Jennifer

Another silly question... OK, if I use a Bluetooth GPS receiver and DeLorme software and would like to create a track log to export to my computer, is that a function of the GPS of the DeLorme software? It seems DeLorme will create a track log. I am interested in using a track log to geotag my photos for Flickr.

The ketchup (along with my very hungry stomach) had to wait until Ansel Bremer finished photographing our meals! LOL Glad to see he's having a good time with it!

Hi Kevin, Welcome aboard - I look forward to hearing some of your road stories!

That's why I would want to use DeLorme maps with a GPS device...I am getting familiar with them and their level of detail. Actually, when I said that I would need one in only cities, I actually should have said *any area* in the US where I need street level detail you won't get from an Atlas. So that could include the wilds of Montana or a county road in Oklahoma. But, I would still only need it in a situation where I veer off to a point where I'm not sure where I am. At the same time, the idea of having all maps together, seamlessly, sounds appealing as well. I'm definitely going to keep researching (and at this point, I definitely don't feel more knowledgeable, in fact I might be more confused than before! LOL)....

LOL No problem...I enjoyed the laugh! I will beware the boundary dragons! I'll have to add a dragonslayer sword to my trip packing list! Thanks...things are making more sense about how the maps work, between base maps and detail maps. I wasn't used to that when I got DeLorme, as MS Streets & Trips is different. Plus, I never used S & T with a PDA, since it is only compatible with a Pocket PC and I have only used Palm OS. I think I need to learn more on the desktop version of DeLorme and wrap my head around the concept so I can move onto dealing with the Palm. I have only exported city area maps alone, not maps with routes, so I will try some experiments. I also never exported contiguous maps. I knew I'd be in certain areas and how to get to those areas (major routes were unnecessary). For the most part, I don't envision needing to navigate long routes with the GPS. Using a good ol' fashioned Road Atlas, which has suited me well for many years, I can navigate my way across the USA sans GPS as most of us can. My need for the GPS is this: I'm in a specific area, not knowing what services are available, or how to get to them, so I won't get lost as I enter into an area without better street detail on my Atlas. So essentially, I want street level details to navigate in a fairly small area (city/town level).

Yes, there is a portable application of SA2008 that goes on the Palm. You export maps from the software and synchronize them with the Palm. True... In that case, I'd still be able to use the DeLorme maps, so that's a bonus! Alot of people on message boards said the same thing about not saving *that* much money. Good idea...now that you've given some clear things to assess, that will make it easier! Yeah, I guess I take that fact for granted! I bought the DeLorme software prior to my vacation, along with the Palm TX, specifically so that I would have detailed maps in the area I was going to be in (and for the WiFi too!). But I only chose a few major areas to export, I didn't have everyplace in between, which is what I'd like to have. I suppose I could systematically add maps to an SD card. Though using the maps on the Palm alone, without it mounted on the dash and guiding me along was not quite like using a GPS! I'm curious...do you have to stay within a map area when you use the GPS, then load a new map when you go beyond the area of that map? I guess this would be true regardless of which GPS I buy.

Reviews at Amazon for the BT-20 with the Palm TX were less than favorable, overall. Since I don't know **anything** about how this works, I'm wondering if I would have to export maps from the desktop software to the Palm myself using SA2008? Would they operate seamlessly? I am aware of the voice output issue...the Palm has a crappy little speaker in back, but it has a headphone jack and I read that people will use a cassette adapter in the headphone jack to output to their stereo. In lieu of a cassette, you could also use a radio transmitter, though they aren't that great either. I was writing a note last night when my router decided to go to sleep on me...I was going to mention another GPS that is made to work with a Palm TX. It has all the maps loaded on an SD card. EMTAC 4.0 Bundle I also found this one, but I don't know how the map portion works...I'm a total newbie at this, so there's a steep learning curve! I think it might work with other map software (like SA2008?)...but I'm not sure. Seidio Car Kit GPS for Palm TX I guess, in considering a GPS, I am looking for a solution to work with the Palm, since I already have that and it is less expensive than a standalone unit. But since I don't know anything about all of this, I hesitate to dive right into the water headfirst....the water is pretty murky to me! *Added edit: The readability of the Palm TX in direct sunlight might be an issue, but inside a car I don't think it would be).

