Fundamentals are key to success

[Lee Hixson]

I still carry my 10X Bausch & Lomb swing-out surveyor's magnifying lens on my key chain. Comes in handy now and again, not to mention just for old time's sake. There's something to be said for learning how to read angles the old way, with the mechanics of the instrument laid out in front of you. The difficulty in obtaining an accurate angle. Everything's internal now. Magic boxes.

I'm glad I got my start the way I did, with steel chains and thermometers, getting dirty and bruised pounding hubs through the snow in the Rocky Mountains. It was harder then, by far. But it taught me diligence and thoroughness, determination, paying attention to little things, being careful. I'll stack my pin finding skills up against anyone.

Learned how to do my own hard copy drafting using blue fade out grid paper, and inking by hand. Laboring so hard on the physical mechanics of drafting a map brings a certain devotion to the art...an appreciation for the esthetics of a map, beyond the level of merely presenting information.

Was taught to take pride in producing neat, accurate field books with ample sketches. To go to the trouble of seeking out old timers in the area to get a sense of the history of the boundary work and take valuable testimony.

It's good that you got to do so much mentoring. Here I am at the summit of my knowledge and talent for the profession with little chance to share anymore, what with an economy that is forcing me into an involuntary semi-retirement, perhaps into some other occupation entirely.

[RasterMaster]

Lee

You have been and are still mentoring via this web site. I enjoy your perspectives and thoughts. For the ecoomy, we are all in the same sinking boat.


RM

[TIB]

5528- I got mine the same year as you. And you are so right. I recall a big sheet of heavy paper on a plane table. The Chief draws the topo in the field. to proper scale. All the office drafter has to do was trace over it in ink. and add Title Block. I gotta wonder how many younger/newer surveyors even know what a curve deflection table even is, let alone how to calc and use one by setting up in the middle of an offset curve. Good stuff. I do miss the rear chainman. too
TIB

[Lee Hixson]

Always with me....

[pbchief2]

I applaud that you take the time to mentor future surveyors this way. I've had two great mentors in my way toward earning my L.S. I really hope to continue on, but it doesn't look like it will happen. I hope for the sake of future surveyors there are more like you coming up.

Pantalion Sanchez LSIT