H E Y T H E R E !
I’m Adele
Chasing beauty and freedom through travel, wilderness, and art.
See My Adventure ResumeBlending Adventure, Creativity, & Connection
From Alaska to Bali, my life has been shaped by wilderness travel, adventure, and hands-on work. For the past 20 years, I’ve worked as an outdoor guide, leading trips that taught me adaptability, teamwork, and the importance of building strong connections—with both people and the natural world. These experiences instilled a deep respect for the hard work that comes with caring for animals and working in outdoor environments.
This foundation of exploration and problem-solving inspired me to pursue a creative path, earning a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Academy of Art University. I launched Live Large Design, a creative agency that helps purpose-driven industries—like environmental organizations and NGOs—build impactful brands and websites. Beyond design, I’ve expanded into teaching, guiding others in building their creative businesses and embracing location-independent lifestyles.
Now, West of Normal brings together my love of adventure and creativity. It’s a space where I share stories from the road and resources for unconventional living, always grounded in the belief that meaningful work can align with an adventurous life. Whether I’m on a trail, working with animals, or mentoring others, my goal is to contribute, connect, and inspire others to pursue paths that feel true to them.
Adventurer
My wilderness and international travels have been a profound source of inspiration and personal growth throughout my life. I became an outdoor guide at 18 and have since traveled, taught, and connected with people across the globe. These experiences have shaped my resilience, expanded my perspective, nurtured my love for exploration, and deepened my passion for teaching others along the way.
Artist
My purpose has always been to create. With a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, I launched my own branding agency, Live Large Design, in 2012 to support non-profits. In 2024, I expanded my vision with West of Normal, a platform that combines adventure, creativity, and community, inspiring others to embrace unconventional paths and meaningful work.
Sojourner
I may wander, but I am never lost. As a nomad at heart, I’m driven by curiosity to explore new places and share creativity along the way. My journey is rooted in my core values: freedom, growth, and connection. I thrive on building community with fellow travelers and creators who embrace a life of exploration, creativity, and meaningful connection.
I have no special talents.
I am only passionately curious.
—Albert Einstein
Places That I Call Home...
Alaska
My story begins in Alaska, my first love and the place where I feel most connected. As a child, I dreamed of wilderness adventures, inspired by books like Hatchet and Julie of the Wolves. Those dreams became reality as I spent nearly a decade running sled dogs and living a remote lifestyle without modern amenities. Alaska didn’t just shape my resilience—it’s also where I founded Live Large Design, blending creativity with the wild spirit of the North.
Colorado
Colorado was where it all started. At 18, I became a commercial raft guide, exploring the vast waterways of the Colorado and Green Rivers, which eventually led me to remote Alaskan rivers. Those early days on the water launched my guiding career and sparked my passion for teaching. Nothing compares to nights spent camping under the stars, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the West—a love that continues to guide my path today.
Bali
Adventure Resume
2004-2008
Class 5 Commercial Raft Guide
Paddle Raft & Oar Boat
Prescott College — Field instructor (AZ)
Raft Masters — Commercial guide (CO)
Wilderness Aware Rafting — Commerical guide (AZ)
Arkansas River (CO)
Clear Creek (CO)
Upper Salt River Canyon (AZ)
Grand Canyon (AZ)
Cataract Canyon (UT)
Gates of Lodore (CO)
Snake River (WY)
Remote Expeditions
- 3-month sea kayaking in Sea of Cortez (Based out of Kino Bay, Mexico)
- 3-week Grand Canyon raft trip — Lees Ferry to Lake Mead take-out (trip leader)
- 4-week Green & Colorado River trip — 300 miles (field instructor)
- 3-month expedition with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) — semester in the Southwest
2008-2013
Dog Mushing Guide
Seavey’s Ididaride
Summer — Seward, AK
Summer handler and cart dog mushing guide
Paws for Adventure
Winter — Fairbanks, AK
Guiding day trips all winter
2-6 day backcountry trips in February/March
Destinations to Tolovana Roadhouse, White Mountains, and Maclaren River lodge with arctic oven overnights.
Remote Expeditions
- 4-week geologist field hand & cook (remote helicopter drop in the Yukon-Koyukuk region)
- 3-week skijor trip loosely following the Taiga 300 dog mushing route (Lake Louise, AK)
- 1-week skijor trips to Tolovana Roadhouse (Nenana, AK)
2013-2024
Class 4 Commercial Raft Guide
Paddle Raft on Clear Creek
Clear Creek Rafting — Commercial guide (CO)
Packrafting & Personal Trips
Six Mile
Nenana River
Moose Creek
Echo Bend, Eagle River
Chulitna River
Fortymile River
Upper Chena River
Portage Creek
Susitna River
Glacier Creek
Kenai River
Nigu River
Etivluk River
Colville River
Remote Expeditions
- 4-week arctic river trip as UAF logistics guide for research trip (Put-in at the headwaters of the Nigu River > Etivluk > Colville > Take-out in Nuiqsut)
- International travel through Indonesia, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and Singapore
Education
Master of Fine Arts
Graphic Design
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA — 2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Environmental Education
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ — 2007
Medical/Technical
Avalanche Training (Level 1)
Alaska Avalanche School with Joe Stock
Manitoba Hut, AK — 2016
Wilderness First Responder
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Talkeetna, AK — 2014
Volunteer Fire Fighter
Ester Volunteer Fire Department
Ester, AK — 2009
Wilderness EMT
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
Lander, WY — 2007
More About Adele
Creative Director & Adventure Guide
You could call me a jack of all trades. Over the years, I’ve explored a variety of roles—from seamstress at an outdoor clothing company to bartender, construction worker, and cook. These experiences shaped my adaptability and hands-on approach to everything I do. Eventually, I earned a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and channeled my skills into building Live Large Design.
Whether I’m diving into adventure, travel, or design, my work is always grounded in community and growth. I’ve translated my entrepreneurial knowledge into an online learning platform, teaching other designers how to embrace remote work and build meaningful, purpose-driven brands. Together, we collaborate with organizations focused on social and environmental impact, helping them amplify their mission and make a bigger difference.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me traveling in my DIY truck camper, exploring wilderness places, and either skiing or surfing! At heart, I’m a natural host, caretaker, and nature enthusiast—values that guide both my personal and professional life.
To say that our trip to Alaska was a once-in-a-lifetime experience doesn’t do it justice. I have dreamt about going there since I was a kid, so I wasn’t sure if it would match up to my expectations. I was proven wrong at every turn with Adele’s guidance. The pure, unspoiled beauty of the landscape, the wildlife, the people... I honestly don’t know how to put it into words.
One thing I do know is that the trip would have been nothing without Adele. You couldn’t ask for a better host, guide, travel companion, and friend.
Her knowledge, expertise, and sense of adventure are second to none: whether you are dog mushing, skijoring, hiking, or cross-country skiing to some remote cabin, jumping naked in the snow from an outdoor hot tub, or doing donuts in the truck on a snow-covered airfield. Adele has a thirst for life that is completely infectious. More importantly, she’s one the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. My experience of Alaska will stay with me forever!
—Andrej Person
Let’s Be Friends...
