June 26, 2009
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Bah Humbug To You GPS
Just saw a commercial about GPS systems. It made me think of a couple recent road trips I made with a friend who had one in his car. I had to give him grief about taking all the fun out of the adventure. I might be crazy or old-fashioned, but I am just not about those little gadgets.
I’m sure they can be helpful if you get that stressed about the possibility of not finding an exit for your Taco Bell 4th meal, Dairy Queen Blizzard or Waffle House covered, smothered, diced-whatever craving. Really though? Come on. Isn’t it so much better to just roll with the road? Forget a computer telling you where to go. Besides, tell me you don’t find a little thrill in those slightly sketchy truck stops we all end up stopping at. The ones that have signs that are 7,452 feet tall that you can get gas, buy corona towels, wind chimes and a Snickers or even nosh away on a huge meal of “home cookin” all under one enormous roof.
You know you love that stuff.
Next time you hit the road, unplug your system and reach for a map. A real paper one that folds into the accordion thing. Not your Google Maps print out. A real map.
If you are driving somewhere “just to get there”, fine. That’s Ok. But without your GPS you might actually be so in tune paying attention to your surroundings you’ll see something you’ve never noticed before. That’s the reward of the road and where so many good stories come from. Try it. I promise you’ll like it.
On second thought…
Dear Garmin and whatever other GPS brands are out there,
I know I just totally bagged on you, but if you’d like me to be your representative and sponsor me for a Blue Lollipop Road trip at any point- call me. I suppose I could shelf my opinions for a month or two for the sake of creating some quality entertainment and big time exposure for you. Someone just has to follow me with a video camera. Talk about some good advertising! Let me know when you’re ready to go. I’ve got the snacks ready and my bags were packed yesterday.
You think I am kidding?
Troy R
June 29, 2009 at 3:06 pmI can tell you the GPS is a life saver in my household. The only time Lu and I fight… is when we are in the car and don’t know where we are going. She has no sense of direction. So when I tell her one way to go, she gets mad because she doesn’t think I am correct and she is trying to follow someone’s directions they gave her (who, of which, also has no sense of direction.) With the GPS… saves us a ton of headaches and keeps peace in the family. (Let’s just say that we would be a very entertaining couple on the show the Amazing Race.)
I get the road trip aspect of going with what the road gives ya… I get it… but for a family and the little ones who need a potty and quickly… GPS is life saver (or carpet saver if you get my meaning.)