I grew up in Glastonbury, CT- a mix of suburbia and farmland. I spent my childhood playing in the woods and biking all around town with the many neighborhood friends I was lucky to have. My love for adventure was sparked from a young age. When exploring in the woods or along riverbanks, I would get very excited about discovering what I believed to be a ‘new and remote’ location. Realistically, I was no more than a half mile from civilization. But it was that feeling of wildness in those moments that had me craving more.

I went to undergrad at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and majored in Environmental Studies. It was here that I discovered my love for camping, mountains, and music. I also started my career in the restaurant industry during college. I spent several years as a bartender, server and manager before my calling to the outdoor field was heard. My first job in the industry was as an Outdoor Educator and Guide in Glacier National Park. I met life-long friends, hiked mountains I never dreamed I would, and did some amazing work with the local youth and visitors to the park. This experience solidified my decision to stay in this industry- it has so much to offer!

One of the most memorable outdoor adventures I’ve been on was a canoe camping trip in Maine along the Upper Penobscot River Corridor. It was one of the most remote wilderness experiences I have ever had. We saw more moose than people in the 5 days we were on the water. Another memorable experience was leading a group of 22 campers on a 4 day backpacking trip in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana. It was my first time leading a trip in the backcountry but I was lucky to have great friends and coworkers by my side. We laughed, we explored, we got a little lost, and we ate huckleberries until our mouths turned purple. The icing on the cake was watching our campers have a great time in nature.

What’s your favorite vacation destination?

Costa Rica! It was the first vacation I ever took myself on as an adult, it has a special place in my heart.

What’s your favorite hike?

Chief Mountain to Elizabeth Lake- Glacier National Park

After a few months of living and working in Glacier National Park, I went on a backpacking trip. It was during this leg of the trek where I truly fell in love with the Park. I gained a deeper connection and sense of place with this beautiful landscape.

Honorable mention goes to Sterling Pond in Stowe, Vermont. It was the first ‘proper’ hike I ever went on and it sparked joy in me. I knew it wasn’t going to be the last mountain I climbed.

What’s your favorite bike ride?

Going to the sun road- Glacier National Park

Favorite movie?

For the romantic in me- Brokeback Mountain

For the bada** in me- Kill Bill part II

Favorite book?

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Favorite song?

The audacity of this question, how can I pick?!?

A few that come to mind are: Shake the Frost by Tyler Childers & Show me the door by Billy Strings.

When did you first catch the travel bug?

After college- I knew there was something missing for me. I had a comfortable place to live with great friends around me. But I wanted something more. I wanted to chase the unknown and discover things about myself that I couldn’t by staying in the same place. I also have an innate desire to meet new people and I knew that this lifestyle would enable many new connections. This is the reason I decided to seek out the seasonal work path.

What are your hobbies?

I love to cook and am always hosting family dinners for friends, family, and newcomers alike. I enjoy hiking, camping under the stars, backpacking, and going on roadtrips. I also love to swim, go canoeing, see live music, and I dabble in sewing.