The Lost Art of Finding Our Way

The above quote is the title of the first book I am going to read this quarter. I have not received the book yet as it has not been delivered yet, but a few conclusions can be drawn from the title and other descriptions of the book. From others feedback toward this book, I have found this to be an informational piece of writing rather than a rant on how the lost art of finding our way has contributed to a decay of morals in society or whatever one can draw from this. Although this book is informational, that underlying message of the title “The Lost Art of Finding Our Way” must play a role in this book somewhere. Apparently, examples from failed and successful voyages such as Lewis and Clark expeditions, St. Francis adventures and modern voyages are often used in this book. I am very curious to see how the lack of primitive navigation skills in the modern voyages have led to poor or even fatal outcomes. Not only this, but how the basic primitive navigation skills could have helped them get back to where they needed to be.

As a boater and surfer, being aware of my surroundings is very key. Always looking at every detail of the shoreline and remembering different landmarks everywhere I go have both been regular adaptations to my train of thought. Say you were to stick me on the isle of shoals. From different points on the beach that i have remembered over the years and lots of map studying I can get myself anywhere I need to be linearly from Rye NH to the tip of Cape Ann. These are the built in navigation skills that I do have. But say you were going to drop me south of the Cape. I know what islands are down there, roughly where they are, but by no means can I point out Hyannisport or Block Island from a point they are both visible. I know which spot is south of the other, but I don’t have the landmarks down as I, besides one trip, have never been down there. Simply, I need to touch up on my navigation skills before I go into any uncharted territory. Ways I can; moon patterns, celestial nav, the sun, currents and rock patterns. With a basic idea of where things are combined with these primitive navigation skills, I can expand my horizons and find my way to just about anywhere.