I’ve decided on the Garmin nuvi.
I know I want the 4.3″ size. After that, the decision becomes more complicated. Maybe someone can help me with this. I have no experience with GPS devices. The 1390 LMT (Lifetime Traffic and Maps Update) costs $178. The 1350 LMT costs $148. The only difference that I can see is the more expensive model allows you talk on the phone handsfree. I don’t care about that, so the $178 one is out.
So what’s so complicated about that?
Well, a friend at work has a GPS that her mother gave her which only cost about $89. It does not have the LMT after the model number. I asked her about this and she said, “Big deal, I can update my Garmin from my computer for free. I do it all the time. No problem.” Now I don’t know whether to spring for the $148 model or save about sixty bucks buying the $89 model.
My retirement lunch is postponed until tomorrow.
First thing this morning we had a faculty meeting which outlined all the things that had to be done today. Since everyone felt very pressured, including me, I offered that we wait until tomorrow so we can enjoy ourselves. This was a relief to all.
The goodbyes have begun . . . and gifts!
Having given the keys to the Honda to a friend at work, I caught a ride home with another co-worker friend (the same one who rescued me when the Perfect Tow Vehicle wouldn’t start.). On the way home she presented me with a large, red, University of Georgia bag of gifts and said, “Now you can’t open the bag until you are on the road to your adventure.”
Yeah, right.
Do you think she wants me to remember my friends back in Georgia?
As soon as I was in my door I tossed out the tissue paper and discovered boxes of cookies, more UGA stuff (a cap, license plate, lanyard) and a signal horn! She’s a master gift-giver. Her gifts always have a touch of humor. I laughed out loud and promptly ate six, to-die-for cookies!
Later, while trying to think of something to write about, I thought . . . I know . . .
I’ll show off my new signal horn!
It says on the back of the package under Uses: “Alerting right of way.” I think it will also come in handy to scare off any campsite critters wanting to steal my lunch!
rvsue
IMHO, GPS’s can be useful and frustrating for no apparent reason they will reroute you through some neighborhood instead of keeping you on the logical road. Just one of the quirks of this device…. as usual YMMV
Kay Julia
I’m not much interested in knowing EXACTLY where I am, or geocaching as a hobby, so this is an area I am content knowing very little about. That said, I’ve found it occasionally useful to have Microsoft Streets and Trips with the GPS usb attachment on my laptop. And I have an Iphone map app for walking around towns and such.
It all works. I just don’t use it much. On the rare occasion that I get lost I’ll haul out the laptop and reorient, I suppose. I once set it up to watch as I drove along, but I found it unnecessary and distracting. It was the answer to a question I seldom found the need to ask.
I certainly don’t need a mechanical voice nagging at me for turning away from the “plan”.
Here’s a request for a future post: I don’t see how you are going to live in that tiny space with two dogs. What is your plan? I realize that you probably get along well, or you wouldn’t contemplate it. But surely in the Casita there are going to be problems and solutions to work out.
I mean something as simple as where do you put the dog dish without stepping in it? At least with dogs they will get you up at night if they need to go outside to pee, so you don’t have the litterbox placement problem you have with cats. And I guess they will sleep up in the bed with you. Yuck, but to each his own.
I have never traveled with pets. So I’d like to hear about how you plan to cope, and what problems and solutions you expect to encounter. Do you know of any blogs that deal with this in detail? I know one woman who travels with two dogs in an Airstream, but she has probably twice the room you are going to have.
Bob, considering a cat. Sort of.
I have to say right off that I don’t have every potential situation and problem worked out. The dogs are going to present challenges, for sure. The water dish will probably be set on the floor of the shower. If I have to take up the water dish, not to fear. My dogs and I communicate very well. If they need a drink and one is not available, they let me know. Bridget puts her face in mine and smacks her lips! Yes, taking them out to do their business will be a nuisance because now they can go whenever they want when I’m around the house. They don’t get walked like city dogs do, as they have the run of my property.
Once we’re living in the Casita I am going to have to walk them at least twice a day, train them to go on cue, and make sure they get plenty of activity so they don’t keep me up at night. I will have to put protection on the lower half of the door/screen before they tear it up. Yes, they sleep on the bed. It’s not as yucky as you might imagine. I keep my dogs flea and tick free and they are a very clean breed. Like you say, to each his own.
