As you know, just over a week ago, the kids and I went on a road trip. I had printed directions from Mapquest, but had forgotten to grab my GPS on the way out the door. Normally, that is not a big deal. Of course, I usually print the accompanying map with the Mapquest directions but this time I’d decided that I didn’t need it. Uh huh. Mistake.
I think you know where this is heading.
Somewhere down the road, after we finished sightseeing in Paris, Tennessee, I was supposed to take West-such-and-such-street, which I did and only realized 20 minutes later that it wasn’t leading me where I needed to be. I guess 20 minutes wasn’t bad, but then it took me 20 minutes to get back where I started only to realize that Mapquest had made an error and I was supposed to have been on EAST-such-and-such-street. NEVER WEST!
Oh well, after a 14 hour drive what’s another 40 minutes anyway? So, remember the lesson I learned and even if you have a printed directions or a GPS, it never hurts to pack along and old fashioned map…just in case.
Your turn, have you ever gotten lost while following directions? Or NOT following directions as the case may be? Please share…I’m all ears…
I’m joining Walkingon Travels and Suitcases and Sippy Cups for Travel Tips Tuesday.
© 2010 – 2012, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Nicole @ Tips For Baby Travel says
Oh no. We have a rule in our house, I drive my husband gives us directions. The other way around and we ALWAYS end up in a fight. A map is always something we need because if we don’t have it….look out. I don’t mind a wrong turn here and there, whereas my husband does. It saves a lot of arguments in our house 😉
Tonya says
Nicole, we should have the same rule in our house. My husband and I normally get along really well on our road trips but I once missed a turn while he was napping, drove two hours out of our way and had to turnaround and go back. He was so mad at me and I was mad at him for falling asleep in the first place that our kids thought we were going to get divorced! What a trip. 🙁
Michele @ Malaysian Meanders says
My cousin and I were driving from Los Angeles International Airport to Santa Barbara. I’ve made this drive many times. I asked my cousin to set up the GPS while I rented the car. When it had us heading east instead of north, I foolishly followed its directions. After 30 minutes, I realized that it was taking us all the way back to Texas! (That’ll teach me to not double check what my passenger inputs.) By that time, the GPS quit working, and I desperately wish I had brought an actual map along. Good suggestion!
Tonya says
Ugghh…talk about frustrating! Glad you only followed the GPS for 30 minutes before you discovered you were heading in the wrong direction! When I’m in travel mode, I don’t always catch on so quickly. 🙁
Jessica says
Maps are my nemesis! I am constantly relying on my GPS and hoping I am going the right direction. At least if you have a map, you can get a rough idea of which direction you are supposed to be going. Just a couple of days ago, I was headed to Legoland and I went the entirely different way for 40 miles. It turns out Winter Park is not the same city as Winter Haven and they are in opposite directions. If only I had looked at a map.:)
Tonya says
I’m not a big fan of maps- I’m not the best at reading them. I guess that should have been a tip- Pack a map and know how to read it! 🙂 I’ve thought of my GPS as a lifesaver on several ocassions but on the other hand, it’s also been a source of incredible stress on the few ocassions that it’s actually got me lost. or the signal went out. or it took me the LOOOOOONG way to an attraction.
Hope you eventually found Legoland. 🙂
Tonya @ Live the Adventure says
I know just what you mean! You should have heard our GPS when we were in New Orleans! With all the roadways that ran underneath each other and the service roads that ran next to the freeways, it had no idea where we were! Talk about frustrating! Yet another reason to take a map!:)
AFwife99 says
That is the story of my life too! When we went to Oahu for the first time, we had our GPS with us and it kept having to recalculate because we kept missing our turn! I think it thought we weren't very smart. LOL