John K Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) We took our kids last summer to the Rockford Fossil Park just outside of Rockford, Iowa. It's an exposure of the Lime Creek formation that was mined for brick clay for years. Now it's managed as a fossil park and a Prairie restoration. It's a great place to take the kids.How can you NOT like a place like Rockford ?My then nine year old loves the placeThe place is paved with fossilsOnce we get home, it's time to sortAnd wash: since it's decomposed shale clay that we're pawing through, stuff is pretty muddyWe end up with lots of stuff, mostly brachipodsa little cleaning, and I've got a nice little ball of coralA quick look in an old book, and it appears to be RhyncophyllumI personally wanted to find some nice winged Spirifers on this trip, and I wasn't disappointedI really like this one Edited March 7, 2014 by John K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordpiney Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 great finds! im glad to see the kids had fun too. i cant wait til my daughter's old enough to go hunting with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandpa Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I was in Rockford about 5 years ago while on a trip to visit my aunt in Waverley, IA for her 90th birthday. I, like your 9 yr old, had a blast at Rockford. The Devonian brach's and their diversity were a real treat for me. I also found some nice Devonian gastro's. But, I did NOT find a coral like you did. That is really neat! Rockford was a great addition to a wonderful trip. My aunt passed away this year at 95. I will always be happy to know that I got to see her when she was still "with it" and vibrant, and I will always remember the special side trip to Rockford. Thanks for sharing your finds and reminding me of this special trip and and wonderful time. Gramps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracer Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 good post! i like them winged spriferoras too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Great post! Can't beat a story ark of "kids & fossils", and your photographs are well arranged and executed. Well done! "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I hunted that park a few times when I was in Illinois. Loved it and never saw another hunter there.... Good to see the pics. Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepinthemud Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've heard of that park... And it seems it doesn't disappoint! It seems like everyone had a wonderful time! Are the kids permanently hooked, now? "To do is to be." -Socrates "People are Stupid." -Wizard's First Rule "Happiness is a warm Jeep." -Auspex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John K Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 I hunted that park a few times when I was in Illinois.Loved it and never saw another hunter there.... Good to see the pics. We've been there a couple times, and it's always been the same - we're the only ones there. I think it helps to time visits during the week. Are the kids permanently hooked, now? I'm happy to say, Yes! We are traveling up to the U.P. this weekend, and amoung other things, we'll be looking at a couple sites up there for corals and stromatolites. On the way home, there's a smokey quartz site from one of the old June Culp Zeitner's books I want to take a look at.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worthy 55 Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Looks like alot of fun and some interesting finds also. It's my bone!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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