i'm starting at carlsbad caverns in new mexico. from there, i'm headed to the grand cannon national park." and you actually posted on facebook, i said, hey, i have a seat or two if anybody wants to come with me. >> i did. but none of my friends could take off work or disappear, so. >> reporter: but amber does have one companion. one that will be a central character in this story. her smartphone. even, you know, girl scouts, junior rotc people, people who know how to navigate, we still rely on these things. >> it's convenience, really. touch of your fingers, everything you need. >> reporter: aside from the standard google maps navigator, amber was also using a special app which enabled her dad back home in texas to keep track of her. >> reporter: and your phone would automatically ping back your location. >> it would send my approximate bearing, latitude, longitude as well as my speed. >> reporter: wow. >> head northeast, then turn right. >> reporter: march 11th, amber's first stop, the breathtaking carlsbad caverns of new mexico. a