July 15th
3:00 PM.
Finally got on-site after eight false starts, two last-minute sign-ups, and five cancellations. Ground here looks promising – just weathered enough to begin to expose bones, hopefully not so much that they’ll have been eaten away by storms. Tents are going up and soo
4:25 PM.
Just got back from talk with short, irritated man with shotgun. Had to persuade him we were not FBI agents or tourists. Have permission to dig, trip duration cut by one week. License plate is LB-97318.
Will open bottle earlier than planned.
July 16th
7:15 AM.
Woke up, ate, dispersed black widow from left shoe, spent twenty minutes ousting students from beds. Equipment was divided quickly after lunch. Had to separate Patterson and Young after Patterson gestured improperly with shovel handle in attempt to attract interest. Digging begins imminently.
12:30 PM.
Alarmingly large rainstorm with no forewarning. Impossible to dig and possibly dangerous. Much complaining from Donaldson and Kim, admonished them on pitching tent in depression. Urged students to use time to plan ahead for tomorrow’s excavations. Communication likely hindered by surreptitious iPods.
July 17th
7:45 AM.
Rain.
3:45 PM.
More rain.
11:50 PM.
Rain. Again.
Getting good use out of bottle.
July 18th
7:55 AM.
Rain stopped. Students stayed up much too late last night, efforts at rising from bed hampered by hangovers, laziness. Patterson claimed incapability of movement. Young induced movement via water bottle.
1:35 PM.
Rain did us a favour – slope has been stripped apart thoroughly. Many intriguing possibilities much easier to see without topsoil coverage. Already found numerous bone fragments. Possibly something quite large in here.
Dig teams: Patterson-Young, Kelly (solo by request), Donaldson-Kim-Schmidt.
9:20 PM.
Mood over dinner positive. Many finds, minor but not so small as to be disappointing. Genuine enthusiasm present for the first time.
11:25 PM.
Horrifying screech.
11:30 PM.
Patterson unanimously mocked by peers for screaming like child upon discovering black widow on pillow.
July 18th
4:05 PM.
Donaldson, Kim, and Schmidt called my attention. Had unearthed small skull. Seems some sort of little crocodile. Good work on their part. Directed their attention to likely spots for its other bones. Others working harder, motivated by their success.
7:00 PM.
Young located tooth, which on closer examination proved to be pebble. Patterson attempted mockery and was threatened with waterbottle.
July 19th
9:05 AM.
Patterson and Young remain univocally antagonistic during breakfast. Searching sites too close together, not helping situation – each persists in pointing out things the other “just missed” on his/her side. Violence will hopefully remain verbal.
5:30 PM.
Just past noon, Young punched Patterson directly in gut, resulting in a roll some ten feet downhill. Fortunately, no injuries. More fortunately, Patterson’s face landed in a patch of rock that contained actual fossilized tooth rather than stunted cactus two feet distant. Both claim exclusive credit for discovery. Have urged them to explore patch together, hoping either acknowledgement of cooperation or elimination of the louder, whichever comes first.
10:15 PM.
Six quite large teeth unearthed by Young and Patterson today, marking them to be envied. Too busy arguing over who keeps them safe to bask in it though; almost were too distracted to even mark the locations found. Willing to let them bicker if it means more finds like this – teeth not recognizable to my eye. Will pore over books, see if I’m missing something.
July 20th
7:10 PM.
Patterson, Young remain surly and quiet – even more so. Each accuses other of staying up all night picking at nails, each calls other liar. Maybe joint dig isn’t working. Donaldson, Kim, Schmidt have found vertebrae, possibly from same crocodile originally excavated. Encouraging. That and very nice fern leaf from Kelly make a good day.
9:35 PM.
Young cornered me before bed, insisted I take teeth for safekeeping. Claims they’re “rattling” at her all night, blames Patterson nudging them with his boot to irritate her. Anything to make them cut it out.
July 21st
3:00 AM.
Was woken continually by rattling noises several times in the past few hours before source of sound discovered. Teeth appear to be shaking slightly independent of any outer force, reduced markedly in severity when exposed to light. When in dark, escalates gradually to the scale of a small set of maracas. Not sure if I should tell students.
9:30 AM.
