Taking A Walk

by Dwayne Phillip

I got an iPhone shortly after ending the walking in November of 2008. I have the 3G model. Lots of Internet access and such, camera, but no compass and the goodies that come in the model of 2009 (the 3GS).

I had this iPhone the entire time walking in 2009. It was a big help. Typical uses:

• The map
• Weather
• Distance traveled
• Finding businesses
• iPod music
• Telephone

Maps: I have no idea how much I used the maps on the iPhone. During 2008, we used detailed maps that we bought along the way. They were helpful, but not always correct. The iPhone maps are much more up-to-date. I could see where I was (GPS), where I was heading, and what was in between.

Weather: I had The Weather Channel application on my iPhone. I could display the radar image for my surrounding area. This was a life-saver on three or four days. I could start walking before a storm, be under cover for a few hours, and restart the walk after the storm passed.

Distance Traveled: This was a part of the map function of the iPhone, but so important that I mention it separately. I learned how to mark the spot where I started in the morning and at any time in the day I could see how far I had walked from that spot. This wasn’t particularly important in Alabama because of the wonderful mileage markers on the side of Route 11. This was great in Mississippi and Louisiana as I didn’t have any other method of determining distance traveled.

Finding Businesses: This is another part of the maps, but so important that it deserves its own mention. I could find where I was, then search for gas, restaurant, and such. Sometimes I would search for a particular type of restaurant such as Chinese, Steak, Mexican, Hardee’s, and so on. On two occasions I had a flat tire on my bicycle and I was too tired to repair it myself. I found a bicycle shop nearby, took the bike there, and had it repaired. I cannot place a value on the iPhone on those two days. Saved.

iPod Music: A recent story related how I listened to music the last hour of the walking day. The iPhone has the iPod music function in it. Nice.

Telephone: Oh yes, I made and received phone calls on the iPhone. I used more minutes in a day on the walk than I use in a week at home. Talking to someone while walking an uninteresting section of road helped pass the time. It was also nice to be able to describe what I was seeing to someone. I am thankful to report that I never had to use the phone in an emergency as I didn’t have any emergencies.