Our Current Route and Inspirational Maps

[This video was quick and sloppy since we're very occupied with fund-raising, finishing up a lot of jobs + projects, planning, moving out of our apartment... etc.  They'll get better once we get on the road.  Promise.  Also, our current camera is auto-exposure only, which is whack, and that's why you can't really see the map well- sorry.]


One great technique we learned to realize and actualize a trip of any kind is to buy a map, hang it up in your house, apartment, dorm, or bedroom and highlight you're route.  The key to accomplishing almost any kind of goal is to visualize it first.  If you can't see yourself doing it, and I mean really SEE yourself doing it, then you probably won't.  But, if you use your imagination and begin to develop the visualization of your goal, you'll be much closer to MAKING IT HAPPEN!

Although Google Earth and Maps are a powerful information tool, their power to INSPIRE a trip does not match a physical map.  You cannot physically touch and draw on Google as you can a normal map.  Also, Google gives you a limited amount of options from getting from one place to another.  It plans your route with numbered steps all the way.  With a physical map, you're more open to explore and create your own route, not one that a computer or GPS tells you. 

Monotone Robot Voice:  Look DOWN to next paragraph in approximately 2 lines.

By making your map and route more physically tangible, you make your dreams more tangible.  Granted there is the iPhone and iPad which allows you to "touch" the internets... but it's not the same.  Could you imagine pirates sailing around the world using Google Treasure Maps on an iPad?  I don't think so.  It's much more exciting to have a physical treasure map with a mysterious red "X" to crumple and throw into the air when you've found your chest full of gold.

However, Google does have some cool visualization tools.  Their maps have street view photos and satellite photos that help visualize a place or route.  A friend told me that users can now upload photos to maps and suggested we do so for our route.  We're looking into that as a way of documenting our trip.

Some may argue that Google can do everything... but I would disagree.  I do like certain technologies and am inspired by them, but I find the majority of technology more distracting.  Also, Kelly and I have found that Google can hardly understand a trip of such length.  We started off using Google Earth and directions, but Google couldn't comprehend the route very well nor our ambitions.  So we've turned to good old fashioned maps with greater success.  [Also, you can usually get maps for free from your car insurance company.]

So if you want to take a trip, Google's a great place to start...  But, if you really want the INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION to take off work or whatever that is holding you back... then get some physical maps, a globe, and start visualizing what you want to do!  Good luck!

-Marty