Travel Log Bio: Helge Pedersen and Karen Ofsthus
Helge Pedersen
Photojournalist Helge Pedersen is the author of 10 Years on 2 Wheels, chronicling his amazing motorcycle journeys - a 250,000-mile ride through 77 countries. Documenting his travels, Pedersen's photographs celebrate the diversity of life on earth, focusing on human culture, wildlife and scenic vistas. His photo-essays have appeared worldwide in dozens of motorcycle and outdoor-enthusiast magazines as well as publications such as National Geographic, TIME and The New York Times. Pedersen's journey has been featured on Discovery's Travel Channel and other broadcasts around the world.
In 1998, Pedersen began sharing his experiences with others and founded GlobeRiders, LLC. GlobeRiders specializes in long-duration, adventure motorcycle travel throughout parts of the world neither easily accessible nor commonly visited. GlobeRiders tours visit 40 countries throughout southern Africa, Eurasia and S.E. Asia. Collectively, Pedersen has traveled through over 100 countries on six continents, and has logged more miles on the seat of a motorcycle than he cares to count.
In addition to organizing and leading motorcycle adventure tours, Helge produces instructional and adventure DVDs designed to prepare the avid motorcyclist for world travel and inspire a desire to take to the open road. He also gives multimedia presentations that offer breathtaking photography and inspiring stories from his adventures. Pedersen develops and presents travel-related seminars, teaching participants motorcycle maintenance and repair, GPS navigation, and other insider tips for the savvy traveler.
Pedersen speaks four languages: Norwegian, English, Spanish and German. He currently lives with his wife in Seattle, Washington.
Helge's MIR Corporation Travel Logs:
Karen Ofsthus
Karen Ofsthus is an Interpretive Naturalist with 25 years of experience developing and presenting a broad range of environmental education curricula. Karen worked for several years as a whale biologist for Earthtrust International in Maui, Hawaii. She currently works at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington. She also leads ecotours for university alumni, teacher professional development teams and nature enthusiasts in Central and South America, the Caribbean and southern Africa, focusing on cultural and wildlife natural histories.
Karen has traveled around the world professionally and for pleasure, and is known for her inspiring and entertaining stories, engaging people of all ages. She is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Seattle Storytellers' Guild.
Karen graduated with honors from the University of Washington, and holds BS degrees in Ecology/Evolution/Conservation Biology and Zoology. In addition, she obtained an education in Sign Language Interpreting.
She lives with her husband and two cats in Seattle, Washington.
Karen's MIR Corporation Travel Logs:
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