It is known in our family, that I am the 'navigator.' It is a pretty impressive title for someone born without the mental ability to know north from south in any situation. If the sun is shining brightly, I can find EAST. If the sun is setting brightly, I can find WEST. The stars--forget it. I love to look at stars, but nothing has ever clicked in my brain as to where a special constellation should be. So, you can see, navigator is a mislabeled title for moi!! I honestly think this is an ability you are born with. You cannot gain it along the way. And, since my brother has been a pilot since the age of 15, you know who in the family got the good stuff when it comes to navigating.
The Trout and I have been talking for some time about getting a GPS. We have researched many models, talked to people who own them and still, we did not buy. We put close to 20,000 miles on our automobile this year and I can attest that most raised voices in this marriage were about misdirection. We have had several trips to Europe and again, I am the designated navigator. Reading maps in French, for instance can put more stress on an individual. I have found that some small villages in Europe will have a sign at one end of the town as to how to get to a certain attraction. Lo and behold...if you enter from the opposite end of town, there just might not be a sign at all. So.....
We bought a GPS which also includes European maps. This should be helpful when we make our trip to France the end of April. We have tried it out several times now and it is remarkable. How in the world can this thing work? Big brother is certainly watching.
I am looking forward to using it by myself next week. Last month I went to a neighboring town for my haircut. I had never been there before, so I Mapquested it all and got there fine. Now, here is where my lack of sense of direction comes in. I could not turn the directions around and get home. Yes, eventually I got home, but it was a long way around until I found some landmarks that lead the way. I am so looking forward to hitting, "Go Home" next week after my haircut. This is going to be great. It is such a crutch for my impairment!!!
Keep us posted on how it all works, may cause some us less likely to wander-ers to want to wander if we hear of success in other camps!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has one of these on his phone and we used it to get to his parents house on Thanksgiving. It took us a way we would never have thought of going. Technology is so amazing these days!
ReplyDeleteMy husband's GPS Christmas present is in the mail as we speak. I'm the navigator too, even though he's the pilot. You're smart to get the European maps too. We got lost a lot there and we can ask directions fine, but understanding what they say in return was the problem.
ReplyDeleteHope you have the best holiday season ever.
Sam
Susan, one person's impairment is another’s gift. I for one have a great sense of direction, but I don't always want to know where I am going. I life by Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken". One thing you have to watch out for when using a GPS... there are numerous towns/cities with the same name, and that goes for streets, as well. Some are roads, drives, lanes and ways.
ReplyDeleteSo, don't be surprised with you are heading to Paris and end up in Paris, KY (hope you will be renting an amphibious car)!
i got a gps long time ago when i was running trails.. .geez i can get caddywumpus going to town :):)
ReplyDeletegp
What brand of GPS did you purchase? We need one!
ReplyDeleteGloria, it is the Garmin 275T We are liking it so far.
ReplyDeleteI'm back. I told my husband about your buying the European maps as well and we both agreed that if you are going to France it's a great idea.
ReplyDeleteMy husband asked me to tell you than we're going to program our GPS (here at home in the states) to give us directions in French so when we go to France we'll be more accustomed to hearing them in French. I have no idea if this is going to be successful, but we're going to give it a try. Wish us luck or as the French say, bonne chance.
Sam
Susan, thanks for dropping by my blog. GPS is a wonderful thing. I am also a big traveler who is directionally challenged.Hurray for technology-sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I laughed out loud when I saw your title. We bought a Garmin several years ago and have enjoyed it on trips. Short story: my DH on occasion will decide that he will ignore "Garmella" (my name for her) when he thinks, "that can't be right". Invariably we turn around and then hear this somewhat disgruntled "Re CALC u lating", and we laugh out loud. BTW, DH does have a very good sense of direction (as do I).
ReplyDelete