Geology Underfoot in Western Washington
Learn about local fossils (not Glen members), volcanoes & dinosaur-like birds when the Glen’s CCC sponsors a free, illustrated talk for Glen members, families and friends at Riverside Lodge on Saturday, June 22/19 at 6pm.
Ever heard of Diatryma, a 7 foot tall flightless bird that weighed in at some 350 pounds and lived in our area when dinosaurs roamed the earth? Did you know that the only known tracks in the entire world left by this giant bird were discovered as rare and precious fossils in 2009 close to the Glen above Kendall junction? By far the world’s oldest giant bird tracks, these fossils are now protected in the collection at Western Washington University in Bellingham. You will be able to see and touch a life-sized fossil casting of the most perfect of these footprints when you attend our “Geology Underfoot” presentation.
Have you seen the impressive 3,000 pound solid rock perfect sphere on display in Bellingham outside Kulshan Hall at Whatcom Community College (behind the old Costco location)? This amazing work of natural art “floats” in a thin (1mm) film of water in a bowl carved from the same rock that is believed to have originated at Jackass Mountain in British Columbia (somewhere beyond Hope) and was deposited in Bellingham by glacial ice. In spite of its weight, it can be moved in its bowl by a child.
Did you know that Slide Mountain, a foothill extension of Mt Baker and the mountain directly across the Nooksack’s North fork from the Glen has yielded many fossils from its folded-slate exposed rock faces?
Join us when Dave Tucker, a research associate in the Geology Department at WWU brings his colourful slide presentation, knowledge and enthusiasm to describe for us the geologic and scenic wonders to be found close to the Glen and along the Mt Baker Highway.
Dave is the author of “Geology Underfoot in Western Washington” whose 22 chapters guide its readers to easily accessible stops along Washington’s highways and trails. He is also the author of the Northwest Geology Field Trips website at https://nwgeology.wordpress.com/. The website features several self-guided geology field trips in the North Fork Nooksack, written for the lay person. Dave will talk about volcanoes, fossils and other wonders of our area along the Mt Baker Highway. Copies of his beautifully illustrated book will be available for purchase. ($24.)
The Glen’s Community Connections Committee sponsors this and other free events from proceeds it receives from ticket sales and donations. This event is suitable for family members aged five to fossil!
To better help us prepare for this event please use the link below to advise if you plan on attending. Tea, coffee and a special treat supplied but you MUST RSVP for this event confirming whether you will join us for:
1: Talk only; OR
2: For those that would like to extend the evening we will be serving a dinosaur themed dinner of ribs, salads and dessert for $15 PP and a special kid’s meal for under 12 years old at $7. Again, you must indicate on the RSVP if you would like the dinner as well as the talk.
RSVP HERE by June 19, 6 PM
Thanks for your support
Dianne Lust: chair of the CCC
dlusthome@shaw.ca for any questions.
