Mitty wrote:
OK, just to distract you guys from "IFR with a VFR GPS" ---

Flying into Grand Marais MN last week (KCKC) I was out maybe 30 miles at
7000 and got "Cleared for the approach, maintain 4000 until established.
Contact advisory ... "

The reason for the early clearance was, I think, that I was at the edge
of Center's radar and comm coverage. (Grand Marais is near the Canadian
border on the north shore of Lake Superior. There was nobody around.)

But I really didn't want to fly that last 30 miles at 4000 as there were
clouds about there and maybe a little ice. I wanted to stay at 7. So I
queried: "Center, that 4000 was pilot's discretion, right?" and got a
"Right."

Did I need to ask? Should I have assumed pilot's discretion? She did
not tell me to descend, just gave me the altitude limit.
In a situation like that, I sometimes get a "Cruise 4000" clearance.
That is usually the last I hear from them, cancel on the phone.