Graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, (major: Biology, minor: Cultural Anthro). Spent most of the 70’s living and working in remote locales for different agencies in AK in the Yukon-Kuskowim Delta, Mt. McKinley NP (now Denali NP), Gates of the Arctic NP. The work involved the vascular flora, migratory and endemic birds. 

In the 80’s, was married. 

In the early 90’s, returned to AK on a birding-centric 3-day raft then 6-day backpack trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (very northeast corner of AK). I knew I had to return to AK.

Beginning the next season (and for a total of thirteen), worked in Denali NP as a naturalist/tour driver, giving an eight-hour narrated tour, while driving a 52-passenger bus, and safely navigating the narrow, dirt, precarious, and sometimes mountain road which bisects the heart of the wilderness in this incredible 6 million acre NP. (Yikes! Responsible for the safety of 52+1 souls!

Traveled to every continent except Antarctica. 

Former marathon runner (40). Ridiculous, but it was my forte, including three ultras (31 mi); nothing really silly like 50 or 100 milers.

Great memories of epic backpack trips: rugged, snow-capped, picturesque Mt. Kenya, with its giant alpine plants one of which looks like a 4-foot Thing, from the Munsters; another in the daisy family looks like an eight foot multi-stemmed globe artichoke; John Muir Trail (solo); many two weeks in length in the high country in Yosemite NP (also solo); many backpacking and day-hiking in Denali NP;  never-to-forget the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (raft/backpack trip from the Kongakut River to the Arctic Ocean; saw 25,000 caribou & 25 musk oxen) and cemented two lifelong friendships. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our 50th!