All dressed up and nowhere to go? Isn’t it a drag, after you have invested in brand new hiking and camping gear for the summer, that you find yourself looking at the same old tattered, ripped and coffee-stained maps? With that shiny new gear, wouldn’t it be grand to march forward in exploration with the right maps in hand? We all know that things change all the time and this is especially true when it comes to roads, land accessibility and hiking trails. A great source for “off the beaten path”- maps and related information, is the National Geographic Back Roads Explorer. This 17 CD set gives you information about pristine lakes, private beaches, quaint small towns and landmarks, all with seamless up-to-date-topographical maps, spanning the entire US from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific. It’s also compatible with the most common GPS brands complete with a 2 million points of interest-USA Place finder and seamless 1:100,00 scale topographical maps for the entire US can also be downloaded to any Palm and Pocket PC’s! However, if you’re a little “high-tech challenged” like me, perhaps a personal collection of trail maps from the 52 most popular recreation sites in the US would be the perfect alternative to pack in with your hiking camping gear. The Trails Illustrated Maps from National Geographic are not only the most up-to-date, they are also made of a durable, tear-resistant and waterproof material and printed with new colors and a shaded relief which makes this 1:66,000 trail map collection a complete guide to hiking trails, bike trails, fishing holes, boat ramps, campgrounds and much more. Come and find your dream spot!