We are an adventurous family of three, plus a 100 pound “lab” pup, living in San Francisco. It came to be, for better or worse, that neither of us adults had work commitments and our 3.5-year-old daughter was still free of the formal school system, so we decided to pull the trigger and take the trip of a lifetime.
Dmitri
I’m a fine artist, graphic designer, and half-time stay at home dad. I’m from Milwaukee, and as a kid I spent my summers going on camping expeditions at a summer camp in the north woods of Wisconsin, and Quetico, Canada. Whether it was backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, or rock climbing, I was tagging along.
I moved to Fort Collins when I was 17 to attend Colorado State University, spent a semester of college in Italy, and traveled most of Western Europe, Spain, and Morocco. After college, between some jobs that included travel, and a growing friends’ wedding circuit, I managed to see a good chunk of the United States by car, and fly to see some of Mexico, Jamaica, Belize, and Costa Rica.
When I met my amazing wife, Jennifer, it became clear that exploration and travel were things we both shared a passion for. We’ve been on countless adventures in the decade that we’ve known each other.
Jennifer
I’m a classic achievement-oriented Type A, who has recently had some of my edges softened by my insightful husband (FINE, I’ll stop and smell the roses…for a second), my bright spunky little daughter, and, just possibly, a touch of age.
When I met Dmitri I was a pretty hard-core adventure racer, and participated in several expedition-length races across the US and one in Australia. I was also very committed to growing my career in Consumer Electronics Supply Chain, which I did quite successfully before hitting complete burnout this summer.
I love to be outside, I love to get dirty (but also to get clean after), and I really love how I feel when I’ve pushed my body to its physical limits.
Nina
I’m 3 (update – now 4!). I like to play. I am happy and funny when I’ve had enough to eat and good rest. My parents say I have the best laugh in the world. They also say I shouldn’t whine. I love to draw, just like Dad. I also love to boss Ted around and tow him on his leash.
Ted
I protect my family by barking at any strangers who enter our campsite and scaring the bejesus out of them. If they want to scratch my butt afterwards, though, that’s cool. I don’t like big cities and I really don’t like fireworks. Why oh why do Mexicans love fireworks so much? Camping is awesome. Mom keeps giving me showers in hotels after we’ve been camping. I don’t understand why I can’t just stay dirty. I love the bed I get to sleep on. Mom and Dad have been cooking me pork and eggs and veggies to eat because they say they can’t get decent dog food here. That works for me just fine.
Loco Dirty Familia 