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My Story

I was born and raised on the outskirts of Atlanta, GA - definitely a southerner, but by no means a southern belle. After fighting the good fight of teenage rebellion, I took off for Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. After three and a half years of higher education I graduated with a Bachelor's in Environmental Science. From there, it was on to Dingmans Ferry, PA where I worked at the Pocono Environmental Education Center. The Delaware Water Gap is one of the most beautiful places in the world, no matter what season it is. Unfortunately, I got promoted and couldn't be demoted, so I quit and spent the summer in Ballina, Ireland with my Dad. I think that we saw every castle, abbey, and neolithic tomb within 100 clicks, some in the middle of cow pastures - watch where you step. After that adventure, I ended up working for the Houston ISD Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia in Trinity, TX. One summer off, I went back to PEEC, so that I could be in Pennsylvania when Benjamin was born. The other summer, I went to Alaska and worked for Alaska State Parks on the Kenai Peninsula leading the Junior Ranger program - another gorgeous place! Got bored with work in general, so I decided that I should go back to school. Spent two long years living in Nacogdoches, TX getting my Master's in Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. Now, I am the Education Curator for a Natural History Museum that is sometimes seen as the red-headed step-child of Tucson. I enjoy my job, but also wonder what is next for me. I have tried to go exploring at least one weekend a month and learn more about the southwest. So far, my two favorite places have to be Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and the Chiricahua Mountains. I hope the cooler weather this fall will allow me to adventure even more.

Contact Me

If you really want to know more, email me at pinguina@desertgringa.net.