Wednesday, August 13, 2008

On the Road: Camping in Ohio

Here we are at Pymatuning State Park, camping with the kids (plus two) and extended family. It is nice to camp with others because there are more pairs of eyes to keep on the kids, plus people can "pair off and entertain themselves."

So, onto a travel tip, since that's what this blog is all about: Get a mobile broadband card.
($60 a month unlimited connectivity.) If you are too cheap and need some convincing, here are seven reasons to get one:

1. I am right now sitting in a camp chair next to Pymatuning Lake, watching the sunrise and, yes, typing my blog.

2. Google Maps right there in your car, complete with traffic updates.

3. Audio streaming in the car. When I drove back from Oklahoma by myself with the two girls, there was no one to take over the wheel. So, in order to keep sane, I went to the This American Life website and streamed show after show after show. Ira Glass kept me going for hours at a time.

4. Video streaming at camp. The night before last in Pennsylvania, David and I watched a Netflix movie in the camper, online.

5. Email. Instant messaging. YouTube. Realtor.com. (A few of my obsessions that I couldn't give up for a week of relaxation at camp.)

6. We use our mobile broadband card at home. Hooked up to a wireless router, it works great. And we're not paying for internet connection on top of the mobile broadband charge.

7. Airports, Starbucks, McDonalds, and all of those places with wireless that charge you for connectivity- screw them! Your $60 a month will actually save you money in those hot spots. You will feel the true value of your investment while you're sitting next to the guy who is shelling out $9.95 for a 12 hour period of connectivity.


Ok, if you have not run out to buy a broadband card based on my seven good reasons, then just go get an iPhone. It's cooler anyway.

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