Category: Personal

The Untimely Passing of NAVI, Our Garmin RV GPS

It is with a broken heart—and a slightly raised eyebrow—that I must announce that on March 6th, 2026, NAVI, our beloved Garmin RV GPS, passed away unexpectedly. This was the newest GPS I’ve ever purchased, which somehow makes the loss sting even more. I have ten‑year‑old units still operating like crusty old Marines, but the young one? Gone too soon.

I’m saddened, yes. But if I’m being honest, I’m also annoyed. And disappointed. And maybe just a little betrayed.

I’ve owned Garmin units since the days when the screen looked like a tiny cathode‑ray tube television—the old StreetPilot series with a display roughly the size of a postage stamp. From there I graduated through the nüvi era, collecting them like Pokémon, each one promising to be “the one” that would finally get me from Point A to Point B without drama.

Anyone who ever owned an early Garmin will still twitch involuntarily at the memory of the dreaded voice intoning, “Recalculating…”
And then there were the loops. Oh, the loops. The endless, hopeless, maddening loops where it would try to recalculate, fail, try again, fail again, and eventually give up entirely—usually at the worst possible moment. The only solution was the classic Garmin reboot ritual: pull over, shut it off, turn it back on, and hope the satellites were feeling generous that day.

And yet, despite all the cursing, I kept buying the next one. New features. New promises. New hope. Garmin was the toxic relationship I just couldn’t quit.

Then, about eight years ago, when we started our RV lifestyle, Garmin introduced the RV‑specific units. Finally—something designed to keep us from wedging our home under a 12‑foot bridge or being routed down a goat path masquerading as a county road. We’ve had our share of “adventures,” but I can only imagine the chaos we would’ve endured without that extra layer of protection.

So yes, it has always been a love/hate relationship. But watching RVers on YouTube navigate the country using Apple Maps or Google Maps on their phones made our Garmin feel like the best thing since sliced bread. Our RV Garmin let me enter our height, length, and weight so it could steer us clear of low clearances and questionable bridges—things Google Maps doesn’t even pretend to care about.

Which brings us back to NAVI.

NAVI was supposed to be the chosen one. The upgrade. The reliable partner. The fresh‑out‑of‑the‑box prodigy destined to guide us safely across America.

Instead, NAVI has left us far too soon, leaving behind only a blank screen, a faint smell of disappointment, and a long list of routes that will now forever remain uncalculated.

A Mock Eulogy for NAVI

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the loss of NAVI, who served bravely, if not always accurately, in the line of duty.

NAVI was born in a factory somewhere far away, shipped lovingly in a cardboard box, and adopted into our RV with high hopes and unrealistic expectations. NAVI promised to guide us, protect us, and keep us from becoming a YouTube cautionary tale titled “RVers Attempt Low Bridge—Instant Regret.”

NAVI tried. Truly.
But like a gifted child who peaked in kindergarten, NAVI struggled under the weight of its own potential.

It leaves behind:

  • A power cable that still works
  • A suction cup mount that never really did
  • And two RVers who now must face the terrifying prospect of choosing a replacement

May NAVI’s circuits rest cool and its firmware finally find peace.

Amen.

The Moral of the Story: Technology Is a Frenemy

If there’s a lesson in all this, it’s that technology is both our greatest helper and our most unpredictable saboteur. It promises convenience, safety, and simplicity—right up until the moment it decides to give up, glitch out, or die quietly in the middle of a perfectly good travel day.

We rely on it. We curse at it. We replace it.
And then, inevitably, we trust the next shiny device all over again.

Because in the end, technology is like a mischievous travel companion:
You can’t live without it, but you probably shouldn’t trust it with your life.

Rest in peace, NAVI.
Your successor has big shoes to fill—and hopefully a longer lifespan.

Day 3079

Boyce Thompson Arboretum: History, Background, and the Arboretum Today

Nestled in the rugged landscape of Queen Creek Canyon near Superior, Arizona, Boyce Thompson Arboretum stands as a living testament to desert beauty, scientific curiosity, and conservation. As Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, the Arboretum has spent more than a century preserving and showcasing plants from the world’s arid regions while inspiring generations of visitors.

