Jeff wrote:
the best and easiest thing to do when VFR is to call center and get flight
following.

Jeff,

FF is worthless at 1000' agl over most of the western US. In the
four corners area, ground is at ~4500'msl, no radar coverage
below about 8000 to 9000 msl. If you call Center for FF below
9000msl, they just say "unable"!

MikeM