TeacherMatt

Thanks for all of your help. I did go back today and found M 463--one step higher and partially hidden. I guess it goes to show the importance of good field notes. Here is an image identifying both marks.

Today, I visited HV2865 and found the benchmark right where it is should be. When I got home to upload images, I noticed that the stamp (TT 6 D 1931) does not match the designation (M 463). I cannot find TT 6 D in the NGS database. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. TeacherMatt

I saw the benchmark! I drove by the witness post last week and I noticed a short stake with a pink ribbon tied to it about 40 feet in front of the witness post (in a big open field with no poison ivy!) I did a quick turn around, ran into the field, and sure enough, it was the mark that I was looking for. I think someone read my log and decided to help me out because that stake was not there the last time I looked! Now I just need to get back with my camera and gps. Another "great story" to tell at the campfire.

Thanks for the tip elcamino. I have gotten into it enough to know that it's the oil from the plant that causes the reaction. I have even gotten poison ivy from petting my cat after he was in poison ivy.

I seem to follow the trend. I pick a benchmark then use MapQuest to generate the map location. I then choose nearest benchmarks and start following them up or down the road, plotting them with a pencil on on the MapQuest page. I also copy/paste the recovery data into Word and label it with PIDs. Here's where I deviate from ya'll. I also download all of the benchmarks in my area using EasyGPS, and as I am driving from one benchmark to the next, I keep searching for nearest benchmarks. I have had some luck in finding some that I did not plan on finding (This past weekend I found 3 unplanned). Sometimes I am lucky enough to see a witness post, or recognise a likely spot for a mark. You should try the "find nearest". It can be a lot of fun with bencmarks.

Looks like I need to find this one in late fall; the poison ivy is too thick. I went back today. The first time I went I only had on shorts, tee shirt, and boots. I found plenty of poison ivy (see pictures here) and ended up at the doctors office for the first time in 15 years (see the pics of my arm--after the swelling had gone down). Well, since I just started the medication for the poison ivy, I fugured I should try it again--right? This time I was in coveralls, rubber boots and gloves. Well, 1/2 an hour of searching produced nothing. I wish I had a little more data about the mark. I found the witness post...just can't find the mark. I even tried out my new poking stick. I guess I was too rough because I broke it Maybe in the fall....

Thanks for the feedback. I forgot to say that there is no mention of the witness post in the description. It must have been placed after the mark was monumented. As for the long stick with a metal point...I am already on that. I plan to hit the hardware store later today. I have seen mention of that in other threads, but this is the first benchmark that it would have helped. I found another benchmark today using the point of my rock hammer to scrape around until I heard something solid. I just didn't have the hammer with me for the above mentioned benchmark. Thanks again.

How far from a benchmark can a witness post be placed (given no obstructions)? This morning I reached through poison ivy probing over a 3 foot semi circle (I only seached in front of the witness post) looking for the benchmark cap. No luck. Is there a maximum distance from the benchmark for witness posts? Or a standard side (like the north side). I'm itching to know...

Check out this cache: Disney California Adventure (DCA) Benchmarks #1. It focuses on the DCA side. I had a blast finding these. The cache owner, Klemmer, emailed me about a month ago and told me that he is planning on creating a #2 cache. It's a fun way to explore the park if you have been there before.

I don't know any of the history yet . I plan to head back in the spring to check out the bald eagles, and I will see if the park has any more history on the marker. [This message was edited by TeacherMatt on December 18, 2002 at 07:40 AM.]

No...it is not in the database. The closest marker to this cache is 2.68 miles away. I thought it was a neat historical marker, though. TeacherMatt

Here are pictures of the marker in King George VA. [This message was edited by TeacherMatt on December 16, 2002 at 08:16 PM.]

I knew this area had some history... Today I found the Geocache "John Short 1754 Benchmark" by Ted. The cache was located near a colonial property boundary. The Marker had "John Short, 1754" inscribed into it. I may post pictures later. [This message was edited by TeacherMatt on December 15, 2002 at 07:08 PM.] [This message was edited by TeacherMatt on December 16, 2002 at 04:39 AM.]

Team Brew Crew, Thanks for the idea of using Word . My first thought when I started BM hunting was to label with Word, but I could not figure out how to change the .doc to a .jpg -- that's why I ended up using MSPaint. I am so happy now that I now know how to do it!!! I need to get out and find some more BM's so I can try it out! Thanks!!!

I have been using MSPaint, but I have found it to be time consuming. If you can find something else I would recommend it. By the way, I would love any feedback on the photos that I post. Am I labeling them correctly? Is the shot right? etc. I know that some of the close ups are out of focus (I had my shutter set at infinity by accident one day ). Any feedback would be appreciated. I have not submitted any photos to the NGS yet, because I am not sure if I have labeled them correctly. Are there many users that do submit photos to NGS? I don't see too many photos in the gallery with the labels on them? Do you just label them later? Thanks for your time.

>>(h) Water and rag - I wouldn't use anything stronger, but these things are meant to be out in the rain, so surely plain water can't hurt. Sometimes taking a photo when the water has only partly evaporated will make the stamping more visible. I had to resort to spit and my sock because I forgot my water bottle and rag. I assumed a hop, skip, and a jump, only to find huge thorn bushes Once I was in, I was not going back out to get some water!

Here are some pictures of benchmarks that were described as being on the abutment... Hope this helps a little http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.asp?PID=hv3042 http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.asp?PID=hv3043 http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.asp?PID=hv3045 http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.asp?PID=hv3100

Thanks for the feedback. I live near Historic Fredericksburg, VA (Ferry Farm, George Washington's boyhood home, is just around the corner), so maybe I will be lucky enough to stumble across one of those "oldies".

A thought came to me today as I was trudging through the woods: What is the oldest recorded Benchmark? Most of what I have seen has been from the 1950's or later (some from the 30's). Any thoughts?