Raining again; drizzle, not enough to keep dry inside. Morale dips. Patterson, Young more civil. Kelly accuses Schmidt of trying to “sneak around” his site, calls him “greedy bastard,” Schmidt takes offence, Kelly assures it was meant in jest, Schmidt not convinced, perhaps sensibly. Perhaps pre-trip briefings should have encouraged use of iPods and discouraged discussion rather than vice versa.
2:00 PM.
Teeth appear mobile when placed on reasonably flat surface (used laptop); toddle about at slow pace when watched out of corner of eyes, attempt (poorly) to freeze when viewed boldly. Smallest one seems prone to fidgeting during this.
2:15 PM.
Had to stuff teeth hurriedly into box as Schmidt approached to complain about Kelly’s “paranoia.” Told him to keep his distance and let Kelly cool off. Schmidt claims impossibility, told him to let Donaldson and Kim do searching for a while.
3:20 PM.
Largest, smallest, and second-largest tooth sharply jabbed right palm as I extracted them from box after Schmidt left. “Bite” was delivered without great force (no skin break), but clear warning gesture and not acquired wariness – no agitation post-“bite,” apparent docility upon replacement within box and lack of hand-shyness. Presence of ethologist would be useful. Philosophy major too.
July 22nd
11:20 AM.
Trip’s halfway done, should be a third. Must remember license plate. Donaldson and Kim less inclined to hunt than Schmidt, remain to search for further crocodile traces. Schmidt sulking, Kelly smug. Patterson and Young turned up nothing so far, are spending more time arguing than hunting. Teeth nearly only reliable companions in camp.
12:55 PM.
Reaction to hamburger is immediate and enthusiastic embedment. Smallest one became stuck, had to assist in egress.
11:55 PM.
Woke up with small, cold, hard object on pillow. Smallest tooth was attempting to sneak body warmth from back via snuggles. After careful consideration, went back to sleep. Too blunt to penetrate skin without greater force.
July 23rd
4:00 PM.
Schmidt left Donaldson, Kim, attempted to join Patterson, Young. Patterson received offer with guffaw, said if he wanted to take their teeth he’d have to open their mouths because there weren’t any more. Young was more diplomatic. Schmidt complained about Donaldson. Young was less diplomatic. I intervened. Didn’t know Young-Donaldson former childhood friends, learn something every day.
Dig teams: Patterson-Young (now in better temper), Kelly (solo by request), Schmidt (solo by self-inflicted choice), Donaldson-Kim (remarkably tranquil).
7:25 PM.
Teeth remain steadfast and unidentifiable (beyond obvious reptilian origin) due to extreme wear; could be herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, fast food junkie, vegan. Smallest one still clingy and attention-demanding. Reminded of childhood basset hound, Halibut, but without unpleasant smell. Am possibly the only wholly content person in camp. Should remedy this.
July 24th
11:50 AM.
Schmidt seeks attention again, claims he left Donaldson-Kim because they were “holding out on him,” with something big. When asked for proof, becomes uncomfortable discussing source. Pressure causes lack of eye contact, fidgeting, verbal stammering, request to withdraw. Will press issue later.
10:15 PM.
Teeth spent day insistently attempting escape towards NW corner of tent, where they attempted to rip through canvas. When placed back in box, made efforts to reach NW corner no matter which way it was turned. Appear highly agitated and difficult to keep still.
July 25th
1:30 AM.
Schmidt and Kelly came near to fistfight as both discovered fossil at same time, Kelly claiming Schmidt intruded on his dig, Schmidt claiming he was free-roaming at the time. Fossil is lovely little fish quite well preserved. Split them up, was rounded upon by both for lack of interaction and accused of “sitting on your ass” in tent all day. May be time to reveal teeth, hopefully restore harmony. Will do so after dinner.
4:30 AM.
Donaldson, Kim have found something, yet attempt to hide it. Obvious about it, no guile, too guilty-looking. Will ask tonight.
6:30 AM.
Patterson, Young show no results on bone hunt and no dig markers yet are covered with dirt and dust; possible fraternization via unification against Schmidt re July 23rd. Will remind group entire of focusing efforts on studies later.
July 26th
12:25 AM.
Three days left.
