Hiking through History: The McCoy fossil beds

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The history lessons spanned thousands of years at our McCoy Fossil Beds “Hiking through History” outing with Walking Mountain Science Center. Geologist and guest teacher Neil Suneson led the fossil hike, which turned up hundreds of fossils, proof of the era when Eagle County was a warm shallow sea. The group then learned some of McCoy’s more recent history with a walk through the cemetery and a visit to John Comer’s historic waterwheel. What a great way to end the season … and we are already working on ideas for next year’s history hikes.

Stem fossil

Shark teeth

Waterwheel, photo by John Comer

In the wash

handful of fossils

Fossil bed

 

Hiking through History: The McCoy fossil beds September 25

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Join the Eagle County Historical Society and Walking Mountain Science Center on Tuesday September 25 [8am to 3pm] for some time travel to an era when Eagle County was a warm, shallow sea. McCoy’s high desert ranching community is a treasure vault of fossils, including shark teeth and brachiopods. The tour will also include a visit to John Comer’s waterwheel, which dates back to 1923 when local ranchers devised an ingenious method of ensuring water from the Colorado river could flow into irrigation ditches. Put on your hiking boots and join us for a fascinating end-of-the-season hike.

Reserve a spot at https://www.walkingmountains.org/project/hiking-through-history-with-echs/

ECHS members get a 50 percent discount. Use the code ECHS at checkout.

Comer Waterwheel, photo by Raymond Bleesz

 

Honky-Tonk Night at the Museum September 7

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We had some fun at “Honky-Tonk Night at the museum. Piano expert Jere DeBacker explained the workings of a player piano. Special thanks to 10th Mountain Distillery for providing a sampling of their brews. And lots of people learned they can play the piano (with their feet).