Destination: Gananoque Leaping Muskie #GoFurther150 #Ad @FordCanada

Set the Nav System to Gananoque, Ontario because 

we're on a mission to find a Giant Leaping Muskie 

Disclosure: I received the use of a F150 King Ranch for a week and compensation from 

Ford Canada to cover my #GoFurther150 Adventure expenses. All opinions are my own. 

Note: Some available options mentioned are not standard and may have additional costs associated with them.

Our Fish Tale:
This is a tail tale of a Mother and her son's (aka Thing 1) quest to locate the giant leaping Muskie in Gananoque, Ontario. Initially I tried to "lure" both my "Things" into joining me, but due to school obligations our "reel" fishing expert wasn't able to join us, thereby eliminating the "I call shot gun" battle and allowing for a long overdue one-on-one adventure with my eldest. For the first time in a long while we had the opportunity to "reel-ax" and spend the day together travelling in what can only be described as the most luxurious of Fish Finders ... the Ford 150 King Ranch. The F150 seemed like the perfect fit to mark Canada's 150th with a #GoFurther150 adventure to Gananoque, where as it turns out Hubby and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary 24 years ago. 

And so the adventure begins ...
I probably shouldn't fish and tell ... Ha! Who am I kidding I'm totally going to fish and tell about my #GoFurther150 Adventure. I made sure to have all the essentials; snacks, beverages, a picnic lunch, Thing 1, and a sunny (HOT!) day. Don't be "spooled" into thinking because the 2017 Ford  F150 King Ranch is a pickup truck, it doesn't have all the features, options and luxury you'll need to "tackle" all of life's adventures. We set the Sirius XM Radio to "stream" 80's tunes on the Sony sound system, we paired our phones almost instantly (SYNC Connect), and set our destination on the voice activated Nav System (SYNC3). I said "driver start your engine" and with the push of a button we were off. 

Good things come to those who wade ...
For the next the next two hours I lectured Thing 1 about life, we argue over what music to listen to, shared fish puns, and enjoy each other's company. While I drove, Thing 1 took command of the Duel-Zone Temperature Controls (DEATC) and the seat cooler settings. Yes! I said seat coolers. You know that wonderful feeling of having heated seats in the freezing Canadian winters, well it's like that, only cooled seats in the hot Canadian summers. Before we knew it we were in "the strike zone", and we had found our fish! This giant leaping Muskie statue pays tribute to the record breaking 69 lb Muskie H.A. "Dooley" McCarney caught in the waters near Gananoque.

Pickup Picnic ...
We "de-baited" over having fish & chips for lunch, but in the end opted to keep it "reel" and set out to find a shady place near the shore for a pickup picnic. This proved more challenging than anticipated, and I for one was very happy for the Reverse Sensing System to help maneuver this large vehicle into the only shaded spot available. The "side steppy-things" gave me a step up (literally) into the cargo bed, where we spread a picnic blanket, and shared lunch and more of our "finniest" fish puns (This too shall cast. Lure the best! Just for the Halibut.) 
What? If you think you cod do better? ... Let minnow. 

A drive around town ...
After finding our Muskie, a walk-about along the shore, and a picnic lunch, we decided to drive around town for a bit. First I showed Thing 1 where his dad and I stayed 24 years earlier, then we drove around making random turns onto any street that looked interesting. We realized Gananoque has some of the quaintest homes, and spent an hour driving up and down streets looking at houses. For those looking for more adventure than our lazy day road trip, I think you'll find Gananoque and the 1000 Islands area offers "some-fin" fun for everyone. We finished our visit with a quick stop to take pictures of the Gananoque sign before heading home via the scenic route. 

The scenic route ...
We took the scenic route home. I can't say enough about the Driver Assist features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), Lane Keeping System, and Cross Traffic Alert. Not to mention the voice activated Nav System, and converting incoming text messages to audio messages that SYNC 3 and SYNC Connect make possible. They are more than just convenient, they make driving safer for you, your passengers, and others on the road. Another of my favourite features is the KM to empty display on the productivity screen, especially when travelling off the beaten path.  

Random thoughts (out loud) ...
There are a few innovative or just plain fabulous features that deserve honourable mentions.

