You’ll recall that just a few days after we hit the road our old faithful GPS (we called her Belinda) siezed up on us on was replaced with a new Garmin Nuvi 1350T.  Before we left Canada we bought and downloaded the maps for Mexico. Yesterday we were in the middle of a town called Guyama, had no idea where we were and no idea how to get back to the park. Mexican towns aren’t known for their liberal use of street signs. They all know how to get around, after all, they live there.

Anyway, here was the first real test for the Mexican map program. We could either come right home or be lost for ever. I’m happy to report we are home. Safe and sound. Our new Garmin, with Mexico Maps has won a place in my heart.

Tags: Computers & Stuff, Mexico, RV Adventures
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Mar’s birthday isn’t until November 19 but she got her present a little early this year. We were in Staples before we left Ontario and they had a Wii bowling game set up. The campaign was on. When we got to Tracy & Mike’s we learned they have Wii, after playing with it for a few hours the  pressure was really on. We had some time when we were in Kelowna the other day, and Walmart had a bunch of the systems in stock and the rest, as they say, is history.

This afternoon, snuggled in to Pacific Border RV Park we hooked it all up. What a Hoot! You really need one of these things, they are a blast. You can learn about the game here

I’d tell you more but I gotta go,  it’s my turn.

Tags: Computers & Stuff, RV Adventures
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A couple of years ago we bought ourselves a Garmin 330 GPS system. We knew it was a silly luxury, but what the hell, we deserved it. We called her Belinda after Belinda Stronach, a popular Canadian politician at the time. While our Belinda lasted longer than the politician Belinda, she’s been taking us to some strange places lately. We began to question her sanity. Then, on our way out of Cleveland the other day, she began one of the longest brain farts in the history of man or electronic devices,  she completely locked up. You know what I mean,she went in her room and wouldn’t come out. We had to kill her batteries to save her.  We freaked! Suddenly we had to rely on paper maps again. Oh sure we use them as back up all the time, but now  it was all up to us. The very next day, we went to Walmart and bought a new Garmin Nuvi 1350T. We Think we’ll call her Emily.

Wow, she’s fantastic! She keeps no secrets, she tells the whole story. Let me show you:

Starting in the top left corner; Our next turn is a right in 37 miles onto I-94 in Eau Claire. See the little cars just below that? She reads an FM signal that reports traffic, warns you of delays and if the delay is serious enough, detours you around the problem.

Bottom left now; That’s the mileage to our destination (in this case Edmonton) but it could be the number of hours til then, the correct time, or elevation, or a bunch of other choices. The little truck leading us down the highway will be a old Winnebago motorhome when I get around to changing it. My dream icon would be a beer truck. Can you imagine following a beer truck accross North America? How cool woud that be!

Continuing our our tour; See the red 67; It’s red because I’m speeding, again. The limit on this section of road is 65. I never have to look for Speed Limit signs again.  She does a bunch of other things including store pictures, play games and even will accept Mexico maps which we’ll buy when we get a strong WiFi signal some day.

Speaking of speed limits, did you know that on the major highways in North Dakota, the speed limit is 75. Suprisingly, I don’t think traffic moves any faster or slower than anywhere else. It’s just legal to drive how we all drive anyway.

Maybe we should name her after a North Dakota politician. They appear a little smarter than the ones back home.

Tags: Computers & Stuff, RV Adventures
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