The best vacation we ever had was one when we just looked at the road atlas every morning, said “Let’s go there,” then headed in some random direction. We stayed off the interstates as much as we could and explored the backroads and small towns in Tennessee and Kentucky. The only time we ever turned on the GPS was in the evening when we needed to find somewhere to stay the night. It was the most relaxing vacation ever because we didn’t have to rush to be anywhere particular at any specific time.
I don’t know if it is due to the way some minds work or due to a different learning methodology but some of us are ‘map oriented’ in that we need to see the whole path and gain an understanding of the pattern of twists and turns. Listening to directions one at a time just doesn’t work for us. So, I either download a map of the journey before starting or carry the road maps with me. Having that type of visual aid has kept us from turning right into a river or over a cliff (directions according to GPS) and also kept us from going around in circles on a number of occasions. I forced my grandchildren to learn how to read a map — a skill like cursive writing which no longer seems to be taught in schools but which can come in handy. I (and their parents) insisted that they had to be able to read the city and state maps before they could get their drivers’ licenses so we studied the maps and planned our routes before we set out.
There used to be bumper stickers like “Find America. Get lost on a road rally” or “Take the road less traveled. On a road rally.” Driving (or navigating) a rally was a lot of fun. I miss going on those, hope to do it again. Didn’t need a fancy car. Just anything roadworthy, two people, a watch, pen/pencil & paper, a calculator, and the fee. Hours of a good time on amazing roads.
Husband swears by his GPS devices and his phone apps – normally he has several running while traveling and they argue with each other. I use the old fashioned Windows laptop mapping program – though since we tend to take the trips year to year at the same time each year after all these decades I know the way – he does not.
About 5 years ago he was a having a breakdown – we were in PA and going to an event we have gone to since 1974 and his GPS was not working – how would we get there? I told him the way there with every turn and landmark (and then we pass the airport, that place that was a tea room and now is a store at one of the two traffic lights, we turn left at the pizza place where there will be a big sign showing to turn left for the event…
On a later trip we were going to someplace and had to get on the NJ Turnpike to go there. When we got to the entrance to same a 18wheeler had fallen over and entrance was closed; we were sent onto a side road. We drove about 2 blocks equivalent and I realized we were in a business park we had been in many times before (venue for consumer shows in it) and we could pull over into one of the several parking lots and figure it out. Husband thought the GPS would know of the problem and redirect us – ha ha. As he managed to get us back on the main road and back to the entrance of the turnpike again, I stuck my hand into the box between the seats and pulled out what no one longer has – a paper map. Once I convinced him to listen to me and NOT the GPS, I got him onto a parallel main road we knew and even then he was sure we would get lost as I directed him along to where we could get onto the Turnpike further south.
Whenever the GPS leads us astray – and it does much too often on trips – he will not listen when I tell the correct way to go and after I get us back to how we should be going after he follows his GPS he says that I am always right and he should listen to my directions.
allen@home over 3 years ago
I agree.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member over 3 years ago
Maps for romance, apps for navigation. Best of both worlds.
chris1962cy Premium Member over 3 years ago
Kids & young adults nowadays should take heed to us older generation. In my opinion, there is nothing better than an atlas if traveling.
Breadboard over 3 years ago
With paper you don’t a battery or worry about signal strength bars ;-)
Acworthless over 3 years ago
The best vacation we ever had was one when we just looked at the road atlas every morning, said “Let’s go there,” then headed in some random direction. We stayed off the interstates as much as we could and explored the backroads and small towns in Tennessee and Kentucky. The only time we ever turned on the GPS was in the evening when we needed to find somewhere to stay the night. It was the most relaxing vacation ever because we didn’t have to rush to be anywhere particular at any specific time.
zerotvus over 3 years ago
i’ve never used GPS.and get to where i’m going just fine……
jjhouten over 3 years ago
“Take the road less traveled ( NO interstates )
david_42 over 3 years ago
Maps are much superior to apps for planning. And unlike apps, they label a seasonal logging trail, a seasonal logging trail.
GreenT267 over 3 years ago
I don’t know if it is due to the way some minds work or due to a different learning methodology but some of us are ‘map oriented’ in that we need to see the whole path and gain an understanding of the pattern of twists and turns. Listening to directions one at a time just doesn’t work for us. So, I either download a map of the journey before starting or carry the road maps with me. Having that type of visual aid has kept us from turning right into a river or over a cliff (directions according to GPS) and also kept us from going around in circles on a number of occasions. I forced my grandchildren to learn how to read a map — a skill like cursive writing which no longer seems to be taught in schools but which can come in handy. I (and their parents) insisted that they had to be able to read the city and state maps before they could get their drivers’ licenses so we studied the maps and planned our routes before we set out.
KEA over 3 years ago
https://www.google.com/maps/place/World’s+Largest+Ball+of+Twine/@39.5092169,-98.435883,17z/data=4b13m48m24d-98.4336899
CoffeeBob Premium Member over 3 years ago
Big ball of string tours are a blast! Did not know there was an Old Faithful geyser in California!
Jan C over 3 years ago
And guide books.
Homerville Premium Member over 3 years ago
Good plugger, Mike.
Display over 3 years ago
There used to be bumper stickers like “Find America. Get lost on a road rally” or “Take the road less traveled. On a road rally.” Driving (or navigating) a rally was a lot of fun. I miss going on those, hope to do it again. Didn’t need a fancy car. Just anything roadworthy, two people, a watch, pen/pencil & paper, a calculator, and the fee. Hours of a good time on amazing roads.
pamela welch Premium Member over 3 years ago
Yes we do ♥ I dislike apps and adore maps.
richardjohnsonvp over 3 years ago
They must be in Minnesota, then. At least if Weird Al Yankovic is to be believed.
mafastore over 3 years ago
Husband swears by his GPS devices and his phone apps – normally he has several running while traveling and they argue with each other. I use the old fashioned Windows laptop mapping program – though since we tend to take the trips year to year at the same time each year after all these decades I know the way – he does not.
About 5 years ago he was a having a breakdown – we were in PA and going to an event we have gone to since 1974 and his GPS was not working – how would we get there? I told him the way there with every turn and landmark (and then we pass the airport, that place that was a tea room and now is a store at one of the two traffic lights, we turn left at the pizza place where there will be a big sign showing to turn left for the event…On a later trip we were going to someplace and had to get on the NJ Turnpike to go there. When we got to the entrance to same a 18wheeler had fallen over and entrance was closed; we were sent onto a side road. We drove about 2 blocks equivalent and I realized we were in a business park we had been in many times before (venue for consumer shows in it) and we could pull over into one of the several parking lots and figure it out. Husband thought the GPS would know of the problem and redirect us – ha ha. As he managed to get us back on the main road and back to the entrance of the turnpike again, I stuck my hand into the box between the seats and pulled out what no one longer has – a paper map. Once I convinced him to listen to me and NOT the GPS, I got him onto a parallel main road we knew and even then he was sure we would get lost as I directed him along to where we could get onto the Turnpike further south.
Whenever the GPS leads us astray – and it does much too often on trips – he will not listen when I tell the correct way to go and after I get us back to how we should be going after he follows his GPS he says that I am always right and he should listen to my directions.