• Scan an existing picture from your brochure into a computer and resize it on a Web page. Unfortunately the results rarely look as crisp and clean as they did on glossy paper, especially the words which may become unreadable.


• Hire a Web developer to create an interactive map with a tool such as Adobe Flash. Be aware that some users' browsers may not have the technology needed to view the results, so you may lose customers.


• Hire an artist to draw a custom map, including your building (or buildings) and main entrance. This is the best way to get a map exactly the way you want it to look.


• Hire a Web developer to use a mapping service such as Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps or MapQuest on your Web site. If done well, this option provides the best interactive mapping experience for users.


• Show a screenshot of an interactive map on your site. This will frustrate experienced map users because they'll click on the picture, trying to pan or zoom.

• Show relevant streets and cross streets, with readable street names.


• Show customers where to park and where to find the main entrance.


• Include a simple direction indicator. To prevent confusion, place north at the top of the drawing, no matter which direction customers will face at your front door or gate.


• Consider showing more than one map at different zoom levels, to help customers find your business at the state, city and street levels.

• Make the map large enough for users to see everything they need to see (especially buildings and street names) without zooming or scrolling.


• Shape-based maps (typically with colored lines for streets on white backgrounds) are easier to understand than satellite photos. As an option, you may include controls to switch to satellite photos.


• To let users interact with the map, include controls for zooming and scrolling.


• If your map has a "find directions to us" theme, pre-load your street address into the text boxes of the destination.

• Make sure users can find the map page. Keep it near the top of site navigation, not buried layers deep in menu options such as Information - Visit Us - Location - Map


• Try printing your map. Is it big and clear enough to be read while riding in a car?

• Submit the word “beach” and the name of a town, city or state into your favorite search engine. The results will include “things to do” directories (some with detailed addresses and reviews), official pages from local governments, and personal pages with reviews and directions.


• Search for beach cities in a map Web site such as Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps or MapQuest. For example, submit “Miami, Florida” and the map will zoom in to the specified location. If you have a rental home, condo or hotel in mind, submit its street address and scroll the map (or zoom out) to find the nearest body of water.


• Browse a directory of beaches such as http://www.morebeach.com or http://www.AreWeThereYetMap.com. The owners of these sites have already located good beaches for you to visit. You’ll find lists of beaches organized by region, plus maps, street addresses and links for more information.

• Rental location: How close are your choices of rental homes, condos and hotels to the beach? Can you walk there or will you have to drive?


• Public parking: Where is it and how many spaces are available (meaning how many total, not how many are occupied in the photo)? Cars are easy to see, so scroll around the map to find rows of them. Switch the map type to “hybrid” and take note of street names in relation to parking lots and street parking.


• Beach access: How far is the walk between parking or drop-off points and the sand? Make sure you bring only as much gear as you can carry.


• Beach length: Does the beach stretch for miles or is it a tiny spot of sand useful mostly to locals? Many beaches are closed off on each end by large rocks, trees, or grass.


• Beach width: How much space is between the grass/rocks/parking lot and the water? Of course in the ocean, the tides will change this trait every hour. Sandy shores look white or light tan merging into the blue-green water, while rocky slopes and retaining walls look dark and grainy against the water.


• Watercraft: Are boats visible along the shore? Don’t swim in a marina or other high traffic waterway.


• Lifeguard towers: The towers may be hard to see. Look for round or square roofs and rectangular shadows, often paced at equal distances from each other on the sand. If possible, swim near the lifeguards, especially when you bring children.


• Coral reefs: Green and brown splotchy areas in the water near shore may indicate a reef, giving you a chance to view a fascinating ecosystems of coral structures, colorful fish and other wildlife. Bring your snorkel and mask, but don’t touch the coral or you’ll damage the colonies of polyps that build the reef.


• Seaweed: Then again, green and brown splotchy areas might just be seaweed.

My first experience with a beach cleanup was at the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, during our family’s “eco-tourism resort” vacation. One easy-going day I sat in a hammock and saw my wife and sons carry empty trash bags down to the beach. Between reading a novel and napping (yes, I’m the lazy one) I watched them stroll back and forth across the sand, often stopping to pick something up. After a few hours they returned tired, dirty and smiling with an impressive collection of beer bottles, candy wrappers, and cigarette butts. After returning home, putting my watch back on, and returning to work, I realized that the vision of that spur of the moment volunteer exercise had stayed with me. I concluded that we should be doing this same kind of service in our own community.

The easiest way to get started in this endeavor is to find a non-profit organization that runs cleanups. Just enter “beach cleanup” or “coastal cleanup” into your favorite search engine to find out when and where they are signing up volunteers. In some counties, cleanups are organized every Saturday, plus the day after a major holiday when beach crowds are expected.

When you get there, some organizations provide plastic bags, rubber gloves and even trash grippers. It helps to read their Web site or call first and find out what they provide. Your group might even get a gift after your day of volunteering, such as tickets to a fair or an ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s.

If you can’t find an organized cleanup, consider organizing one yourself, with groups such as local schools, scout troops, or church groups. If not, you can just head out there with some family, friends, or co-workers and plenty of empty trash bags.

Here are some tips to make the cleanup easy, safe and fun:

• Dress for working outdoors. Wear good walking shoes, a comfortable top and pants with lots of freedom of movement, plus a hat and sunglasses.


• Bring rubber gloves to protect your hands from filth and sharp edges, if the trash is handled carefully.


• Bring a long-handled trash grabber/gripper tool to protect your hands and save your lower back from too much bending down. The tool is especially good for picking up broken bottles.


• If you bring the kids, organize yourselves into two-person teams. One person carries the bag and the other picks up the litter.


• Don’t forget the drinking water and sunscreen.

You’ll be surprised at how many cigarette butts, soda straws, plastic cups and shredded clothes you can find in two hours. And if you pick up the broken pieces of a beer bottle, think about all the kids’ feet you might have protected.

As always, thanks for volunteering!

Dan Salas is a fan of and occasional volunteer at beaches on the east and west coasts of the USA and Mexico. To find beaches near you or on your next vacation, visit his web site at http://www.AreWeThereYetMap.com/