Dena Mercer, born and raised in the beautiful beach city of Ventura, California, moved to the San Joaquin Valley to attend California State University Fresno, majoring in Communicative Disorders. Missing the feel of being surrounded by the ocean wilderness she was used to, she began riding horses in the barren foothills to escape the cement and enclosures of city life. Riding horses led her to a world of cowboying, packing, and camping in the High Sierra. Mentored by many, Dena accepted opportunities to learn new skills and to travel by horseback to places offering a beauty and serenity she had never before experienced.
The small community of Exeter, California caught her eye, so, teaching credential in hand, she accepted a position teaching special needs students there, living on small acreage outside of town to house her horses and mules. Summers were spent packing in the High Sierra, while the remainder of the year was devoted to a love of teaching. Weekends and holidays offered opportunities to work for local ranchers and to enjoy the pleasure of foothill trail rides. Her daughter, Lori, also enjoyed small town life, and looked forward to summer adventures in the high country.
After many years of living her passion for mountain life, Dena returned to the watery wilderness she had been used to while growing up, and moved back to Ventura. Retired from school administration, she still takes every opportunity to be miles away from the city and cement, and sails off the Southern coast and to the Channel Islands sanctuary.
