Maps on the new horizons
For sale: one nearly new hand-held GPS unit. Best offer.
I think I’m ready to turn my back on technology
– at least a little bit.
Maps on the new horizons
For sale: one nearly new hand-held GPS unit. Best offer.
I think I’m ready to turn my back on technology – at least a little bit.
You see, I love maps. Any maps will do. The GPS unit has a memory card in it packed with topo maps for much of California, but its tiny black-and-white screen is unsatisfying.
I’ll gladly swap digital for an analogue image on paper.
Our map books of Northern and Southern California are worn to the point of uselessness. The excellent maps show elevation contours and offer great detail.
When our daughters were younger, the inevitable “are we there yet?” was answered with a look at the map book. As we traveled, we’d cross the pages of the book, one by one, and it became easy to understand at a glance how far we’d come and how far we had to go.
My favorite map, by far, is available mostly through bicycle stores or directly from the person who drew it. Take a look at http://www.krebscycleproducts.com/ to see what I’m excited about.
We just purchased a fresh copy of the South San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay Areas Bicycle Touring Map. It’s our third copy, the last two having succumbed to heavy use and the toll of being soaked in perspiration as they ride along in the back pocket of a bicycle jersey.
While intended for two-wheeled travel, the map is a marvel. It’s hand drawn, and all but the largest lettering is by hand. The detail is inspiring. Lodging and campgrounds are noted. Every place that might offer a snack or a meal is noted. Bike shops and even viewpoints are detailed on the map. Grades are indicated with elegant little chevrons.
What makes the Krebs map priceless are the little notes that seem to fill every empty space. The detail map of the Monterey Peninsula contains notes offering monarch butterfly trivia, and explaining the size and location of the Monterey Submarine Canyon.
It warns travelers approaching Panoche Valley that it gets very hot in summer, and to expect west to northwest winds.
Preferred bike routes are demarcated. Cienega Road, Airline Highway and the San Juan Grade all make the list.
Krebs also produces maps for Mountain Bikers. The maps only cover a few areas – Lake Tahoe and Northern California are also available. But the San Francisco-Monterey Bay area map is right in our home patch.
Even if you’re not a bicyclist, the map is definitely glove box worthy if you’re the kind of person who enjoys not always taking the shortest route from point A to point B.
Neither of San Benito County’s cycling shops currently carries the Krebs maps, but they’re worth looking for.
