DeLorme's lobby is open to the public for up close viewing of Eartha 7 days a week, free of charge. Right next to Eartha is DeLorme's Map Store, a treasure-trove of maps, nautical charts, travel books, mapping software, educational toys, and related resources. A bank of computers is available in the store so visitors can test drive DeLorme's mapping software, like the popular Street Atlas USA, AAA Map'n'Go, and Topo USA. The company also makes GPS Hardware and mapping software and printed products like the Atlas and Gazetteer Series that covers each of the 50 states.

My favorite product, Map'n'Go, is more than just mapping software, it's a complete travel planner. You can print out maps and information about tens of thousands of hotels, inns, restaurants, campgrounds, scenic drives, and tourist attractions in the US, Canada, and Mexico; print your travel itinerary and detailed maps; and more.

Kids and adults alike find Eartha fascinating, and will enjoy browsing through the adjacent map store. This is well worth the stop if you're traveling north of Portland on US Route 1 or Interstate 95.

Photos copyright DeLorme. Used by permission.