Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
Building. Kids
My next destination:
Mexico View all
Description
Hi, My name is Tom, I'm 66 years old. I live in Ely, Minnesota 10 miles from the canadian border, a place where people come from all over the world to paddle in the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness). I have been a workawayer and volunteer for the last dozen years in Mexico, NZ, Australia, Portugal, Spain and the Caribbean. I became a WA host four years ago with the idea of hosting people to help build/design four cabins in four years. I recently retired from my two small businesses. #1 cabindreamweaver.com (Building cabin/houses off grid or on) and a graphic design business #2 Lure North Inc. (marketing and logo design) And I also am a wilderness canoe/fishing guide in the summer.
I love KIds and meeting new people. I have lived with out water and/or electricity often over the last 40 years, and have built dozens of homes, cabins in the woods of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. I am an artist at heart , and like to design living spaces with people, and also love to help people with there building ideas.
Interests
Art & design
Yoga / Wellness
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Languages
Some knowledge of:
Being an elderly companion
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Animal Care
Art Projects
More details about your skills
Building, carpentry, Graphic Design, child care, Painting, basic cooking, cleaning, maintenance.
Age
67
What else ...
I am a nice, trustworthy Gentleman. I have years of experience working with people as a graphic designer and builder. I am easy and comfortable with people and different situations. I can't do 8 hours of hard physical labor as in my youth because of some past injuries, but can still generally get the job done.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Shell fishSpecial dietary requirements
Feedback
28 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Create gardens and a tiny ...)
What a Great 8 days I had with Kirsten and her fabulous family (pets included). I felt part of the family almost immediately and right at home living in their TinyHouse build. I really enjoyed the autonomy she allowed me and the inclusiveness she and her family showed me. Come visit me, I would love to take you for a paddling/camping trip in BWCA.… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Feb 2025
Left by host (Create gardens and a tiny ...) for Workawayer ()
Needless to say, Tom is one of our FAVORITE Workawayers! He was such a pleasure to have as a temporary family member. Great with the kids, super knowledgeable about building, and he was very understanding about my crazy work schedule. I trusted him completely around my children, he was so kind and willing to engage with them in productive ways. He… read more
(Excellent
)
31 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Creative Hub & Maker's Lab ...)
I spent nearly a month there. Being an older American gentleman from the US, I was a bit apprehensive about language, cultural and generational challenges. But after a few weeks those barriers seem to melt away, allowing deeper relationships to form. Another month there would have been optimal.
The daily sharing of dinner was wonderful! Mucho… read more
The daily sharing of dinner was wonderful! Mucho… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Mar 2023
Left by host (Beautiful organic farm and ...) for Workawayer ()
Tom is a very reliable person, honest and fun to have him around. His craftmen skills are outstanding and we are so thankful that he did lead and take care of our project building a new storage house. We can totally recommend Tom.
(Excellent
)
1 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Beautiful organic farm and ...)
What Warm and Gracious hosts are Christina and Karsten. Always making sure that I was comfortable and had what I needed. What wonderful memories I will have of the Breathtaking views, the warm greetings from the animals and the (child like) laugh of the Petrels(birds). A very healing and relaxing time I had, except for my minor back issues. Muchas… read more
(Excellent
)
Photos
Friends
Feedback
28 Feb 2025
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Create gardens and a tiny ...)
What a Great 8 days I had with Kirsten and her fabulous family (pets included). I felt part of the family almost immediately and right at home living in their TinyHouse build. I really enjoyed the autonomy she allowed me and the inclusiveness she and her family showed me. Come visit me, I would love to take you for a paddling/camping trip in BWCA.… read more
(Excellent)
27 Feb 2025
Left by host (Create gardens and a tiny ...) for Workawayer ()
Needless to say, Tom is one of our FAVORITE Workawayers! He was such a pleasure to have as a temporary family member. Great with the kids, super knowledgeable about building, and he was very understanding about my crazy work schedule. I trusted him completely around my children, he was so kind and willing to engage with them in productive ways. He… read more
(Excellent)
31 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Creative Hub & Maker's Lab ...)
I spent nearly a month there. Being an older American gentleman from the US, I was a bit apprehensive about language, cultural and generational challenges. But after a few weeks those barriers seem to melt away, allowing deeper relationships to form. Another month there would have been optimal.
The daily sharing of dinner was wonderful! Mucho… read more
The daily sharing of dinner was wonderful! Mucho… read more
(Excellent)
2 Mar 2023
Left by host (Beautiful organic farm and ...) for Workawayer ()
Tom is a very reliable person, honest and fun to have him around. His craftmen skills are outstanding and we are so thankful that he did lead and take care of our project building a new storage house. We can totally recommend Tom.
(Excellent)
1 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Beautiful organic farm and ...)
