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I remember having state maps in my car, the kind that were a pain in the ass to fold. I also had detailed maps of some counties that came in a red book.

I remember having state maps in my car, the kind that were a pain in the ass to fold. I also had detailed maps of some counties that came in a red book.

(post is archived)

[–] • 10 pts (edited )

My father give me a map book of the city when I turned 16 and started driving and said "learning how to read maps and understanding them as well as using a compass will help you greatly when the electrical grid is shutdown worldwide".

He was ahead of his time with raising a millennial. We spent our time playing catch or target shooting when not hunting. He also taught me how to do simple mechanic work and how to drive manual. RIP Father.

[–] • 6 pts

I still have a "Maine Gazetteer (rei.com)" in each of my vehicles at all times, some are well worn. We still don't have good cellphone coverage here in the sticks. And I despise cell phones.

When driving cross country (without a cellphone), I use google maps to plan my itinerary, then print it to take along.

[–] • 3 pts

Smart.

I don't carry paper maps anymore (unless I'm backwoods hiking), but I do download maps when I'm going to areas with poor cell coverage.

[–] • 4 pts

We used Maine Gazetteers forever (since my earliest memories). My Dad wore the cover right off the copy he had at home. He was always planning his next fishing or hunting trip, that was his great joy, his jam.

[–] • 3 pts

I liked the topography detail of printed maps back in my serious hiking days. I have a camp in the mountains, all kinds of peaks and faces to climb, secluded mountain ponds. The mountain behind my camp is 3714' tall, which is among the highest for the area. I used to pencil in the snowmobile/atv/hiking trails and trails into remote ponds as I discovered them onto my Gazetteer.

[–] • 1 pt

Topographic maps are sweet and essential for backwoods navigation.

[–] • 3 pts

I do this. I also use Street View to find landmarks. Nothing like knowing if you pass Gas Station X, you've gone too far.

[–] • 2 pts

I also use Street View to find landmarks. Nothing like knowing if you pass Gas Station X, you've gone too far.

Me too! Lol! One of the last craigslist ads in east bumfuck that I went to see, their driveway was immediately before a gas station plaza but hidden by the trees. The seller mentioned it was hard to see, so I pulled up street view and he was right.

[–] • 4 pts

Freaking love maps, they're beautiful. Have a few, some really worn but really amazing pieces of ephemera.

[–] • 1 pt

If you hike or have wilderness nearby, getting a topological map from the state park service is pretty cool.

[–] • 1 pt

I don't but that's a great idea.

[–] • 4 pts

When I was 18, I drove across the country. I started in a gas station with the State map, paid $2-3 for it then looked at what road I wanted to be on to get to the next State. When I got there (or just before the State border) I'd stop in a gas station and get the next map and plan out my trip, making note of what towns and cities I'd need to pass to get where I wanted to go. Sure, I could have bought the bigger atlas for maybe $20 and planned it all at once, but I wanted to collect a map from each State.

In regards to delivering a pizza, we fucking memorized street names and knew how to get around. Since being at home was boring, we'd always go out to meet up with people, so we always knew how to get pretty much anywhere.

[–] • 3 pts

In regards to delivering a pizza, we fucking memorized street names and knew how to get around. Since being at home was boring, we'd always go out to meet up with people, so we always knew how to get pretty much anywhere.

Yep. I knew every nook and cranny of my hometown.

[–] • 3 pts

First time driving across country. Using those fkn paper maps. Wasn't too hard. Just had to remember your turn offs and exist and pay attention to the signs. Estimate the miles

[–] • 3 pts

I was pretty high tech, I always had my Thomas Guide with me.

[–] • 2 pts

Thomas Guides were the mark of real drivers back then. If you called shotgun on a trip out of your home city then you had the map open on your lap, trying to keep up!

Solo driving you only pulled out the Guide if you really got lost. Gas was cheaper then, and I would purposefully try to get lost and see if I could find my way back. I remember the first time I got so lost I had to ask for directions. Pulled into a gas station and asked the oldest man inside how to get back, even he was stumped and asked someone else. "Tom, how you reckon to get to Orange County from here?" 🤔 'Well shit, that's gonna take a minute." Another time I got lost trying to find a night time concert in Oakland, well out of my Thomas Guide range. I had a fold out paper map but the road signage was strange to me and I ended up in the warehouse district... at night. After circling the area for a few minutes just trying to find a way out another vehicle pulls up alongside mine at a stopsign. The other vehicle rolled down their window and for a moment I was on high alert and took my foot off the brake. The dude in other car held up a map. "Are you looking for the concert?" We ended up exchanging maps because neither of us were finding our way. I did eventually find the show, I'll never know if the other guys did.

[–] • 1 pt

Nice. I can appreciate all of that!!

[–] • 3 pts

Maps aren't even hard lol. GPS is way easier tho. Nice to have a navigator so you can just focus on the driving.

[–] • 3 pts

I agree GPS is way better. I am a bit nostalgic of a time when we didn't carry electric leashes around with us.

[–] • 3 pts

On top of that (if you were me) you had to deliver to the ghetto and pre-plan the fastest route in/out of the area and have exact change ready for any denomination as niggers never tip.

[–] • 2 pts

Even if they could read the map, ask them about how long it would take to get there. You or I would not call it a skill, but for them it's magic.

[–] • 2 pts

Knowing how to read maps is a skill that is being lost. Lord help these people if we ever have an EMP

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