I consider myself a "child" of the current technology. I am about the same age as the transistor and grew up (if ever) with all of this.
I am also a waterman and a small aircraft pilot. One thing I have learned (sometimes with hands on demonstrations) is to never count on the things that can go dark for no reason.
As to the three books: We have them, but I wish I could carry both RVPark reviews (Now Campground Reviews) and RVparky as hard copy. I won't print them out, but as this continues, you will get my reasoning.
Do we run with GPS? Yes, infact we usually have three going when underway. One is the driver's with the day's plan loaded another is talking to the laptop running Street Atlas (2015) and the cell is doing both watching for things SA is too old to know about and being wire for the laptops communication. So, I have full electronic charts (maps to some), and a 3w ERP repeater with external antenna for the cellphone. Holes on the coverage are still not hard to find if you get off the beaten path. We have frequently been without wire for an entire day's drive.
Still, we do have a library onboard. Not just for the casual reading, but apart from the two mountain directories (we got them before electronic were available and our "Camping with the Corps of Engineers" there are also the big thick books about attractions and scenic drives that we often look at for the upcoming drive plans. Some we carry are for things we might discuss with others like the 66, Blue Ridge and Natchez books. It is hard to pass a piece of the laptops SSD to someone else to look at.
We used to carry Woodalls, that we carried onboard only as the CD, and those that remember the old Woodalls will know why, but when AAA changed to being a set of regional Woodalls, that made that easy and as this is usually a planning tool, we may carry just the current region, but more likely one of use will use the technology to bring in the guide if we need it.
So, from my experience, all of these have their place and should be considered as part of the plan.
We do have a RVer friend that does not ever do any real exploring. They go to campgrounds and stay the week and come home. That is one way to do things, but it is not our way. There is just too much to see and do out there.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.
