Recently we have gotten into looking for fossils. I know good places to look are tightly held secrets, but are there any sites near the SC/GA coast that you can recommend?

I doubt anyone is going to post their favorite/secret collecting spot, but anywhere with shale in the SE will be likely. However, try the library (or the web, of course) for the "Roadside Guide to Geology" series for your area. And be sure to follow the law and do it where it's allowed--you can't just trot around chipping at rocks anymore.

I thought it's a question about "Fossil" watches. Sorry can't help with the real ones.

You can also call the local geology department of the nearest college--they could help you.

Down around Naples you can find fossil shells at an old quarry. They are beautiful

Thanks Sylva3, I will try to get that book. Gretchen, you may have given me reason to go to Florida.

It has been a number of years since I knew about this--and it was only open on Saturdays at the time. You may need to do more research before committing.

ok, go to homeatt.net (I think,that's right-- I just looked for "southeast georgia fossil sites"-there's a whole list there with instructions on how to get to them. Apologies to any hoarders!

Sylvia3, I tried typing in that search request and I didn't find the good site you did. However I did find a college professor who live 20 miles a way who had his fossil hunting expedition on the web.

If you find that good site again, if you could copy the web address and paste it in this page?

In the meantime, I will watch road cuts for shale.

palmettoprincess:
Try this: http://home.att.net/~cochrans/geosit01.htm

This place isn't close to the SC/GA coast, but since this thread will be read by everyone interested in fossils http://www.keystonegallery.com/ has fossil tours in Kansas.

Keith

There's a fossil museum near Aurora, North Carolina not far froma giant phosphate plant on the Pamlico River. It's minutes from the North Carolina ferry, half an hour or so from New Bern.

Thanks to all for the links. I think to find what we are looking for, mounds of dirt for the kids to sort through we are going to have to go to Aurora, NC. (That is where the dirt that got us started on this search came from.) I was hoping to find something closer, but after researching several leads, fossil hunting in SC and GA means getting permission from skitish mine owners, wading through brackish rivers or dodging cars at highway road cuts.

Visiting Aurora means at least a weekend trip. What else is there for a family to do in the New Bern area?

I just got back from vacation at Topsail Beach, NC ten days ago-- sunny and 60-75 degrees all week. Topsail is about an hour south of New Bern. Closer to Aurora would be Morehead City and Emerald Island. Bath, the oldest town in North Carolina, is just across the Pamlico River from Aurora.

Well, if you wanted to come out west, I'd tell you to come by my house.