This is Mazon Monday post #223. What's your favorite Mazon Creek fossil? Tell us at email:[email protected].
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The first NAPC conference was held in 1969 at the Field Museum in Chicago, IL (see Mazon Monday #221). ESCONI participated by displaying many nice Mazon Creek fossils.
NAPC 2024 was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan the week of June 17th, 2024. One of their field trips was to the Braceville Spoil Pile. That's the same place we hold our spring and fall Mazon Creek field trips to collect Mazon Creek concretions (see Mazon Monday #130). Victoria McCoy of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee led the trip and ESCONI was there as guides. On Sunday, the attendees visited the Field Museum to see some of the best and rarest specimens.
The Carboniferous Mazon Creek fossil site: collecting at “Worm Hill” and viewing non-worms at the Field Museum
The late Carboniferous Mazon Creek Lagerstätte is world-famous for its diverse and abundant fossils of plants and soft bodied animals. However, over a hundred years of collecting has resulted in most publicly accessible localities of this site being completely picked over, and, these days, only rarely yielding interesting fossils. On this trip, we have the opportunity to visit and collect from a privately owned site. Nicknamed “Worm Hill” for its abundant worm fossils, it represents a locality where marine animal fossils are still commonly found. On the second day, we will visit the extensive collection at the Field Museum in Chicago, to see many of the best specimens, and rarest species, from the Mazon Creek.
ESCONI provided shelter, water, tools, information and... of course... fossils. We had a display of some nice specimens from the spoil pile... worms, jellies, clams, and a few plants.
We took the obligatory selfie...
It was a very hot day, but Arjan Mann and Fabiany Herrera were on hand to welcome the attendees.
After time in the heat, we headed to the Tully Monster Pub and Grill in Morris, IL. I mean where else would you eat after a hot afternoon collecting Mazon Creek fossils?
We don't usually do restaurant reviews, but the food was delicious. I really like the Zesty Cuban and the burgers. Other favorites are "The Monster" and the "Fossil Named Tully". Additionally,t hey have a nice selection of beer to cool you off and quench your thirst.
When we visited back in May after the spring Braceville trip, we noticed there were pictures but no true Tully Monster on display. Well, as you can imagine, ESCONI has a few tullies in reserve. We put together a nice display box with a real Tully fossil and a photo of Francis Tully.
Dave Carlson presentee the display to Melinda Courtney the owner of the Tully Monster Pub and Grill. Melinda opened up the restaurant in 2008. She collects fossils and artifacts. If you're in Morris and looking for a tasty restaurant, give them a try!
From Tully Monster Pub and Grill on Facebook
So when you know you are blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people. Here comes a thing that takes it to the next level!!! Christmas times 100!! I was gifted this absolutely amazing piece on Saturday from ESCONI ( Earth Science club of Northern il) I gotta admit I don't cry often but...need I say more. It will be proudly displayed at Tullys! This is a dream come true for the fossil freak that lives within me!! Thank you everyone that made this dream possible!! I will cherish this forever
