This field trip has a lot of stops, but we don't want you breaking your back over this when it's supposed to be fun! You all are taking classes at your respective schools, some of you probably work or are involved in research. Here is a suggested itinerary for this trip to help you spread out the work (and excitement!) you are about to start; but feel free to complete the stops as you have time (even after GSA ends!).
Typically, at least on most of the smaller trips I've been on, you will receive an itinerary along with your field guide. This makes sure that the whole group is aware of how long you can spend at each stop, how early you have to leave the camp site, how long you will be in the van until the next stop, etc. Now since this is not an in-person trip this may be a little less necessary, but it may help you plan the trip around your schedule a little easier, and makes it feel more like an in-person trip!
We have this trip separated by study topic and not geographical location, which when traveling is what it typically is. This may make this itinerary a little less realistic as we hop around the southeastern US, but as previously stated, the purpose of this is to help you get through this trip on a timely schedule.
Topic 1: Introduction to Field Geology
What better way to learn about field geology than a field trip?
From the 20th through the 21st we will be in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina.
Stop 1 - This is a small lesson on how to keep a field book. We will hang around camp in the morning to discuss what is important to have in your handy-dandy book and how it will help you in the field.
Stop 2 - The first half of this section is spent in southwest NC at winding stair gap. This is a giant road cut, so when we get out of the van make sure to have on your reflective vests! It tends to get pretty foggy on the road.
Stop 3 - This will be a part of the live portion! And will involve hiking up the whole Blue Ridge Parkway! I don't think anyone can hike it as fast as we are going to ;-).
Topic 2: Sedimentary Geology in the field.
From the 22nd to the 23rd we will be making some quick trips between the Florida coast and North Carolina Blue Ridge region.
Stop 4 - Here we are on the east coast of Florida, you can change out of your hiking pants and throw on some shorts now! (Don't forget the sunscreen to all you newbies who've never been!) We will spend today in the St. Augustine area, full of rich geologic AND anthropogenic history. We even scheduled some time to tour the famous St. Augustine fort!
Stop 5 - We will take a quick trip in our teleportation device, and poof! We're back in the Blue Ridge at Linville Gorge, time to see what sed rocks look like high in the mountains instead of at sea level.
Stop 6 - This will be a part of the live portion! Grandfather Mountain is not that far from Linville Gorge, so we can take our time packing up camp and heading out in the morning. Who would have thought leaving camp at 8am was considered late? Here we get to take a look at the different structures that can be found in sed rocks after they get pushed and moved around.
Stop 7 - Hurry, back in the teleportation device! We're going back to the east coast of Florida where Black Rock Beach really does live up to its name. Put your toes in the sand and enjoy it, this is our last Florida stop!
Topic 3: Introduction to Structural Geology
From the 24th to the 25th we head back to to North Carolina, there sure is a lot going on there isn't there?
Stop 8 - Back in the Blue Ridge, we checkout Devils Courthouse. After some discussion about deformation, maybe we can hit up one of Asheville's many micro-breweries (21 and up of course!).
Stop 9 - Now entering the piedmont, still in NC, where we get to look at some supercool deformation structures at Raven's Ridge. In Florida, we don't get to see these in the field very often without some long travels, so enjoy it!
This was a pretty quick week, so if you have time, you should review the field guide for the next stops so hopefully it will come easier to you! Remember to work smarter, not harder.
Topic 4: An Overview of Igneous Geology in the Field
Stop 10 - Here we are at Stone Mountain in Georgia, where we get to learn how mountains can be made without the help of moving tectonic plates. Weird, huh. Hurry and get back in the van, we've got a decent drive back to North Carolina, where we will stay the rest of the trip.
Stop 11 - In the Piedmont region of North Carolina is Umstead Park, where we will practice our observations again and decipher what minerals we are looking at.
Stop 12- We aren't going far from our last stop, so another late start for us! Take a breath, we are IDing some minerals, take your time, you have it! Blue Jay Point is right near where Laura grew up, maybe she can point us in the direction of some good food if you're tired of eating from the campfire.
Stop 14 - Our final stop is also in the Piedmont. Here we will put all the skills we learned together. There is also some extra practice for the students of the higher grade levels, depending on what classes you have taken so far.
Don't cry because it over, be happy that you learned something!