May 17, 2025 - a great day!  I spent the entire day "digging in the dirt" for 73 million year old, invertebrate marine fossils, and I loved it.  It was a beautiful, sunny day.  I was shaded at the dig site (a long winding 4-5 foot deep creek bed) by overhanging trees on each side of the creek.

Upon our arrival ( I invited granddaddy to go with me 😇 ), we were met by Mr. Josh who is the resident paleontologist.  Mr. Josh made us feel very welcome and gave us lodging in the Intern's cabin.  We had the cabin to ourselves because no interns were working during this time.

My first dig of the day was from about 9 AM to Noon when we took a break for lunch.  During lunch Mr. Josh talked about the journey to become a paleontologist and shared some stories of his past experience in South Dakota.  Sophia and I discussed possible sites we would dig after lunch. 

The Coon Creek dig site is a long, winding,  four to five feet deep creek.  Most all of the fossils are embedded in the dirt bank on each side of the creek. 

I dug at several placed along the creek bank and found a number of fossils intact and a few very interesting partial fossils.  Most of the fossils are very fragile and great care (and lots of patience) is required to remove them intact.  

It was both a fun day and an educational day.  I learned so much from the stories told throughout the day by all involved and I am looking forward to my next trip - where I won't forget my pillow 💤 next time.