• Seat and Back Massage ... need I say more? I think not.
• Inflatable Seat Belts: an innovative safety feature in the rear seats to help reduce injury by spreading the force over a larger area, thereby reducing the pressure on the chest, and helping to control head and neck motion in the event of collision. 
• Multiple USB charging ports AND 110-volt/400-watt conventional AC plug-in outlet: convenience gone wild!
• Motorized seats: these are a must when you have multiple drivers using a single vehicle, and would be a deal breaker or maker for me when buying a vehicle. 
• Eco-Boost with Auto Stop-Star Technology reduces your fuel consumption and reduces your carbon footprint. I think we can all agree that is a WIN-WIN.
• SYNC Connect - reads out my text messages! Yes I think this is worthy of a second mention. It takes away the temptation to text and drive, by relaying text messages without the need to take your eyes off the road.
• Cool Giant Fish Magnet: because I can. 

And just for fun, it's time to see if you "reel-y" know your Fish Facts:
1) Which of the following are actual fishing terms?
a) walk the dog
b) bump the stump
c) riprap
d) poke the monkey
e) a, b, c, but not d
2) Muskie (Muskellunge) is the largest member of the ____ family?
3) Pro-cast-inating:
a) refers to the act of casting the lead for a Broadway show.
b) is someone who has achieved pro castinator status by way of multiple casts due to broken bones.
c) the act of delaying or postponing that which you should be doing, in order to do that which you want to do ... Go Fishing.

(Answers: 1) e, 2) Pike, 3) c)

You can find more information on the F150 King Ranch on Ford Canada's website, and to stay in-the-know follow them on twitter, facebook and instagram. Mine was but one of many #GoFurther150 Adventures. To see more follow the #GoFurther150 hashtag on social media. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my "reel-ly" great Leaping Muskie Adventure.

Hunt for Best Italian Sandwiches in #Ottawa #BucketListOtt #FordEscape @FordCanada

There's nothing more satisfying than the perfect sandwich, but one must know where to find such a sandwich. Thus began my Ford Escape #BucketListOtt adventure, and my hunt for the best Italian Sandwiches in Ottawa. 

Having Italian born In-Laws, holding the position of "mangia-cake" daughter-in-law for almost 25 years and spending nearly 2 months in Italy, I feel I've gained the necessary expertise required for my quest for Ottawa's best Italian "sangwiches". 

In my opinion a truly great Italian sandwich comes down to three things.

• Fresh, high quality ingredients. 
• Getting that perfect balance of tastes, flavours and toppings. (including the meat being sliced paper thin, or as my father-in-law would say "almost see through")
• Pride of workmanship and a desire on the part of the maker to create the best sandwich "experience" possible. 

Not really that different than Ford Canada's approach to the Ford Escape: fresh and innovative technology and features, a good balance of design, functionality and options, and pride of product and a desire to create the best driving experience possible. I was surprised how many of the Ford Escape's features came in handy in my efforts to secure the best Italian sandwiches in Ottawa. 

So with some very helpful hints from Lesley at Campbell Ford and a Ford Escape Titanium Model, I narrowed my search down to five sandwich experiences, one for each weekday of my adventure. Each location came with it's own set of challenges made easier by features available on the Ford Escape. 

Monday: Pesto's Italian Delicatessen (Hazealdean Rd. - Kanata)

Pesto's instantly brought back memories of Italy and the type and taste of sandwiches I had there. 
Pesto's is tucked away in a strip mall so SYNC3 and the voice activated navigation system in the Ford Escape I had came in very handy.

Tuesday: Di Rienzo Grocery & Deli (Little Italy - Ottawa)

At Di Rienzo's you'll get the classic Italian-Canadian sandwich; Crusty fresh bun meat and cheese. Simple, but oh so good.
I wouldn't believe the parking challenges at Di Rienzo's had I not lived it. Even without people just parking their car behind mine, blocking me in while they went to order their sandwich (which no sensing system in the world can help with), reversing out of this spot required the rear view camera, rear sensing system, BLIS with cross traffic alert and my husband's help. I wouldn't have even attempted to park here without reverse and side sensing assistance. Comical really ... I was channelling my inner Italian and talking with my hands. My Italian father-in-law would have been impressed ... with the hand talking not what I was thinking. 

Wednesday: Frank's Baked Goods & Catering (Greenbank at Hunt Club - Ottawa)

Frank's offers a very large list of delicious sandwiches for $5. I've never been there when there wasn't a long lineup of fans waiting to order their favourite sandwich. For me it is #26.
Frank's is located in a busy strip mall with a small parking lot. The Ford Escape's voice activated navigation system and the rear sensing system make for easy and safe sandwich retrieval.

