Yellowstone Guide: Joe Catron

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Austin-Lehman guide Joe Catron

Guide: Joe Catron

Short Bio: Joe was born in Sheridan, WY at the base of the Big Horn Mountains. As a kid, he had the privilege of skiing, hiking, camping in the nearby mountains. His family owned a horse breeding farm with lots of land out his backdoor for hunting and fishing. Joe attended college in Wayne, NE where he earned a degree in Biology. After graduating Joe worked for the Wyoming State Game and Fish Department as a fisheries technician. This allowed him to explore many of Wyoming’s lakes and streams. He later attended graduate school in Flagstaff, AZ where he had the opportunity to travel throughout the Southwest while working for Northern Arizona University.

Today, Joe is a science teacher in Billings, MT. He has enjoyed traveling in the summers as part of his career and has been taking student groups to Costa Rica and into Yellowstone National Park. As a teacher, Joe has been invited to teach in India, visit Japanese schools, conduct research in Tanzania, and collaborate with teachers in the Galapagos. Joe has a passion for the outdoors and an interest in natural history.

Trips Guided by Joe:

Joe's Guide Survey:

What’s your favorite vacation destination?
The Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica with unpopulated beaches and pristine rain forest out the back door has been one of the best places I have visited.

What’s your favorite hike?
Antelope Canyon on the Navajo Reservation in Northern Arizona is amazing and one of my favorite hikes. Glacier National Park is hard to surpass for any hiking experience.

What’s your favorite bike ride?
The best ride in the Billings area is over Beartooth Pass from Red Lodge to Cooke City, MT. Get ready to experience thin air if you decide to take the challenge.

Favorite Movie: Star Wars and Raider’s of the Lost Ark are movies that I enjoyed while growing up. I wanted to be Indiana Jones or Luke Skywalker. As a child I could be found playing in my backyard with a bullwhip or lights saber. Planet Earth series has been the film of most recent preference.

Favorite Book: I read mostly non-fiction.I enjoyed reading Enchanted Isles by Herman Melville. ALA Guide Joe Catron with a Sea Turtle in the Galapagos

Favorite Song: “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night

When did you first catch the travel bug?
I have been very fortunate to be invited to represent the teaching profession on several international trips including Japan, Costa Rica, Galapagos, and India. I caught the travel bug on my first experience to Tanzania. I worked as a research teacher in Lake Tanganyika studying the bio-geography of lake gastropods. It was 2 month trip that included diving daily and wonderful and brilliant colleagues. I have wanted to see the world in unique ways ever since.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy trail running in the mountains any chance I can get. Recently I started to learn to rock climb and make jewelry. I also enjoy hiking, kayaking, biking, telemark skiing and cooking. Traveling to new places and learning about the natural history and culture is a passion of mine.

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