I'm doing a 3 week solo this spring and a SPOT GPS Messenger was a must for my wife.  It's worth it to give her peace of mind.  Also found another use for it.  My trip is part of a sabbatical (I'm a pastor).  I'll hit my "I'm OK" button at every lake and campsite, which will plot me on a map.  A member of the congregation has volunteered to put my developing route on a map and post every other day to the web, allowing everyone to see progress (and part of this is for the per mile pledge people are making to support the church's ministries).  I have no use, however, for gps or anything else.  But I do take my kindle.  Saves me from lugging a bunch of books.[/quote]

Ahoy Steve......welcome aboard as Old Salt would say.

For a little bit extra you could subscribe to the tracking feature on your SPOT and your people could watch your progress as well as your campsites in real time. Sort of neat.

Going through a few things last night and remembered to check out my SPOT. After all it did stay submerged for about 10 to 12 minutes in Lake Superior last year (fortunately I was in a back bay, not to cold). I am here to report all is well. No corrosion and the unit turned on no problem. Don't be afraid to wear it on your person, even in wet conditions. It will be there when you need it. Just slap it right on your belt. Otherwise when the rapids or a bear takes your bag you might not have it........Just my not so humble opinion (God's workin on me......progress is there but it is slow.......might take a lifetime  ;D ).
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Thanks for the welcome, MA.  Yeah, I could do the tracking, but it's $50 and, from what I understand, significantly more battery use.  Since I'll be doing the OK signal on each lake and campsite I think that will suffice.  I would hope no one, including my family, would be bored enough that they want to sit in front of the computer for real time updates!