Hey! You found me! Welcome to Earth Trekkers and thanks for stopping by to learn more about me.
I’m Tim. In a nutshell, I was educated as a rocket scientist, I live a super active lifestyle, and I love exploring new places. I also share a passion with the rest of my family for writing about our travel experiences in a way that benefits others. That is, to make the travel planning process easier, to write the guides we wish we had before we planned our own trip, and to help people create memories they will cherish for a lifetime. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to provide quality travel content, but just in case.
A Little Bit About Tim
My passion for travel began in college. As an NCAA Division I Hurdler I spent many weekends traveling up and down the eastern seaboard competing at various universities. After college I took a dream job at NASA, but I still longed to learn more about other places within the aerospace industry, and an aerospace software sales position gave me the opportunity to see more of the United States.
Julie and I took our first trip to Europe in 2008, and international wanderlust set in. Each year we were saving valuable vacation days so we could use them for our next international adventure, traveling to Europe and South America. And once Tyler and Kara got old enough we started exposing them to the world.
But with only being able to take one or two trips a year, how would we get to all the destinations we want to explore!? So, in 2014 we made the bold decision to sell our house, sell our cars, put our careers on hold, and to take a 13-month trip around the world. That opened the door for us to be able to explore Africa, Asia, and Oceania. It also motivated us to start EarthTrekkers.com.
My Role with Earth Trekkers
I mostly handle the behind-the-scenes aspects of the website, from managing the business and its financials, to coordinating with our various consultants who help us keep the website running. I also take care of the research and planning that goes into arranging our trips. I always love finding those special experiences, whether it’s a hidden gem, exploring off the beaten path, a unique dining experience, or enjoying a cocktail with a view from a rooftop bar. I’m often telling Julie, “Our audience is going to love this!”
My goal with Earth Trekkers is to make it a place where you can obtain quality travel information from someone that has planned the trip themselves and has lived the experience. We don’t accept any freebies (no free trips and no free tours) so our writing isn’t biased, giving us the same experience anyone else would have.
I hope that by sharing our travel experiences I inspire you to be an Earth Trekker also.
As Seen On
Fox Weather – National Parks to visit the public may not know about
The Baltimore Sun – Howard County family embarks on trip around the world
University of Maryland Terp Magazine – The Howard (County) Globetrotters
Howard County Conservancy – Earth Trekkers – A Family’s Journey Around the World
MSN – The beautiful corner of Europe full of stunning beaches but without the crowds
MSN – 8 National Parks That Require Reservations to Enter
Interesting Facts About Tim
My college track coach once introduced me as “This is Tim, he would be a nerd if he didn’t run track.” LOL, nerds are cool now right?
I applied several times for Astronaut selection. I met all of the requirements but never got selected. But that is okay, I found a different way to circle the globe.
Coming out of the water at Ironman Barcelona I stumped my foot on a concrete barrier and broke a toe. I rode the full 112 miles bike and ran the entire 26.2 mile run with a broken toe. I then did another full distance ironman three weeks later. Hopefully my orthopedic doctor doesn’t read this.
I was 50 before I ever had coffee and even then it was a shot of espresso. I’m not a fan of the taste; how does everyone else in the world beside me drink this?
I let Tyler borrow my abs and he will not give them back!!! LOL
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering – University of Maryland at College Park – 1993
Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering – University of Maryland at College Park – 1996
Professional Career
1997 – 2014: Held a variety of software sales and software sales management roles in the aerospace industry
2014 – 2015: Co-founded EarthTrekkers.com and took a 13-month trip around the world
2015 – 2021: Business development, new business model formulation, and strategic partnership management responsibilities for a software company within the aerospace and geospatial industries.
2021 – present: Joined Earth Trekkers fulltime handling many backend responsibilities such as managing our hosting partner, software partner, consultants, affiliate relationships, finances, and planning the trips we take.
Personal Achievements
1989: Maryland State Champion in the 55m Hurdles
1989: Maryland State Champion in the 300m Hurdles
1989: Sherwood High School record in the 55m Hurdles, 110m Hurdles, and 300m Hurdles
1989 – 1994: Division I Hurdler at the University of Maryland College Park
1992: Inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa – National Leadership Honor Society
2010: Ironman Triathlon Finisher (IRONMAN Florida 140.6)
2012: Ironman Triathlon Finisher (IRONMAN New York 140.6)
2016: Ironman Triathlon Finisher (IRONMAN Barcelona 140.6)
2016: Ironman Triathlon Finisher (IRONMAN North Carolina 140.6)
2019: Day hiked the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim (23.5 miles with 5,761 feet of elevation loss and 4,380 feet of elevation gain)
2022: Hiked the Walker’s Haute Route (a 13-day trek in the Swiss Alps covering 127 miles with 47,000 feet of total ascent and 45,000 feet of total descent)
2022: Inducted into the Sherwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame
2023: Day hiked the Routeburn Track in New Zealand (21.4 miles with 5,510 feet of elevation gain and 5,575 feet of elevation loss)
2024: Planning to day-hike the Milford Track in New Zealand (33.5 miles)
Has traveled to 6 continents
Has traveled to over 70 countries
Has traveled to all 50 US States and 3 US Territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), and American Samoa)
Tim’s Favorite Travel Experiences & Trips
Trekking to Everest Base Camp – an 11-day strenuous trek in the Himalayas reaching an altitude of 17,598 feet (5,364 meters). Along the way you get to eat dal bhat, visit monasteries, spin prayer wheels, and enjoy awe inspiring mountain scenery.
Hiking – I love strapping on a backpack and heading into the mountains. Three of my favorite hiking destinations are Norway, Switzerland, and the Dolomites. The scenery is so beautiful you will think it’s a painting.
Alaska – exploring the last frontier with its many waterways, mountains, glaciers, icefields, and wildlife. Just driving between its national parks is like being in a national park.
Peru – one of my first big adventures was a fun filled trip that included a day hike to Machu Picchu, via ferrata, ziplining, mountain biking, and going into the Amazon Rainforest.
Yellowstone National Park – nothing like geysers, mud pots, fumaroles, and an abundance of wildlife to bring out the kid in you.
Off Roading – renting a souped-up 4×4 and taking it on an off-road adventure, such as the White Rim Road at Canyonlands National Park and Cathedral Valley Drive at Capitol Reef National Park.
Queenstown, New Zealand – an adrenaline junkie’s paradise from hiking, paragliding, bungie jumping, speed boat rides, and more.
More About Earth Trekkers
Wait, what!? You are still here!? You made it this far down the page!? If you liked my bio that much then wait until you read Julie’s, Tyler’s, and Kara’s bios. Their motivation, passion, and achievements inspire me every day. They are likely to inspire you too.
Fun Fact about Earth Trekkers: We donate 5% of our net income from Earth Trekkers to charities that focus on environmental conservation issues.