Where’s the map?

As smart as our cars have become and as handy as those GPS navigation systems are, sometimes they just aren’t what we really need. If you are on your way to a business meeting, a wedding or even a dinner date in an unfamiliar area and being late is not an option, then trusting your car’s navigation system to get you there is probably a good idea.

But what if you need the exact opposite? You just need to get away without having to worry about being on time, or navigating through rush hour traffic, or finding a nonexistent parking place.

The problem with relying solely on your on-board GPS when you travel is that they are usually programmed to get you to your destination in the shortest time or by the shortest distance possible. They aren’t really meant to help you find those off-the-beaten path gems. And in our hurried world, sometimes you just need to slow down.

Maybe you just need to open the map. Now is the perfect time to get out and explore. So the next time you have some free time, take to the open road with an old-fashioned map in hand. Choose a back road to explore. Look for state parks or historical markers (yes, those are marked on the map). Stop in at a local restaurant or tourist information center to pick up some brochures. Take along a picnic lunch. Just relax, have fun and see where the road takes you.

The hardest part? Heading home… and folding your map back up.