How Do I Get There?

When we ask the question - How Do I Get There? - these days most often the reply is – just check Google maps or plus it into your nav system.  It’s easy. 

But sometimes we are looking for something special.  Sometimes we want a piece of paper, something we can hold in our hands, unfold while standing on a corner in a new city wondering where we are.   The paper map may not be the first choice but sometimes it’s the best choice.

In Memphis and want to know where Elvis lived, ate, signed up for the army?  Check the map produced by Alan and Grossman and Andrea Shaw with over100 points of interest for Elvis Fans.  (http://online.wsj.com/articles/in-era-of-google-maps-fans-of-paper-maps-refuse-to-fold-1415317412)

Curious about kissing in France (is it on cheek, two or four? ) or want to know what countries are landlocked, surrounded by other counties as is the case for the Kingdom of Lesotho?  Search through Frank Jacob’s book the Book of Strange Maps.

While we know who created the Memphis guide to Elvis, it’s unusual to even think about who makes all these handy maps. How do they do it and why?  Read Ken Jennings book  Maphead:  Charting the Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks.

Whether the maps are on line or in print individuals, cartogrpahers,  create them for us to enjoy and to help us navigate the world we inhabit.   Take a moment and say a quiet Thank You to them all.