Fieldtrips

Northern Virginia Mineral Club

Official FOSSIL Collecting Trip Announcement

Near Edinburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia

Saturday, April 9^th, 2011 8am until pandemonium breaks out.

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, not Manassas) VA:

7375 Atlas Walk Way, Gainesville - (571) 248-8830

At that time – and this time no later – we the explorers will give our salutes, and stock on caffeine at Starbucks. From that point we will make our intrepid way, very possibly, to the next meeting point, which will likely be somewhere in the vast hinterland of the Shenandoah Valley, assuming there are others to meet. Whether or no, our ultimate destination will be fossil central. Be prepared for extensive amounts of rock cracking, boulder thumping and stone coercion. But, lo, this will be just the first of several fossil collecting sites in that area that we will have all to our happy little selves

WHERE:

1. Take the 1st right onto Gateway Center Dr 0.1 mi

2. Take the 2nd right onto Linton Hall Rd 0.1 mi

3. Take the 1st right onto US-29 N/Lee Hwy 0.1 mi

4. Take the Interstate 66 W ramp to Strasburg 1.0 mi

5. Merge onto I-66 W 0.8 mi

6. Take exit 1A on the left to merge onto I-81 S toward Roanoke 42.2 mi

7. Take exit 283 for VA-42 toward Woodstock 17.3 mi

8. Turn right at VA-42 S/W Reservoir Rd 0.3 mi

9. Continue to follow VA-42 S

10. Turn right at State Route 675/Wolf Gap Rd 5.6 mi

11. Take the 2nd left to stay on State Route 675/Wolf Gap Rd 0.2 mi

12. Continue State Route 675/Wolf Gap Rd to almost State Route 717 2.9 mi

Approximately 1 hours 15 minutes (And this will be just the first of several sites we will have to choose from!). Carpooling is strongly recommended We may stop briefly in Strasburg or Woodstock to pick up any stragglers.

WHY: (Mahantango Formation) Trilobites, Gastropods, Brachiopods, Oh my! And this fails to mention the Bryzoans,Cephalopods, Corals, Crinoids and not least of all, Peleycypods. (Mustn't forget the Peleycypods, as they can become a irrate if left out).

WHO: Any and all members in good standing of any eastern federation affiliated club and guests – yes, Mabel, you and yours may bring guests. Roanoke Club members are also welcome (Via British Royal citation). All bipeds under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a more or less responsible adult human. Any and all non-humans brought on this venture should be leashed, tethered or otherwise extremely erudite and well educated.

If you, reader of this announcement, are not a member Of the Northern Virginia Mineral Club (a.k.a. NVMC or if you prefer: NorVirMinClu) you should make haste and 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, because otherwise you are just being sneaky.

WHAT: (stuff to bring)

Steel-toed Boots - required. Keep your wee digits out of harms way.

Safety Helmet - a must. Dandy protectors of the cranium and immensely stylish, to boot!

Safety Goggles - needed. I prefer to avoid unnecessary screaming. Painful and icky.

Heavy Work Gloves - a necessity. Refer above to the howling that accompanies injury. No fun at all.

Other Handy Objects – These are items which, while not absolutely necessary, are still a very good idea. Rock Chisels, Small Sledge Hammers, Large Sledge Hammers, Remote control meteorites, Geologists Picks, Heavy Plastic or Cardboard Containers (for large specimens), Egg Cartons (for small specimens), Newsprint (for wrapping specimens), Dancing shoes, First Aid Kits, Snacks, Water, Plastic Sheeting (to protect the interior of your car) and an attitude of quiet confidence, good for a lulling the always vigilant fossils into a sense of complacency.

LASTLY: Due to the vagaries of weather, world events, and my own erratic whims, the event may be canceled for no other reason than it has become a particularly bad idea. 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 knowing the correct pronunciation of “Protoleptostrophia Stropheodonta”.

WAIVER: a waiver will need to be signed by all participants when we meet.