I was born in South Dakota, raised in Wisconsin, and now live in the hills above Boulder, Colorado. Oddly enough, I consider myself an ethnic Minnesotan—that's where my folks were born and raised so I come by it naturally.

I have been lost in nearly 50 countries, climbed mountains and volcanoes, and sailed across the South Pacific. I have counted birds for the Audubon Society, scuba-dived the Great Barrier Reef, and camel-trekked across the Sahel. A writing prof once told me that to become an interesting writer, lead an interesting life. The corollary, of course, comes courtesy of Saul Bellow: "All you have to do to have an interesting life is be a damn fool."

Work-wise, I'm currently writing a book about Vikings, researching why certain songs get stuck in our heads, organizing the office in my new home.

I love what I do.