I am a biking, trail running, nordic, telemark and downhill ski enthusiast! I feel fortunate to have the good health to spend a part of each of my days doing one of these activities, which puts a big grin on my face -- bring on the endorphins!

I started bicycle touring in 1984, at the age of 19 (what a baby I was)--touring from Greece to London, then on to Iceland in 3 months with my biking buddy, Bill. We did three extensive bike tours in Europe, humping over the French, Italian and Swiss Alps with fully loaded panniers --a fact that I am quite proud of! I can still remember the great high I got when picnicking bystanders shouting me on and clapped as I neared the top of the Grand Saint Bernard pass. From my bicycle seat-- this is where I first fell in love with traveling, meeting the people of different cultures and getting a kind reception from the locals, some of whom we have built life-long friendships.

I also love to run. I have competed in (on my own term--middle of the pack gal) and finished the Park City Mountain Marathon, the Tucson Marathon and the Venice, Italy Marathon (twice). My favorite part of that race was the party that the Italians would throw in each town as the runners passed through- probably the only time I did not sample the wine.

Each of the past three winters, I have competed in World Loppet-nordic ski marathons (50 k--didn’t know I had it in me!) in the Italian Dolomites and German Bavaria. These races give me great pleasure and it is an inspiration to see the 70-80 year olds Euros out there in their race suits. The hot jager–tee and hot wine at the finish is also very good incentive!

I have a BFA in art from the University of Utah--specializing in ceramics and art history. I did my master’s thesis at Utah State University on 4th Century B.C., Greek transport amphorae. At that time I worked in many museums and art organizations throughout Utah and was fortunate to receive the Award for Museum Leadership from the Smithsonian Institute. In 1999 I received a grant from the Utah Arts Council to travel to Italy and study Etruscan ceramics with a girlfriend Susan from grad school. We traveled, husband free, through Tuscany, stopping at every archeological site and museum that we could find and picnicked in the countryside on bread, cheese and wine. I studied Italian in college and in Italy and I feel that I am semi-fluent, with an emphasis on getting my point across!

I lived the fantasy of being a potter/artist, but found it too demanding when my daughter, Paisley was born. I spent years snowshoeing from our log cabin with her in my backpack. I have tried to instill in her a love for outdoor activities and since she loves winter most, I think that I have done my job. These days she is my muse and she brings me incredible inspiration and joy, as I watch her embrace life with reckless abandon! My girlfriends use to call me the ‘traveling-haus-frau’, a good job if you can get it!

I don’t think that you can get a good perspective of yourself if you never step out of your comfort zone of home and go out into the world and do some traveling. Travel is what shapes our views of the bigger picture and gives us a better understanding of the human condition. As Americans, we can become so isolated in our thinking and it takes the understanding of travel to bring us back into the global fold. I was so clueless about different cultures before I traveled and I really think that it has shaped me as a person. My husband calls me an ‘Italo-phile’ and I can’t imagine not being Italian at least once or twice a year. I think I was an Etruscan in another life, because I have a real passion and love for Italy and feel most at home when I am there. I have introduced many of my girlfriends to Italy and it’s wonders. I believe that the beauty of the country is reflected in it’s people and one can’t help but leaving there changed somehow.