Basic navigation questions from a newbie

This is probably the most informative and useful topic I have seen for months.
Thank you.

you know what is fun, fly totally on sight, using a good roadmap or so.

Even better, use https://skyvector.com which replicates VFR sector charts, showing much useful info like topography, airports, hazards
Consider also https://flightsim.to/file/2605/we-love-vfr-region-1 and/or https://flightsim.to/file/16674/we-love-vfr-region-2

All - in my opinion better than little nav map is the free version of, wait for it.

GTN750 program. Here is the link:

GTN750 Free (pms50.com)

Has VFR map, can create a flight plan, execute that plan, some tutorials on YouTube. I use it in all my planes, as it shows up on the menu at top of screen. It is not limited to any Garman plane equipped with GPS but works in all. Have fun. Updates all the time again, free.