My GPS still hates me

[cornerofmadness]

So I left this afternoon for Gettysburg. My GPS must have known this was its last chance to fuck with me because I ordered a new one (which didn't make it before I left) Mom had given me paper directions too from MapQuest (that still exists?!?) As I come up to the second service station on the turnpike the GPS says 10 miles to my exit.

I'm like...I thought I had to go through TWO tunnels and at least three service stations. So I pull off at the service station, check the paper directions. Both say I need to get off on US 30 E (and I know that's true) so I get off and that's when I remember my brother saying don't get off the first time it wants you to go off on US 30.

There's no way back to the damn turnpike. I'm now on the back country roads for 80s miles. I have to go through the Buchanan State Forest (which is more or less where I set my lesser known cryptid story that I just sent in). Up and down switchback mountains (hello Appalachia) with runaway truck ramps everywhere because it's so steep. At least Badlands Broncos are MADE for this kind of terrain (I mean this IS an off road vehicle which is what I told Hertz when they sent me a survey about how I liked day 2 of my rental, why do you have a fleet of off roaders?!?) I do get here without any troubles.

Only I'm here over an hour later than planned so there goes going to the movie theater tonight because by the time I check in and eat, it's like 10 minutes to go and I'm in no mood. Instead of unwinding with the Fantastic Four I go for unwinding with water aerobics in their pool which is deeper and bigger than anticipated.

The good news is the restaurant between this Wyndham and the Marriot next door is OPEN and gives me a better choice than eating here (overpriced) or going down to Perkins (and losing my spot in a very packed parking lot).

I will be leaving tomorrow morning to do a museum and hurrying my butt back while I can still park. I can walk to the movie theater. (the steampunk con doesn't start until 4)

For some reason they gave me a wheelchair room and I am a little upset about it because I KNOW there are wheelchair bound con goers. I didn't even ask for a handicapped room (maybe it came up with my Wyndham membership which I think that is on there). The hotel is sold out so it's not like I can move elsewhere in case someone needs this.

But I do question why hotels have wheelchair accessible rooms on upper levels? It seems like a danger if this place catches fire.


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Comments

[shanachie_quill]

I use the GPS on my phone now instead of a standalone one. I seem to get better (somewhat) directions with it.

Glad you got there, even if you didn't get to go see the movie. Have a good time at the con!

I agree with you about wheelchair rooms on upper floors. I've never figured that out either.

[cornerofmadness]

the phone ones aren't reliable where I am (we don't have enough coverage). That was funny. Last year my brother, his wife and their friend came to visit me with all their new fancy iPhones and they all lost reception except me and my ancient gps...

the con was good

The handicapped rooms on high floors never made sense. My first year back into the con scene post injury when I still needed the handicapped rest room, my room was on the 7th floor

[shanachie_quill]

Oh that bites. I'm so sorry. LOL on the fancy iPhones. I think it also depends on who your carrier is.

Awesome.

They really do not make sense.

[spikedluv]

I've never used a GPS. I do still use mapquest to get an idea of the route, but only on my laptop with the larger screen. On my phone I use the Google map feature. I just have to remember to enlarge it to show smaller roads, because we missed a turn on one vacation because it looked like the same road, but no. However, it was actually serendipitous that time because we saw some spots we wanted to come back to during our weekend.

Where in Gettysburg is there a Perkins?!!!

Sorry you had to miss the movie, but yay for water aerobics!

You make a very good point about wheelchair accessible rooms being on higher floors. If the elevators are out of use, they're stuck.

[cornerofmadness]

Yeah in my area because GPS works different than Waves or Google Maps off satellite it's way more reliable than the phone apps.

About 2 miles from the Wyndham. It's on York

I've never understood the whole wheelchair rooms on high floors

[tellshannon815]

Years ago, my family was on a tour of Scotland, and had used my aunt's satnav on her phone to try and get from Edinburgh to St Andrews. It was trying to send us down so many minor streets that my aunt ended up giving up and turning it off - as it turned out, there was a flash flood that day leading to the road we should have taken being closed and us being diverted. We did wonder afterwards whether that was really a case of GPS being clueless or whether it knew there was a problem on that road and was trying to divert us away from it.

[cornerofmadness]

Oh geez to that. I know some GPS units/phone apps are capable of diverting from things like that. Mine's too old for it.

When I was in Wales, my guide's satnav tried to get us lost or just gave up so many times

[a_natural_beauty]

Wow, I remember using MapQuest back when I first started driving! I've had issues with past GPSs, too. I prefer to use a GPS when traveling and I need to use it. Sounds like a bit of a trip going there! I give you credit for traveling alone. I sometimes get anxiety when going on long road trips alone.
I hope you have a safe trip back home ~

[cornerofmadness]

Oh yes I rely on GPS

I'm used to traveling alone (come to prefer it really) I've driven about everywhere in the US

[a_natural_beauty]

Wow, that's good to hear! I could learn a thing or two from you and your independence! :D

[cornerofmadness]

I don't even remember how I became so independent but I know it began in colllege

[a_natural_beauty]

That's a wonderful trait.

[cornerofmadness]

i agree