If, like me, you remember life before the onset of cell phones, GPS and nearly self-driving cars, you’ll also remember what traveling was like before these conveniences were a part of daily life. I pondered these differences when my husband and I took road trip a few weeks ago.

The plan was to spend several days visiting our daughter in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since we are both retirees with time on our hands, we chose to drive the 11-12 hours, splitting it into two leisurely days instead of taking the short flight out of Indianapolis.

The two day plan had other advantages as well. Like others in our (60ish) age group, we are starting to experience joint stiffness after sitting for long period of time – which results in getting out of car semi stooped over and gradually straightening out.

We also had time to stretch our legs on walks around the rest-stops. Surprisingly, there are some really nice trails at many state “welcome centers.” And, since we happened to be traveling during peak fall foliage season, we were treated to stunning scenery as we made our way East.

And what comfortable drive it was! We took full advantage of ergonomic seats that heated, cooled and even massaged. For entertainment, we utilized the Carplay system – allowing access to our favorite podcasts, news stations and audio books. The trip was a week before the election and when the political banter got to be too much, it was back to those easy listening stations. Yacht Rock radio, anyone?

During the drive, we took full advantage of comfortable ergonomic seats that heated, cooled and even massaged. For entertainment, we utilized the Carplay system – allowing easy listening to favorite stations, podcasts, news stations and audio books. We alternated between “Yacht Rock Radio,” various news stations, and a plethora of podcasts. This trip was a week before the election and when the political banter got to be too much, it was back to those easy listening stations.

There was no chance of getting lost and the navigation system kept track of traffic delays and even re-routed us when there was a back-up due to an accident. In one case, this led us to a rather windy drive through a hilly and scenic part of West Virginia – then spit us back out on the highway as if nothing had ever happened.

We avoided the dread of nighttime driving dread that seems to arrive around the same time as the need for reading glasses – We rolled into our hotel in Charleston, West Virginia well before dark, leaving us plenty of time to scout out a dining destination. We were thinking maybe a Chili’s…

Imagine our surprise when the desk clerk recommended a James Beard award winning spot “just up the road.” Who knew! We sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender as he prepared some very interesting specialty cocktails. “We drove seven hours just to eat here,” we exclaimed.

The food and atmosphere provided an excellent dining experience we’d never have on a one day power drive. I felt like one of those Food Network restaurant reviewers. For those interested – when in Charleston, WV – look up 1010 Bridge.

After a decent night’s sleep, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast the next morning, fueled up and were on our way to Charlotte by mid-morning – right on schedule for a 2pm arrival. All in all, a pretty cushy travel experience.

Now let’s go back in time and compare that to a typical family road trip for my family in the 1970s.

Growing up in a large family during this time in history included vacation travel consisting of our dad driving a “maxi-van’ loaded with kids to our cabin in Northern Wisconsin twice a year. There were no ski trips, Disney cruises, or European vacations for our clan. It was just logistically impossible. Still, we had our fun.

We’d leave late at night and time our arrival for the 6am ferry to Washington Island (a small island in Lake Michigan.) Dad would power through the drive with a Thermos of hot coffee. Our van was equipped with a platform bed in the back and we kids would take turns napping there and in the two bench seats.

Bathroom stops were limited to rest areas. There was no need to stop at gas stations since dad (always efficient) had the van retrofitted with a second gas tank. We could make the 8 -10 hour drive (depending on weather) on one tank!

There were also no food stops. McDonalds and other chains weren’t conveniently located at every exit as they are now. Instead, mom packed a huge cooler full of sandwiches, along with baggies full of grapes and Oreos and chips.

When we arrived in Wisconsin, we’d all pile into an iconic restaurant known for their Swedish pancakes and goats on the grass lined roof. (Al Johnsons, if interested.) Some places you never forget…

Entertainment for the trip included watching the cows on the side of the road and the usual sibling banter. I’m sure we had a radio, but don’t recall listening to anything.

Looking back, I think the “all-nighter” drive was my parent’s solution to keeping a van-load of kids relatively quiet. Typically, we slept the whole way.

As my older siblings acquired driving credentials, we’d take a second car – and as a nod to our aviation heritage, we’d occasionally fly in small planes – but that’s the topic of another column – possibly titled: “The boomer sky trip, then and now.”

I sometimes marvel at the number of trips we took with little thought (or use) of seatbelts, car-seats and the now ubiquitous air bags. How did we manage to find our way anywhere simply using road maps or atlases?

We relied on the help of fellow motorists or the timely appearance of a state trooper in the case of car trouble. There were no “on call” assistance buttons placed within the driver’s reach. You’d have to actually get out of the car and figure things out. Possibly even change a tire!

The thing about technology that we so take for granted, is that while it makes life safer and more convenient, it also minimizes the need to problem solve in real time. I wonder if we could ever go back and find our way without GPS.

I’m embarrassed to admit how frequently I use it –even around the town I’ve lived in for decades. And leave the house without my phone? Horrors! So much could go wrong!

Do I want to go back to the gritty, uncomfortable, exhausting road trips of yore? Would I give up my massaging seats and Sirius XM and cram myself into a giant van with my brothers and sisters for 8-10 hours while dad chugs caffeine? It sure makes for great memories and full appreciation of traveling in comfort, but at this stage, I think I’ll stick with the modern version of the Boomer’s road trip.