Seems like it's not a real blog thing, where I can just keep writing and posting on going stuff in one place, more like a forum post that people can respond to and I can respond back, but not in the forums. Not sure I'll like that, kinda ruins the continuity, not that I plan on much continuity anyways, as this will be more stream of consciousness writing about things kicking around in my head.

So, to begin.

Access issues bug me lately, maybe because a security vehicle deterred my quarry hunting this weekend, or a mall rent-a-cop cruised by after I disappeared from a parking lot and beyond a no trespassing sign. Either way, annoying. Access to water down here in Texas is a gray area, though most defer when challenged by the alleged land owner. This bugs me, if you have a right to be on a piece of ground, stand up for it. I hunt creeks in this gray area, they meet the "navigable by statute" criteria of 30 ft width most of the time, and certainly during any kind of high water event, and I usually justify my right to be there by being within high water boundaries and using public property access to the creeks. Still, I'm always being stealthy and avoiding notice.

I read up on what BobC, JohnJ, and Dan are doing, and others around. I wonder why they don't indicate where they're from (except Dan), is that information so worthy of protection? They're probably my neighbors. I read up on their hunting trips and think about mine, very different, I see the same stuff everywhere, they find lots of variety. I question the value of geologic maps, since I haven't seen any correlation between fossils being present or not in my area, yet it seems to work for them. Maybe I'll work on that.

What the heck am I going to do with all these pieces of ammonites?

I went on a business trip to Dallas yesterday, accompanied by 3 coworkers so no lollygagging for me. I did get to sight see out the window and dang, there's lots of nice stuff south of Dallas, and north of Georgetown. No shortage of stuff I need to check out, just no time. When we got into Georgetown yesterday evening I didn't go home, scouted some roadcuts in my coworkers neighborhood, got permission from her to access the creek through her back yard, checked another area by car, checked out an excavation in a shopping center, then spent a couple hours under the I-35 bridge on the So. San Gabe. The walls here had no fossils, I can only assume because of other collectors, as it's such a classic place. Still nice to visit and at least now I know.

Speaking of other collectors and sites. I don't think I'd be that protective of my sites, then I'm there, and I'm thinking, wow, I'm not finding much, imagine if I was unsure if others were hunting this area? It is comforting to know that if there's nothing there it's because of me, not someone else, otherwise it would just feel weird. I've still never hunted a "public" area, where it's a known site.

My wife told me I should just go out and spend the night some time. So now I'm stoked about a kayak trip with an overnight on the banks.

I need to get more familiar with local oysters, since these seem to be the best indicators of what formations I'm in.

I just got back from a spring break trip to Santa Fe with the family, I took my fly rod and rock hammer, neither got used. Dang are those some sweet road cuts on I-10 and through the mountains in NM.

There, that was random.

Well, the longer days and warmer weather are making it hard to control myself. Left work at 6 and spent the next 2 hours checking out a couple of spots. Very weak for fossils, however, I found my first ever indian artifact. It is a broken spear point, but still extremely nice, found on a path along a little creek, laying right there amidst the fallen willow leaves. I'm shocked I even noticed considering the location. Anyways, it was good.

Hey John or Bob or Dan, any of you guys want to do a fossil hunting float up here sometime? It's a 10 mile float, 4 hours to do, beautiful fossil hunting country. River flows are just right for small boats, water temp is fine. OPen to do an overnighter to be able to spend more time on the river.