Revelation of teeth post-meal rather surprising in range of reactions. Patterson, Young stupefied (Patterson triumphantly proclaims that he never picked his nails, Young induces cranial bruising); Kelly surprised mildly yet smug; Schmidt shocked then irate; Donaldson-Kim jumpy yet attempt to remain calm while pretending surprise, poorly. Appears only Patterson-Young have been in dark due to lack of further finds past teeth entire (Kelly’s smugness vanishes rapidly at this revelation, possibly believed himself unique). Kelly’s fern wavers when held in wind and absorbs water, grows more lustrous in sunlight; Schmidt claims he spotted fish due to its “swimming” against the stone and suspected since Donaldson-Kim attempted to isolate him from crocodile skull + vertebrae, was root cause of departure from dig team. Initial denial by Donaldson-Kim gives way rapidly under pressure, followed by admission of guilt: hoped to keep secret and reveal more publicly following trip for greater sensationalism. Admonished both, learned crocodile skull has been hissing, grunting, and clacking to itself since night of excavation, though at tiny volume only audible when held near ear (prone to snapping, evidence: bandaged earlobes of Donaldson-Kim. Must not write off such things as fashion statements in future).
Total pool of animate fossils:
Fern leaf (demi-living, absorbs nutrients).
Small crocodile skull + vertebrae (vocalistic, capable of biting; rattle against one another)
Fish (swims against surrounding rock).
Unidentifiable teeth (rambunctious)
Characteristic shared by all: increased desire to travel NW direction, noted by all fossil holders.
Reluctantly proposed returning teeth to Patterson-Young, was rebuffed. Young claims smallest tooth’s habit of hugging close to nape of neck in unguarded moments was “adorable,” Patterson claims my role as surrogate mother too important to disrupt. Too grateful to reprimand.
6:45 AM.
All excited to leave beds for once as full impact of trip is realized. Divided between wish to excavate more fossils (Schmidt, Kelly), wish to see why current ones desire NW relocation (Donaldson, Kim, Patterson, Young). Excavation placed on hold after vote.
6:00 PM.
Direction of desire tilts rapidly away from NW after one-kilometre walk from camp. Divided group, triangulated with difficulty, approximate location was determined and reached: relatively modest butte nevertheless prominent above landscape, throne-like. Fossils deliriously intense, agitated above centre. Will excavate tomorrow; full day job at least. Sleep for all will prove difficult.
July 27th
Two days left.
6:00 AM.
Even greater eagerness to leave beds, to the point of singing as march to dig is undertaken. Patterson attempts to sing ribald marching tune taught by elder brother, is mocked roundly yet affectionately. Best spirits yet.
7:55 PM.
Morale still undaunted despite difficulty of excavation; “Throne” butte near uppermost end of sandstone durability. Schmidt in better humour post-apology of Donaldson-Kim, team now includes him again. Kelly working closely with Patterson-Young, dual effect of keeping them busy and reminding him of benefits of teamwork. Importance of mutual goal as unifying force impressed deeply, will attempt to artificially impose one more thoroughly on future digs, act more decisively to crush factionalism. Blaming teeth as distraction from professorial duties futile, childish.
Excavation made real progress. Teeth almost frantic with energy near pit. Tomorrow, we breach. Smallest tooth extra-snuggly tonight, attempting to burrow into shoulder to within small fraction of drawing blood.
July 28th
Tomorrow, we pack and leave.
5:45 AM.
For first time, ready almost immediately post-sunup. Sleep filled with profound and fantastical dreams. All vibrating with excitement. Today we unearth it.
12:15 AM.
Discovery! Fossil is corner of jawbone, extremely large, reptilian, probably theropod. Excellent condition, will remove from seat soon.
July 29th
Home again.
11:45 PM.
Excavation did not quite go as planned. Upon exposure of much of skull fossil emerged forcefully from rock, worryingly near complete (missing half tail, large middle portion of left leg – erratic walk to say the least). Teeth entered skull, other fossils removed forcefully from persons and sucked directly onto surface of “King” fossil’s (Patterson’s terminology) superstructure, followed immediately with forceful emergence of others from all points of Throne and similar attachment. End result attained within thirty seconds: King is covered with carapace composed of smaller fossils. King bowed deeply (grace hampered by tail incompleteness), sighted on north(?) star, and departed across badlands at over estimations of fifty mph, unverified (lack of tissues appears to overcome muscle-mass ratio limitations).
Field trip net success, if ultimately with no real physical evidence. Students initially depressed, perked up on home trip with reminder of next year.
Must remember to check license plate.