. What better way?

I've been a member for a while but life has prevented me from traveling or hosting until recently. A friend and long-time host highly recommended this community to me. I can't wait to get involved.

Interests

I plan to spend this summer traveling across Southwestern CO and beyond, primarily to visit historical and archaeological sites (ethically, respectfully, carefully and legally.)

• dogs
• wildlife
• gardening
• survival
• fishing
• hiking
• canoeing
• camping
• anthropology
• biology
• geology
• history
• volunteering
• archaeology

Music, Movies, and Books

I love great long-form journalism and I'm somewhat ashamed that I can't remember the last fiction book I read... does Calvin and Hobbes count? My head is buried in guidebooks, journal articles, textbooks, historical non-fiction and maps.

One lasting effect of my time in Texas was my country music conversion. As soon as I found the Texas/Red-Dirt/Outlaw Country radio station down there, I never turned back to pop country. I also love hip hop, rock, Motown and much more.

PBS is the best.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While volunteering at a coastal wildlife rehab in Texas, I helped release rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico. One of the most rewarding experiences of my life has been showing off the turtles to the crowd while carrying them down to the surf, seeing the wonder and excitement in the kids' eyes and then setting the turtles free to swim the ocean again.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd be incredibly grateful for anyone willing to take me along climbing, rafting, paddling, fly-fishing or mountain biking, and patient enough to help teach a beginner. Some of these things I've never tried, others I have the basics down but haven't practiced in years. I'm happy to belay all day, do the grunt work, clean up or do anything to help out. I also come with my own helmet/harness/basic hardware/PFD etc.

Personal stories and wisdom, family tales, local history and lore, trail and campsite recommendations always greatly appreciated!

I've been learning Spanish slowly for a long time and relish stumbling and laughing through winding conversations blended in English and Spanish. I love chatting with folks of any linguistic background learning English and helping however I can.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have plenty of stories about the past and constantly study area flora, fauna, geology and archaeology.

With advanced wilderness first aid training, navigation skills and familarity with quite a bit of the area I make a fairly decent adventure partner.

Always happy to cook, clean up, chip in, and do some heavy labor.