MoreThe annual Swap Meet held yesterday was a land of treasure for any surveying collector. About 75 people (as near as we could count) gathered on the beautiful grounds of the Eisenhower Inn under a picnic canopy to gaze upon surveying items, both old and new. The items of old definitely took precedence, as hungry buyers looked for items of historical interest to complete their collections. I fingered through some very impressive land certificates from across the States. The oldest land certificates in the bunch were two from Michigan and one from Alabama dated 1837. The pile also contained an 1825 road deed from Ohio. Not being a common thing, we had to get a lesson on what a road deed was. For those of you who are in the “not-know” like us, we were told a road deed was only used in a small part of Ohio. Land owners living off certain roads were offered the road deeds giving them rights to maintain those roads.
A couple of tables down we found a Monroe hand-operated calculator. There was no date on it, but I know I’ve not used one in my day! Dave Kriehbiel of Kriehbiel Engineering in Camdenton, Mo., glowed with excitement over his new purchase, an aerial map of the United States made by Aerial Vantage. Dave excitedly sat down with a pocket knife to show where in the state he lived. He looked like a kid who had walked out of a candy store!
Bob Pasley of AESS in Maryland (and a contributing editor to POB) introduced his two grandchildren, Luke and Sam, to other surveying associates. I stood over Sam’s shoulder as he got a lesson on The Lightning adding machine made by Machine Co. Inc., another piece of equipment that’s not in my office! Walking through the Swap Meet really puts in perspective how much technology we have and use in today’s world!
Roger Woodfill (whose wayweiser you saw in the October issue) tried to sell us some old cartoons that were POB covers in the 1980s. I looked on with interest, wondering if the POB budget would allow the frame of four cartoons, but decided to just pull out the old issues if I wanted to view the cartoons (sorry Roger).
We made our way back to the hotel for a picnic-type supper of dogs, burgers, chicken and salads. As always, we arrived at 5:35 (the dinner was scheduled at 5:30) to find everyone on dessert! One thing I’ve learned about surveying shows is that being on time is actually being late! It must be from those early hours you guys and gals are accustomed to!
A few folks gathered for bingo in the presentation room, but the POB editors chose to hang out in the lobby bar to hear surveyor stories from people like Mickey Shackelford! I think Mickey was especially energetic last night since he raked in over $5,000 at the Swap Meet!
Lieca
