Dead things are cool. Especially when they are, at the same time, rocks. You've probably read Big Sexy Rocks (Part 1), so I won't bore you with the aforementioned details on the duality of fossilization (and how terribly erotic is it to the mind). What I will do is show you some nifty things I found at Stonerose Interpretive Center recently, and how glorious everything about that place is [Figure 1].
The dig site at Stonerose, which is located in Republic, WA, is surprisingly smallish [Figure 2] but definitely delivers the goods. Lots of online resources will give you these details, but for those of you who don't feel like skipping over to those, allow me to captivate you with the basics:
1) They are a non-profit with tons of outreach and research involvement.
2) There is a $10 fee and a sign-in database.
3) They will lend you the hammer, pick, and a box to carry your finds back in.
4) You must run your finds by them before you take off so they can identify them.
5) They will confiscate anything rare or of a certain value for research/educational/museum purposes (I did say they are a non- profit so don't lose your shit over this facet).
6) You get to keep only 3 fossils, but the rest goes to a good cause (see aforementioned causes).
7) It's kind of in BFE and the site has no attached camping, so come prepared to find camping or other day/night plans [Figure 2].
8) Naturally, donations are welcome (spread the love, guys).
The building itself is smallish, and looks as though it was once two houses that were bought separately and slowly conjoined into the center and museum. Speaking of which, I did not manage to peruse the museum half of it, while I was there I was too busy ogling the dig site. I dunno, I'm just a patron. Figure 3 is one of several displays in the center with notable scientific discoveries made by diggers at Stonerose. Pretty metal (clearly, I am not a die hard metal fan). Also, there are the typical displays of common finds beside the description of the site's geologic significance. I did not take a photo of the entire array, as I was occupied getting the introductory schpeel from the marvelous employee...Galdys? I think it was Galdys. I was uber excited at the displays and the history talk and didn't ask her to repeat her name. My bad, but I did get some fly info.
Let's talk Eocene Era