USING THE INTERNET 

So you're at another model contest, several hours away from home, and have a few hours to kill before picking up your awards, what to do?   Why not check out the local hobby shops?   Checking the tables for directions to nearby shops is helpful (when available) but wouldn't it be nice if you could PLAN such an excursion?  Maybe, you're traveling with your spouse and she wants to check out the local antique dealers while YOU shop in the dealer's room.  

Here's a tip I've found useful and I think you'll enjoy it too.  I use an Internet search engine, like Yahoo to locate shops near the model show, including detailed driving directions.  Folks, it doesn't get any easier than this!   Of course, you can use these same techniques to locate ANYTHING that's listed in the Yellow Pages across the US.   

1. Start by logging on the Internet and going to Yahoo.com.  Select the link for Yellow pages. 
2. Select a category, in this case: Recreation and Sports, then select Hobbies. 
3. Click on Hobby Shops then type a destination.  This is the location of the model contest.  Follow the instructions by typing the destination city, state and zip code.  Click Continue
4. You'll see a list of Hobby Shops for the area and a "Beyond City" link for close by shops. 
5. Clicking on a link for a specific shop will yield phone, address and locator map. 
6. Select Driving Directions and type in a starting address (like the contest site) then Get Directions.
7. That's it!  Print the map for a handy, detailed set of instructions to anywhere you want to go!

Here's a quick link to Yahoo's Yellow Pages:  Let your "typing" fingers do the walking!