The Oregon Surveyor Sept/Oct 2018

2 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 41, No. 5 From the Editor Greg Crites, PLS Editor MESSAGE EDITOR FROM THE W hile walking through the Red- woods last week, I was struck by an odd thought. We’ve always looked for ways to “sell” this profession to those considering a lifelong occupa- tion. This may sound corny, but the trees spoke to me! Of course, I was struck by the sheer maj- esty and great size of Coastal Redwoods while wandering through the Stout Grove in the Jedediah Smith State Forest of North- ern California, and then again hiking the Redwood Trail along theOregon/California border. I was very thankful that some- one had the vision to save some of these mighty trees from destruction for future generations to enjoy, including myself. I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed, and at the same time, feeling insignificant while walking beneath these giants. I could imag- ine indigenous people sharing the same feelings more than four centuries prior to my visit at a time when these groves were truly primeval. Just like a surveyor however, they have an incredible story to tell about their lives but remain mute to the world unless you know how to listen. As surveyors, the nature of our work re- quires that we become adept in reading, writing, and arithmetic at the very least. Reviewing the contents of this maga- zine, you can read about other fields of endeavor that we have come to under- stand, some of us far more than others, depending on where our career path has taken us. Brian Portwood is a classic ex- ample of where our profession can lead if we allow ourselves to be pulled in in- teresting directions. He has regaled us, both locally and nationally, with well- researched articles regarding the law and how it relates to our practice, much to our edification. I often find myself feeling a bit sheepish when I read his material be- cause it doesn’t take long to realize just how limited my knowledge is of that one small corner of our profession, and he will readily admit there is so much more he could tell! The article on seismicity, subduction zones, plate tectonics, and other phenomenon related to our efforts at understanding and predicting major quake events cen- ters around yet another field allied with our profession. It too can offer a very “scientific” career path. After reading that article, it’s easy to see there can be so much more to GPS than static con- trol networks! Of course, I didn’t want to overlook Pat Gaylord’s frequent contributions to the magazine under the heading “The Lost Surveyor.” His photographic skills are obvious, but what I really appreciate are the bits of “history” that accompa- ny his pictures. I have really valued the As surveyors the nature of our work requires that we become adept in reading, writing, and arithmetic at the very least. Reviewing the contents of this magazine, you can read about other fields of endeavor that we have come to understand, some of us far more than others, depending on where our career path has taken us.