Bear Lake Field Trip 2015 - Day one: Kemmerer, WY

There is so much to look forward to on this field trip.  Name an invertebrate marine fossil and we're going for it.  But first, we're going to go fossil fishing in Kemmerer, WY.  Many of us are driving to Kemmerer the day before Day One of the field trip.  What was fun is, without any preplanning, many of us met up in Rawlins, WY for food and good company.  It pays to pay attention to that car with the Colorado license plate in the middle of Wyoming...

Quarry Caravan

As folks began to collect at the Best Western Fossil Country Inn, we asked at the front desk where we should eat.  Highly recommended was El Jaliciense.  We took that recommendation and had a hearty meal served with a smile.

The following morning all met at the BW to caravan to the Warfield Quarry.  All signed in, chose hammers and chisels, then selected the rock pile to begin splitting.  There were a mix of repeat visitors and first timers.  I think everyone did pretty well on this fishing trip!

First Timers Barbara and Bob

First Timer Kathy

After four hours of hammering and moving rock (AKA catching fish), we packed up and had lunch at a park in Kemmerer.  Several of us even took the opportunity to visit the original J.C. Penney store!

The next stop was the Fossil Butte National Monument.  Ever been there?  Put it on your list!  What fantastic displays they have.  We had the wonderful fortune of hearing Ranger Arvid Aase's story about fossil plants in the Fossil Lakes and their contribution to climate studies.

From there, it was time to head further west into Utah.  We wanted to visit the east shore of Bear Lake to look for Pleistocene bivalves and gastropods.  Alas, it was not meant to be for a severe thunderstorm was roaring down the valley, bringing strong winds, rain, and hail.  So some of us simply went to have a raspberry shake!