These were all the rage when they came out in the late 80s. Found this cleaning out some things a few weeks ago. Didn't have the heart the throw it out. Took a lot of different routes home because of it.

My mom might still have theirs.

Born in 1985 my favorite thing to do on family vacation road trips was to study the map. I would be back in the third row of the suburban by myself and go over all of the roads.

I'd bet my parents have at least 3 of those. Maybe 5+.

I used to stare at those things for hours as a kid. Maps have always fascinated me. Maybe it's because I have a terrible sense of direction.

Bet half the people around wouldn't have a clue these days how to navigate from one those

Yep, have one and still use it. GPS will get you from here to there, but with that map book you can clearly see alternate routes and perhaps more interesting ways to travel. Maybe you can do that with a car GPS but I sure don't know how without a lot of time dragging routes while scaling up and down. So on any trip I start with the map book, jot a few notes and then use GPS to follow that route.

You bring up an interesting point. These maps ought to be in everyone's SHTF pile. If things really go sideways, the map is still going to work OK.

Still carry one in my pickup. Easier to use than a phone for us old geezers… as long as I can find my glasses