Cathy

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Traveling through Alaska for the summer and fall. Open to staying through the winter. Interested in opportunities involving off-grid living, wilderness access, animal care, etc.

Description

Recently retired and ready for adventures! Passionate about wilderness, off-grid living, animals of all sorts, gardening, art, photography, yoga, writing. I'm eager to share my life experiences, stories and skills and I look forward to making new friends, seeing new places, and learning things in this new phase of life.

I have a very diverse background. Semi-retired university science professor/researcher with prior experience as a construction laborer, wildland firefighter, and bicycle mechanic. I was a caretaker at an off-grid mountain cabin for 3 winter seasons so lots of experience with chopping wood, hauling water, and figuring out how to do things with the materials at hand. I lived in an intentional community for 3 years and believe deeply in the principles of community and cooperativity. Decades of experience in technical rock climbing and off-trail backpacking make me comfortable outdoors in all weather and add tools to my problem solving arsenal (for example, tying good knots). I'm pretty good at gardening, photography, writing, and dog training. Decent cook with preference for vegetables and international flavors. Like to make my own bread and yogurt. Comfortable with hand tools and small power tools. A little bit of experience with chainsaws and horseback riding.

Most interested in positions in remote areas with access to wilderness so I can hike, explore and do photography in my time off. I seek peace and quiet, mindfulness, harmony with nature. I'm game to help with general farm chores, gardening, animal care, small construction projects, landscaping, maintenance, and creative projects. I enjoy cooking and would love to take turns. I'm keen to learn more about horses, beekeeping, organic gardening, cattle, sheep, off-grid systems, organic soil ammendments, herbs, soap making, canning, sewing.

Things that aren't a good match: I have a bad ankle. I can get around just fine and I hike a lot, but I can't run or jump. I'm happy to lift and carry 50-60 lbs a few times but I'm not the right person to do that all day long. I clean up after myself of course and I'm happy to help keep common areas clean (sweep the floor, clean the bathroom) but I'm not the right person for tasks like changing guest rooms in a lodge.

Strong preference for quiet locations with time for hiking, writing, photography, yoga. I enjoy swapping stories over dinner or by the fire but very comfortable by myself too.

Interests

LGBTQ

Sustainability

Water sports

Yoga / Wellness

Van life

Vegetarian or vegan

Winter sports

Writing

Self development

Nature

Outdoor activities

Pets

Photography

Plant care

Music

Mountain

Languages

Farming

Fitness

Gardening

Hiking

Drawing & painting

DIY & crafts

Cycling

Books

Camping

Carpentry

Cooking & food

Art & design

Animals

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I'm eager to improve my Spanish and happy to teach English.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Life at a Farmstay

Eco Projects

Animal Care

Art Projects

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Teaching

Languages

More details about your skills

- gardening, landscaping
- basic construction skills - framing, electric, plumbing, tile, drywall, painting, creative problem solving
- capable with hand and power tools
- animal care (currently dogs, cats, saltwater aquarium, looking forward to hanging with farm animals)
- dog training
- computer skills
- writing
- photography
- bike repair
- backpacking, camping, rock climbing, canoeing, wilderness navigation
- cooking
- patch clamp electrophysiology, ion channel biophysics, molecular biology, confocal microscopy, teaching cardiac physiology, data analysis, manuscript writing, grant writing (My scientific life! not directly transferable to wilderness settings but it always helps to be organized and able to troubleshoot!)

Age

62

What else ...

I'll be traveling with my amazing border collie Gani. She's likely the best trained dog you've ever met. Good with other (non-aggressive) dogs, cats, heck even children. Will not chase wildlife or livestock, although she's trained to bark at bears :). Responds to being asked nicely to stay out of the garden, take a bath, and even shake the water off before coming inside. Gani is a big fan of fetch using any available object (ball, stick, pinecone).

I will have my own vehicle (4WD Toyota Tacoma) so I don't need to be picked up or driven anywhere. I can camp comfortably in the back if needed -- just need outhouse privileges and the occasional shower and laundry :)

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  Mild lactose intolerance. I'll eat anything on occasion but prefer vegetables, poultry, and fish with little to no red meat. Comfortable with vegetarian/vegan meals but don't require them. I like to drink beer or wine at times but fine without.