Many adventures abound in Northeast Michigan, including some that can take you back in time.

By exploring local limestone formations, one may find remnants of creatures that roamed the area long ago.

"Anywhere there is limestone exposed you have the opportunity to find two or three different fossils," said Bob Baughman, senior mining engineer with Lafarge.

Baughman said fossils are found within the layers of limestone and can be found anywhere there is an outcropping of rocks, along beaches, in former quarry sites and even along US-23.

Places such as Rockport Harbor and Sytek Park are good for karst exploration, he said. Even just walking around the marina, looking through the rocks, can turn up fossils.

"Spend 15 minutes in Rockport looking at the limestone, you can find (fossils)," Baughman said.

Areas of karst, which is a limestone form that water has flown through and made caves and holes throughout, also can offer plenty of fun exploration time and fossil hunting. Baughman said an example of karst are the various sinkholes in the area.

Common fossils found are brachiopods, colony corrals and crinoids. Baughman said fish scales can also be found in the deeper layers of limestone.

In addition to looking in the right location and taking your time when searching, Baughman said these fossils can be found if you're looking for each ones specific design.

Brachiopods were an oyster or clam shell shaped creature, so that's what to look for when hunting the fossils. To find the colony corrals, simply envision what corrals that are found in the ocean look like today.

"If you're looking for those things, they'll jump out," he said.

Most of the time hands are all that are needed to retrieve the treasures of fossils from the earth. Sometimes, Baughman said, a small pry bar or pick can be used to chip away the rock around the fossil.

"Ninety percent of everything you find around here can be picked up with just your hand," he said.