Nancy wrote --

> I've been up to the Pond for close to a week

  Hope you had a good time.

>  JM> As I wend my way around the country its a measure of both.
> 
> What about in that particular case...?

  I wound up where I wanted to be.  

> One of these days, I might be driving there... we lived there (in
> Crawfordsville) for 2 years when I was a little kid... I'd like to see
> if I could find the house we lived in then...  

  The places I lived in Colorado Springs, CO are gone.
  The two places in the little town of Trinidad, CO are still there.
  I was tempted to knock on the door of this one place, which has been
"restored" to ask to look around, but then thought better of it.  Partly
because
I couldn't remember the landladies name.  
  I imagine I would get a well than warm welcome as a stranger wanting to
come in and look around someone's house.  
 
>  JM> Some states one can drive for miles without any signs at all and go far
afield then have to find some connecting road or back track.
> 
> That can waste a lot of time... and/or lead to some interesting
> explorations.... <G>

  The only time I had a unmarked detour was due to an accident and that was
understandable.  And I saw a lot more of TN than I planning on. 

> That's why I patronize AAA.... Generally I can get a stack of maps
> before I leave on a trip, from broad coverage to city maps

  The atlas had insets for big cities which was useful.
  In addition when I connected to the net using the free wifi of a
particular FF place, Apple maps would show not only where I was, but how to get
 to
where I wanted to be.  
   A day or so out I would check the net "for things to do in" whatever
town I was closing in on.  It also gave directions on how to get to that place.
   I would map out my journey a couple of days ahead that way.
   Plus I had a half sheet of paper with notes reading "Rt X to Rt Y" which
I could glance at when needed. (Have a stack of those).
   Lots of places I would check Apple Maps for more detailed information.

> I guess I'd noticed that.... but then I tend to use the interstates more than
 you

  Interstates are fine if one is in a hurry, which I wasn't.
  On interstates its the same exits, the same FF places, etc.  One has no
idea where they are.  And if there is some attraction one wants to see its
miles away (as a rule), whereas on the old road it just off to the side.
  And everyone isn't a speed demon on the older roads.
  One sees more of the country, large and small towns, its a slower drive. 
I am far more comfortable driving 50 mph than 70 or more.  
   Plus, if you miss your turn you can just make a U turn or some business
to go back rather than drive 20 miles to the next exit.

>  JM> One place I stopped sold real paper maps and paid for one only to
>  JM> find where I was going (a few miles away) had them for free.  
> 
> That was a bummer... Another good reason to have gotten them beforehand
> at AAA.

  Since I don't own a car I didn't want to join just for some maps.  
  I was a member one time and was planning a cross country trip moving back
to CO from WV and wanted the scenic route via GA, etc.  
  The woman at AAA said "but the interstate is much faster"  I told her I
was in no hurry, I wanted to see things.  It took a while for her to
comprehend I didn't want interstates.
   Of course she had to plot everything out rather than draw a straight
line.  
 
>  JM> Joe (in El Dorado, AR)
> 
> You are certainly getting around...  

  Back home now.
  I would love to do this again someday, seeing places I missed.
  Joe
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