The People
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Sam showing off some fossil leaves that he found.

Sam showing off some fossil leaves that he found.
Sherry Smith interviewing Kirk Johnson with Kristen Johnson filming and Gabe recording.

Sherry Smith interviewing Kirk Johnson with Kristen Johnson filming and Gabe recording.
Kirk Johnson using a hydraulic trimmer to remove unwanted rock material from the slabs. Sam in adoration mode.

Kirk Johnson using a hydraulic trimmer to remove unwanted rock material from the slabs. Sam in adoration mode.
The Johnson siblings: Kristen Johnson filmed the excavation activities for a museum exhibit and Kirk Johnson led the efforts.

The Johnson siblings: Kristen Johnson filmed the excavation activities for a museum exhibit and Kirk Johnson led the efforts.

Posing for pictures.

Posing for pictures.
Morning in camp discussing the day's dig.

Morning in camp discussing the day's dig.
Sunrise on Oct 13. The night's low was 18 F and everything was covered with a layer of frost, including the grill in the background. Mike Rhinne in foreground.

Sunrise on Oct 13. The night's low was 18 F and everything was covered with a layer of frost, including the grill in the background. Mike Rhinne in foreground.
What's worse... being cold and breathing smoke? Apparently, being cold!

What's worse... being cold and breathing smoke? Apparently, being cold!

Nicole Boyle helps five year old Sam with his discovery of antelope vertebra and ribs.

Nicole Boyle helps five year old Sam with his discovery of antelope vertebra and ribs.
Operations below the quarries: \nLeft - Steel saw area.\nTent - Measuring, washing/drying, wrapping, recording.\nTruck - Hydraulic trimmer, recording\nTable behind truck - marking/taping for trimming\nTable near truck - table saw

Operations below the quarries:
Left - Steel saw area.
Tent - Measuring, washing/drying, wrapping, recording.
Truck - Hydraulic trimmer, recording
Table behind truck - marking/taping for trimming
Table near truck - table saw
Five year old Sam in "King of the Mountain" pose. State Park representative in quarry.

Five year old Sam in "King of the Mountain" pose. State Park representative in quarry.
Operations below the quarries.

Operations below the quarries.

Kirk Johnson photographing a particularly beautiful specimen, one that we called "The Perfect Macginitiea".\nMacginitiea wyomingensist\n(Platanaceae)\nPC001

Kirk Johnson photographing a particularly beautiful specimen, one that we called "The Perfect Macginitiea".
Macginitiea wyomingensist
(Platanaceae)
PC001
Kirk Johnson giving his morning, pre-dig briefing where the day's events are outlined and tasks are chosen. Left to right: Kirk, Sherry Smith, seated: Allison CraigSundine, Paul Brown, Matt Huston (Sam Huston in lap).

Kirk Johnson giving his morning, pre-dig briefing where the day's events are outlined and tasks are chosen. Left to right: Kirk, Sherry Smith, seated: Allison CraigSundine, Paul Brown, Matt Huston (Sam Huston in lap).
Gabe ("The Sound Guy) & Kristen Johnson

Gabe ("The Sound Guy) & Kristen Johnson
Kirk Johnson giving his morning, pre-dig briefing where the day's events are outlined and tasks are chosen.

Kirk Johnson giving his morning, pre-dig briefing where the day's events are outlined and tasks are chosen.

Kirk Johnson giving his morning, pre-dig briefing where the day's events are outlined and tasks are chosen.

Kirk Johnson giving his morning, pre-dig briefing where the day's events are outlined and tasks are chosen.
Yes, the team was even exhausted in the morning from the efforts of previous days. Well, all except for Val Gunther (standing/center) who is always ready to go! Seated in foreground: Mary Miller & Mike Rinne.

Yes, the team was even exhausted in the morning from the efforts of previous days. Well, all except for Val Gunther (standing/center) who is always ready to go! Seated in foreground: Mary Miller & Mike Rinne.
Allison CraigSundine (The Portico Group) & Paul Brown (AJC Architects) explain the design of the new museum which will include a 12' x 24' wall of fossils that we collect from this site... nicknamed "The Great Wall of Vernal".

Allison CraigSundine (The Portico Group) & Paul Brown (AJC Architects) explain the design of the new museum which will include a 12' x 24' wall of fossils that we collect from this site... nicknamed "The Great Wall of Vernal".
Kirk Johnson being filmed for a short museum film for the public. Filming: Kristen Johnson & Gabe ("The Sound Guy)

Kirk Johnson being filmed for a short museum film for the public. Filming: Kristen Johnson & Gabe ("The Sound Guy)

Everyone comes running when a very large slab is split and you hear "Oooh". Michele Reynolds holding large slab with Alison CraigSundine looking on in foreground.

