Maps Vs. GPS

As we traveled along many two lane roads, catching breathtaking views, small towns, farms, rocks, praries - I thought to myself about the early travelers who mapped out these great United States of ours. We have a lot to be thankful for to these early pioneers. Can you imagine, traveling along the ravines and moutains, tredging your way to a new life at a pace of about 6 miles an hour? Plenty of time to refer to a map and locate the next stop. Of course, they were the early campers and no need to make reservations at a far away hotel during summer travels. Oh the relief they must have felt...just kidding.

We had fun planning our trip - creating this map and changing it a half dozen times again. The map - similar to this one - that I used on the trip had new marks on it as we detoured and made new plans. I left that map in Farmington (the second time we were there). I wonder who finds that, if they will try to figure out where we went and where we are headed!

Now, for some reason, the gals often put me in a leadership position (lead the ride, set the pace) - although I very STRONGLY let them know before the trip that's not what I wanted. Hey, my name is "Wrong Way" for goodness sakes. But here they are - motioning their heads for me to lead them to the next town or gas stop. The trouble is - they have no idea how hard it is to watch where you are going, the signs, the mirrors (to make sure everyone is there) and your speed - and then try to look for a "picture" moment along the side of the road to pull off. I'm too busy "leading" to be able to look for those rare and beautiful moments. Later - that comes back to bite me in Enid - oh well. It is so much easier to follow 'n' track and say - "wow we should have stopped there!" No one ever thanks the leader - just complains that they leave too early, don't stop where the group wants, goes too fast...they don't seem to realize I'm not having fun when I'm leading - it's a chore.

Now, I only give you that info - so that you understand my tendency to go the wrong way...paying attention...it's not easy! So here I am, leading the way across country with my trusty map, each turn memorized at the previous gas stop. Just need to read the signs now...track mileage...watch them truckers...count the bikes behind me...

On the flip side, three of the gals in the group have GPS - pretty cool really - it tells you the next turn before you get to it - but of course - you have to look at one more thing while you are leading. So I never got into it - sticking to old school - my map. Everytime I made a u-turn or went the wrong way the GPS'ers would ride up along side of me and say, "you should have turned back there..." Great. Why are they not leading? (Well, let me say that Anita did volunteer now and then). That being said, everyone in my group, in our club for that matter, knows how to make great u-turns, thanks to following me for the last 6 years.

But you know, making a wrong turn here or there gave us some great views - like the Tennessee River in Calvert, the River between Forth Smith and Van Buren (and the bridges that went along with it), the back side of a small town - all worth seeing. It's not really a big deal to pull into a liquer store, gas station to ask for directions - you get to meet the folks that run the town, fish from the river banks, and just sit in a rockin chair 'cause that's all they need to do right now. Yet, while the GPS'ers are entering the info into their units - I just unfold, read, and fold up my map and am ready to go while they are still feverishly entering the next town.

So, back in Farmington where I left my map in the hotel, we left Kaye behind, certain her husband was coming to her rescue. Since I had left the map, Carol gives me some directions via her GPS and I try to follow them. But I don't have the visual in my head from looking at the map. Dang. Turns out - about 100 miles later - this is the route I wanted to take and now have the visual...we're good all the way to San Diego.

But before we get out of Shiprock, NM (Navajo country), before I have my bearings, Carol tells me a few directions and of course, I go the wrong way by about one block. She pulls up next to me and tells me the next street, about 20 feet ahead of us, will take us back to the highway. I was going to make another u-turn, but what the heck, I make a choice...trust the GPS. So a right turn we make and head back in the right direction - toward the highway. Cool.

As we travel along, the pavement suddenly ends. Alright, no problem...I've been on roads like this before...the road less traveled. GPS says the highway is just up ahead. So we cruise along, passing a few driveways here and there, over a hill, over another hill, down the hills - until we come to a Y intersection. "My GPS says it is just over the hill," yells Carol...okaaay...so to the left we go - over the hill.

We come to the top of the hill and the road ends at a fence that says, "KEEP OUT" - "BEWARE of DOGS" - all five of them. I think the one on the leash must have been the meanest...I quickly do a u-turn and tell Carol to turn around. She let's me know that the GPS says it is just beyond this house...I say no, I don't care. The dogs say no. The residents come out and stare at us. Carol, ever persistant, asks if the road continues - they just merely shake their head....no.

She does a U-turn (about a 5 pointer) and we head back down the road. As we go back, I notice the backside of the elementary school we passed 4 times the day before. That's where the highway is. We once again approach the "Y" intersection - I know the locals are not going to travel in and out one road - there has to be another that leads to the highway. So to the left I go (which would have been "right' the first time). Another intersection - to the right again. I see the school. The road at this point has deep tracks and it's hard to the keep the HARLEY going - but what a trooper she is - she's a Deluxe afterall. The final little dip where I bottom out and we hit the highway!

I have a new appreciation for my bike - off road on a Harley - even with less than 2.5/32 of tread left. I don't have a great appreciation for the GPS - since the first time I trusted it 100 percent - it took me on a dirt road.

Well, "IT" (GPS) was lost. They should have a little picture of the robot from "Lost in Space" waving it's arms - "Danger Will Robinson" - when it really doesn't know the way. It was just guessing the road was beyond the Navajo family's house - "Warning Will Robinson!". Something to let the user know it's just guessing. In the end, I relied on my instincts - heck that's what got me (and everone else) across the country! Carol, well, she still loves her GPS. It does come in handy, mileage, time, ETA...I may get one one day.