Cheers & Happy Trails!

From the Gulf Coast to the mountains of Appalachia... The outdoors has always been a huge factor in my daily life. My story started on an 81-acre farm in a small town in southern Louisiana climbing trees and riding four-wheelers, born to two people who had a love for everything outside and who had no problem passing that love off to me. My dads affinity for water and my moms affinity for the mountains granted me access to the world through all of the seasons. Summers and Winters spent paddling, surfing or fishing; Springs and Falls spent camping, climbing or hiking somewhere. The decision to move to the Western North Carolina area in 2017 where I pursued my degree at Brevard College in Wilderness Leadership & Experiential Education, as well as my career as an outdoor professional, just made sense. Three years after graduating from Brevard College, I received my masters degree from Ohio University in Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies with a focus in Outdoor Recreation & Education and a certificate in Conservation Biology. This only solidified my love of teaching and everything outside. Over the last seven years living in the southeast, and now the midwest, I've been called instructor, teacher, guide, technician, administrator, coordinator, professional mermaid, counselor, bartender, nanny, and friend, but most importantly I've been called happy. My source of happiness has always been when I have sweat on my brow, dirt on my hands and any time I can get my feet in the water. Edward Abbey said it best, "All one to me - sandstorm or sunshine I am content, so long as I have something to eat, good health, the earth to take my stand on, and light behind the eyes to see by." I refuse to live a life I’d regret not living.