I was born in Carmel, California in 1959. I grew up loving the outdoors and sports. I pursued a degree in graphic design at the University of Utah, where I enjoyed the proximity of the nearby mountains for skiing and swam competitively on the women's swim team. After college I followed in my brother's footsteps and moved to Vail, Colorado, living the life of a ski bum for several years and working numberous jobs. I was the early morning baker at the Vail Athletic Club Restaurant, the typesetter at the local Daily newspaper and worked as a security guard to earn a ski pass.