Searching the banks of the Mazon River for fossils. Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/lapstrake/2391568434.

Ever since I was old enough to pick up a pebble, I’ve been fascinated by rocks. By the time I was a teenager, I had become a passionate rockhound, hauling boxes of specimens back from every family vacation. Over the years, my collection grew to include some fine specimens. I specialized in minerals that had been buried in the earth for eons, gradually forming sparkling, multi-colored crystals. Some, I bought. Some I dug from the ground. Others came my way when I traded with other rockhounds.

I added to my collection whenever I traveled, since the Chicagoland area offered little in the way of mineral collecting. But that all changed when I moved 60 miles southwest of Chicago to the town of Morris, Illinois and rented an apartment on the shores of the Mazon Creek. Here, in the midst of endless flat plains, I discovered one of the word’s greatest fossil collecting sites.

Three hundred million years ago, this area of Illinois was dominated by shallow seas and swamps. As plants and animals died, they fell into the water and were covered with successive layers of mud. Bacteria caused the organic matter to decompose inside the mud, producing a carbon dioxide “bubble” in the sediments around the remains. The carbon dioxide combined with iron from the groundwater to form an ironstone nodule. Gradually, the layers of mud in which the nodule was embedded hardened into shale.

Oval nodule embedded in layer of shale is certain to contain a fossil

Semi-rare Annularia specimen

Since these oval-shaped nodules are some of the finest fossil specimens in the world, they are highly sought by collectors. Following every rain, rockhounds descend on the Mazon Creek to search the shallows of the river and its exposed banks. While much of the river runs through private property, there are many access points on public lands, and even a site that is devoted to fossil hunting at the Mazonia Braidwood State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Neuropteris specimen

Kids are absolutely astounded when the nodules are struck with a hammer and split into two halves, revealing a perfectly preserved leaf or animal. For a more perfectly preserved fossil, place the rocks in a freezer overnight and then drop them into boiling water. Not only is fossil hunting fun for the whole family, it is an excellent educational activity. And if you’re really lucky, you may find a specimen of the elusive Tully Monster, which was was designated the Illinois State Fossil in 1989 and is only found in and around the Mazon Creek.

Fossilized remains of the unique Tully Monster are found only around the Mazon Creek

In addition to rockhounding, north central Illinois offers abundant fishing, hunting, boating, birding, and hiking opportunities, as well as numerous local attractions and festivals throughout the year, and a wide range of accommodations are readily available.

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels

by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl

Before I toured the Filoli Gardens last week, I stepped through the main house, a beautiful example of an early California country estate. A historic site of the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation, the Filoli Estate is now open to the public.

Built in 1915, the Filoli Estate was designed by renowned San Francisco architect Mr. Willis Polk for close friends Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn. Mr. Bourn chose the name Filoli by combining the first 2 letters of his personal credo: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” In 1935, the estate was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. William P. Roth, who created and established Filoli gardens as a showpiece with worldwide recognition.

As you approach the estate (I don’t think I can call it a house!), the front door provides an imposing welcome, softened with the addition of seasonal flowers and decorations. You enter into the foyer of the home, which has several openings to other rooms on the first floor.

I took a self-guided tour, and of course, my favorite part was the kitchen. In the main part of the kitchen, which contained a fairly modern looking double oven, I could imagine the household staff preparing the meals for the Roth family. Off the main kitchen was the butler area, which I guess would be used for serving dinner and keeping plates warm. There was also a large walk-in safe where the family silver was stored. Fancy, schmancy.

Throughout the rest of the house, details and decorations have been carefully restored to provide the visitor with samples of the grandeur of the original home. Photographs of family members, as well as personal mementos and household items lend to the story.

If you have the time, I highly recommend a tour with one of the knowledgeable volunteers. Otherwise, pick up a map in the Visitor’s Center and walk through yourself. Either way, spend some time appreciating the architecture.

Plan your visit:

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 or students. Children under 4 are free. For more details, stop by the Visitor and Education Center or visit the Filoli website.

Be sure to visit the Garden Shop for thoughtful garden gifts, and if you are hungry, the Café at Filoli offers reasonably priced snacks and meals. Picnics are not permitted at Filoli.

Where the heck is Katy, Texas and why does it have Forbidden Gardens?

Good Question!

Katy, Texas is just outside Houston, Texas, and the spot where Hong Kong real estate mogul Ira P.H. Poon built a slightly smaller-sized replica of the ancient Chinese attraction.  He wanted to share his country’s history and culture here in the United States.

The United States’ Forbidden Gardens cover over 40 acres, cost around $20 million, and covers 2000 years of Chinese history.

The 6,000 figure terra-cotta army is 1/3 the size of the originals in China.

Terra Cotta Army

The ones in China were originally unearthed in 1974 with the first emperor of China, Quin Shihauangdi’s tomb.

Emperor Quin became a ruler of China at age 13, although not assuming total power until age 21. During his reign, he united all the warring states of China into one nation. He standardized laws and currency, bringing together a divided country. He built roadways and a canal system. He also started the Great Wall of China.

Also on site are a shaded courtyard, a koi fish pond, incense and Chinese  music coming from hidden speakers.

Guided tours are mandatory and included in the price of admission, which is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and $3 for children under 5. The attraction is open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.

Want a little glimpse of China without traveling across the world?

by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children

The Works in Newark, Ohio

Children’s and science museums can be found in big cities and small towns, in impressive new spaces and reused buildings.  Bigger and newer do not always mean better.  Such is the case with The Works.

The Works is found in the small town of Newark, Ohio, east of Columbus.  The museum has been created in an old manufacturing building and serves multiple purposes.  On the main floor is the science museum, which includes hands-on areas for toddlers as well as exhibits that older kids will enjoy.  (Pieces in the toddler area are stored in real Longaberger baskets, thanks to the factory just down the road.)  Also included in the museum is a working glassworks, where visitors can see glass-making demonstrations.  Pieces made in the museum are on display in the gallery and for sale in the gift shop as well.

Xylophone Bench at The Works

Upstairs, the history of the county is depicted.  Though most of the exhibits are standard word-and-picture displays, there are a few hands-on areas as well.  The manufacturing and transportation of the area is quite diverse, as depicted in the history area of the museum.

In the summer months, additional buildings on the campus are open as well.

Toddler Area at The Works

We found The Works to be interesting, educational, and uncrowded.  While there are bigger museums in Columbus and other large cities in Ohio, The Works is worth the drive out of the city to learn about science, history, and art in one location.

Photo credits:  minnemom