Mike’s adventures on the Wall at Dinosaur National Monument
May 9, 2016
Not much to say this time – the pictures tell the story for now.
It was a pretty transcendental experience, as I imagine it must be for anyone who loves dinosaurs, or has a pulse.
A huge thank-you to Dan Chure, the Park Paleontologist for the Monument, who conveyed us safely up and down the Wall, taught us about the prehistory of the site and the human history of its excavation and conservation, held scale bars, moved backpacks, took photos, and generally seemed to be having just as much fun as we were. This has been a common theme on the trip – every single person we’ve interacted with at a museum or fossil site has been unfailingly welcoming and generous with their time and knowledge. Whatever challenges vert paleo faces, a lack of wonderful people is not one of them.
I was up there, too, for the second time in my life – that will be a post for another day. For now, just bask in the glory of Mike basking in the glory of a literally mind-numbing array of amazing fossils.
Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week 
May 9, 2016 at 11:20 am
Sounds like you’re having an awesome time!
May 9, 2016 at 2:04 pm
The monument is a truly humbling place to visit. When I took my kids there I was expecting there to be a dino party- but the raw splendor of the wall is overwhelming. Even my young kids were in awe.
I can likewise attest to the generosity of the docents; especially their patience in helping a curious ignorant hobbyist rather scholars such as yourselves.
Thanks for your posts, they’re wonderful.
May 11, 2016 at 11:05 pm
It’s on my list of places to visit before I croak, for sure. Do they still excavate bones out of the rock completely, or just leave exposed stuff for people to see?
July 16, 2019 at 9:18 pm
[…] Here’s a piece of signage from the wonderful Dinosaur National Monument, which we visited on the 2016 Sauropocalypse. […]