Cadence Latsha

OCA Reflection 6/14

            Today, during our last day of OCA 2025, we got to do some adventuring and exploring outside the Gulf Coast Repository! We filtered into the vans, where we drove from the hotel to the Brazos River at the Whiskey Bridge location. For us to be able to go fossil hunting there, we would’ve needed the gauge height to be < 16 ft. Unfortunately, the peak guage height measured around 34 ft between yesterday and today. Yesterday, we learned how the watershed spans across Texas, covering a large area: ~44,620 mi², so it takes a while for everything to empty out and go back to normal levels. Nonetheless, that is a lot of water! Instead of an in depth crash course on fossil hunting, we got to see the abundance of water and get retrieve some minor fossil findings. I think it was successful, regardless of any barriers or limitations along the way.

            After checking it out, 1/3 of the group went on a hike, & the others (including myself) took a visit to the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. They had a new rock exhibit and some live animals! Then we got to visit Bryan, TX for lunch (beautiful town, by the way). Shortly after, we had our final meeting to tie up loose ends before our final group dinner at Luigi’s Patio Ristorante. They had lovely ambiance! They had live music! They had great food! What more could you ask for?

            On another note, I cannot put into words how grateful I am for this experience with this specific group of people. I want to include an excerpt from my journal on 6/11: “The people, the people, the people! Everyone here has been so genuinely themselves. I just can’t get past how connected I feel, while also being in touch with myself. . . Whatever it is that’s maintaining that serendipity, I’m beyond thankful, grateful, and all the like.” I have learnt so much on the research side of things, and that will definitely stick with me. At the same time, I truly feel like it is the people who made the experience so influential and memorable.

            However, as an honorable mention, the lightning storm last night also made this a great experience. I come from off the Appalachian trail and go to school at Ursinus College near Philadelphia, so this flat land thing has been shocking. Ever since I heard about Texas thunderstorms, I have been anticipating the grand show! I will definitely be including pictures from that. Anyways, I just want everyone to know how thankful I am for the time here in College Station, Texas. I wish the best for everyone here, and anyone who may be reading this!