An ode to maps
MapQuest, Google Earth and fancy GPS systems make it easy to forget about that most basic of navigational tools... the map.
On my way to work today, I was behind a van carrying ADC maps, so I feel compelled to write about how much I love maps in general, and ADC street-map books in particular.
They've been among my most trusted resources both at work and in my personal journeys. I have an ADC map book for York County, one for Lancaster County. One for Metro Harrisburg, Metro DC... yeah, the map pocket behind my passenger seat is bulging a bit.
Plug your destination into Google, Yahoo, MapQuest or your GPS and you get turn-by-turn directions, mileage and time estimates. What you don't get is an idea of what might be just around the corner and worth making a detour.
Don't get me wrong -- I use Yahoo maps (MapQuest led me astray one too many times) for a rough idea of where I'm going. But then I pick up a map to get a big-picture idea of where I'm headed and what's of interest nearby or along the way.Then I can decide for myself if the suggested route is the one I really want to take.
The ADC maps are my favorite because -- besides offering a big-picture overview of the area covered inside (and the zoomed-in pages for each region) -- the super-useful index in the back will tell you what municipality a place is in and its ZIP code.
You can also search for crazy street names, like I did for a story published in YDR last year, find out how many Main Streets are in a particular area, or browse by places of interest (colleges, churches, parks, golf courses, lakes & streams).
The book format and stiff cover helps it last a little longer than those "wish-I could-figure-out-how-to-fold-it-back-up" pocket maps, and there's no tearing at the creases. My last one survived nearly three years with heavy use (several times a week).
So next time you find yourself swearing at your dashboard device, or tearing up your Internet directions, pull out a trusty old map. You'll find your way there, and more.
