MAPS? GPS? WAVS? Traveling by Car in 2014

MAPS? GPS? WAVS?  Traveling by Car in 2014
example of what I enjoy the most about FACEBOOK
open discussion with friends around the glob.



today's adventures I have posted...
Great breakfast at the Hampton Inn that I sampled from.
Spending 4 hours with Michelle James talking about my recent adventures and our respective 20 and 40 year commitments to the application of
APPLIED CREATIVITY
And many other topics that were sparked by own ongoing conversation.
then from 1 until 4 I drove through scenic Virginia from Charlottesville to Sterling where I am Arafa and his family's guest for a couple days.
For the 3rd day in row using Google map and directions, step by step, print outs I need to be AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL-like guided using my cell phone.
David Horth did that to their home on Monday
Kathy at Hampton Inn did that to the HI yesterday afternoon.
Arafa had to do that this afternoon.
Before I head home I am definitely going to contact AAA
for trip tik info instead of relying on Google's sketchy info.
No GPS in my rental car.
No GPS APP on my Motorola, somewhat smart phone.
Maybe I will just go to a service station and by,
What do they call them again.
oh yeah
MAPS., those folded up things.
Comments
Robert Alan Black so many steps and turns missing.
December 10, 2014 at 10:47pm
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Penny Van Der Lith Can you download Waze onto you phone? It's very, very reliable. Google Maps - not so much.
December 10, 2014 at 11:29pm
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Robert Alan Black Penny I have only downloaded Runkeeper App onto my phone back in the Summer and don't remember how I did that.

I so seldom use a phone I know next to knowing about how to.

Willl ask this weekend. Maybe one of my friends can help and show me how to do that.
December 11, 2014 at 12:57am
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Mindy Joy Rose Most of the time the tech dept of your cell service provider is happy to walk you through the process.
December 11, 2014 at 1:03am
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Michelle James It was an awesome time! 
December 11, 2014 at 4:37am
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Robert Alan Black thanks for the info Mindy.  

Thanks Virginia 

Michelle it certainly was.
December 11, 2014 at 6:47am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey Whenever I travel I always have an actual map and triptik from AAA, Google directions, a gps and phone numbers of people along the way!! If I had to pick just one tho it would b the triptik from AAA. They're very simple to use!
December 11, 2014 at 7:55am
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Robert Alan Black Kathysue from 1950 until 1962 I traveled with my parents and my mother always got an AAA triptik and had maps of each of the states and cities we traveled to.

I haven't gotten into GPS
or gone back to maps
in the US. I get maps of cities and countries I go too automatically and have hundreds of them.
December 11, 2014 at 10:29pm
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Robert Alan Black Kathysue since the 50s when I traveled with my parents throughout the mainland 48, parts of Canada and a small part of northeaster Mexico I have been one who uses

state maps
AAA trip Tiks
city maps 

When I started traveling internationally my tools became

country maps
city or town maps
public transportation
metro maps.

In 1977 I had them all in the beginning combined with

Michelin books
Traveling Europe on $10 day type books 

By the end of the trip I was mostly Winging it using my master plan for my 100+ day trip.

I shipped all the books and maps home to lighten my load
and began trusting myself.

Once I arrived in a town, city, country
I would find the necessary maps

and just WING IT mostly

Then after a couple towns, cities, countries I would ship any maps I acquired home and moved on.

Since the introduction of the internet for my 2001 1st trip around the globe my strategies became simpler

1. read lots before I leave
2. create basic general master plan
3. adjust plan as I traveled and explored or "WANDERED"
4. collected simply public transportation maps
5. basic city maps
6. mailed them home once I moved on to the next country.

I traveled for 74 to 90 days in two trips to 18 countries using only a small backpack with roller wheels.

Since the introduction of the www, MapsQuest, now Google Maps I have attempted to use them.

Usually they were enough with what I found once I arrived.

This trip I have discovered that Google Maps are nothing compared to standard printed maps and the AAA Triptik system.

Each day this trip I had to use my cell phone to have my host or someone at my targeted destination talked me in the last few miles like an air traffic controller or Apollo 13 team.

Last night my cell phone batter was almost dead and all I knew from Arafa was that I should travel to the Reston Metro Station.

The plan was that he would call me during the day and give me the last details.

When I left the Washington Cathedral I made a call to him, getting his answering system saying I am heading to the Reston Station, meet you there (no "blank" idea how big the Reston Metro Center really is or how confusing it is).

Then my phone began shutting off each time I tried to use it for the next two hours.

Once I arrived at the HUGE Reston Metro CENTER, not simple rapid transit station or stop I asked two employees where would someone pick me up by car.

KISS & RIDE was there consistent answers.

I found it. I was unclear about how Arafa would find me.

I walked around and found the real, very poorly signed, entrance to the HUGE parking complex and deck where the entrance to the KISS & RIDE is located. Stood in a spot where I believed he could not miss me in the very freezing temperature and wind.

Tried one more call and got Arafa and said KISS & RIDE. I didn't hear what his response was and my cell phone completely DIED.

30 minutes later or so Arafa arrived.

Problem solved.

That is WANDERING ALAN's system:

some maps, experience, intuition and PURE DUMB LUCK.

While I stood there in the cold I was using some creative thinking techniques including the CLASSIC Osborn Parnes CPS process...

In What Ways Might I Get to Arafa's house in Sterling if he NEVER ARRIVES.

Taxi, bus, train,?????

That exercise helped the time pass away.

