Clark and Jean: travel is our passion! All is takes is someone to say "let's go!" We love meeting new people, learning about other cultures, and better understanding the experience of being human in different parts of the world. Clark and Jean are both SCUBA and kayak instructors/guides, and spent many years traveling in the industry. Clark owned a whitewater rafting company; jean was a backpacking guide, kayak instructor, and coached college swimming and water polo. We love being on and around the water; spend as much time as possible at our lake cabin on Beaver Lake, in NW Arkansas. Laid back, easy going, love making new friends.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

You don't learn the depth of another culture by staying in hotels and resorts. Couchsurfing allows us to meet "real" people who live in and understand the culture in the country/region in which we are traveling. It is the way to truly learn and understand, not just to see.

We were on Couchsurfing, a few years ago when we lived in Las Vegas. Everyone goes to Vegas sooner or later, and we loved hosting there! We also met some great Couchsurfing hosts during a trip to Australia several years ago. We live in Arkansas now, a more rural state in the central part of the US. Not many people vacation or travel through, but we would love to share the beauties of Northwest Arkansas with Couchsurfers from around the world.

We think it is an amazing concept that opens the world up to those of us who don't have movie/rock star incomes. The more we interact with people from other cultures, the more we find common connections and reduce our fears.

Interests

Jean and Clark both: the outdoors! hiking, kayaking, power kiting, power boating, bicycling.
Jean: loves traveling most of all!; learning about new cultures; history, particularly Olympic and sport history; reading crime and detective novels (among favorite authors, Clive Cussler, JD Robb, John Patterson, john Grishom); walking alone in dramatic natural outdoor spaces; sharing with friends the experience of dramatic natural outdoor spaces.

• culture
• dining
• cooking
• fitness
• athlete
• coach
• instructor
• walking
• boating
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• kayaking
• whitewater rafting
• scuba diving
• sports
• water polo
• swimming
• teaching
• history
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Jean: all music. To work to - Classical, particularly Baroque; to dance to - 40's and 50's American and western swing music; to sing in the car and dance to - country western; for generally fun listening and dancing - old time rock and roll (from the 60's and 70's); to sip coffee or a cocktail to, and sway in my chair to - Chicago and New Orleans blues; throw in a bit of Leonard Cohen and other miscellaneous artists
Clark: many different kinds; oldies rock and roll (love Stevie Nix & Fleetwood Mac); country western for dancing

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Jean: How can a person point to only one thing from an eclectic and interesting life!? The highlight - I have had the opportunity to swim with dolphins in the wild at least half a dozen times, actually interacting with them in purposeful (them and me) ways! I wish I could be a dolphin, even for a day! Watching thousands of lightning bug (you may know them as fire flies?) blinking to light up the side of the hill behind our cabin on Beaver Lake, Arkansas. Any experience wherein Nature has revealed to me her innermost thoughts and secrets!!
Clark:

Teach, Learn, Share

Jean:
Teach: as a teacher by profession, I am well-informed on topics related to healthy lifestyles; inspire passion for travel; can help you practice your English
Learn: she is always up for learning new things ... anything!; i love to eat, so i always appreciate to learn about local foods and cuisine.
Share: Laughter.... ALWAYS laughter!!; passion for life and the outdoors, whenever possible; love for food and trying new foods, willing to share some of my own favorite cooking ideas (but i am a much more accomplished eater than chef)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Jean is a former internationally ranked athlete, coach, and personal trainer. She knows a lot about fitness and healthy lifestyles and tries to live it the way she teaches it! Always willing to talk about ways to live a long, fulfilling life; a positive attitude and lots of laughter!!; a love for life and sincere open mind for learning about your culture and sharing insights into mine.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, England, Germany, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin (French part), Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Venezuela, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, Spain, United States