Meet the Pin Finder (Aspen)

This is Aspen, my puppy, a few days after we got her in April 2021. From the beginning, Aspen has loved to be outside adventuring, hiking, and rolling in the flowers. What a cutie!!

As she has grown, she has continued to accompany us in the parks, trails, and walks all over Lancaster County. Once I retired and started my private business, PA Surveyor LLC, Aspen has enjoyed scoping projects and walking boundaries with me. Aspen has always been good at meeting people and starting conversations. This has proven quite useful.

As many property owners can surely relate, we become very sensitive when it comes to our property. When we see someone walking around our property, we tend to act quickly and find out what is going on. As Land Surveyors, we make attempts to notify every owner about our presence and purpose, but at times the search for evidence draws us away, and we end up at a property corner further down the block or deeper in the woods then originally planned. This could end up in an unintended altercation.

The recent news of gun violence on accidental trespass proves that this is a serious and sensitive issue. I ask you to please use your communication skills to approach and question prior to taking extreme action. As a Surveyor, I am always proceeding with extreme caution. My intention is never to trespass or intrude on a property owners rights. This runs counter to what I am there to do. (See my Blog on What does a Land Surveyor Do?)

What does this have to do with Aspen? She creates a wonderful buffer for my field scoping. We arrive and walk the neighborhood. We talk to neighbors and look for evidence. It is a great way to become familiar with the project and neighborhood without raising concerns.

Yesterday, Aspen and I had the pleasure to scope a vacant lot survey. She was able to walk the property with me and search for corners and evidence. We met the kind neighbor who gave her ice water. We were welcomed and did our job in a safe environment.

Now take a look at some of the field snapshots.

Finding corners and setting control.