The Vision Behind the Arboretum

Boyce Thompson Arboretum was founded in 1924 by Colonel William Boyce Thompson, a mining engineer, investor, and philanthropist whose career was deeply tied to Arizona’s copper industry. Through his travels and humanitarian work, Thompson developed a strong belief that plants — especially those adapted to harsh climates — were critical to humanity’s future.

He purchased land in Queen Creek Canyon and built his winter home overlooking the desert. From this setting, Thompson envisioned the Arboretum as both a scientific research center and a living museum, where plants from arid and semi-arid regions around the world could be studied, preserved, and shared with the public.

In 1927, the Arboretum became the first nonprofit scientific institution in Arizona, and it officially opened to visitors on April 6, 1929.

Growth and Development Through the 20th Century

During its early decades, Boyce Thompson Arboretum focused heavily on botanical research, particularly the study of plants suited to dry climates. This work contributed to broader efforts in soil conservation, erosion control, and sustainable land use — issues that were especially pressing during the Dust Bowl era.

Despite challenges such as the Great Depression and periods of drought, the Arboretum continued to expand its collections and influence. Between 1965 and 1976, the University of Arizona played a key role in guiding research and scientific programming at the site.

In 1976, a cooperative agreement with the State of Arizona and the University of Arizona placed the Arboretum within the Arizona State Parks system while allowing it to remain a nonprofit research and education institution. That same year, Boyce Thompson Arboretum was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its cultural and scientific importance.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Today

Today, Boyce Thompson Arboretum continues its original mission: to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through conservation, research, and education.

Plant Collections and Gardens

The Arboretum is home to thousands of plants representing desert regions from around the world, including:

  • The Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest and Mexico
  • Australia and Madagascar
  • The Middle East and Africa
  • India, China, and Japan
  • The Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula

In total, the living collection includes over 4,000 taxa and more than 20,000 individual plants, including nationally recognized collections and notable champion trees.

One major addition in recent years was the Wallace Desert Garden, relocated from Scottsdale and integrated into the Arboretum, significantly expanding its desert plant diversity.

Trails, Exhibits, and Visitor Experience

Visitors to Boyce Thompson Arboretum can explore:

  • Nearly five miles of scenic trails
  • Cultivated gardens and natural desert habitats
  • Riparian corridors, canyon views, and shaded picnic areas
  • Interpretive signs and educational exhibits throughout the grounds

The Arboretum balances curated garden spaces with wild desert landscapes, offering an immersive experience that reflects both science and natural beauty.

Education, Conservation, and Community

Education remains central to the Arboretum’s mission. Programs include:

  • Guided tours and lectures
  • School field trips and youth education
  • Gardening and plant science workshops
  • Seasonal events and community programs

These efforts help connect visitors of all ages with desert ecology, conservation principles, and the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems.

A Century of Stewardship and Looking Ahead

In 2024, Boyce Thompson Arboretum celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of research, preservation, and public engagement. While its formal partnership with Arizona State Parks ended in 2019, the Arboretum continues to thrive as an independent nonprofit organization.

Today, it remains a vital center for:

  • Arid-land plant conservation
  • Scientific research
  • Environmental education
  • Outdoor recreation and inspiration

Why Boyce Thompson Arboretum Matters

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is more than a botanical garden. It is:

  • A guardian of desert biodiversity
  • A historic scientific institution
  • A place of learning, reflection, and connection
  • A reminder that beauty and resilience thrive even in the harshest environments

For visitors, volunteers, and researchers alike, the Arboretum offers a rare opportunity to experience the global diversity of desert plants in one remarkable setting.

Volunteer and Work Campers

During the time of the State Park work campers were introduced to the arboretum along with docents and volunteers to help during the busy seasons.

As work campers one of the largest frustrations was the lack of history and explanation to the visitors, we referred to the Arboretum as “Arizona’s best kept secret” and were always delighted when guests retuned to express their amazement of the arboretums natural beauty and reinforce the best kept secret as they left enlightened.

A few photos around the Arboretum

Day 3025