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My partner and I went camping and while walking around, near the water ledges, this was lying partially in the dirt and cracked in half. When we pulled it up the cap came off and now we have this unknown fossil, possibly. It’s our first and I was curious to find people that had WAY more knowledge and would be excited to look at this puzzling find. Thank you! TheTravelingCouple

Okay gang....let's have some fun....a contest of sorts... As an experiment, I'm going to have you folks here at the TFF choose the location my fossil hunting/camping excursion for May 2021... There are a few minimum requirements, however: Will take place over the Last Weekend in May, 2021 so I have up to 5 days available. Keep in mind, I allow a day to get there and a day to get back) Location must be no more than a ten hour drive from Omaha, Nebraska. (You can use Google maps or the like to figure drive time from Omaha) Primitive/Disbursed/Car camping must be available in the vicinity (Prefer no franchise campgrounds or RV parks, and I do not do hotels) Must be accessible to the public AND fossil hunting must be legal. (Though access fees if needed are OK) Please, no urban sites...the whole point is to get away from the city! Prefer to avoid Bear Country, but other critters are not an issue. Folks are welcome to join me, but prefer not to have the added hassle of kids and pets! "Contest" ends Saturday, May 8th at midnight, Central US Time Zone Trip may be delayed on short notice due to extreme weather or pandemic restrictions. I'll post up a way for folks to vote from all of the viable submissions on May 9th...and then I'll find out what sort of trouble you folks got me into! Winner gets a bunch of specimens from the site shipped to them- have to do your own prep work though! OK! Go go go go go! Where do you want to see me brave the elements and bust open some rocks for dead stuff?

I am ringing in the new year with all sorts of research for three major field excursions and dozens of minor ones. I am getting re-certified in backcountry first aid, working on a rescue, top rope and rappelling re-cert, and cross-training to get back into my active duty physique in addition to using years of lessons learned to replace gear. Yeah, I know, this is on top of the dozens of other projects I am working on. You may even wonder when I sleep...the answer is I don't, much... I admit I am quite a bit out of date on most modern gear. I finally retired my circa 1987 Eureka two man tent in 2019 only because a now deceased rodent descided to burrow into it over the winter for instance... Anyway, I am very interested to see the gear yinze use, from your day trip load out to your "heading to the desert see you in two weeks" gear. High altitude, tropical, desert, lowlands, etc...I want to see it all. I'm interested in all of it. I should add, this is the stuff OTHER than fossil and geology tools and equipment!

Now that my boys are getting older and enjoying hunting for sharks teeth a little bit more frequently, I would like to tie it in with an over night camping trip. We have been to Calvert Cliffs and Brownies Beach and they really enjoyed themselves. We are willing to park and hike a few miles to a location. It does not have to be a pull up, park and camp (I'd actually prefer it not be that).

