June 2007
LaFarge Quarry, Alpena
A bright sunny morning greeted 15 Club members in the Cement plant parking area Sat.
Morning. Part of the group had arrived that morning having left Lansing about 4;30 A.M. The
others came up Fri. and were not faced with such a long day.
Unfortunately the Plant Guide did not arrive at the Quarry until 10A.M. We then had an
orientation and explanation of the process of converting limestone rocks into concrete also a
short tour of the Building with a chance to see the robot Jenny take samples to insure a
proper mix of ingredients.
We drove into the Quarry about 11 A.M. And after gaping at the size of the hole began to
collect. It is no problem to find fossils as the formations being mined are virtually made up of
fossil material. The trick is to find ones that are not broken or that are small enough to pick up
and carry without help. I of course chose a Petoskey Head that required assistance and moves
much easier on a hand cart. I saw that Chris had John struggle with several that could not be
left behind. Chuck had to drive to the pile that he picked out. I didn’t see any cars that
dragged bottom but they all left heavily loaded, some of which I suspect will end up on the
children’s table. Besides Petoskey heads we came away with favocities, brachiopods , crinoid
stems and a few calyx’s, some horned coral , fish fossil pieces and various other goodies, I didn’t
see it all.
We left the Quarry about 4 P.M. after being threatened with a rain shower. George, we didn’t
need you because the shower went around. Several of the group met at the Big Boy for a late
lunch - early supper and review of the days work before heading home.
Respectfully Submitted Roger Laylin. Thanks Dan !!