The other day it occurred to me that, more than once over the course of our travels around America, savvy fellow campground-dwellers asked which of us was the navigator. And then I started to wonder… had I stumbled upon a major personality divide? Are we ALL divided into Navigators and Drivers?

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am, without question, a navigator. Travel research and planning makes me giddy. Maps and apps are my bread and butter. Where do you want to go? Let me find someplace fabulous for you to visit. I’d be happy to. Really.

Thinking back, I can identify childhood navigator tendencies. Did you ever browse AAA travel guides? For fun? I did. I can remember getting into a “navigator” fight with a boyfriend halfway through a two-week car camping trip. He wanted me to “stop planning.” I argued passionately that planning was the best part.

So, is it nature or nurture? I grew up traveling. My parents actively and consciously trained us to “travel well.” But not all travelers are Navigators—I believe that one (or possibly both) of my siblings might be Drivers. My copilot? More of a Driver, fortunately.

I make no value judgements here. It takes all kinds. I’m appreciative of whatever it is that gives Drivers their, errr… drive. Except when I see a fabulous looking farmstand disappearing in the side mirror as we speed by at 55 MPH. Really Drivers? Maybe you could be a little less driven.