Google Earth

This isn't directly related to REI, but it's services could be handy in seeing what a property (and the area around it) looks like. Download Google Earth and take it for a spin. Just enter a location and the app will show a satellite view of the location/area. You can zoom in and out. Of course, not every location is in the database, but most of the places are. One thing I like about it is the pan-n-zoom effect it has. Enter a location (stret address, city, state, and zip) and after it finds the location enter a new location several miles away. The app will automatically zoom out and "fly over" the area in-between locatoins, and then zoom into the new location. Awesome!