Posted by David Porter on March 31, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I just got an e-mail that Arizona’s Bartlett Reservoir is completely full. Therefore, we are roaming to spend a full day on the reservoir on a pontoon boat. Yeah! It will be stunning with the spring flowers, and nesting Bald Eagles.
Posted by David Porter on March 31, 2010 · 5 Comments
In a previous article, I was sharing a story about how my Garmin nüvi GPS saved our marriage. A number of years have since gone by, and what cost me then about $600 can now be bought for a significantly smaller investment.
I called Garmin, and shared with them that I would like to conduct a test drive of their Garmin nüvi 1390T on The Roaming Boomers website, and they were kind enough to immediately rush one to my front door!
Carol and I took the Garmin nüvi 1390T out for a spin today, and here are some of the things that we noticed:
- The 1390T has hardly any more weight than our 360 (5.7 oz vs. 5.1 oz), yet the screen is nearly an inch larger diagonally, the case is 25% slimmer, and has much improved graphics that are very easy to see, even in broad daylight.
- Amazon.com is selling this unit today for $205. This makes the 1390T one third the cost of my older unit.
- The 1390T is pre-loaded with a NAVTEQ traffic receiver. Therefore, as we were driving around Phoenix freeways we were able to see, and steer clear of traffic snarls and accidents.
- As you can see in the graphic above, Garmin has improved the graphic functionality. Therefore, when I am on those wide busy highways, the Garmin 1390T gives me ample warning, and a graphic to show me which lane I should be in. I love it!
- When I put an address in the Garmin nüvi 1390T it takes about 15 seconds to get the address input. With the touchscreen interface, it is significantly easier to use than my expensive German automobile. In fact, I won’t even use the GPS in my expensive German automobile because my Garmin GPS is far more user friendly.
- I noticed that the 1390T has modes for walking/bicycling. I can see the walking mode being real handy in Washington D.C., for example. I wouldn’t have to ask for directions! How cool is that?
- Another cool feature is that you can download inexpensive optional CityXplorer content and have subways, buses, trains, and all public transit information stored right in your hand-held GPS. Now that’s cool! I hate trying to figure out bus/train/subway routes.
- Even more cool, for my wife, the “Where Am I” feature will direct you back to your car in a large parking lot. No more lost car, honey!
- With Bluetooth Wireless Technology, the nüvi can answer your cell phone for you. This way you can keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel.
- The new 1390T also has something called ecoRoute. With this, you can not only choose the fastest route, the shortest route, but also the most fuel efficient route based on known traffic patterns. Wow!
- The other great feature I like is that once you have your destination input, you can set the device in the seat and it will do a great job talking you all along the way, including announcing the names of the streets. I like it!
Overall, I was very pleased with the improvements included with the nüvi 1390T, and as Will Smith said, in the movie Independence Day, as he just finished driving the alien space ship, “I gotta get me one of these“!
Thanks Garmin for the test drive. I am very impressed!
Posted by David Porter on March 31, 2010 · 1 Comment
For some reason that I can’t begin to explain, when I am in an unfamiliar city, surrounded by many lanes of busy traffic, I turn into a raging lunatic. In fact, I suspect that I sort of resemble the guy pictured to the right.
Many years ago, while driving through very congested Chicago traffic, we were approaching one of those spaghetti bowls of off-ramps. You know the kind; you are in 8 lanes of traffic, driving at 65 miles/hour, bumper to bumper, you’re in the middle lane, and you must immediately choose between six possible off-ramps.
Further, if you choose the wrong one, you wind up in the wrong part of the city, and you are never heard from again.
Well, when I am in this situation, for some reason, this completely irrational madman appears behind the wheel of our car, and I begin to resemble the Tasmanian Devil.
In fact, while driving once in rush hour traffic in Houston, Texas, my wife told me that if I didn’t start to behave myself, she was going to jump out of the car!
Get the picture?
I am most embarrassed to say that it is not a pretty site. I dearly love my wife, and she certainly doesn’t deserve to be around this type of irrational behavior.
Fortunately for me, many years ago I bought a Garmin Nüvi 360 GPS, and the raving beast inside me was slain.
Thank you Garmin, your GPS likely saved my marriage!
I am telling you all this because I am working on a review of the new Garmin 1390T. Stay Tuned!
Posted by David Porter on March 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I have many, many wonderful memories from our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. I was contemplating today how I might answer the question, “What is your most profound memory from the Big Island of Hawaii?”
I suppose a travel writer should be listing things like wonderful resorts, unbelievable vistas, incredible meals, and those sorts of things. And to be honest, I have a long list of such things.
But when asked the #1 thing, my mind immediately goes to gazing upon the stars from Maunakea.
For me, when I stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon, or stare at the stars from Mauna Kea, my soul immediately goes to very deep places:
- For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
or:
or:
- What’s it all about, Alfie?
I have heard it told that President Roosevelt would bring his guests to the White House lawn, and ask them to sit quietly and gaze upon the stars. Then, after a long, long silence, he would say, “now that we have ourselves properly put into perspective, let’s retire to bed”.
This is how if felt as I gazed upon the stars through perhaps the darkest place on earth, peering through the cleanest air on earth.
I stood mute in my soul before creation.
Note: This Maunakea photograph is a Creative Commons Photograph courtesy of World’s Saddest Man on Flickr.
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Posted by David Porter on March 30, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Our April destination will be the exciting town of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Stay tuned for luxurious accommodations, fine dining, art galleries, shopping, and much more!