Thursday: Misto Fine Food Shop (Hampton Park Plaza, Carling Ave. - Ottawa)

If made to order sandwiches on a fresh bun is your thing you'll be a fan of Misto. 
The day I went to Misto it was raining, and the parking lot is busy. The front variable intermittent wipers are a great standard feature on a rainy day, as was the the rear sensing system. 

Friday: Cafe Postino (Almonte - 30 min drive west of Ottawa)

Our final sandwich destination was Cafe Postino in Almonte, Ontario. This was the only sit down restaurant on our 5 day sandwich hunt so the price point was higher, but the ambiance and the meal was very nice. It is a beautiful 30 minute drive which makes a perfect date or afternoon adventure. 
Our Ford Escape took us through both highway and city driving, and we not only used the navigation system to get us there, but also enjoyed eighties tunes on SiriusXM radio. The small town of Almonte was very busy with cars and pedestrians due to a craft show, so an eagle eye and the ability to turn on a dime and parallel park without hitting moving targets (did I mention it was really busy!) were absolutely imperative. It also happened to be a chilly day so I appreciated the heated steering wheel, Dual Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control and the km to empty indicator.

Honourable Mentions: going to La Bottega which although not on this adventure's itinerary, I have visited many times in the past.  

Honourable Mentions: go to these Ford Escape features and options:
(Note: Some of these available options may have additional costs associated with them)

Cool Colour that matches my highlights! 

Heated Steering Wheel

Foot-Activated Hands-free Power Liftgate

KM to Empty indicator

SYNC3 with voice activated navigation system

Sirius XM Radio

Enhanced Park Assist
Adaptive Cruise Control
Auto Start-Stop Technology: This feature generated much conversation between Thing 2 and my Hubby. They both speak the mystical language of tech. What I heard was bla bla bla ... very cool bla bla 

Sadly my BucketListOtt hunt for the best Italian Sandwiches in Ottawa, and my time with the Ford Escape has come to an end, but I hope I've inspired you to explore your Ottawa and go beyond the Diefenbunker. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Italian "sang-wiches".

Note: I received the use of a Ford Escape for one week, and compensation to cover my #FordEscape #BucketListOtt Adventure expenses, which I chose to be My Hunt for Ottawa's Best Italian Sandwiches. I was not compensated by the sandwich makers in any way. All opinions are my own.

Word Association: Pre and Post Test Driving the #FordFlex @FordCanada

Driver Start Your Engine!

(Sorry, but it just had to be said)

First a little bit about me ...
A very long time ago my husband made the mistake of questioning something I did, and informed me he was in charge of all things mechanical. From that point on, in my mind almost everything became "mechanical". I have no desire to know or learn what each button or setting in the vehicle I drive does ... that's "mechanical" and therefore does not fall under my realm of responsibility. Although I'm fully capable of learning how to reset the time on the microwave after a power outage, or sync my phone to the Bluetooth in my van, I choose to remain non-"mechanical". As luck would have it, possessing the non-"mechanical" trait made me uniquely qualified to test drive the Ford Flex, because, if I can figure it out anyone can, and User Friendly makes for Friendly Users. 

A Pre-Test Drive Game of Word Association:

What does this manly-man "Built Ford Tough" truck have to offer me? And why should a smart, strong, independent, but non-"mechanical" girlie-girlie think twice before dismissing the Ford Flex? Turns out there were a lot more reasons than I thought. 

Here's what I discovered driving the Ford Flex, and few of my favourite features:
(If you're looking for a list of specs and auto-talk, I'm not your wo-man. I deal in impressions. (see link at end of post for all the spec-tacular info).

1) Voice Activated - Touch Screen Navigation System*:  This is one of my favourite features! I love that I didn't have to stop the vehicle or take my eyes off the road to use the navigation system. As a women who's spent years driving alone at night or with kids, it's always made me nervous stopping at the side of the road, or in an empty parking lot to set the GPS. I'm also a fan of the large touch screen display! It's very user-friendly, which is a must for "non-mechanicals" like me. 

2) SYNC3* and SYNC With MyFord: Again this was SO easy to use, and no reinforcements were called to sync my phone to the Flex's Bluetooth. My biggest issue was getting my evil offspring to "Back Away From the Display!" It was worse than the TV remote! By the end of the week we managed to seamlessly sync and un-sync an iPhone, Blackberry and Android phone. I'm also a fan of the in-console USB ports which allow for charging devices, while keeping them out of sight of potential thieves, or anyone who might be tempted to text and drive. 