At the risk of incurring the wrath of one Road Maven, I'd like to ask if anyone here owns an Earthmate GPS BT-20? I currently have a Palm TX and I have DeLorme Street Atlas 2008, and transfer maps to it. However, I was thinking of tapping into the Bluetooth capabilities of the Palm and getting a BT-20. I have no knowledge of GPS and would like to get a sense of using one wirelessly with my PDA...any info anyone has would be appreciated!

Interesting article! In the two daytime shots, I can see a slight difference between the two fonts, but to my eyes, the differences are barely perceptible. I'm curious if I will notice a difference in clarity at night, as the article stated. That was my initial thought on the fonts, and the article seemed to confirm it... "Highway Gothic conjures the awe of Interstate travel and the promise of midcentury futurism; Clearview’s aesthetic is decidedly more subdued. “It’s like being a good umpire,” Pietrucha says, suggesting that one of Clearview’s largest triumphs will be how quietly it replaces Highway Gothic sign by sign in the coming years. “It will completely change the look of the American highway, but not so much that anyone will notice.”"

Great chat last night, and many thanks to all who joined us! It was a lot of fun and good conversation! For those who weren't there, I made another cake...have a slice of birthday cake!

There is a PDF on the American Road website listing retailers who carry the magazine. Becky Repp might be able to elaborate as to if this is an all-inclusive list, or whether they have other distributors with different stores. Here is the link: http://www.americanroadmagazine.com/about_us/bookstore.pdf Jennifer

There are many folks who only like Route 66 (or at least, strongly prefer it), and that's OK. Same goes with Lincoln Highway, National Road, etc. and all US Routes, county roads, auto trails, state highways, etc., etc. That's what AMERICAN ROAD is all about, celebrating them all! But I'd also guess that most 66'ers (myself and my husband among them) generally would prefer two-lane roads to the interstate, and the US is a pretty big place with so many sights to see. So, when they do go someplace else, they'd probably prefer two lane roads. Enjoying travel on old roads is definitely a state of mind to which many people aren't accustomed. Most people I have spoken with say they'd go crazy being in the car so long, or they are baffled that Pat and I would drive 1400 miles in a weekend, without actually spending time in one place. To drive 700 miles to a point, spend a few hours and come back, was mind boggling for them. Their mindset for a trip is that you choose a destination to spend time in, and spend as little time getting there and back as possible. I explained that in our case, the point where we stopped was not the destination, it was just the farthest point we went before we had to veer back home. The entire journey *was* the destination, whether it was a town 1/2 hour from home or 7 hours...every point in between the beginning and the end was what we wanted to see. What we want to see varies between old pavement and alignments (road geek stuff) but also restaurants, diners, neon signs, parks, soda fountains, nature...whatever!

Hi there! My thought is thinking of links in two categories: The first would be a link to a very specific image or page of interest, like a specific photo or an article, which would generate a conversation. For these, I would suggest simply posting that link in the forum related to the corresponding subject matter. For example, the Wigwam Village photo could be under roadside businesses or Dixie Highway, depending upon the stronger leaning toward the subject. To distinguish posts with links, we might post 'LINK' in the subject so you can search for any links in one swoop using the search feature. However, as far as a permanent list of website links of interest to roadies, the resources page of the American Road site is the repository for that. The forum and the American Road site go hand in hand, so we'd love to post any links there. Our only criteria for posting links is that they are non-commercial sites or not competitor sites, and that if applicable, links are reciprocal. I will start a thread here in the suggestion box for submitting links. Jennifer