Often on The Fossil Forum you strike up an online friendship based on common interest, then build on it over time through field experiences enjoyed vicariously online, but it is a rare treat to finally cement that friendship in person through a collaborative field problem. After a couple years of threatening to do so, I finally saw a break in the clouds that afforded me the opportunity to burn rubber westward and follow in the footsteps of the Pied Piper of the Puerco, the Chancellor of the Cretaceous, our own PFooley. As a generalist filled with wanderlust, it is hard for me to find a venue these days I haven’t yet sampled, so if you’ll forgive my verboseness and loquaciousness, I think this adventure warrants the long cut of yarn I’m about to spin, complemented by a montage of photos to capture the spirit of our high desert excursion. I had set aside 4 days for this adventure; 2 for driving and 2 for collecting. ‘Twas a long haul from San Antonio to Albuquerque, probably 14 hours with stops, but satellite radio helps knock the edge off the monotony of the yellow line, as did a quick stop at the Lubbock Lake Paleoindian site to stretch my legs. If you are interested in evidence of interaction between the ancients and late Pleistocene beasts, as most of us are, this was a worthwhile side track when in the area. While flat as a tortilla in places, the West Texas experience brings with it its own brand of sensory overload. High winds blew a huge red dust storm and innumerable tumbleweeds in my path, while driving gritty dust into my teeth. The building adventure was palpable. New Mexico terrain along my route also begged to be clipped off at 100 MPH, so in places, I indulged. Then dust storms gave way to sleet squalls just as I got to I-40 near dusk. With higher elevation I began to see lingering snow on the north facing slopes, and feelings of trepidation ensued with regard to what the previous night’s rain and snow had set up for us at the hunting grounds both in terms of road access and perhaps snow covering the exposure. I calmed my nerves by realizing that conditions in Texas weren’t particularly favorable for the same weekend, so I had made a good decision to hedge on New Mexico for the new experience. At long last, on Friday night I arrived at Casa Fooley. And quite a fun bee hive of activity it was. After some handshakes and back slapping with Mike, I met his lovely wife and beautiful daughter. But the fun didn’t stop there. Los Fooley are animal lovers, so I was greeted by quite a procession of curious pets. Rabbits, dogs, a cat, chickens, a tortoise and a turkey all took turns checking out the new guy. All lived in happy community, for the most part. While one Chihuahua quickly took up residence across my legs, another troublemaker puppy started a fight with my new little friend, and they nipped and yapped at each other on the battleground of my lap as the other critters looked on in nonchalance. Shifting alliances rose and fell between animals, a 3 year old ran through the big middle at will, and I found all of this activity to be rather entertaining. But perhaps the most enduring encounter was with the huge pet turkey following me around in the front yard, stomping its feet and strumming its feathers. Finally I turned around and it let me pet its head, which reminded me of a melted red and blue candle. I was a changed man, having pet a turkey for the first time. Having raised it from a chick, Mike showed me that he could pick up and hold his full grown, feathered friend. To boot, it roosted on a fence by the window where I slept that night, literally 3 feet away from the bed I slept in, silhouetted and standing sentinel.

Hello All, I would like to take a group of families camping somewhere along the Peace River in Florida to hunt fossils. Does anyone have a suggestion for a campground, or even just a great spot for finding fossils? We don't necessarily need to camp. Thank you for any suggestions!

Hello everyone!! I have picked a couple of locations around Lake Texoma on the boarder of Texas and Oaklahoma. Dose anyone have any good advice for the area? This will be our first trip their and everything I’ve read and researched on the area is roughly 3-4 years old. So I’m looking for some current info. Thanks so much for any help you can give us.

We finally got a chance to make it to Penn Dixie this year. Met up with Jay and had a good time. I made a short video of some of our adventures. I'll be posting a bit more fossil pictures. The brother found several roller trilobites out of the matrix in full condition.

For those of you who have dreamed about Middle and Upper Cambrian trilobites in western Utah, this is the publication that will open the door to exploring. The Utah Geological and Mineralogical Survey has printed many well done booklets and books on Millard County, Utah. The intent was to draw in Petroleum Geologists to explore the general areas, but also provide a wealth of information to those interested in Paleontology and Cambrian Stratigraphy. To the west side you can even be directed to Triassic Ammonites, with Pennsylvanian and later outcrops also in the vicinity. The camping possibilities are everywhere. Some box canyons are wonderful... but trying to find a flat spot can be challenging. When I say flat... everything is either up hill... or down hill. You have the Topaz Mountains to the north, Dugway Geodes (good luck finding one...) and Pioche, Nevada mining areas further to the west. Excellent cheeseburgers in Pioche, by the way. The area is... wide open and lacks facilities. So gas up, water up, block ICE and get groceries in Delta. It might be 45 miles to this area... you can check it on the road map... but you cannot miss it. But... finding the right road(s) can be tricky as they split and take a different course quickly. My recommendation... look for the 100 foot power lines strung over the flat country and once you intersect them near shale outcrops... you have arrived. To the north is the U Dig site which is marked along the way as well, and cuts off to the right from some popular Middle Cambrian exposures. Geology of the Canyon, House and Confusion Ranges, Millard County, Utah by F. W. Christiansen & others, 1951.

