The art of getting lost

I remember as a kid  my parents packing up the station wagon for a roadtrip. The list went something like this;
*Luggage
*Pillows
*Cooler
*Umbrella
*Snacks
**Map
Ahh yes, the most important element,  the map. No map, no roadtrip. Not to mention the compass firmly attached to the dashboard.  A sense of direction and the ability to read a map was a necessary skill in those days.
Today all that is necessary for a good road trip is a full tank and a smart phone. The skill of navigating has been replaceded by technology and a voice named Siri.
My mom and I recently embarked on a journey across four states to conquer the the art of thirty shopping the World's longest garage sale. About two states in we began to have a little trouble, more like disagreement with our tech savvy friend and we realized that we had neglected to pack a map.
After a few moments of frustration I noticed the beautiful country side. The skies were heavy with a smokey mist falling down the Tennesee mountains and the tiny cabins were hidden with only the front porch visible through the dense Kusum vines. One such cabin looked over a yard full of tiny teepees with colorful roosters tethered alongside.  I later found out this was a farm that raised chickens for cock-fighting. Ugh!

 This detour made me realize that technology had taken away my serendipity and discovery. If Siri was so efficient at navigation why did she lead us down this back road to a two-track lane soon  becoming a private drive?

  I'd like to think she was showing us the beautiful landscape that had been lost while traveling the main road with my eyes fixed on a little blue dot moving along a generic black line. Every map in every state and every country looks the same on this gadget.
I love the art of old maps and the stories they tell.  That is why my  plans for a future road trip will be without technology. This trip will be closer to the trips of my childhood.  No station wagon or dashboard compass but you can bet I'll pack a reliable map and surround myself with good company. Mom are you ready? The rest will be left to navigational skill, a little luck and an open mind. I will embrace whatever the open road may bring and enjoy the art of getting lost .   Roadtrip!