How Do You Read A Map?

Publish Date: Sunday, November 2, 2008
Coordinates: 37° 14.35′ N 76° 30.46′ W

After 16 years of marriage, it only became evident today that Dave and I read maps quite differently. 🙂 Ah, the things you learn while underway. When I’m navigating, I orient the map based on the direction I’m moving. If we’re going south, I have south at the top of the page. That way it is perfectly obvious (to me at least) which direction (left or right) we need to be moving. Much to my surprise, Dave (and it seems Ayla too) always view a map north up, no matter which way they are heading. Who knew! I find this quite confusing, but it makes perfect sense to them. Thank goodness our chart plotter gives you the option to do it either way. I’m sure there is some left brain/right brain explanation. How do you read a map?


3 Responses to “How Do You Read A Map?”

  1. Norma Hawran says:

    Dear Kathryn, I left a comment on your first blog and have read them all. I’m curious – you haven’t mentioned food…who cooks? With limited space, do you count on stocking up at each harbor? One favor; while you post your coordinates, I’d like to know in layman’s language where you are (more or less) when you write each entry – this way we landlubbers (for the moment) can follow the route more closelyl. Thanks – stay warm! PS: I’m with Ayla and David, my husband likes it your way (which confuses me!)

  2. Kent says:

    If I am in car I normally have North up. If I am hiking I orient the map to match the direction I am going. If I were in a boat I would orient the map to match the view out the pilot house window.

  3. nancy says:

    Love reading all your blogs! Just miss you guys!!!