12 May 2024, Saddlehorn Campground, Fruita, Colorado
All is well at the USC Geology Field Camp. Following a one-day on-campus hydrology short course with proto-prof and field camp teaching assistant Lance Tully, we made a relatively smooth transit across the country through the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, arriving here in Colorado National Monument outside Grand Junction to begin geology field camp in earnest. On our travels we faced minor challenges in the form of a few tornado watches, an impressive but largely distant thunderstorm, and a malfunction of the Badger’s (our 16’ cabover moving truck) diesel particulate filter (DPF) system. After a several hour delay at the Denver Enterprise dealership, we were able to arrive more or less on time, but straight to bed we went.
After a day of learning the stratigraphy of their first map area and brushing up on their unit description and Brunton skills, the students began mapping the layer cake geology of upper Fruita Canyon yesterday. With their newfound mapping skills in tow, the students tackled the more complex geology of the lower canyon today, and are currently wrapping up an integrated geologic map, cross-section and geologic history document, due by bedtime tonight.
Spirits seem high, despite some unseasonably cool and rainy (for the desert) weather — those of us used to the typical heat are enjoying (well, trying to) the respite. The return to home- (well, field-) cooked meals is a welcome change from three days of fast food on our journey west. We've enjoyed almond potato arugula penne, and grilled chicken and vegetables. Three-potato hashbrowns a la (the now extinct) @116 cafe on State Street in West Columbia is on tap tonight.
The students have adapted well to field camp life, helping out with all the camp chores, being a supportive and respectful community, and representing our school and profession well.
Tomorrow we head for our camp in Salt Valley northwest of Moab, Utah for a week or so.
Onward.
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