After all of my Nebraska Badland posts, you would think I am a paid promoter for Sioux County and Dawes County, Nebraska. I am not. This area of the panhandle of Nebraska and Southwest South Dakota probably made the biggest impression on me as a teenager, Geology University Student and a parent of two daughters. THIS vacation will make a lasting impression on everyone who enjoys natural history and the Sioux Indian Wars of the 1870's. There is biking, horse back riding, camping, Fort Robinson Playhouse, a Rodeo in Crawford and Harrison, Nebraska, Scottsbluff and the Oregon Trail history, a restored/original Calvary Fort Robinson where you can rent rooms or a building for 12 or more visitors. An Olympic swimming pool. A golf course in Crawford. A huge swimming pool and slides at Hot Springs, South Dakota... The Black Hills... should I go on? Yes... do not forget Chadron, Nebraska to the East of Crawford. Again... do not forget Agate, Nebraska where Red Cloud use to visit, near the Agate Fossil Bed Monument. Also you can find the Buffalo Bill Ranch, North Platte, Nebraska to the South near the North Platte River! I have scanned some brochures I use to give out to friends thinking about a true adventure. This is an area that is wide open. Elevations run 3500 to 3900 feet elevations in the general area. It is DRY but not so high, like most of Colorado, where "flat landers" will need to catch their breath. I have always considered 3000 feet elevation and above the best dry air and cool evenings during the Summer months in the WEST. The air will "pop" with a window slightly open... do not believe me... listen if you live under 1000 feet elevation to the sound of the wind from your car window while traveling, then you will understand. The facilities at Fort Robinson will overwhelm you! The kids will love it. The RV Park is modern, showers at the Camp Ground, Art classes for the kids, Tennis court, Swimming, Biking, Horse back riding, a "kids" Rodeo... TWO museums at Fort Robinson! Crazy Horse was murdered at Fort Robinson. You can stand at the site of his murder... and the restored jail cell he had been held. This IS in the center of the Sioux Uprising, the Indian Wars and near Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota... and go to Wall, South Dakota to Wall Drugs. The BIG Badlands are not too far away in South Dakota. Crazy Horse's grave site has never been discovered... There IS one unusual grave site on a Ranch in the Panhandle that would have taken many people to stack the amount of stones required. It IS Indian... but who might be interred, no one knows as it has never been excavated. Maybe Crazy Horse? Maybe Yellow Hand? History lives in these enchanting Pine Ridges, Bluffs and Grass Lands! It is hot in July, but cool and dry in the evenings. High time for tourists would be the mid June to mid August. Check with Fort Robinson as to when they are open this year and close. Also, ask about the Playhouse that has excellent melodrama shows... great for the entire family to participate! If you have any questions... ask. I have been camping on the National Grasslands to the Northwest of Toadstool Park. You can easily take a car or pickup pulling a camping trailer. They are posted as "Pasture (number). You may be sharing the pasture with grazing cattle as the ranchers will lease these productive grasslands for long term grazing.