What Warm and Gracious hosts are Christina and Karsten. Always making sure that I was comfortable and had what I needed. What wonderful memories I will have of the Breathtaking views, the warm greetings from the animals and the (child like) laugh of the Petrels(birds). A very healing and relaxing time I had, except for my minor back issues. Muchas… read more
(Excellent)
3 Mar 2022
Left by host (Looking for construction and ...) for Workawayer ()
What a soul! We knew Thomas would bring lots of skills and experience with him. We knew we would be learning from him. And he sure delivered. But what surprised us was how well Thomas fit in. He was well-liked by everyone. He was a peer and a mentor and everyone knew Thomas was rooting for each of us to succeed. I have a feeling that more than a… read more
(Excellent)
21 Feb 2022
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Looking for construction and ...)
Incredible! I’ve done several WorkAway gigs and multiple trips abroad volunteering. Corina and Ryan were, hands down the most organized, thoughtful and cheerful hosts I’ve have had the honor of working with, and recreating with. It didn’t take long for me to feel a sense of community and purpose to take hold. I got to enjoy meeting wonderful,… read more
(Excellent)
5 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Learn about art and ...)
Thank you Lindsey and AJ for hosting me and the intro to bagging and wonderdomes. Can’t wait to see your finished dome abode. Cheers and good luck. Tom.
(Very good)
5 Mar 2019
Left by host (Learn about art and ...) for Workawayer ()
Tom stayed a couple nights at my spot and helped us with an earthbag project. He was hard-working and a great help! He’s a very self-sufficient capable person with a big heart. Thanks Tom! Hope to see you again!
(Excellent)
9 Mar 2017
Left by host (Join us at a vegan animal ...) for Workawayer ()
If you get the chance to host Tom go for it. We have progressed a lot in the 10 days he has been here. His warmth and humour make him an easy person to work and live with and his knowledge and skills have boosted us forward in our project. Thanks Tom for all your help it is much appreciated. The kitchen looks great and we are excited about the… read more
(Excellent)
8 Mar 2017
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Join us at a vegan animal ...)
Thank you Annie, Adam and All your critters for your warmth and hospitality. Cheers. Tom
(Excellent)
13 Apr 2016
Left by host for Workawayer ()
We all loved having Tom stay. He was so easy to live with and so very, very helpful, supportive and just plain good company. Come visit again and we will hopefully come see you too one day.
(Excellent)
12 Apr 2016
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help out with gardening and ...)
Fantastic! Kate, David and the Girls were Fabulous. They were all very accomadating and made me feel at home and a part of the Family. It was the perfect end to my 3 month WA adventure. Thanks again for your warmth and Hospitality.
Come visit me someday
Come visit me someday
(Excellent)
4 Apr 2016
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help out with Waterfront ...)
Thank you Natalija. Truly a joy to co-create with abandon and humor. Natalija has a real gift for interior design, color and up cycling. Laughing was the order of the day(mostly) when working on projects through out the day. Walking on the beach, Evening dinners and a Great! Paraglide ride were wonderful. Alex (their 3 year old son) was a true… read more
(Excellent)
3 Apr 2016
Left by host for Workawayer ()
I still cannot get over the fact, that Thomas is not with us here anymore - he needed to start moving back home. I so wish his home would be here, somewhere near. He became much more than just a helper: a friend and a family. it was very hard for me to separate.
He is a truly amazing person: full of good humour, very wise, always in good mood… read more
He is a truly amazing person: full of good humour, very wise, always in good mood… read more
(Excellent)
28 Jan 2016
Left by host for Workawayer ()
Thomas spent a couple of weeks at our house working on outdoor projects. He built an amazing chicken coop out of pallets as well as some outdoor stairs. He took pride in his work and produced outstanding quality. He also spent time playing with our daughter and had a natural way with kids. He even learned how to sing Incy Wincy Spider - well most… read more
(Excellent)
27 Jan 2016
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Relaxed beachside lifestyle ...)
Thank you Matt, Jessie and Ella for making me feel part of the family. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and your hospitality very much. I hope the chicken coop I built will finnaly induce an egg or two from your girls. Please come visit me some day.
(Excellent)
21 Mar 2014
Left by host (Help with walking 2 big dogs ...) for Workawayer ()
Tom was our first workawayer and he was such a great start into this
experience of working with volunteers, and such a treat.
Not only was he able to help us with the construction project we had in
mind for him - he renovated a bathroom for us. He did a really great job,
was willing to incorporate our wishes and ideas, and was really… read more
experience of working with volunteers, and such a treat.
Not only was he able to help us with the construction project we had in
mind for him - he renovated a bathroom for us. He did a really great job,
was willing to incorporate our wishes and ideas, and was really… read more
(Excellent)
21 Mar 2014
Left by Workawayer () for host
(Help with walking 2 big dogs ...)
My hosts were gracious, thankful, accommodating and all together wonderful. Thank you so much Ulla and Anetta and everyone there for your warmth and hospitality. Forever Friends. Tom
(Excellent)
