The man behind Squeak

Stephen G. Ladd was born in Bremerton, Washington in 1953. As a child he was happy to sit in a corner reading books of history or geography. After high school he traveled through Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, passing a traumatic month in a Moroccan prison. He navigated the emotional crisis of his youth alone, in foreign cultures.

Upon his return, Steve studied urban planning, obtaining degrees from Western Washington and Harvard Universities. From 1976 to 1990 he worked for various cities, writing land use plans and environmental regulations. He also advanced his poetry and music, and forestalled his wanderlust by wilderness skiing.

1987 found Steve still single, hardy, and non-materialistic, so he spent three years designing and building the 12-foot "Squeak" and three more years sailing her through nineteen countries.

Steve returned home in 1993. He finished his manuscript and once again plans for cities. Meanwhile his wanderlust slowly wells anew.