two hundred thirty five

R.I.P.

Well the pacific ocean finally got my Garmin GPS. I traveled across America twice with it mounted to my handlebars. My old one only lasted a short while it could not take the vibration. 

I bought this one for $500 a decade ago and loaded Blue water charts after I moved to Hawaii. It was great on the boat I could see the depth, hidden hazards, reefs and underwater anchor spots. 
On my bike adventures I have been in day long rain storms, dropped it from the bike at speed and finally learned how to use all of the features. 

Today we were about to take the boat out so I replaced the batteries and nothing happened. It made this little chirping sound when it turned on but not today. Ocean water had seeped in and corroded the inside. I was first angry because it had cost me so much, $500 for the GPS, $125 for the City Navigator software, $50 for Hawaii Terrain maps and $75 for the Blue Water Charts.

Then I thought of the years of use finding food and shelter, finding my way through every state, knowing where I was, when the sun would set, the altitude, where I was going and how long it would take to get there. I remembered more than once sitting on the ground tired cold hungry and wet in a dark heavy rain trying to find a room for the night with a phone and my trusted GPS. This happened a lot and my friend never let me down.

I now have a smart phone but I will miss my old Garmin GPS. I can't bring myself to throw it away quite yet.