Virtual hiking: let Google take the trip for you!
Photo courtesy: Google Maps
Why actually go hiking when you can sit at home and eat Cheetos and keep hitting the forward arrow on your own virtual excursion? I mean... Cheetos really don't pack well in a 25 pound backpack, that's definitely a factor.
Google is an amazing thing. I’m fairly certain they are going to map the entire world. It’s all part of an elaborate scheme to take over the world... well the virtual world that is. As someone who follows the trends in social media and search engine marketing there is a lot to be said about Google and their arsenal of web based products. Gmail, maps, plus, drive, etc really are revolutionizing the way we search and think.
So about this point you’re thinking “What on Google Earth does this have to do with hiking... or backpacking or traveling?” That would be an excellent question. As we run to the search engine that knows everything including where we are, where we are going and probably even where Jimmy Hoffa’s body is buried, it leads me to wonder if actually backpacking or traveling is even necessary? About a year ago, the search giant announced plans to start adding street view to various trails and national parks. We can now walk down the streets of London (England & Kentucky) and hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, at the simple swipe of a screen or click of a mousepad and all without ever leaving the comfort of my extremely comfortable chair... although it doesn’t recline nor does it have a built in mini-fridge. So are we a Google society? Have we come to terms with the idea that who really needs to travel when I can see it in 360 degree views on my computer screen?
I’m of the mind set that some places are better left wild... the WILDerness is probably one of those places. We’re a too plugged in society and we need areas that are still of the grid, away from all the dinging cell phones and sirens and distractions of living amongst the well... living. People need to get off their backsides and get outside... and maybe walk off the Big Mac (without cheese) that we ate for lunch. The Goog does a lot of ridiculously cool things that make my life a lot easier. Virtually hiking trails probably doesn’t need to be one of them.
If you feel different, please share.