"It ain't worth beans" a discouraged prospector would say when disgusted over the year's panning gone sour. When in my home during the frequent summer trips, it was a 1956 VW, 900cc lawn mower engine, practically NO HEAT, NO Power to get up a mountain road, nor room for two people to stretch out for getting some sleep on a long trip... beans and tuna in a can were the menu. Potato chips. Canned corn. Apples. A huge watermelon. Those doughnuts with the white powdered sugar... This was the diet of young fossil collectors, and I am proof that it was healthy, as I am still moving around with minor ailments. Once I was married... things changed. Unfortunately... AFTER we were married. The "this is so cozy honey..." went to "we need the two story, 75 square foot apartment made from canvas. Of course, after a 50 mile per hour, gusting to 65 miles per hour Wyoming wind... we were sleeping under the Stars... But that thought was quickly forgotten about the star canopy and snuggling up in a sleeping bag made for one. Then it was..." I will stay with Mom and you go on" and ... "have fun collecting, or whatever you do". Somehow the romance of getting out into the field, camping in pure squalor, mice running over your head after sunset... was no longer on the short list of things the Mrs. wanted to do. Honey... these small rattle snakes... never... crawl into the sleeping bag (or do they?) when you are gone collecting during the day. Scorpions in your shoe... just in those old western movies. (or do they?) She had me wondering, now. Well, beans, tuna and corn topped with a can of icy cold Coca Cola in an ice chest the size of a modern woman's purse... with a sugar frosted doughnut days came to and end. It was now time to step up in the world. Dinty Moore beef stew. Propane cook stove. Pots, pans, wash tubs, clean underwear, deodorant, tooth paste, shaving razor... now a 3/4 ton 4x4 Chevrolet pickup to haul the Mrs. and all of our home belongings... to hunt fossils in the Nebraska Badlands. Then tent camping at a camp ground with showers, running water, flushing toilets... restaurant, horse back riding, art classes... and maybe time to... hunt fossils. Somehow things were getting out of whack. No longer was I leading the troops into the unknown. It was going to the Playhouse on Thursday, ice cream social on Tuesday, swimming at the Hot Springs in South Dakota for Saturday. I went from Rooster to a Hen Pecked explorer wanna be. I had become... domesticated. After 17 years of transformation the Mrs. wanted me to quit my business and join hers. Setting up computer systems and programming for Desk Top publishing and Advertising Agencies needing computer consulting. Computers? Software. My question... "do these plug into a wall socket?" After the divorce... she left me with the rocks and fossils. She married an older guy who worked for a medical magazine publisher, a good client of hers. I had my... beans, tooth brush, tuna in a can and some Dinty Moore with an expiration date "good until"... that might even be good today. And best of all... MY 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser and extra rock hunting equipment, that she apparently forgot to take. She wanted everything else. That worried me, a lot. Today I have a wonderful understanding wife. She is not into computers was my first question when we met. She loved camping. She loved dogs! That other woman that was so starry eyed at the beginning,...hated dogs and my fossil hunting friends. Now after 22 years of happily being married, we have two Blue Heelers, a 23 foot trailer and cannot wait for mid April to begin our camping season. We still have beans with hot dogs from time to time. Tuna in a can... for me at times. I still love cold corn in a can, but keep it to myself. My wife cooks like a French Chef... but without the accent. I finally found my partner for LIFE. When she has had enough tromping through the gullies and hills... out comes a book and she will read. Now we have a house on wheels, showers, heat, running water, refrigerator... a bed. If you do not like the scenery... hook up, start up the truck... gone. Now this is, of course, the unabridged and unedited (at the present) story. My wife loves my fossil friends, well... what is left of them from the last situation. Stuart in Laramie, Wyoming has always hung in there, but he is still single and can do what and whenever. I have few restrictions today. Actually, age has added some conformity to my relationships... unless they bring up Creationism... and then I bring up the possibility of the next Great Extinction, which will take care of that problem. But, I wander again. Now the title BEANS was intended to keep JohnJ from flagging my photo or deleting my post... so... keep this quiet for a bit. Post YOUR beginning with the girlfriend/boyfriend to Mrs./Mr. and since you are really anonymous and I am hanging out there in the wind for now... lets hear it. Sometimes an interest becomes the glue that bond two people for life. I love my wife so much, that it is Valentines Day every day. Our wedding day was March 21st, the first day of Spring, or at least always close to the first day of Spring. How could I be so lucky? I am certain that it was probably... ... the Beans. I should have known. This was my Valentine for 2014 to my wife and friends who follow the Fossil Forum.