I had several back up plans I fortunately did not need to use.
December 12, 2014 at 7:16am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey Those were the days when you could just pick up and wander in Europe. Backpacking, using Hostels, and friends couches to sleep on. Life was so much simpler back then and even just 10 years ago. I have tried to teach my daughters how to travel safely domestically and internationally – as women especially, need to be so careful. The world today can be very unkind. A woman’s hair color, skin color, etc. can lead to possible takings. And I know I always sound so ‘fearful’ when I speak of these things, but really, I’m not fearful at all – just realistic. My one daughter is blonde with blue eyes, my other brown hair, brown eyes. Both have porcelain-like skin. I am dark and seem to fit in wherever I travel. But my girls have to be aware that they (like many others) carry a ‘look’ that warrants abductions. Of course, 9.9 times out of 10, they will be safe – but there is that small percentage that always nags at me when they travel.

I always make sure that there is a travel plan and that it is shared with family, friends and sometimes colleagues. I always have check-ins periodically throughout the day. I always register with the US Embassy and provide my travel itinerary. I always have my GPS, triptik, map, and phone numbers for people along the way in case like in your instance, I still get lost. I always have 50$ cash in case I need to get a taxi. I always have credible taxi cab phone numbers handy. I have objects in my backpack that can be used to protect myself should it be necessary. I have a domestic phone, international phone, and in-country phone (yes, 3 – always 3) when traveling abroad.

And even then, sometimes I have to punt. When I traveled to London in 2012 for my research Pilot Inquiry, I had done ALL my prep work regarding map, tube, train, bus schedules and thought I was well-prepared. But then I arrived only to have NO INTERNET in the flat my colleague so graciously let me stay in for 15 days. Which meant I couldn’t check the running times of any of them! So, the following day I spent 6 hours getting mobile on the go, et al. And even then, I remember taking a bus in the wrong direction and had to get off, and wait for another bus to come at 9PM at night in a deserted little strip of road in-between towns between central London and Tottenham.

I had to rely on the previous bus driver telling me accurate information. I remember one morning en route to getting my coffee, hearing 7 different languages being spoken. While I thought it was pretty darn cool, it was also a bit unsettling.

The key to traveling I think though is not to look vulnerable even when lost. Also, I think it a good idea to travel with a car charger for your phone, extra blankets, water, boots, a coat, and food reserves. Just in case  By the way, my girls are adamant about backpacking through Europe in 1-1/2 years WITHOUT their momma. So yeah, already getting their travel plan together!! Lol 

Continue to be safe Alan on your wonderful journey of reconnecting and connecting with such wonderful friends 
December 12, 2014 at 8:37am
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Robert Alan Black Thank you for sharing so many excellent travel safety tips like these...

I always make sure that there is a travel plan and that it is shared with family, friends and sometimes colleagues. I always have check-ins periodically throughout the day. I alw...See More
December 12, 2014 at 8:55am
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Robert Alan Black Registering with the US Embassy I learned about recently yet considering how little they really did to help me this time I doubt the value of doing that. But I may start doing it.

GPS, etc. great ideas. New paradigms for me.

most of the time I have files of key phone numbers for people in the countries and back home but alas they were on my laptop not printed out while I was in prison.

internet is not EVERYWHERE nor CELL coverage.

You are far more organized as a traveler than I am.
December 12, 2014 at 8:57am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey i really am enjoying your adventure. i know you like people to comment on your posts if they 'like' them, but sometimes, i just like looking at the wonderful photos, seeing where you've been, are, and what's next on your agenda. sometimes i just smile to myself and have nothing really relative to say. so I hope my 'likes' without commentary are okay 
December 12, 2014 at 8:58am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey yes, very organized because as i mentioned before, i am a woman and have special concerns. having CPS in my mental toolbox is my greatest strength and self protection asset though!
December 12, 2014 at 9:00am
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Robert Alan Black likes are fine.

I do prefer comments but alas not everyone does. Actually fortunately not all my FACEBOOK friends do comment or I would not have time to travel....See More
December 12, 2014 at 9:00am
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Robert Alan Black yes I understand Kathysue about what and why you do what you do.
December 12, 2014 at 9:01am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey have such a wonderful time and please say hello for me. i've never actually 'met' Arafa or Rosemary, just corresponded with them. lovely people. so dedicated. and they are quite a force to contend with as you recently have seen first hand!!!
December 12, 2014 at 9:04am
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Robert Alan Black yes they are along with the rest of the FAB Team and my children too.
December 12, 2014 at 9:06am
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Robert Alan Black Sitting in Arafa's home office typing on my laptop while he is conducting some work.
December 12, 2014 at 9:06am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey continue enjoying the beauty of the moment amongst friends 
December 12, 2014 at 9:07am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey i LOVE MINIONS!!!! ahahahahahahahahaha!
December 12, 2014 at 9:08am
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Robert Alan Black since seeing the DESPICABLE ME movies I have seen much of me in the minions.
December 12, 2014 at 9:09am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey is Mike Werner aware of that???!!!
December 12, 2014 at 9:10am
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Robert Alan Black not sure if he is or not.

He has volunteered to re-create a new caricature of me with the NEW clean cut clean shaved look and volunteered to do some illustrations for my proposed book.
December 12, 2014 at 9:11am
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Kathysue Dorey
Kathysue Dorey well then, perhaps it needs to be minion-related?! lol 
December 12, 2014 at 9:12am
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