An additional way to get new posts by RSS is by e-mail. Here are a few ways to do that: -Outlook 2007 has RSS feed support, here is more information on RSS feeds and Outlook 2007: http://office.microsoft.com/client/helppre...K&lcid=1033 -GMail by Google also has RSS support. Click here for more info: http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer....18219&hl=en -I have not tried this, but I found a free service (though donations are accepted) which appears to work by submitting the URL to the RSS feed, then your e-mail address, and you will receive new postings via e-mail. Again I haven't tried it, I can't say if it works or otherwise endorse it, I'm just providing it as an FYI. So, if anyone is adventurous enough to try it, please provide feedback for other members. http://www.rssfwd.com/rssfwd/readers

Glad to oblige Denny! I have never seen a complete episode of the Simpsons, ever...so it's neither here nor there for me. But if it helps further the cause for Springfield, Ohio and the National Road, you have my vote!

Absolutely! Wow, that photo is so clear I feel like I could step right into it! I can't tell from any of my photos (on our trip 2 months ago or from 2003) of the neon sign, but I thought at one point, I could faintly make out the outline of the word EAT on the sign. I could be dreaming though! There was a documentary about cool roadside buildings a few years ago which featured the Cave City Wigwams (and a certain Lincoln Highway author from Pennsylvania was in it if I recall correctly...) and they showed photos of the restaurant and had some interesting interviews about that era.

....and everybody in Steubenville, Ohio last weekend sure did! We had a great time at the Dean Martin Festival there. Dean Martin's daughter, Deana, hosts the festival each year. This year it was held at a local establishment called "The Spot Bar," where Dino once partook in craps games. The event was all ages, as it was held in a vacant lot behind the bar. We had dinner at Naples Spaghetti House, another Dino hangout back when. There were various events throughout the 4 day event, but we just attended Saturday, when the festivities consisted of a parade, an auction of Dean Martin memorabilia, and performances by various singers and celebrity impersonators. "Marilyn Monroe" and "Frank Sinatra" were in attendance, and we were treated to not one, but two, Dean Martins! Here are the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadtripmemor...57600384358760/

American Road's Summer issue theme is "Rhythm and Cruise." As part of that issue, American Road released its choices for "Best American Road Songs" of the last century. Compiling such a list is no easy chore. People take their music seriously, and that means American Road magazine had a duty to make its selections with the utmost consideration and thought. Unlike other magazines that often simply name a "top ten" or "top twenty" when engaging in a similar exercise, our "best"songs were chosen by categories that represent individual aspects of road travel- everything from Best Traveling Anthem to Best Song About Riding a Bus. In compiling the nominees, we've conducted a lot of behind-the-scenes research, plumbing the wisdom of professional music critics and highway fans, too. Now, that American Road staff voted, we ask you, American Road Forum members, to vote. THE RULES OF THIS MUSICAL ROAD Below, you will find a list of the nominations for each category. Please let us know your thoughts regarding these songs-which song you believe is the best in its category, if you are unfamiliar with any particular song, etc. In addition, if you know of a song that you feel should be a contender, but is not listed, please post your nomination. The parameters we've set are as follows: 1) To be considered, a song MUST have been written about an American road, street, destination, etc. That is, songs like "Electric Avenue," inspired by a London thoroughfare, do not qualify. Neither do songs that have been "retrofitted" like "I've Been Everywhere." (That song was originally written about places in Australia. Only later was an American version recorded that replaced the Australian cities and towns with those from the US.) 2) Writer(s) and/or performer(s) themselves need not be American as long as the subject of the song is American. Songs like the Kinks' "Celluloid Heroes"-about a walk down Hollywood Boulevard, California-and Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi"-inspired by a parking lot in Hawaii-can be considered. 3) Thought should be given to a song's popularity and musical innovation, but also to its overall influence on history and/or popular culture. For example, in the category called "Best Song About Road Racing," the contenders are "Maybellene," "Hot Rod Lincoln," and "Deadman's Curve." All three songs are fun and famous road race tunes. Yet "Maybellene" is roundly considered a watershed song credited with helping to bridge the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll. If you have a song you would like to have added to the poll, please reply to this post. American Road staff will review your submission and if it fits the guidelines, we'll add it!