Everyone comes running when a very large slab is split and you hear "Oooh". Michele Reynolds holding large slab with Alison CraigSundine looking on in foreground.
Glade Gunther with a smile of satification that only comes from digging fossils. Paul Brown at left.

Glade Gunther with a smile of satification that only comes from digging fossils. Paul Brown at left.
Michele Reynolds with the same smile as Glade (previous). The fascinating element of discovery temporarily makes one forget about the hard work and exhaustion.

Michele Reynolds with the same smile as Glade (previous). The fascinating element of discovery temporarily makes one forget about the hard work and exhaustion.
Left to right, front to back: Michele Reynolds, Paul Brown, Glade Gunther, Alison CraigSundine, Steve Sroka & Danny Anderson near cooler, Rich Barclay, back: Val Gunther & Darrald CraigSundine.

Left to right, front to back: Michele Reynolds, Paul Brown, Glade Gunther, Alison CraigSundine, Steve Sroka & Danny Anderson near cooler, Rich Barclay, back: Val Gunther & Darrald CraigSundine.

Left to right, front to back: Michele Reynolds, Paul Brown, Glade Gunther, Alison CraigSundine, Steve Sroka & Danny Anderson near cooler, Rich Barclay, back: Val Gunther, Darrald CraigSundine & Kirk Johnson.

Left to right, front to back: Michele Reynolds, Paul Brown, Glade Gunther, Alison CraigSundine, Steve Sroka & Danny Anderson near cooler, Rich Barclay, back: Val Gunther, Darrald CraigSundine & Kirk Johnson.
Michele Reynolds jumping out of the truck to see the canyon in the background. The canyon walls are over 1000 feet of lake deposition from Lake Uinta. Ben standing in truck still carrying a rock from the day's work.

Michele Reynolds jumping out of the truck to see the canyon in the background. The canyon walls are over 1000 feet of lake deposition from Lake Uinta. Ben standing in truck still carrying a rock from the day's work.
Jumping out of the truck to see the canyon in the background. The canyon walls are over 1000 feet of lake deposition from Lake Uinta.

Jumping out of the truck to see the canyon in the background. The canyon walls are over 1000 feet of lake deposition from Lake Uinta.
Jumping out of the truck to see the canyon in the background. The canyon walls are over 1000 feet of lake deposition from Lake Uinta.

Jumping out of the truck to see the canyon in the background. The canyon walls are over 1000 feet of lake deposition from Lake Uinta.

Steve Wagner acting innocent - was among several rolling boulders down the hill - a form of deposition not known in ancient times.

Steve Wagner acting innocent - was among several rolling boulders down the hill - a form of deposition not known in ancient times.
Getting warm back at camp.

Getting warm back at camp.
Getting warm back at camp.

Getting warm back at camp.
Getting warm back at camp.

Getting warm back at camp.

Rich Barclay looks happy to get his morning pancakes. Utah State Parks provided all of our meals which was a tremendous help. Marvin cooking the pancakes.

Rich Barclay looks happy to get his morning pancakes. Utah State Parks provided all of our meals which was a tremendous help. Marvin cooking the pancakes.
At this table, the slabs are marked and taped for trimming.

At this table, the slabs are marked and taped for trimming.
Steve Wagner, left, holding a Macginitiea wyomingensis. Rich Barclay & Kirk Johnson looking at a beautifully preserved species in the chocolate family. \nSterculia coloradensis\n(Sterculiacaea)\nPC003

Steve Wagner, left, holding a Macginitiea wyomingensis. Rich Barclay & Kirk Johnson looking at a beautifully preserved species in the chocolate family.
Sterculia coloradensis
(Sterculiacaea)
PC003
Nicole Boyle on Kirk Johnson's shoulders.

Nicole Boyle on Kirk Johnson's shoulders.

Kirk Johnson with his sister Kristen Johnson and sound man Gabe.

Kirk Johnson with his sister Kristen Johnson and sound man Gabe.
Resting among the fossil slabs is Steve Wagner.

Resting among the fossil slabs is Steve Wagner.
Rich Barclay trimming with the table saw - a job which leaves you covered in fine white dust... and subject to comments like "Here comes the ghost!" Mask and ear protection are required for this job.

Rich Barclay trimming with the table saw - a job which leaves you covered in fine white dust... and subject to comments like "Here comes the ghost!" Mask and ear protection are required for this job.
It's a joke among paleontologists that their job is like the old prison chain gangs - moving heavy rock. So, it was ironic when some inmates were brought out to assist us. They were happy to be out doing something, but were embarrassed by their stripes.

It's a joke among paleontologists that their job is like the old prison chain gangs - moving heavy rock. So, it was ironic when some inmates were brought out to assist us. They were happy to be out doing something, but were embarrassed by their stripes.

Getting help from local jail inmates.

Getting help from local jail inmates.