Past Field Trips

E.S.C.O.N.I.

ESCONI PAST FIELD TRIPS - 2000

JANUARY 17, 2000 9:00 A.M.

Michigan Natural Storage Company

Meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan at 9:00 A.M., Monday January 17, 2000 at the Michigan Natural Storage Company. This is an underground gypsum and alabaster mine currently used as a storage facility with six miles of tunnels, 85 feet down and a constant temperature of 50 degrees F. We will start with a one hour guided tour. Afterwards, we will be allowed to collect for another hour. There will be a non-refundable $2 charge per person. Contact Joe or Susan Kubal at (630) 983-6159 for questions.

MARCH 12, 2000 9:30 A.M.

Lone Star Quarry, Olgebly, Illinois

Collecting Fossils (Shark's teeth, brachiopods and fish)

APRIL 9, 2000 - 9:00 A.M.

Mazon Creek

APRIL 29, 2000

Manteno, Illinois

Meet April 29 at 8:30 a.m. at the McDonalds Restaurant at Exit 322 on I-57 near Manteno, Illinois. This trip will be fossil collecting. Hard hat and glasses recommended.

MAY 7 2000

Central Limestone Co., 16805 Quarry Road, Morris, Illinois

9 A.M. – 2 P.M. Hard hat and glasses required 25 People Minimum, No Kids

Fossils found at the quarry were sunflower coral, crinoid stems, brachipods, gastropods and trilobite parts. Minerals found at the quarry were calcite, pyrite and marcasite.

Directions to Quarry

From Western Suburbs: Take Rt. 59 south to Rt. 34. Take Rt. 34 west to Hy 47(16.44 miles). Take Hy. 47 south past Hy. 52 to Joilet rd, turn right, then turn left into 16805 Quarry Road(10.55 miles).

From Chicago, Eastern, Northern and Southern suburbs: Take I-55 south to Hy-52. Take Hy-52 west to Hy. 47(14 miles). Take Hy. 47 south to Joilet Rd, turn right, then turn left into 16805 Quarry Road(3.4 miles)

JUNE 4, 2000

Illinois Cement Co, LaSalle, Illinois and Lone Star Quarry, Olgesbly, Illinois

Collecting Fossils (Shark's teeth, brachiopods and fish)

JULY 30, 2000

Manteno, Illinois

Fossils found were crinoids, brachiopods and ammonites.

AUG 20, 2000 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 Brombereks Flagstone Quarry, Joliet Fossil Collecting.

$10 Fee, Maximum number allowed is 25. This quarry is known for its decorative stones with fossils, notably Trilobites. Kids must be over 10 years of age and supervised by adult. Hard hat is required. Chisels and safety glasses are recommended.

Meet at 9:30 at Nowell Park in Joliet at Highway 53 and Mills Street. This can be reached from exit 132 south on Highway 80. Go south to Mills Street. The direct route from Hanover Park to Nowell Park in Joliet via Highway 53 instead of Highway 80 is 37 miles.

SEPT 2-4, 2000 (Labor Day) 9:30 A.M. Prairie Du Chien - Collecting Lake Superior Agates

We will be collecting Lake Superior Agates in three quarries on the Labor Day Weekend. Meet Saturday 9:30 A.M. in Prairie Du Chien at the McDonald's on Highway 35. No limit on participants. See Prairie Du Chien Info for transportation details and further web site links..

Following are pictures from the trips

Lone Star Quarry - Black Shale