street view directions

Washington Co. > Google Maps Street View Directions

One of the cool features of Google Maps is their selected street view images. This allows you to "walk" down certain streets and see actual images of the area. Until recently this feature was not available for Washington County.

At present you cannot use the street view feature if you access Google Maps from within RamblingRoots. Instead try this:

  • Open a new browser window or tab and go to www.google.com.
  • Click on Maps in the upper left hand corner.
  • Locate Virginia and zoom in until you identify Washington County. Use your cursor to position the map so that both Abingdon and Glade Spring are in view (the 2 mile range setting works well).
  • Be sure you are looking at either the Map or Satellite View (options in upper right hand corner). If you are in the Satellite View check the "show labels" box.
  • Notice the little yellow figure sitting atop the zoom bar in the upper left hand corner.
  • Place your cursor over the figure and then drag him out across the map. Note how many of the roads turn blue; also note the green circle that appears below his feet.
  • Drop the green circle on top of one of the blue roads and wait a moment. The map will change to a street level photo taken from that exact point on the road.
  • A smaller window in the lower right corner will show you where "you" are located on the road and what direction you are looking. Using the compass arrows in the upper left hand corner you can look to the right or the left, or look up or down. Or grab the "N" on the compass wheel and rotate it. Watch the view change, and watch the man in the little window move as well.
  • A yellow line with forward and backward arrows appears superimposed on the roadway. Click on the arrows to "walk" along the roadway. Or drag the arrow with your cursor. You can also drag the little figure in the lower right hand box to a new spot on the road.
  • Notice there is a small "X" in the upper right hand corner when you are viewing a street level photo. Clicking on the "X" closes the street image and returns you to the full map view.
  • There are other options as well (eg, type in an address in the search bar). I hope you have as much fun playing with this as I did.