Where I grew up, LP Michigan, the only thing I used the GPS for was geocaching. Roads for the most part run N/S and E/W - mis-place yourself use the sun for directional(N/S) and walk one direction until you reach the road. Did this for 20 years. (Dark? Well Saginaw is that big glow spot... (insert nearest city/villiage))

Alaska - whole nother story. Winter eats batteries (yes I keep two extra sets close to my body.) I took a class to learn some basic nav and feel better for it.

I don't have any maps loaded on my (very old) GPS - I use a map and the coordinates on my GPS to figure out where I am. Thinking about upgrading my GPS though.