Field Notes Archives
Field Notes: How far should one go?
When surveyors are searching for a corner monument, a deed, or an unrecorded plat, they are always asking themselves, “How far should I go to find this?” These searches always raise a conundrum, because, as the theory goes, not finding something does not prove that it does not exist, but only by finding something can […]
Touching Off a Stampede
Sponsored by Carlson Software In the old days of surveying, it was common practice to fill out a crew with a “warm body”—anyone who could follow directions and hold a rod would suffice. One of those guys who was assigned to my crew was a young man by the name of Chris. Since Chris was […]
It Can Get Uncomfortable Out There
Most field surveyors are pretty tough. This is somewhat contrary to what I had written in a previous article which posed the question, “Are Surveyors Getting Soft These Days?” That can be debated, but I truly believe that my first sentence is true. When the temperature gets above 90 degrees, as it does in many […]
Surveying: It’s a Wonder
Sponsored by NCEES Get your end-of-year credits. Click here to learn more. Surveying is a fascinating and wonderful profession–just think about the great things that we have the opportunity to accomplish from day-to-day. We may create a new tract of land through subdivision which allows a young person to have a new home on their […]
Surveyor or Engineer – What’s the Difference?
Sponsored by Geomax’ X-Pad Field software designed for today’s surveyors. There have been many instances during my long career as a surveyor that someone has referred to me as an engineer. I would usually feign an attitude of being insulted and explain that even though I had to work with those guys, I was not […]
Dangerous Dargan and an Old Indian Deed
Sponsored by Xponential With apologies to both the residents of southern Washington County, Maryland, and to the Native Americans; this title reflects an old, somewhat derogatory term for an area, and the title of a sign placed by the Maryland State Roads Commission in that same area. As I was driving along Harper’s Ferry Road […]