Dagny: I imagine your dogs were using their keen sense of smell -- they remembered the smell of the places. Tim

That's what I too was thinking.

Yes, eventually. Like I mentioned, usually the freeways get me. Plus, the big freeway here is a fricking loop, so the east/west becomes north/south and eventually west/east as you keep going around the loop.

Part of the problem too is unfamiliarity with the geography, I think. Once I got a decent mental image of the area, it's a lot easier. This area has a TON of swamps,rivers,peninsulas and lagoons.

However, I find that usually I do pretty well in cities that I have never been or rarely frequent. A few minutes with a map (more to find the destination), and I can usually get there relatively easily. My wife comments on it often. Somehow I seem to get my general direction instinctually (not necessarily looking at the sun or shadows or landmarks). So i don't know why I do poorly where I am now.

Well, no --- not for that particular experience. I still think Atlantic = West when I'm at the west coast of U.S.

Whenever I've been lost in the city or in the woods that "lost-in-space" feeling goes away pretty quick when I get my bearings right.



Substituting the east/west = direction of Atlantic thing is a conscious mental effort that I repeat whenever experience has taught me it may be nescessary. I.e. I think twice before I enter an eastbound/westbound highway in the U.S.

When I'm otherwise lost, a map and/or vantage point plus direction indicator (distant landmark or compass) is what I use to become un-lost.

When in a new location, I spend a bit of time early on, looking at a map and getting oriented. If I do this, I seem to do OK.

However if I neglect this step and get my orientation screwed up, it is almost impossible to get it right again.

There is one particular town in Florida that I got "wrong" many years ago. I get lost every time I go there.

Nomad.

That happened to me in the Orlando area. I would have sworn on a stack of sacred texts that I was heading east. I was heading north. Holy mackerel was that disturbing!! Also, I do not even venture off-pavement unless I know I will be able to keep a road in sight or auditory range. I am a basket case.