Nancy wrote --

I stopped in one place and this 20 something kid at the register
(the only employee I saw) had no idea what a paper map was...

==sigh==

All he knew was the GPS and phone-Google maps, no doubt....

Yep.
One time several years ago I gave this fella a ticket who wanted to
contest it. Sure, go to the parking office.
Where is is?
Go to the corner, turn left, go two blocks and on the corner on the
right.
He said that was no help, he needed the address to put in his GPS.
I said you don't need GPS and repeated the directions.
He was not happy and peeled rubber when he left. No idea whatever
happened after that.

I miss those days when gas stations on every corner gave them away.

So do I.... Next best thing, though, is a AAA membership, where one can
get as many maps (real folded printed paper maps) as one needs or
wants.... for free, as part of your membership

I was a member of AAA in the late '60s and only used it twice, for a
map and a tow.
I dislike freeways/interstates and avoid them as much as possible.
For example: When I come to visit I'm taking Rt 9 from NYC up the
Hudson. I've always wanted to see what Sing Sing looks like, as well as
West Point. Then 11 to Syracuse and then 31 into Rochester. (I think
that's the route).
Sure it would be faster to take I 81 and I 90, but one doesn't see
anything that way.

the road service stuff is almost just gravy... :)

I stayed overnight in the tiny town of Winona, MS when I was going to Colorado in 1972.
I just left that morning and got behind a state road truck, on the only
hill in MS, and when I downshifted and the clutch went to the floor and
stayed there.
I'm not a mechanic and had my '65 Falcon checked over before I left home.
It was towed to a gas station and the guy on duty said I needed a
complete new exhaust system which he could put on in a short time. I
asked to speak to the manager and told it would be hours before he came
in, I had better get that work done now so I can get back on the road.
I told him I was in no hurry and would wait.
Several hours later the manager wandered in, looked over the car, that
was still on the lift, and said gravely that yes, it was a big job and so forth. Then walked over to a counter, picked up a small spring, attached
it and charged me 25 cents.
As I was leaving I heard the manager yelling "Gomer!" (Or whatever the
guys name was), "Come into my office RIGHT NOW!"
I never had a bit of clutch problems again. :)
Joe
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