My love for being outdoors began with growing up in rural Michigan, where playing in the woods was the main source of entertainment. That love was further nurtured being a Girl Scout for 10 years. As a Parks and Recreation major at Central Michigan University, I took the opportunity to come out to Colorado for a backpacking class. I instantly fell in love with the Rocky Mountains and decided I was coming back. On graduation day in 1985, I had my pickup truck piled high like the Beverly Hillbillies and left that very day!