Category: Travel

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

🌊 The Sea of Cortez: Life, Legends & the Wild Between Baja and the Mainland

Published by: The Buchanan’s Rolling Down the Road

🐋 Swimming With Giants Near La Paz

A couple of years ago, I had the incredible experience of swimming with whale sharks near La Paz. These gentle giants move with a calm confidence that makes you feel small — in the best possible way. Sharing the water with the largest fish in the sea is humbling, peaceful, and unforgettable.

Whale sharks visit the Sea of Cortez seasonally, drawn by plankton blooms in the warm, nutrient-rich waters. Encounters like this are a reminder of just how alive this sea really is.

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🦭 A Sound on the Water Near San Felipe

While on the beach north of San Felipe, I thought I heard a seal — a sharp bark echoing over the water. Whether it was a sea lion or another pinniped, moments like this remind you that the Sea of Cortez isn’t just something you see — it’s something you hear and feel.

Rocky islands and quiet shorelines throughout the northern gulf provide habitat for sea lions, seabirds, and other marine life that thrive far from crowds.

🐠 Why the Sea of Cortez Is Called “The Aquarium of the World”

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, separates Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula from the mainland. It’s often called “The Aquarium of the World,” a nickname made famous by ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau.

This region supports:

  • 🐋 Blue, humpback, gray, and sperm whales
  • 🐬 Dolphins and porpoises
  • 🐢 Sea turtles
  • 🦈 Sharks and rays
  • 🐟 Hundreds of fish species, many found nowhere else

Nutrient-rich currents fuel massive food chains, from microscopic plankton to massive marine mammals.

🌿 Protected Waters: Nature Preserves of the Sea of Cortez

Much of the Sea of Cortez is protected to preserve its biodiversity for future generations.

🌍 UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2005, UNESCO designated the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California as a World Heritage Site. This includes over 240 islands and coastal zones, recognized for their unmatched marine diversity.

These protected areas shelter:

Nearly 900 species of fish About one-third of the world’s marine mammals Dozens of endemic species found nowhere else on Earth

🏝 Notable Marine Parks & Reserves

Some of the most important protected areas include:

🐠 Cabo Pulmo National Park

One of North America’s oldest coral reefs, protected since 1995 and now a conservation success story.

🌊 Bahía de Loreto National Park

A vast marine park north of La Paz with crystal-clear waters, whales, dolphins, and island ecosystems.

🦭 Espíritu Santo Archipelago (La Paz)

Often called “Mexico’s Galápagos,” this biosphere reserve protects sea lions, reef fish, and seabirds.

🌱 Alto Golfo de California Biosphere Reserve

Protects the northern Sea of Cortez and the Colorado River Delta, a vital habitat for endangered species.

📜 A Sea That Shaped History

Humans have lived along the Sea of Cortez for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples relied on its resources long before Spanish explorers mapped its shores in the 1500s.

In the 20th century, writers and scientists like John Steinbeck helped bring global attention to the region’s ecological importance. Today, conservationists, local communities, and eco-tourism operators work together to balance protection and sustainable use.

🌅 Why the Sea of Cortez Matters

The Sea of Cortez is more than beautiful scenery — it’s a living system where desert meets ocean, and life depends on balance.

Experiences like:

Swimming with whale sharks Hearing seals across still water Watching dolphins ride a bow wave

…aren’t just memories — they’re reminders of why this sea deserves protection.

Day 3070