I was born in north Alabama and grew up in Pensacola, Florida. I received my BA from Auburn University, my MA in Applied Archaeology from the University of South Florida, completed my doctoral coursework in Applied Archaeology, and work as a professional archaeologist in Arizona. I also teach archaeology at the college and work as a Zombie each fall season. My husband (married since 1991) is a two-time Pulitzer finalist in photojournalism and is now pursuing resort and high-end residential photography. We have three kids in college, and our son, Darr, graduates this spring from Cornell University.
Other stuff…I was an alternate for seasons 12 and 13 of the reality show, Survivor; I have completed two Rim-to-Rim hikes across the Grand Canyon in the summer; played five different women in the movie Mississippi Burning; was chosen out of 2,000 applicants as one of 10 Police Officer Recruits for the City of Mesa (at age 49); completed a year-long archaeological survey in the desert by myself; and so on and so on. I also create a massive haunted house every October…our kids have never gone to school on Halloween. People tell me I should write a book.