As much as I love my work, I believe it’s important to set aside time to unwind and recharge. Growing up near Cincinnati, OH I discovered that I live in a beachfront house—a beachfront house with a view of a 450-million-year-old ocean called the Ordovician Sea. Just below the surface of my backyard are countless layers of sedimentary rock like shale and limestone which contain a treasure-trove of fossils like brachiopods, bryozoans, bivalves, and my personal favorite—trilobites. In this post I want to share with you how the adventure of fossil hunting has become for me a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and an opportunity to discover something really special.

My Journey into the World of Natural Wonders

It’s funny how certain hobbies and interests stick with you from childhood. I vividly remember trips to the Cincinnati Museum Center when I was a boy. They had a place called “Nature’s Trading Post” where you could bring in objects you’d found in nature—rocks, shells, even feathers—and exchange them for points. The points you earned could be used to “buy” captivating natural treasures like owl pellets, fossils, and even dried pieces of hornets’ nests.

Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal - “Nature’s Trading Post”

The museum’s exhibits were fascinating and being able to bring home something similar made me feel immersed in the mystery of discovering the natural world. This fascination deepened during my grade school years when we got to dissect owl pellets in science class. If you’ve ever done this, you know what I’m talking about: unwrapping a soft natural casing to find tiny intact mouse bones and skeletal remains as if they were miniature museum artifacts specially prepared just for you.

From Seashells to Fossils: How Shell Hunting Sparked My Love for Nature's Beauty

As a teenager, we would take family vacations in Oak Island, NC. That’s when I was introduced to shell hunting. I remember my uncle Steve describing shell hunting before the trip and me being excited about it before we even got there. But when I stepped on the sandy shores and heard the waves for the first time, I soon realized that the reality of shell hunting was even better than what I had imagined.

Getting up early with the sunrise and “stooping” to find these natural treasures was a captivating experience. These beautiful shells didn’t cost anything. I loved the idea that if I paid close enough attention, I could find one-of-a-kind treasures from the depths of the sea. The seemingly endless diversity of natural designs and colors of the shells captivated me. I enjoyed the reward of sharpening my ability to see, to pay attention to every detail, and make discoveries that were waiting for me.

2x2” Sea Shell paintings collection I did for Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Annual “Minumentals” Exhibit, Acrylic on Canvas (2017)

Over the years, my love for shell hunting deepened, and I began collecting seashells of all kinds and from various trips to the ocean. One of the most memorable trips was when my wife and I visited Sanibel Island, the “Seashell Capital of the World”, during our honeymoon. We spent hours walking along its beautiful shores and wading into warm ocean waves, eagerly searching for unique treasures. The experience was unforgettable, and it became a special part of our journey together. Today, I have a lighted curio cabinet in our house dedicated to my ever-growing collection. Each shell represents a cherished memory, a place, or a moment of discovery, and this passion has remained a meaningful part of my life.

The Trilobite Discovery: How One Fossil Ignited My Passion for Fossil Hunting

My first experiences of fossil hunting didn’t captivate me as much as shell hunting did. At the time I was younger, and the brightly colored appearance and comprehensible lives of the shells were easier to appreciate and seemed more exciting. However, as I grew older, my understanding and appreciation for fossils began to deepen. As my interest in reading and exploring books and museums grew, I began to more fully grasp that these ancient objects weren’t just dull grey rocks, but artifacts of real creatures that had lived millions of years ago. As a child, I often found fossilized shells like brachiopods during family outings to Caesar Creek State Park (a local spot for fossil hunting in Ohio) but I never stumbled upon a trilobite, the elusive fossil I had always dreamed of discovering.

That all changed in the fall of 2023 when I found my first trilobite. My wife and I took a trip to Caesar Creek State Park on September 24, 2023. For the first few hours it was the same as childhood trips: small brachiopods in abundance (a clam-looking marine animal with two hinged shells). As the day drew to a close and the sun began to set, I finally released my desperate pursuit of the elusive trilobite. I shifted my focus, embracing the search with the same sense of joy and curiosity I had when hunting for shells by the ocean. I began to scan my surroundings with a more detailed, patient eye, savoring the process rather than fixating on the outcome. This meticulous observation of nature felt like stepping into an entirely new realm of wonder. Then, when I least expected it, nestled among a jumble of dirt, twigs, and other indistinct natural debris, I spotted it—a tiny, perfectly preserved trilobite, curled up as if frozen in time. It was a moment that made me realize something I never thought possible—I could actually discover a trilobite.

Stills taken from a video I filmed of my first trilobite on the day of the discovery

Unearthing More Than Fossils

After finding the trilobite, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had uncovered more than just a fossil; I had unearthed a connection to the deep, ancient past. The experience stayed with me in the days that followed. I later spoke with a worker at the Cincinnati Museum Center, where I was viewing an exhibit about fossils, and he shared his thoughts on the trilobite’s origins. He speculated that it might have been swept away by a sudden avalanche of sediment on the ocean floor, preserving it in a curled form as part of an instinctual defense mechanism. This theory struck me profoundly, giving me a vivid image of the creature’s final moments. I felt a surprising sense of familiarity with the trilobite, as if it were a long-lost pet, patiently waiting for me to find it.

That discovery ignited a deeper bond with the world of fossils. Shortly afterward, I learned about Trammel Fossil Park in Ohio and decided to pay it a visit. It was there that I met some experienced fossil hunters, whose passion for their craft was infectious. They took the time to teach me their techniques, share stories from their own adventures, and encourage me to connect with the growing community of fossil enthusiasts online. I joined local Facebook groups and began interacting with others who shared this rare interest. The exchange of knowledge and camaraderie with these fellow hunters further fueled my fascination.

Signpost of information about fossils at Trammel Fossil Park, Sharonville, OH

Fossil hunting, for me, has evolved from a solitary pastime into something that still feels personal, yet more connected—a way to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse myself in a shared world of discovery. It’s become a peaceful escape, a way to clear my mind, and a chance to feel connected to something far older than myself. Every new fossil I uncover is a reminder of the mysteries of life, and the sense of wonder that nature continues to offer. What began as a childhood curiosity has grown into a lifelong pursuit, one that I know will continue to surprise me for years to come.

Whether it’s shell hunting, fossil hunting, or another pastime, we all have experiences that help us unwind and reflect, moments that draw us out of ourselves and into a deeper wonder and appreciation for life and the world around us. I’d love to hear about the passions or hobbies that spark your sense of wonder and help you unwind. If you share my love for discovery, feel free to share this post with others who might enjoy it too! Until next time, God bless.