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I am planning a cross-country trip. I want maps of all the states I will cross and more I might cross. I requested maps at state sites, but they might not all arrive in time. I could buy an atlas online, but that might also be late. If I can't find an atlas in a local bookstore, then looking for maps in travel centers may be my last option. I probably will have some sort of GPS.
I do. There are always some maps in the truck, lots more of them at home. Also some state atlases and one of North America. I do the planning on paper maps and use them for the drive, too. BUT on road trips I also bring an iPad, which theoretically could be used to look up online maps if WiFi is available. (I haven’t used it except when stopped for the evening.)
I wear a GPS and fitness watch almost 24/7, but the GPS is only turned on while hiking/paddling/biking or doing tests with it against an old-school compass.
In addition to visitor welcome centers, book stores, AAA, and outdoor gear stores, check at truck stops. The big ones such as Flying J often sell both maps and atlases.
I keep paper maps in my car definitely. I only use GPS if someone is in the car with me and they use it off their phone. But, I will look up a route on Google and email it to myself also. I find I understand the road system and layout better if I study a regular printed map.
There was an out of town couple that died in the mountains because they followed the GPS. Actually, maybe the woman and children lived and it was just the man that died (I don't completely remember the story). It made an impression on me not to rely on GPS.
There was an out of town couple that died in the mountains because they followed the GPS. Actually, maybe the woman and children lived and it was just the man that died (I don't completely remember the story). It made an impression on me not to rely on GPS.
I think that you are referring to the James Kim case in 2006. However, the man was trying to leave I-5 to get to Gold Beach, OR. He stopped at a convenience store and the clerk gave him directions as to the best way to the coast. Instead, he relied on his GPS and went on some seasonal logging roads and got lost. As he was in the coastal mountains, there was no cell connection to call for help. So, he went out looking for help.
At one point, there was an entire website dedicated to this tragedy. The author was attacked for his lack of sympathy toward the family and the like. However, I thought that guy did a phenomenal job listing all of the mistakes made.
I personally thought that the family was looking to blame everyone else for a really poor decision.
I think that you are referring to the James Kim case in 2006. However, the man was trying to leave I-5 to get to Gold Beach, OR. He stopped at a convenience store and the clerk gave him directions as to the best way to the coast. Instead, he relied on his GPS and went on some seasonal logging roads and got lost. As he was in the coastal mountains, there was no cell connection to call for help. So, he went out looking for help.
At one point, there was an entire website dedicated to this tragedy. The author was attacked for his lack of sympathy toward the family and the like. However, I thought that guy did a phenomenal job listing all of the mistakes made.
I personally thought that the family was looking to blame everyone else for a really poor decision.
It made an impression on me (along with some wayward local directions that led me astray). I did not get the technology package for my car and have never used GPS. Sometimes the old ways are best.
I have an old atlas that I got from my insurance agent for free years ago. I know it's outdated but it has all the major roads on it and I do like a physical map to better "orient" myself. With a cell and online sources travel is easier than before and you're less likely to get lost but it doesn't hurt to have a backup map to get you back to civilization.
pretty easy to take out our 'sparse and fragile' USA coverage of data / GPS.
Better hang onto your maps. (For awhile)
I download everywhere I'm going for use offline, so data isn't really required. Regarding GPS, if my phone's GPS can't tell me exactly where I am it is no worse than a paper map, since they don't either.
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