He retreats from the touring life into the peace and security of Norway because

of his love for the out -of-doors. The infinite array of temperatures, colors and seasons serve as inspiration for his creativity.

 

A mountain bike trek, skydiving with friends or flying his ultralite paraplane also invigorate him. He is also an avid volunteer supporter of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound program, and helps students learn rock climbing in that program.

 

Spending almost nine months a year on the road, Garbo defines bliss as a day or a week on his property bringing in fire­wood or puttering with a carpentry project. "When you own a house, there is always something to fix or change," he said.

 

"Nonstop hilarity," is how Mel Gussow of The New York Times described a performance by Garbo. Nonstop is a fitting description of his life, too. I asked him if he ever got tired of the pace of life on the road.

 

Walking up a quiet sidewalk in my safe, pleasant Victorian downtown neighborhood, he said you get a bit weary, but your batteries get recharged by loving audiences, great people everywhere, new ideas and new adventures. Yes, he loves everybody... with a smile.

 

(Joy Held is a freelance writer, creative dance instructor and owner of an arts supply store in Parkersburg, WV.)