I'm a 52-year-old married man with two lovely daughters and two large and hairy dogs. My wife is a choral music teacher. My interests include rock-climbing, track & field, backpacking, organic gardening, and study of all the natural sciences. I've lived in Arizona, Alaska, Montana and Washington. I am not currently interested in hosting, but I am happy to share knowledge and meet with any travelers who want to get to know the incredible mountains of the North Cascades in Washington state.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I just joined this site on 11/24/14. I'm not yet ready to be a host to travelers. I signed up because I am planning a trip to Iceland in June 2015. I'll be traveling with my oldest daughter, who is 24. I think meeting people and staying with them will be more fun than staying at a hotel. We are interested in getting to know people in Iceland, as well as seeing the country.

Interests

I've mentioned some of them already. I like outdoor sports of all kinds. I'm an old guy, but still a competitive runner. In the past decade, I've tried to learn as much as I can about growing my own food and living sustainably. My daughter and I are both readers, and are curious about many things. We love music, books, and good coffee. I'm a writer--primarily of personal essays with an environmental slant. My website, markrozema.com, has links to some of my published work.

• dogs
• culture
• writing
• books
• literature
• dining
• coffee
• gardening
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• sports
• boxing
• rock climbing
• track and field
• teaching
• geography
• geology
• history
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy music of many genres. In particular, I'm a fan of blues, jazz, and soul. I grew up with the music of the Stones, Janis Joplin, Little Feat, and other classic rock bands. Being married to a choir director, I also love good choral music, some classical music, and good acoustic music. I like voices without autotune, and music played on instruments rather than on computers. Lately, I've been enjoying some Icelandic music, especially from the group Arstidir. There are too many good books to choose from. It's hard to make a list. These days, I read a lot of nonfiction that teaches me about the natural world. I like adventure stories. In the spirit of my upcoming trip, I'm reading Haldor Laxness, Arnaldur Indridason, and the Sagas. I'll pick just one movie. I love the American movie "Big Night." It's about great Italian food, brothers fighting and then reconciling, and the meaning of success. It is touching and funny as hell.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm not sure what to put in this box. I've had some adventures, mostly involving working and playing in the outdoors. I suppose it is amazing I'm alive, considering the nature of one or two of those adventures--but my good fortune may be due more to luck than any particularly amazing skill. I married well. My daughters are amazing, and I guess I played a role in their existence--but I don't take credit for how well they turned out.

Teach, Learn, Share

While in Iceland, my daughter and I would of course enjoy learning about the culture, history, geography, geology, literature, and music. In turn, if people are interested, I can share some of my knowledge of and experiences in the American places I know best: the southwestern deserts, the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, and Alaska.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good company and conversation. Humor. Kindness. Helpfulness. Hosts should feel free to let me know what is expected, so that my stay in your home is a pleasure rather than a burden. If you come to Seattle, I may not be able to host you at my home, but I can show you around--especially if you are interested in hiking, climbing, or other forms of outdoor adventure.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States