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• Martin Marietta Cement Quarry Field Trip

  • When
    Sat, May 04, 2024
  •  
    7:45 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Midlothian, Texas
  • Spaces left
    25

  Martin Marietta Cement Quarry Field Trip

  Signup will open on MONDAY, APRIL 29th at NOON.
  

  When: Sat, May 4, 7:45 AM, CDT
  Where: 245 Ward Rd, Midlothian Texas 76065

  EVENT DETAILS:

  At this quarry just southwest of Dallas, we’ll be collecting the ATCO member of the Austin Chalk just above the Eagle Ford Shale (Upper Cretaceous Period). We’ll be looking principally for shark teeth: Cretodus, Cretoxyrhina, Ptychodus, Squalicorax and other shark and bony fish teeth. Possible finds also include other marine vertebrates such as mosasaur, turtle and bony fish material in addition to the usual assortment of marine invertebrates.

  The quarry has limited us to 25 people. So, only adult members whose memberships are current will be able to attend.

  Because there is a 25-person limit, online registration is required through our website: www.dallaspaleo.org.

  
  

   
  A waiting list will be started once the limit of 25 is reached.

  We will meet in the parking lot by 7:45AM for safety training and collect from 8AM until Noon.  Closed-toed shoes (ankle-high boots are best) as the slopes in the shale pits are steep and footing can be treacherous. Eye protection is required so bring your own, if possible. The quarry does have a limited supply. Management also will provide hi-vis safety vests. Most of the collecting is on the surface, but you may need a rock hammer and collection bags (prescription bottles or plastic bags are fine).

  
  We are asking attendees to download the attached hold harmless agreement, print and sign it and bring it with you on trip day.

  As usual, the Executive Committee has first priority on attendance due to the time they spend running our Society. So, you might want to consider volunteering to help us out there.

  On Trip Day – Be on time or early as we must enter as a group for required safety training. Copy this number into your phone and call 972-898-2700 as early as you can if you see you’re going to be late or are not coming. You will not be able to get into the quarry if you are late.                            

  You can find more quarry into on our ‘Midlothian Quarry Handout’ under the Links tab on the website.

  Directions: Take Hwy 67 southwest out of Dallas towards Midlothian, Texas. Exit Ward Road and cross under Hwy. 67 and enter the first parking lot on the left.

  
  

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• Denton Creek Canoe Trip

  • When
    Sat, May 11, 2024
  •  
    8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    near Justin, Texas
  • Spaces left
    20

  Register

  Annual Denton Creek Canoe Trip

  Saturday, May 11 before 8:30AM

  By Roger Farish

  Same song, 29^th verse is our usually annual row/paddle/float/drag down the lovely stream called Denton Creek between SH 407 (near Justin) and I-35W (just north of Texas Motor Speedway) all about 30 miles north of Fort Worth. Come join us for a bit of a different outing. This trip is for Members and their guests only.

  This section of the creek flows through the upper Washita series of the Lower Cretaceous. In the past, assorted bivalves and the echinoids Salenia mexicana, Hemiaster whitei, Goniophorus whitnei, Holaster simplex, Macraster sp., Phyllacanthus sp. and cidarid plates have been found along with various plant fossils. Other potential finds include the ornate Rastellum carinata and ammonites of Oxytropidocaras, Pervinquieria, Mortonoceras andEopahcydiscus. Shark teeth are always possible. Access to the exposures along the 4-5 mile stretch is quite restricted so collecting should be good.

  No canoeing expertise is required since the creek is usually mild and there will be experienced canoers along to help out, if needed. HOWEVER, it will be an arduous trip as we are regularly in and out of the boats and there are many obstructions and hazardous along the creek, all of which can be amplified by a low or high-water level. So, please seriously consider these things before signing up. If you need more information, please give me a call 972-898-2700.

  The creek consists of deep pools connected by fast stretches (if we’ve had rain), all mostly shaded by trees. Surface collecting is along the banks, hillsides, side creeks and gravel bars. Certainly dress for the day. You’ll need:

  • Amphibious footwear (old tennis shoes), as we’ll be in and out of the canoes frequently, hopefully by choice
  • Protection from the sun in the form of a shirt, hat and lotions
  • High-top socks to guard against possible fire ants and the sun (unless you’re feeling lucky)
  • Plenty of fluids and snacks/lunch of your choice

  The trip will take 3-5 hours depending on how good the collecting is, how much water is in the creek and how bad the fire ants are. We haven’t seen many snakes but they’re there (ask David Hill for his copperhead pics). Pets and kids ok, BUT THEY’RE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, NOT OURS! (We really haven’t lost THAT many folks on past trips.)

  We’ll meet by the northbound lanes of I-35W on the north side of Denton Creek, about 2 miles north of SH 114 intersection near the Texas Motor Speedway before 8:30 Saturday morning. We’ll leave as many cars there as possible since this is our takeout point and will drive people and canoes to the put-in point about 15 minutes upstream.

  We have arranged for 7 - 2-person canoes for members’ use and each can be rented for $40/canoe ($20 each end). If you would like to rent a canoe or need a partner, please call Roger.  A Hold Harmless Agreement will be sent to you closer to event date.

  Anyone can bring their own boat and join us. Most durable, shallow-draft watercraft can make it down the creek. Canoes and kayaks are ideal. Heavy boats, inflatables or flimsy boats/rafts will have trouble. Questions can be sent to rffarish@verizon.net. If you have any questions on game day, please call trip leader David Hill (214-762-3813).

  EVERYONEplanning to attend MUST register for the trip on our website: www.dallaspaleo.org  whether you’re renting a canoe OR BRINGING YOUR OWN – we must have your contact information. We are dependent on the creek level and the trip could be a last-minute decision to go, cancel or revert to Plan B (a lake site for shoreline collecting or another alternate site, for example). Almost half of previous trips have been cancelled for one reason or another.

  NOTE: In the past some members have selfishly chosen to precede us down the creek, so please be honorable enough to come collect with us and not spoil this trip for others.

  As usual, check the DPS Hot Line 817-355-4693 for the last-minute status of the trip.

  
  

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