Travel is a certain method of banishing prejudices and biases from your mind. You find that people are people no matter where they live, whether they are rich or poor, black or white (purple?), professional or day laborer, straight or gay. They all have basic human needs that need to be met. But the scope of those needs can vary considerably from person to person.

I have a need to be connected to others, to share the stories of my life, to hear those of others, to partake of intimate conversations that bind us to one another as brothers and sisters in this globe which we all inhabit.
Couchsurfing gives the opportunity to do that in a way that embraces many cultures and gives a depth of understanding not found any other way.

I am easy going, patient, kind, open-minded and accepting of people from all walks of life. LGBT friendly. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of metropolitan areas and the peace, quiet and beauty of the lakes, forests and mountains.

I immensely enjoy travel (what would you expect of someone on a couchsurfing website?), music, camping, gardening, politics, good restaurants, etc.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I travel a great deal for my job and stay in hotels dozens of nights a year. Occasionally I would like to couchsurf, It breaks up the monotony of the nondescript four walls of a hotel room with a relaxing and delightful change of pace. I have traveled to all fifty states, most of them many times, most Canadian provinces and about 20 other countries. I have a bucket list that is much longer. LOL I enjoy the freedom found on nudist beaches and the formality of an opera or symphony concert.

After each stay I leave a reference. I've been hosted over 60 times, though some are no longer on CS and a few did not leave a reference. I've hosted others just four times--three didn't leave references. I answer every request, though I don't receive many since this is not a big tourist draw.

Interests

Travel, camping, hiking, golf, music, gardening, carpentry, politics, swimming, canoeing, architecture.

• architecture
• running
• gardening
• politics
• movies
• music
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• golf
• nudism
• travel
• nudist
• bicycling

Music, Movies, and Books

I prefer classical music. My favorite composers in no particular order are Chopin, Mozart, Tschaikovsky, Bach, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Handel, Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven.

I enjoy comedies, romantic comedies, historical movies, and some drama.

I've read so many books it's hard to pick a favorite. I enjoy biographies, history and politics especially.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I guess I don't view the events of my life as being that exceptional. I am an Eagle Scout. That seems to impress people, though it just seemed as though it was something I worked for little by little.

Oh, I guess one thing I did that not too many people do is build a small vacation home mostly by myself. I did the framing, most of the electrical work, paneled the walls, did the ceramic tile, etc. The concrete work and plumbing I hired out, but most of the other things I did myself.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach people about financial planning and hints about saving travel costs.

I can learn pretty much anything others are willing to teach.

I can share stories of travel, philosophy, my corny jokes.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share stories of my travel and life, share a good meal, a bottle of wine, a good massage, and just a relaxing good time.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States