Ford Fusion Hybrid

I haven't written a vehicle review in a long time. I had the occasion to rent a vehicle last weekend while visiting my sister in Virginia.

I picked a Ford Fusion Hybrid from the National Car rental aisle at DCA National Airport. I like renting  from National because you get to pick your vehicle.

It was after midnight and I really just wanted to get to my hotel in Herndon, VA. I own a hybrid Escape so am accustomed to hybrids. However, right away I was a bit confused because there isn't a shifter. The normal drive, neutral and reverse are operated by a knob on the console between the front seats. Once I figured that out, the large rear camera screen with directional guides was very helpful getting out of the cramped parking garage.

On the highway I noticed that the Fusion Hybrid goes into electric mode at any speed. My 2011 Escape Hybrid will not go electric over 45 mph. The transition between electric, gas and combo in the Fusion is virtually undetectable.

The Fusion Hybrid has to be the most technologically advanced vehicle I have ever driven. There are lots of bells and whistles for sure but they don't interfere with enjoying the driving experience.

I had some difficulty understanding the radio but that ended up being because I thought all the controls were on the touch screen but they are not. Connecting my phone for handsfree communication was very simple. That is helpful when traveling.

Ford has announced they are ending automobile production in the United States. I find that very strange but I hope they take the technology in the Fusion Hybrid to the next generation of SUVs.

Little video of recent cabin trip

Had another enjoyable trip up north at Jenny and Andrew's cabin. I put together this little video of the trip.

Drove up Sunday in a driving rain. I kept thinking I would get ahead of the storm but never really did. But when I arrived at the cabin on Gust Lake, the rain finally stopped.

I had developed a cold so spent most of Monday lying in the couch falling in and out of naps. Andrew left on Monday so it was Jenny and me and all the cabin neighbors.

Tuesday we went for a bike ride and explored Little Cascade Lake. 

I finally got to go up to the cabin on the hill on Tuesday, July 3. There is a fantastic view from up there. Tuesday night the neighbors put on a fireworks show. There were some big fireworks.

Wednesday, July 4, the weather cleared enough to go canoeing. It was fantastic.

Sad sight

The giant elm tree at Lake and Emerson, a block from my house, is marked for removal. I suppose some people will blame it on the new hotel's construction. It might be, but it also might be that it has simply run out of room here in the city.

It is weird to say you've enjoyed a tree but this one has been impressive and graces the neighborhood. It will be missed.

Beauty to counter so much ugly

There has been so much ugliness in the news this week. I wanted to share some of the beauty in my backyard.

Most of these are repeats from years past. That is the beauty of a perennial garden.

I call this my abstract art. These are a type of geranium.

Coleus in the copper tub with morning glories climbing trellis made from lilac suckers.

Star Tiger Lily

Irma's geranium

Just one of the other geranium pots

Carlsbad Caverns, NM

Carlsbad Caverns is a national park in southeastern New Mexico. After driving through a desert canyon, there is a short drive up to the high point where the visitor center and entrance to the cavern are situated.

You enter the cavern through a natural entrance. It is quite spectacular. You descend 750 feet (75 stories) to reach the main "room" which is enormous. It took us an hour to descend and we spent another hour + circumnavigating the cathedral-sized room.

I wasn't about to ascend the way we came in so we took the elevator back to the surface. Hint on getting out quickly...be willing to split up. They take groups of 8 or 6. Dave and I were able to join odd-numbered groups and so jumped to the front of the line.

The natural entrance.

White Sands, NM

I was planning to post photos of the New Mexico trip in chronological order but there are so many good photos of all our stops that I've decided to start with the highlight stop - White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo, NM.

You can find information about White Sands National Monument here. This is truly an enchanting place.

Sunset 

Even plants can live here. 

Little animal tracks 

sunset

Beautiful patterns 

We made it back from 5 mile hike

Beautiful landscape

Middle of no where

It sparkles

Spring pots

Went on annual plant shopping excursion to Malmborg's with Martha and Kelly. Decided I would do my pots up this year.