First love was flowers, trees, and all plants, starting at age 9. Got a Botany degree at Iowa State U, and worked as a seasonal Ranger Naturalist at Rocky Mountain National Park for 2 summers. After several years in research, went back to college and became a small animal Veterinarian, specializing in canine reproduction and general medicine and surgery. All the while I gardened and hiked and enjoyed all things alive, on my days off. Now retired, but not from hiking and studying and enjoying the natural world all around me.