[nfb-db] Navigating Large Parking Lots?

[Kerri Kosten]

Hi Everyone:

As I have said before, I live right across the street from a Dollar
General which sells everything.
I had a friend walk with me today so I could map it out.
The problem is this Dollar General it has a huge huge completely open
parking lot.
The way I was taught to navigate parking lots since I can't hear the
echoes from the buildings was to use mental mapping, my braille
compass and use cardinal directions to try to keep myself oriented and
try not to veer.
The problem is the building is not set straight with the street so
once I get across the street in order to be exactly straight with the
building I have to kind of angle myself and such. It's really really
hard for me to do. I tried to use my compass but that didn't help as
when I angle I don't face a straight cardinal direction. It's like I
have to go sort of north-east. It's weird.
I was wondering how you all handled large parking lots like this when
you can't hear the echoes.
Do I just have to just try to angle/turn the best I can, shoot
straight across and just hope I don't veer, and just assume I'll get
lost?
It's very likely I'm going to get lost. When you get lost in a parking
lot like this, how do you handle it? There didn't seem to be any
people around that I could ask directions from.
Are parking lots like this something I should be afraid of?
I have to get assistance crossing the street anyway, as it is very
very busy so is it okay to ask the person who helps me across the
street to also walk with me/help me get to the door because this
parking lot is so big and open?
Also, I have an Iphone 5S. Are there any apps I could use (such as
Blind Square) that could help me with this?
What about the compass on the Iphone? If I could get myself oriented
facing the right direction (sort of northeast) would the Iphone
compass tell me when I am beginning to veer and get off-track?
I want to be able to go to this dollar store! They even have my
vanilla-lavender scented trash bags I love!
Thanks,
Kerri