Island Hopping in Vermont

[Jeffrey P]

This weekend, travelled up north to Plattsburg to visit my friend Ray I know from the New York Paleontological Society. The next day took the ferry across Lake Champlain to Grand isle, Vermont and met Andy (Cluros) and his father. Here are some pics of the ferry ride over:

[Jeffrey P]

Andy took us to the first of three fossil sites. All of them were on beaches along Lake Champlain. The water level was at a record low and much rock that isn't normally exposed was giving us a much wider area to explore. The first site was on Grand Isle and was limestone. All three sites were Ordovician age. The fossils were primarily trilobites. The first site had an area that had been metamorphosed and the trilobite fossils were distorted (elongated) in interesting ways. We found Calymene and Isoteles. Some nautiloid, bryozoan, and brachiopod fossils were found as well.

[doushantuo]

Nice report!!.

I just posted something on deformed fossils,BTW(in "documents")

 

[Jeffrey P]

The second and third sites were on North Hero Island and were deep water shale sites producing graptolites and Triarthrus trilobites. Ray, Andy, and Andy's father were all great companions and fun to collect with. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. A special thanks to Andy, our leader,  for guiding us to these special sites.

[Raggedy Man]

[sixgill pete]

Nice.

[GordonC]

Jeff,

Great trip and a remarkable coincidence as just yesterday read some of the NYSGA 1969 Field Excursions to Lake Champlain.

Gordon

[JohnBrewer]

Nice report and finds. The weather looks like the UK summer where I live!

[Fossildude19]

Great report and finds, Jeff!

Thanks for posting them. 

Regards,

[Carl]

I'm happy to say I have collected with all of these folks, save Ray, and can vouch for their character: go collecting with them if you can! And by proxy, I have to assume Ray is a stand up guy, too!

[Jeffrey P]

Thanks doushantuo, Raggedy Man, sixgill pete, Tim, Gordon, and John for your commentary. Yes Carl, all of the participants on this outing were of exceptionally fine character. My buddy Ray arranges outings for the New York Paleontological Society and does a great job.

 

I couldn't resist one more shot of scenery.

[Shamalama]

Jeff, you are wandering all over the US this fall. Great report and the scenery is really nice too!

[Cluros]

I really enjoyed showing Jeff and Ray around. We were supposed to have rain but it held off allowing us a good trip. I can honestly say that I have met nothing but good people through the forum. I just ordered 50 pounds of calcium carbonate to start prepping everything that I've found this year. It's good to be healthy again and back in the field. Cancer really put a wrench in my collecting and prepping last year. When I get some time I will have to share my canoe excursion with my wife. We ended up with quite a few really good trilobites.

[Fossildude19]

25 minutes ago, Cluros said:

I really enjoyed showing Jeff and Ray around. We were supposed to have rain but it held off allowing us a good trip. I can honestly say that I have met nothing but good people through the forum. I just ordered 50 pounds of calcium carbonate to start prepping everything that I've found this year. It's good to be healthy again and back in the field. Cancer really put a wrench in my collecting and prepping last year. When I get some time I will have to share my canoe excursion with my wife. We ended up with quite a few really good trilobites.

 

Andy,

Glad you are doing better now.

Can't wait to see your canoe trip report. 

One of these days I'll get up there to hunt with you.

Or let me know, next time you are down this way.  

Regards, 

[Jeffrey P]

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2016 at 8:01 AM, Shamalama said:

Jeff, you are wandering all over the US this fall. Great report and the scenery is really nice too!

For many years I was an adventure traveler trekking all over the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and North Africa. That passion for travel, history, great scenery, and culture has served me well as a fossil collector too. Hope to have many more adventures in the future.

[Jeffrey P]

2 hours ago, Cluros said:

I really enjoyed showing Jeff and Ray around. We were supposed to have rain but it held off allowing us a good trip. I can honestly say that I have met nothing but good people through the forum. I just ordered 50 pounds of calcium carbonate to start prepping everything that I've found this year. It's good to be healthy again and back in the field. Cancer really put a wrench in my collecting and prepping last year. When I get some time I will have to share my canoe excursion with my wife. We ended up with quite a few really good trilobites.

Andy,

Your comment about meeting nothing but good people through the Forum I strongly second. Highly fortunate that your recovery is going well and we were finally able to get together. A great time!!! Good luck prepping and yes, I'd love to see pics of your canoe trip. Thanks again and best wishes.

[jpc]

good people AND Vermont trilobites!

[Cluros]

This is the Triarthrus Becki from earlier in the report. I am especially proud of this trilobite. Usually they are headless. It took 3 years and over 40 hours of splitting shale to find it. It was also the hardest prep I ever did. The trilobite and matrix were almost the same hardness and color. I had to run my abraider at 20 psi.

[Fossildude19]

Wonderful find, and prep, Andy. 
Congratulations on a complete one.    

Regards,

[Darktooth]

Great report Jeff!  I am getting jealous, once again of the great trips you have been on this past year. 

[Jeffrey P]

5 hours ago, Cluros said:

This is the Triarthrus Becki from earlier in the report. I am especially proud of this trilobite. Usually they are headless. It took 3 years and over 40 hours of splitting shale to find it. It was also the hardest prep I ever did. The trilobite and matrix were almost the same hardness and color. I had to run my abraider at 20 psi.

That was a great find Andy and an impressive preparation. Big congratulations. Glad to have been there when you found it.