Why buy street and road maps?

Sales of road and street maps and atlases have been shrinking for some years, at least in the U.S. Most in the industry attribute this first to MapQuest and other free online map sites, and more recently to the growth of in-car GPS systems (also called SatNav).

It occurs to me that in the outdoor recreation world, we always tell people to bring a map with them on the trail, even if they use a handheld GPS receiver, so why wouldn't the same logic apply to road navigation?

For GPS users: Printed maps provide an overview not possible on a small screen. And electronic devices can fail or lose reception.

For online users: What happens if your plans change or there's a detour? The map you printed online may not serve you well.

Map Exhibits in Baltimore

Map enthusiasts in the Baltimore area may be interested in four exhibits at the Walters Art Museum.

Nav Clinics Continue in California

NatGeo's Jeff Caulfield will present free Map & GPS navigation clinics again this week. Details on store links below.

Tuesday, March 18, 7 p.m. at REI Roseville

Wednesday, March 19, 7 p.m. at REI Fresno

Thursday, March 20, 7 p.m. at REI Folsom

Navigation Clinics in Northern California this week

Outdoor enthusiasts in northern California can learn how to use GPS with map software to plan hikes and other activities at free evening clinics this week in Concord and Mountain View.

Jeff Caulfield will take you through a simple trip planning exercise, discuss "on the trail" applications of GPS and give you tips on how to use GPS in the navigation process.

Everyone who attends will receive a free CD with Basic Map and GPS Skills, other helpful info, and trail overlays to use with TOPO! digital maps.

Clinics begin at 7 p.m. Click on links for maps and directions to each store:

Tuesday, March 11:
REI Concord

Wednesday, March 12:
REI Mountain View

Nat Geo Maps at the Ace Hardware Show

Maps are sold in a lot of interesting places. Some of them are Ace Hardware stores. Of course, most of those stores carry a lot more than hardware. Many have sporting goods, home décor and school supply products. Our maps fit these categories, so we're at the Ace Hardware trade show this weekend in Dallas.

We've met hundreds of friendly Ace managers and owners and are glad to be welcoming a bunch of them on board as dealers.

NGMaps Sales Manager Christy Schoonover (above with a customer) had the idea to invite attendees to put a pin in a map indicating their store location. Nearly 300 did, and it was fun to see the geographic spread from northwestern Alaska to the Florida Keys.

Navigate with NatGeo @ REI

Outdoor enthusiasts in northern California can learn how to use GPS with map software to plan hikes and other activities in a series of free evening clinics at REI.

Our Jeff Caulfield will take you through a simple trip planning exercise, discuss "on the trail" applications of GPS and give you tips on how to use GPS in the navigation process.

Everyone who attends will receive a free CD with Basic Map and GPS Skills, other helpful info, and trail overlays to use with TOPO! digital maps.

Clinics begin at 7 p.m. Click on links for maps and directions to each store:

Tuesday, March 4:
REI Fremont
Wednesday, March 5:
REI Berkeley
Thursday, March 6:
REI San Carlos
Tuesday, March 11:
REI Concord
Wednesday, March 12:
REI Mountain View

Nat Geo Maps at APPL

APPL is the Association of Partners for Public Lands. Members include associations at National Parks and National Forests dedicated to public understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of America’s natural and cultural heritage. They operate stores at information centers that sell books and maps, and that's where we come in.

Our Trails Illustrated maps cover all the major National Parks and a growing list of National Forests and recreation areas. APPL member stores are our points of sale within the parks and forests. The land management agencies they work with provide key information on trails and much more that help make our maps the most comprehensive guides to the backcountry.

APPL's annual convention and trade show brings together federal and state land management agencies and their nonprofit partners to learn, conduct business, and build a national public lands community. The 2008 convention took place this week in Denver, Colorado, not far from our office in Evergreen.

We're proud to have built a successful business, in cooperation with APPL member associations, providing maps that help people enjoy their public lands.

NGMaps Sales Manager Christy Schoonover with customers at the APPL show

Map of the Day from National Geographic

A great new feature of the National Geographic Magazine web site is Map of the Day.

Each Monday through Friday, browse through history using maps of historical news events and milestones from National Geographic, The Library of Congress and other sources.

Nat Geo Maps at SHOT Show

We wrapped up our exhibit at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas Tuesday. SHOT stands for Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade. Some people were surprised to find us there. But our TOPO! software is perfect for hunters as they need the most detailed maps possible. And as a conservation organization, National Geographic understands the role hunting plays in conserving species and habitats.

This year, we gave away copies of the November issue of our magazine with the article Hunters: For Love of the Land.

For the second week in a row we introduced our forthcoming TOPO! Explorer web site and application to the trade and press. Of particular interest here was our "hybrid quad" which combines contours and other line work from USGS topographic maps with high-resolution aerial photography. It's often difficult to view an aerial photo and know what you're looking at. The hybrid solves that problem.

It's been an exciting couple of weeks. If you'd like to know more about TOPO! Explorer, go to topo.com and sign up for our mailing list.

NEW Trails Illustrated Map for SW Colorado!

MAP FEATURES:

Scale
1:63,360

Size
Sheet = 25.5” X 37.75”
Folded = 4.25” X 9.25”
Waterproof – Tear Resistant

Map Highlights
• San Juan National Forest
• San Juan & Piedra Rivers
• Vallecito & Lemon Reservoir
• State Wildlife Areas
• Chimney Rock Archaeological Area
• Piedra Natural Area
• Navajo State Park

Towns
• Pagosa Springs
• Bayfield
• Ignacio

Scenic Byways
• San Juan Skyway

Product Numbers
ISBN 13: 978-1-56695-239-2
ISBN 10: 1-56695-239-5
UPC: 749717001459
EAN: 9781566952392

Price
SRP = $11.95

OTHER MAP FEATURES:

This title provides overlapping coverage of the newly published TI144 Durango-Cortez, TI142 South San Juan-Del Norte & TI140 Weminuche.

• Detailed road and trail network
• Classed Trails by Use
• Locations of popular recreation sites