Field Notes Archives

Field Notes: How far should one go?

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This entry is part 61 of 68 in the series Field Notes

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

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This entry is part 62 of 68 in the series Field Notes

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

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This entry is part 63 of 68 in the series Field Notes

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 […]

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Surveying: It’s a Wonder

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This entry is part 64 of 68 in the series Field Notes

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 […]

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Surveyor or Engineer – What’s the Difference?

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This entry is part 65 of 68 in the series Field Notes

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

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This entry is part 66 of 68 in the series Field Notes

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 […]