Online Mapping and GIS

Online maps are one of the best tools ever.  I have been using Google Maps for several years to plan routes and get a look at places I haven't been to before, including what the roads are like on the way there.  Having a look at the street view of a destination before you leave home can prove to be the saving of your last bit of sanity after two days of driving with cranky kids in the back seat and fading hope that you will finally get there.  Last summer we drove to Vancouver via Jasper and I printed a few key Google maps to find the homes of friends and family and we were on our way.