A big difficulty I face is controlling them during walks. The rat terrier’s neck has a circumference as long or longer than the circumference of the head. Collars are useless. They slip right off. I’ve seen Spikey turn himself inside out extricating himself from a harness! The muzzle-type harness may work. I’m looking into that.
I don’t have all the answers. I just have confidence that I can find an acceptable solution to most problems. I’ve lived with dogs all my life. We will find a way! I’ll be sure to post on this topic.
As for cats, to me they are more of a challenge. I don’t discourage you though. A pet that is allowed to be a friend will enrich your life immeasurably. You probably are aware of the Simple Living Simple Travel blog. He travels with two cats.
You know, I find your response to the GPS post interesting. GPS never appealed to me that much either. Everyone tells me I have to have one so I can be found easily if camping off the beaten path and so on. It will probably drive me nuts.
“I don’t have all the answers. I just have confidence that I can find an acceptable solution to most problems. I’ve lived with dogs all my life. We will find a way! I’ll be sure to post on this topic.”
No doubt you will. People do it all the time, but I wonder at the tiny enclosure in which you will be doing it. It’s something I’ve only considered once, when a puppy came flying at me from the back of a truck on a four lane. After a week spent getting her healed up, I took her to the pound because I couldn’t see how a potentially giant hound fit into my traveling life. You can read about the Flying Dog if you page down here:
http://catchbobifyoucan.blogspot.com/p/what-happened.html
It’s quite a long way down the page, though. So here’s a quick pic:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZxLB6KDMAvA/TGSubLxNIBI/AAAAAAAAAVM/gCDJNot_ueo/s1600/I+coulda+been+a+Contenduh!.jpg
I still don’t know if I did the right thing. She was an appealing puppy, so there was still hope she’d find a kid to love instead of an old man like me. The vet said she’d end up weighing 70 pounds. I wasn’t looking for a dog, but even if I had been, that was more than I was looking for.
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“You probably are aware of the Simple Living Simple Travel blog. He travels with two cats.”
So he does. And in a Casita at that. No I never saw that. I look forward to reading it. Thanks.
Bob
I will miss you, but already feel like I am on the journey with you and the crew. Not good bye, but until next time. Cheers to your adventures with the crew and thank you for allowing us to share them with you all.
You gave me a wonderful send-off. Thank you. I still think you should get a trailer and join the adventure, if only temporarily!
I know we’ll keep in touch, so it’s not like goodbye, but I realized towards the end of the day I may never actualy see you again. It’s killing me. I am happy for you though and excited to hear all your adventures. It’s gonna suck walking by your dark room tomorrow. I miss you already.
I know, Tawny. I couldn’t even bear to give you a hug goodbye. We’ve really been through some … uh, stuff… haven’t we! There were days I thought I’d lose my mind and it was so comforting to know that you were losing yours, too. You helped keep me steady through all the madness. Love you!
Sorry, just saw your GPS entry….strike that! As they say in court. Jm
Hi, Jack!
I’m glad you brought up the topic of GPS because I’m still unable to make a decision. I went to WalMart online since I made that post and found a Garmin nuvi with a smaller screen (3+ inches) that came with LMT and it costs around $87. The description said you have up to four downloads of map and traffic updates a year. Compare this one with the ones I wrote about …
Now I’m confused about this LMT business and also how important is the screen size? If you can see it, isn’t that big enough? I hate buying something and then wishing I’d bought something else. And I hate being gypped. And I hate misspelling jipped. Whatever!
Thanks, Jack, for visiting rvsue and her canine crew. I hope you’ll keep coming back.
Sue,
I realize I am behind reading your blog. :))
But be sure and check out your friends statement that she gets free updates all the time for her nuvi.
I have one and it only came with one free update,new one are close to $100 has far as I can tell.
Bill Kelleher
Nice to hear from you again, Bill. Sounds like you think I should get the $148 model with LMt.
Is trying to say something in the written word hard. 🙁
It maybe true to be able to get free updates, Just make sure it is true.
Bill Kelleher
I believe . . you get what you pay for.