Hi Midnightcaller and welcome aboard! I'm not into any of the above, but definitely into taking the two land roads (naturally!!). I am looking forward to hearing your road stories...you're in the right place to share your stories and advice and get advice if needed!

You're welcome! Yes, that's true that guests don't see embedded files, but members do. If that's something that's preferable, I changed it, since I don't see it as a security risk. Personally, I'm not a fan of embedded images on forums or websites...I like hyperlinks or better yet, thumbnails, for the reason you indicated, that it slows things down. I have cable, so that issue doesn't affect me. However, I would prefer if people do embed images that those images are resized for web viewing. Sometimes large files will skew the forum and force you to scroll over. It is, and it's done! Agreed! So, I changed the setting to allow 15 images; however, I would ask everyone to resize their images so they aren't larger than 800 pixels at their largest dimension... The only concern about adding a lot of storage space here on the forum, is that I don't want us to fall short of anyone's expectations for hosting photos (or, continuously run out of space as we add photos). Offering some photo storage space is fine and Invision's gallery is cool, as is the ability to attach photos to a a post or embed them, etc. But for alot of photos, there are better ways for people to store photos online and they're free, like Flickr - Photo Sharing or Photobucket. I'm so impressed with Flickr that I'm moving most of my photos from my website over there. Just a thought for everyone! We'll see what we can work out.. You're welcome again!

As to photos in posts not being visible to guests, we never had a policy disallowing that and I did not find a setting in my control panel which allowed / disallowed that. We allow guests to view all posts, but they cannot not post new messages or replies, nor can they see the member list/details. I just logged out and viewed the forum as a guest. I browsed over to the thread which contained the photo contest entries, and I was able to view them. I saw the thumbnails, and was able to click on each one and view them. So, I'm not sure about that issue. I did change our settings so that guests can now view the photo galleries. Hopefully that will be an inducement so that they will want to post their own photos, since I know everyone just LOVES sharing their photos. And we love seeing them! Hope this helps,

Fordtractor, with the photo of the abandoned mining shack: Abandoned Mining Shack - fordtractor Congratulations!! Becky Repp, AMERICAN ROAD'S Coordinating Editor & General Manager will get in touch with you regarding your prize! Be on the lookout for your photo on AMERICAN ROAD's home page as well! Thanks to everyone who entered...your photos were all fantastic and stayed tuned for your chance to enter another photo contest VERY soon!!!

Voting will end this evening on our Photo Contest...so if you have not yet voted, head over to the poll and vote! Photo Contest Poll - April 2007

I agree - there are many excellent photos here and I am very pleased with the response to this contest! I hope everyone is enjoying sharing their road trip photos as much as I enjoy seeing them! Based on the terrific response to this contest, we will absolutely have more photo contests. So, if anyone didn't get a chance to enter this time, be sure to enter next time!

The contest is now closed to entries, and we had many great submissions! Now it's time for you to vote on your favorite photo! To view each of the submissions, just click on the links below (they will open in a new window). To vote, click on your choice in the poll above. Meteor City, Arizona Route 20 Merli Manufacturing Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming Old Town shopping area - near Albuquerque, NM RV along Highland Scenic Highway (Rt 150) "Ice" Cold Beer, somewhere in Northern, New Mexico Mackinac Bridge An Old Fashioned Drive El Vado Cool Springs Gatlinburg in the Smokey Mountains in TN Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Crossroads - U S 45 and U S 61, Clarksdale, MS Palmer Hotel in Afton, Oklahoma Abandoned mining shack - Mosquito Pass - east of Leadville, Colorado