Curl Up with a Map
Since I was a kid I’ve loved maps. They offer the chance to imagine journeys and adventures anywhere in the world. I have a worn and tattered Pennsylvania Atlas and Gazeteer, my book of dreams, that has been part of lots of travel — real and imagined.
On a rainy day with nothing to do (when is that?) it’s nice to curl up in bed and wonder where to ride next. Pennsylvania has 250,000 miles of roads. I’ve just scratched the surface. With a map in hand I can always go for a virtual ride.
My grandfather & I would sit a look at atlases and maps for hours. Still can.
I did the same with my mother. She was an adventurer at heart albeit one who insisted on creature comforts. No motorcycle nonsense for her.
There is something “about” a printed map that electronic technology can not replace. Remove all of those objects above terra firma one day; and we all shall return to the printed map.
With the sale of DeLornme to Garmin suspect all of their printed maps of various US states shall also disappear in time. Over -riden by the march of technology. Remove technology, and you have “nothing.”
I agree — printed maps are special. I always prefer them over digital ones but I feel myself sliding toward the abyss…
250,000 miles of roads in PA. You certainly do have your work cut out. Does that count all of the residential streets in the cities? I’d ignore those…
Not sure how many of those miles are residential and city streets but even if half are I still have a lot of miles ahead!
I do hope the Gazetteers don’t disappear! I’ve been highlighting the VA roads I’ve covered just so I can be sure to work new roads in as much as possible. It’s a big state!
I bet they’ll be around for awhile — like film. There will be people who don’t want to embrace the technology approach.
Maps are a thing of beauty… a creation of art! I have always loved them and so did my Father who taught me to read them.
I have to wonder if map reading is going the way of dinosaurs. It’s been awhile since I visited Barnes & Noble — they always had a lot of maps and guides. Maybe they still do. I still remember my first USGS topographic map — a thing of beauty. One quadrangle of where I lived. I studied it for hours and hours. Not sure anymore where I can even get one.
Maps. Yep, mentioned it before. I can get lost in a book of maps.
One of my prized possessions is a copy of Bartholemew’s Mini World Atlas. Since moving to New Jersey it’s been left packed in one of a dozen boxes of books that won’t be unpacked until early summer at the earliest (house is having major renovations done in a matter of weeks), but I truly miss having it at hand.
Topographic maps – haven’t seen one since high school. Loved poring over those!
I love maps too. This evening I was sitting in a waiting room looking at a map in National Geographic. Just seems like there is layer upon layer of information to discover. A mini atlas would be nice. We have a giant atlas here — the kind you need a crane to maneuver. And it’s old enough now that the countries have changed. Maybe a mini atlas is in our future.
Agree completely Steve.
Years in the Boy Scouts and a father who was a lorry driver meant I was introduced to the joys of maps from an early age. He inculcated in me the joy of sitting next to the driver not only giving directions but announcing what would appear in the next few miles before it could be seen.
Maps are mental videos of places seen and places to be seen.
Your description is wonderful Ken. Especially the mental videos part. Exactly how I feel and think about maps.
Always beckoning from the back seat, it was adventure at my fingertips. Son of a surveyor, maps are like a warm blanket for me. Although I was studious, that gazeteer was the cause of a few skipped classes during my years at York College. Micheaux State Forest, the Welsh Mountains north of Lancaster, and the Susquehanna River Hills are treasured places for me. I was thinking of Dave Dietz’s, of Hellam, asparagus today and felt homesick. York Central Market is a treasure – go visit Dave. Tell him I said hello.
I’m in Oregon now and turn to your blog every time I contemplate a motorcycle or scooter purchase. Your perspective is welcome and the life progression expressed in this blog is timeless.
Best to you Steve.
Thanks
I suspect there are a lot of people who found their gazeteer moved them away from other plans. The places you describe (with the exception of the Welsh Mountains of which I’m not familar) are wonderful places to wander. York Central Market reminds me of the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia — amazing array of food and wares.
Thanks for stopping here to comment and I hope you can find a taste of home every now and then here. I appreciate your kind words.