Fieldtrips

Smoke Hole, Pendleton County, West Virginia

Saturday, August 14^th, 2010 8am until we tire of it.

Are you reading this? Then you are invited. Lucky you.

WHEN: At 8:00 am on Saturday, August 14th, 2010 (meeting at the Gainesville, VA Starbucks just west of the I66/US29 interchange at Gainesville (not Centerville) VA. (7375 Atlas Walk Way, Gainesville - (571) 248-8830). At that time – really, I'll remember this time, honest – we few, we happy few will meet and greet and go juice up (Starbucks, after all) and travel to this the latest in a series of fossiling sites for recreation, scientific discovery and rock smashing. Or to do battle with French Royalist forces upon the field of Agincourt in dramatic fashion (for those who caught the previous reference).

WHERE:

1. Head east on US-29 N toward Linton Hall Rd 1.1 mi.

2. Take the I-66 W ramp to Strasburg 0.3 mi.

3. Keep right at the fork to continue toward I-66 W and merge onto I-66 W 42.6 mi.

4. Take exit 1A to merge onto I-81 S toward Roanoke 3.8 mi.

5. Take exit 296 for US-48/VA-55 toward Strasburg 0.3 mi.

6. Turn right at US-48 W/VA-55 W/John Marshall Hwy 14.1 mi.

7. Continue to follow US-48 W/VA-55 W

8. Entering West Virginia

9. Continue onto W Virginia 55 W 7.1 mi.

10. Turn left at W Virginia 259 S/W Virginia 55 W 22.8 mi.

11. Continue to follow W Virginia 55 W

12. Turn left at US-220 S/W Virginia 28 S/W Virginia 55 W 13.4 mi.

13. Turn left at US-220 S/S Main St 16.4 mi.

14. Continue to follow US-220 S

15. Turn right at Co Route 2/Smoke Hole Rd 5.2 mi.

Approximately 2 hours 6 minutes (Egads! It had better be worth it!)

NOTE:

1. Carpooling is strongly recommended

2. We may stop briefly in Strasburg to pick up any stragglers.

3. There is always a possibility of hitting one or more other sites.

WHY: (Corriganville Formation) Trilobites, Dalmanities plueroptyx, Trimerus vanuxemi, Phacops logani, Moniker ridiculous; Gastropods, Platyceras; Brachiopods, Rhytistrophia beckii, Lingula, Coelospiria concava, Zippity doodah;

WHO: Any and all members in good standing of any eastern federation affiliated club and guests – yes, Clarence, you may bring guests. Roanoke Club members also welcome (Special Dispensation). All non-quadripeds under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Non-human bipeds must be spayed, nuetered or at least well behaved.

If you, finest of readers, are not a member you may go to our website, www.novamineralclub.org, print off the membership form, fill it out and show up at the trip meeting with that and the appropriate of membership dues.

WHAT: (stuff to bring)

Steel-toed Boots - required. Go out with the same number of toes you came in with.

Safety Helmet - a must. Good for flying stone and butting heads.

Safety Goggles - needed. See it coming and going.

Heavy Work Gloves - a necessity. See: Toes, above. Replace with "fingers".

Other Handy Objects - not explicitly solicited, but a good idea. Rock Chisels, Small Sledge Hammers, Large Sledge Hammers, Great Honking Chunks of Tool Steel, Geologists Picks, Heavy Plastic Containers (for large specimens), Egg Cartons (for small specimens), a complete collection of the original Hermans Hermits Albums (signed), First Aid Kits, Snacks, Water, Plastic Sheeting (to protect the interior of your car) and a long bow of yew, good for persuading those pesky french knights.

DISCLAIMER: Due to the vagaries of weather, international diplomacy, the unpredictability of gender relations and my own bizarre hallucinations, the event may be canceled on the very mention of a whim. If there is any question as to whether the trip will come off or if you simply want to go on the trip contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 571.344.4959 (c) or 703.754.2050 (h).

EXTRA CREDIT for reciting the entire pre-battle speech from “Henry V”.