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I kept seeing recommendations and deals on GPS units on WantNot.net, Mir’s fantastic blog for bargain shoppers. I pulled one up onscreen the other day and asked Husband what he thought. Since we’ll be traveling through several states (at least eight) and then out of the country for a week, I wondered if it might be a good idea to have a little electronic help finding our way.
He said no. Absolutely not. In his view, it’s hard enough to ask a person for directions, much less take directions from a box with a voice. So…I’ll pack a U.S. map and look for an updated state highway map (free, if possible) as we enter each state and try out their rest stops.
He’ll also print out a Mapquest for each day’s plan before we leave home. The plus side of this is that we’ll also print out a Braille copy of the route, and Amigo can do his part to help navigate. White cane and all, our teen will be an active participant in the road trip. He’s a great believer in the slogan that getting there is half the fun!
But then again, the Mapquest I printed for today’s music festival landed me and my minivan in the elementary school’s turnaround for parents instead of in the high school’s parking lot four full blocks away…. just goes to show you, there’s always something.
>Mapquest sucks. You should continue to try talking your husband into the GPS unit. My mom and dad had one when I travelled with them to California last summer and it got us everywhere we needed to go all over Santa Barbara. It’s not difficult to follow the directions at all, it goes one turn at a time and doesn’t overwhelm you with a bunch of directions at once. Good luck!
>I can see my husband saying no to a gps too. I guess men think they have a built in sense of direction….which we all know is just a figment of their imagination. Good luck and have a great trip!
>Oh what fun! We stop for state maps every time we see a welcome center. but we don’t always enter a state where there is one. 🙁 Just something to keep in mind. BUT! Some states will give maps to neighboring states if you ask.
I love that Amigo is helping to navigate! My kids love the planning of the trip as much as the trip itself.
>Enjoy your vacation! It’s definitely about the journey, not the destination!