Fossil Hunting

Today was the much anticipated fossil hunting trip. We had been bracing for rain, but instead it was beautiful.
Andy's co-worker Mike Belowich is one of the best coal geologists in Alaska and he gave us a 4-wheeler ride tour of the former Jonesville mine property. It was beautiful and interesting to see the great outcrops and coal seams.
And the day ended with a fossil hunt.
Lucky for you I paired my original 200 photos into the 47 select pictures below...

Here's my little paleontologist, checking out the site with his binoculars.

The guys are unloading the 4-wheelers

Esther and I have our game faces on

NOW Van is really ready, rock hammer, safety glasses and binoculars.

Here we are loaded onto the 4-wheeler and ready to go.

Cute kids

We were an Esther sandwhich. She's such a good sport. Up for anything. We rode for an hour or two like this and she never complained.

Van had a great seat in the red box.

So much cuteness

Here's an overlook where we stopped for a snack

Really steep on both sides, you can see the coal seams.

Our fearless leader.

Climbing on some rocks

Our ride

Deciding where to go next

Another really cool stop, the exposed outcrops here had a cool fossilized tree in them.

I love it

Esther taking a turn to drive, we finally arrived to the fossil hunting location

cool fossils!

Van hard at work with his rock hammer

So cute watching him look for fossils.

Here's a great one he found

handsome!

Still searching for fossils

Esther/mom selfie

The picture is not as clear as I'd like, but you can see the fossils on the rocks coming out of the outcrops, it was great.

Taking a break to climb a tree

toe grabbing

setting down for a snack

Getting ready for the drive home

Family photo

5 seconds after starting to drive. 2 tired kids.

The end. 

Great day. 

Thanks Mike!