Fossil Hunting

I know more about brachiopods, bryozoans, gastropods, trilobites, and crinoids now than I ever cared to, but it was worth it!

This week's Mama & Reed date was to Caesar Creek State Park in Waynesville, OH.  We were both looking forward to a day of outdoor adventures and learning.  Plus, this trip gave me an opportunity to play around with our new camera!

I have been without a camera for a few months now.  I love my phone, but... 

I love our camera, too!  Plus, I have the cutest little model to work with!

So, let's get back on topic: Caesar Creek State Park.  We started out at the Visitor Center to pick up our fossil hunting permit.

​Fossil hunting is serious business.

We spent about an hour searching the land for fossils.  The Little Outdoorsman was very excited, of course!  We hunted while sandwiched between a group from the local retirement community and the army. 

Let me explain.

The people from the retirement community greeted us with compliments or grumpy snorts as we poked along in the field.  The army was practicing surveillance (something about weather and bugs... the leader person lost me a bit in her explanation), so it was an interesting mix of people.  I felt very safe and a little confused.

The compliments and excitement gave Reed the motivation to become quite an efficient fossil-finder!

Fossil-hunters are only permitted to take palm-sized fossils, and we left with quite a haul!  We were able to find all different types of fossils and compare them to the booklet the ranger gave us along with our permit.

Fossil hunting was hard work!  We needed food!  I always need food after a long morning of fossil hunting... or teaching... or shopping... or napping.

We found a perfect picnic table by the creek for lunch.

Now if only I would stop taking pictures and sit down and eat!  After lunch, we went for one last walk as a storm rolled in and nap time approached.

Model pose.

And this mama knows not to mess with nap time.  It is non-negotiable.

We strolled over a few beautiful bridges, up to the dam, and back to the car before the rain came in.  It was the perfect time to end our date and head home with a trunk full of rocks... I mean, fossils.

Want to see more adventures with The Little Outdoorsman?  Check out some of my favorites: