There are some free GIS mapping out there that might let you do a little more than Google Earth.

Look at GRASS GIS, gvSIG, JUMP GIS, MapWindow GIS, and QGIS. These are pretty straight forward and you might even to get a free trial of ArcGIS.

You can get free Topo, hydrography, and contour data from the USGS (http://nationalmap.gov/viewer.html)

Arials from the USDA (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/apfoapp?...prog&topic=nai)



If you have any questions you can message me and I'll try and help