Letchworth State Park, New York

It was just one of those days in the field. Paul planned out our hike to the Genessee River where the Rhinestreet Shale meets the Hatch Shale. Easy hiking trail to a gentle slope and then southeast 500 feet to the river. Easy peezy, right. Nope. Not today.

We were climbing through shrubs, fallen tree, wild grape vines while thinking we were getting to the river. “I can hear it!” Was repeatedly stated by each of us…. Alas we were making a giant circle. Sweaty, buggy, exhausting circle. Then… Stinging nettle.

I have never had an experience like this in my life. Four hours later after a shower, aloe vera, and shaving my arms… I’m still burning. Avoid this evil plant. It burns. A lot.

After two hours of hiking through 12 foot high weeds we we’re about to give up… But we found a small ceeek littered with black shale. Paul and Cody each broke open a few pieces and we had hit pay gold. We found the Rhinestreet!

The creek was a beautiful little sanctuary from the sun and bugs. We grabbed our samples and scaled the 300+feet pitch through the woods back to our cars. Phew.

Beyond our patience and tolerance, we also lost one flippy floppy and two rock hammers. Should you find them out there, please let me know.

These samples better have tektites.

Update – October 5, 2018