Geospatially challenged, strong or average?

[shootingstar]

I'm an engineer so I would like to think I'm geospatially strong.......but I'm probably kidding myself...... so yeah, let's go with average.

Well, my partner did his civil engineering degree and of course he's done surveying work somewhere in his early years....he used to have a 100 acre farm which included heavily wooded area. He's gotten lost several times at night on his own property..but found his way out. But he' s probably not bad because he so heavily involved in cycling advocacy that he's often exploring new routes for bikes. He has also cycled solo across North America 3 times and doesn't seem to get overly lost. Part of his trips is collecting info. and taking photos of local cycling facilities and routes in unknown areas to him, so his wayfinding is more natural and quicker.

I wonder if I had continuing driving a car, if my geospatial capabilities would have been marginally better. I gave up my license over 1/4 century ago...I really didn't enjoy driving on highways...and overall was afraid when driving.

During the first few months of living in Vancouver I didn't find the mountains here helpful at all especially in older areas with non-grid streets. To the nubie, to even distinguish which mountain, can be abit confusing at first...since there is a whole wall of them northward...and others east...I go southeast away from the famed mountains in North Vancouver....and 40 kms. later when I go to work, there are more mountains elsewhere....I need a map to even tell you what these mountains are... Of course Greater Vancouver area has many big and small bridges.., different water bodies,....which makes route design for cycling a challenge in swiggly ways...



On the other hand, I have highly visual memory for other complex things..I know that I am a visual learner..