Fossil Hunting at Lilydale Brickyard

Our family went on a fossil hunt at Lilydale Regional Park.  It was a magical day especially since Eric took some time off of work to go with us.  It is always special then...it somehow completes us.

It's funny how sometimes we end up someplace so wonderful in the most interesting ways.  I met Don (the leader of the group) by purchasing some plants from him on Craigslist.  The kids and I spent several hours following Don through his gardens, testing his strawberries and learning about groats (unhulled oats).  We are now fans of oatmeal using these oats after sprouting them.  They are better nutritionally and do not have the pasty texture of oats.

At Lilydale, you are able to find (and take home to study): Brachiopods, Trilobites, Cephalopods, Pelecypods, Bryozoans, Gastropods, and Crinoids (aka cheerios).  We started our 1 1/2 mile trek with Don sharing information about the plants and trees surrounding us as he continued to do throughout the exploration.  We were able to search for fossils and explore the many layers of earth.  It was quite amazing how each layer was so different.  We spent about 3 hours searching and another 3 or so coming home washing, sorting and looking at our fossils.  Magnifying glasses are a wonderful tool!

Here is a link to some of the fossils you may see at Lilydale.  http://www.stpaul.gov/index.aspx?nid=1563

S and W with their friends Jacob and Anna by the old brick kiln.  Sadly, this was our only photo (thank you Rachel) as our camera fell out of the car the night of a heavy rain.  We were without for a month or so.