Gone are the days of stopping and asking for directions. These days there is GPS. I remember when GPS was something only the military had a hold of. Now, because of satellites, every Tom, Dick and Harry can own a GPS and find their own way around. Gone are the days of stopping and asking some yahoo for directions. So simple to use, even a child can use it. For my birthday, I got a Garmin and while it is not the jazziest model, I really think it will be useful when we go to new cities and travel within the city of Denver itself. I have not occasion to try it yet as my commute is very familiar and local but soon, I will try it out.
It is amazing how much technology has evolved since we were children- I remember having to help my dad read a road map on our cross country travels. I could never quite fold it back right and this would be troubling to my father. Of course, I still can’t fold a map back right – that is why I get map books. No folding required. I am looking forward to trying out the Garmin on a road trip I am taking next week for work to Cheyenne, Wyoming. It outta be interesting to see how it operates as I cross state lines.
My feelings toward GPS directional systems are mixed- on the one hand, I do not want to be so dependent on these things that I do not teach my daughter how to open a map and learn how to read one. On the other hand, it is convenient especially when I am lost in Washington, D.C., driving around aimlessly hoping for the best. It is scary driving in big cities when your safety is at issue as well. With gas reaching $4.00 a gallon, it is better to have pinpoint directions and get to your destination with as little mileage expended as possible. For example, this morning, I took the recommended Garmin route to the office and the mileage was significantly less. Since it was Friday, the traffic was light too so I got there in the same amount of time it takes me to take the longer but “faster” highway route. All in all, I am excited about this purchase and will take it with me when I travel so the next time I feel the need to stop and ask for directions, I won’t need to do either. I can pull out the Garmin, plug it in, and just Go!
