This is Throwback Thursday #283. In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general. If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com. Thanks! email:esconi.info@gmail.com.

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This poem first appeared in the September 1964 edition of the ESCONI newsletter. Written by Gene Falada, it was inspired by a field trip to the spoil piles near South Wilmington, Illinois, on August 8, 1964. His words capture an experience that still feels familiar today. ESCONI field trips continue to bring people together—you meet great friends, enjoy good company, and always have fun collecting. While Mazon Creek fossil hunting has become more challenging over the years as spoil piles grow over, the thrill of the hunt and the discovery of a new specimen along with sharing it with others remains the heart of the hobby. That joy and camaraderie are what make collecting fossils, rocks, minerals—or just about anything—so rewarding.

Gene Falada was a member of ESCONI from 1962 to 2008. He passed away on January 21st, 2025 at the age of 94!

Here’s another photo of Gene at his house. This photo was part of a post about another poem he wrote “Field Trips” (see Throwback Thursday #108).

Here is the field trip announcement in the July/August 1964 ESCONI newsletter. It’s interesting to see US Route 66 in the directions. East Brooklyn and South Wilmington are still very small towns just southwest of Mazonia/Braidwood State Park. which is often referred to as Pit 11.

Esconi will have a 1 day field trip.

When?? Saturday, August 8, 1964
Where?? An area near South Wilmington, Illinois
Why?? To hunt for pyrite specimens and fossils.

We will meet on the road opposite the swimming pool in East Brooklyn Saturday morning at 9:30 A.M. From there we will proceed to the area for hunting. Better bring a lunch and something cold to drink.

To get there — Take U.S. Route 66 south to Gardner, Illinois. Turn off at the Gardner overpass and continue east through town, where you will cross Alt- 66 Take the black-top road straight south for a mile, then go east into South Wilmington, on through town to East Brooklyn.

Paul Harris
Esconi Field Trip Chairman

THE STRIP MINES

Now Harris and Konecny took us to their favorite spot,
It was a good trip as the temperature wasn’t too hot.

We spread over the hills both barren and gray,
The thought crossed my mind– another wasted day.

Took off by myself and drove slow down the road.
‘Till I saw read streaks, a good sign of a lode.

Braked to a stop by the side of the heap
Even to me they looked rather steep…

Climbed up to a ledge and looked sharp around
To see if there were any nodules to be found.

They were sprinkled about and mixed with the shale,
In no time at all I had filled up my pail.

Knelt down by a rock to crack open a few,
Might find a good one or maybe two.

The pile of blanks grew high as time passed,
But wait!!! Here is a good one at last.

Here is a pecten millions of years old
Strange feeling to be the first one to behold,

Something created at the beginning of time,
Waiting to take it’s place in your collection or mine..

To bring endless pleasure and satisfaction to all who might care,
To investigate what took place when the bowels of the earth were layed bare.

Now I’ve been to Braidwood and Coal City around,
Those are the spots where the ferns abound.

But here further south where the shoreline changed,
The fossils are in different order arranged.

Here are the shrimps and the spiders and crabs,
The nodules are small — no extra large slabs.

So wrap up the good ones with tissue and bands,
And hold that prize in the palm of your hand.

Pack up the rest and head for the car,
A few keepers per hundred just about par.

Almost noon and I’m feeling pretty fine,
Get back to the group before they leave the mine.

But there was the gang eating lunch in the road,
Right next to a ‘dozer leveling a load.

Now some members left early, didn’t care to search out,
Where the nodules in abundance were lying about.

They missed all the excitement of filling their packs,
And sitting down in the car and resting tired backs.

Of eating and bragging and joking around,
What pleasure to be digging ’round in the ground.

To make lasting friendships, what more could one ask,
Just give of yourself, help lighten the task.

More trips coming up in early Fall,
ESCONI welcomes you, one and all.

— Gene Falada 8/8/64 —