I don't know how many times my dad and I actually went fossil hunting, or how many hours I spent with him at home labeling his finds and purchases. Probably not too many. Yet, largely because of the fact that I've clung so tightly to his rocks and fossils over the decades, fossils have become far more meaningful to me than my experience with them could ever merit.  

So going with Jen and the boys to Dinosaur National Monument was quite a treat and a mind-blower.