When paleontologist Martha Jankowski discovers an intact dinosaur skeleton, she has the opportunity to make a name for herself, but only if she can uncover the full skeleton before another competing dig.
Welcome to Novel PASTimes! We are pleased you stopped by today.
Tell us something about where you live.
I recently moved to Colorado in hopes to work on a dig for dinosaur bones. This area is nothing like where I grew up in Illinois. The Rocky Mountains are incredibly high. Unlike the rolling hills back home, their steep, craggy faces are covered in snow the majority of the year. The rock formations here in Colorado are what brought me here. Within those rock layers, I hope to find many dinosaur skeletons.
So are you a paleontologist?
That’s what I hope to be eventually. I’ve been studying toward that goal for some time but have had to put my studies on hold. I usually need to earn money between each semester to pay for the next. I have found that the hands-on experience in the field has helped me more than just the book studies.
What inspired you to go into that field of science?
I’ve always been fascinated with history and digging up fossils became a fun hobby when I was younger. A wonderful pastor and mentor in my life, Pastor Moody, encouraged me to follow where the Lord led. As long I kept pointing people to the Truth. There is still so much to discover and so many unknowns to explore. I’m excited to simply have the opportunity to keep learning and growing. My biggest dream is to work on a team digging up a complete dinosaur skeleton. Thankfully, I’ve been given that chance here.
What are your thoughts on the Bone Wars? Do you think they’ve given your chosen field of science the proverbial black eye?
That is quite the question. While I agree with others in paleontology that do not condone Cope and Marsh and their dishonorable practices in trying to gain acclaim, I will say that the Bone Wars have brought attention to what we do. Many people don’t understand what it is we are trying to accomplish by digging up these fossils from the past. My hope and prayer is to bring people of faith and science together.
What’s something new you have learned since arriving in Colorado?
It took a good bit of time for me to adjust to the air. Dryer, thinner, and the landscape is much higher than living near sea level. But now that I’m here, I never want to leave. What an amazing place to be!
Thanks for allowing us to get know you a little better!
Kimberly Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.
Facebook: @KimberleyWoodhouseAuthor
Instagram: @kimberleywoodhouse
Twitter: @kimwoodhouse
Novel PASTimes 