In sharing some tragic instrument memories, I hope to encourage those people who use surveying instruments on a daily basis along with the occasional user.

The new survey field and office personnel – have they changed in the past 50 years? I think “yes” and I think “no.”

With the current run to technology, much of the "Art of Land Surveying" is disappearing.

Over the years, us old surveyors learned many hand signals.

Five years ago, I surveyed a large shopping center. Previously, another firm had prepared an ALTA survey, but that plan had no elevations.

The survey party chief is the engineer’s on-the-scene reporter. They will spend a half-day to a month surveying a tract of land and gathering information to be used in the planning process.

Where I have chosen to prepare the base plans, I feel that what I produce are the canvas upon which architects and engineers can practice their “art.”

Recently, my apprentice asked me "How close is close enough?" That question has many answers, which depend on the specific object we are locating and why it is being located.

Every land surveying company that has been around for 20 years or more has survey relics.

Surveyors have in-house fees for their services. Some work will be charged using hourly rates while others may be charged according to task.