my first steps into the devonian

overview of quarry at Rockport recreation area.

my first real fossil hunting trip began in the L.P. of Michigan in Alpena and Presque Isle counties. when i finally had the confidence to go out on my own i did a quick google search for places to go in michigan and found Rockport recreation area. this small, abandoned quarry 10 min north of Alpena ended up becoming an obsession. sadly i didnt do my due diligence my first time around and didnt find much worth writing about. one august morning my friend skippy, my little sister, and i drove 2 hours away to go explore this famous location. after an eventful drive we arived at the parking lot and spent some time in front of lake Huron to enjoy the picturesque view of the water. we clambered up the gravel mound and got a birds eye view of the great lake.

Skippy taking photos of the old limestone dock.

later adventures back to the area proved more fruitful. a member of FUMMP at U of M shared with me a publication on the devonian strata of alpena. i made it my goal to find one of every fossil described in the publication!

Family photo on an exposure of the Genshaw formation in Rockport Recreation area, NW section of quarry

i I began sharing these experiences with my younger siblings and friends, giving me the skills to teach others about a subject I love. Eventually, my passion led me to return for an undergraduate in geology at LSSU. I didn’t know it yet, but that was the best decision I would have ever made.

Left: friend trying to look serious, Right: Wife not so serious

Talking about the exposure at Four Mile Dam.