There, students joined up with Paul Sereno's University of Chicago field course and helped excavate a Tyrannosaurus Rex, prospected the 65 million year old outcrop of the Lance Formation for fossil discoveries, and got a true taste of ranch life in Wyoming.

Below, in images and excerpts from students' journals, are a few glimpses from the Advanced Paleo program

7/16
Well, today was tough… let's just say I have never worked this hard before. I am so tired and exhausted. Just imagine… tomorrow we have to be out there all day! I really don't know if I can handle it, but we'll see, won't we? - Monica

7/20
During the presentation from the soil conservation people, I was struck with the complicated situation faced by ranch owners and that I and out group's excursion was part of the complicated situation and responsibilities that the Zerbsts' deal with. - Hank

7/20
One major highlight was when I found the pinecone. At first, I didn't think it was that big of a discovery. I mean, it wasn't a dinosaur. It wasn't even an animal. But then, when everyone started saying how amazing it was, I realized that discoveries have no boundaries, and something doesn't have to be large to be important. I'm also glad Arlene has it. While I thought it was cool, it will do more good on display where people can see it and study it as opposed to at home on my desk where only I can view it. - Elena

7/20
The first thing I learned is never leave any bone laying around. Why? Even though it may not be a dinosaur fossil, any bone can unlock many questions of sicence. Also on this trip I truly found out, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. - Towfiq

7/19
Every drop of sweat, every cramp in my stomach, each breath I forgot to take were all worth it. With so much enthusiasm, small things fly right past you. - Susan

7/19
I want a Wyoming life. I want a ranch, quiet, and rattlesnakes roaming the place. I want to sit out and watch the stars as I listen to the frogs croak and the crickets chirp. - Susan

7/16
The four stacks of rock were so great! I think they were just so puzzling -- maybe they were used to tell time, or as a communication system… it's sure one of the most puzzling things I've ever seen. - Renata

7/12/01
My perception has become clearer than it has EVER been concerning the complexity of paleontology. Now when I look at Afrovenator, I see a lot more than just bones. I see a picture of a part of a story that includes this dinosaur, where it must've been, in what rock layer, place, what it's location was, the condition of the extruding bone, what the condition of the bone says about the environment, and possibly the behavior. - Shureice

7/19
The second to last day, everyone seemed to be on the same page and it was such an overwhelming feeling I had to just sit back and digest it. - Fred

7/19
The amazing sites shown to us were the missing links between my imagination and textbooks.Being able tosee fragments, whether big or small, lying on the ground, exposed to the outside world, was exactly like seeing lights flash across my eyes. - Cecilia

I have learned through this trip that there are strangers in this world that although they may be strangers to you receive you with a very warm heart. - Hugo

Even my perspective on how I look at people, animals, and even rocks has changed. I can't help but wonder where things came from, from what did it evolve, and what exactly it is… - Hugo