Tangential to the article: I have had decent luck finding fossils at random spots in the US. When I'm traveling by car, I tend to map out spots based on this list of about 15,000 fossil spots in the US and Canada:
Not all of the listed spots are findable, since the list is based on index cards of unknown origin transcribed from years ago. But I have had success with some of them, and it's often a fun detour.
Next time I go, I'll have to try licking some rocks!
http://donaldkenney.x10.mx/FOSSITE_INFO.HTM (listings by state here: http://donaldkenney.x10.mx/FOSSINDX.HTM)
Not all of the listed spots are findable, since the list is based on index cards of unknown origin transcribed from years ago. But I have had success with some of them, and it's often a fun detour.
Next time I go, I'll have to try licking some rocks!