3) Power Fold 3rd Row Seats*: This makes it so easy to stow and go with the push of a button. Although not officially listed as an entertainment option, in my opinion pushing the button and watching the seats stow and un-stow is very entertaining. I'm a bit embarrassed to share exactly how many times I pushed the buttons, but let's just say more than you can count on two hands. 

4) Climate Control with Heated and Cooled Front Seats*: I became an instant fan of this feature, since I test drove the Flex during a summer heat wave. Nothing worse than burning hot leather seats in the summer, and nothing better than cooled temperature controlled seats!  

5) BLIS* (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert: I've driven a van for more than 15 years, and one of my biggest issues with a big vehicle is visibility and blind spots. This safety feature is fabulous, and although I have no statistics, I believe it must result in fewer collisions and save lives. Kudos to Ford for continuing to develop technologies like BLIS and second-row Outboard Inflatable Seat Belts. 

6) Multi-Panel Vista Roof*: If I'm honest I don't really give much thought to the evil offspring sitting behind me, but I must say the multiple sun roof option is rather wonderful. Clearly Ford and I differ on this matter, since the design and features in the Flex demonstrate they, unlike myself, have given much thought to the comfort of those in the second row.

Other note-worthy available* options ...

• Push Button Start*
• Active Park Assist*
• 2nd Row Refrigerated Console*
• Heated and Power Fold Mirrors*

(Note: * available options mentioned may have additional costs associated with them)

A Post-Test Drive Game of Word Association:

This experience reminded me not to make assumptions ... because we all know what happens when we do that. If asked "Have you driven a Ford lately?" I would answer Yes! and enjoyed even minute of it. 

For more information about the Ford Flex Specs, Options and Features please visit: http://www.ford.ca/crossovers/flex/ And be sure to check out Ford Canada on twitter and facebook. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the Ford Flex.

Disclosure: I received the use of a 2016 Ford Flex from Ford Canada for the purposes of this post. All opinions are my own. I would like to thank the staff at Ford Canada (and Melissa) for making this such a pleasant experience. I found Ford to be not just user-friendly, but also service-friendly! 

Style, Speed & Sustainability! @FordCanada #FordFarmToCar I'm Impressed!

When I thought about Sustainability and Cars it was mostly limited to gas consumption, emissions and recycling, but not any more.

Certainly not after the #FordFarmToCar Sustainability Breakfast at the BConnected Conference. Not only was I pleasantly surprised to see Ford's innovative efforts to find, develop and use sustainable materials, but also by the unique way Ford decided to present this information to the attendees. We were treated to a delicious breakfast, with a menu created from food products Ford is currently using or testing for use in their vehicles, and a collection of #FordFarmToCar recipes bound in such a way that additional recipes can easily be added. 

While we enjoyed our scrumptious breakfast we gain insight into how Ford is currently incorporating, and testing various food by-products, oversupply and biomaterials for use in the their vehicles.

I just kept thinking over and over again: I did not know that! 

I love Ford's commercials, and social media engagement. It's interactive, personal and positive. Anyone who reads my blog knows it's no secret that I believe a brand should be more than just about their bottom-line, at least if you want my business. That's why I was so surprised I didn't know more about the #FordFarmToCar initiatives. Even more surprising is this isn't new. 

Ford started using plastics made from soy as early as 1940!

Currently Ford uses soy for headrests and seat cushions, rice hulls to reinforce plastic materials, wheat straw reinforced plastic, coconut coir, and cellulose from sustainably grown and harvested trees and plants. On top of the biomaterials and food by-products being used, Ford is currently testing uses and ways to incorporate sugar cane, tomatoes, corn, bamboo and algae into their manufacturing and vehicle production. 

I respect the fact when Ford was asked tough questions in the Q & A portion of the presentation, they didn't shy away from tackling them head on, in terms of what they are doing, how they are doing and why they are doing it. This included questions around the issue of reallocating farming resources to grow for manufacturing rather than food. Efforts to develop innovative ways to fully utilize all parts of a plant and use food by-products such as tomato skins over reallocating farming for food resources to farming for manufacturing purposes really appeals to me. 

This type of approach to sustainability and an openness to discuss concerns, answer questions and encourage feedback has a direct impact on my purchasing decisions. I see it as a win win win. It's good for me, good for Ford and good sustainability practices. In my opinion we all, including brands, have responsibilities around our Earth, our carbon footprint and finding ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink how we consume. Efforts to use, test and develop sustainable options for the vehicles they make is an example of how Ford takes responsibility. Well done Ford! 

For more information about Ford's approach to sustainability and its use and research into sustainable materials refer to Ford Motor Company - Sustainability Report2014/2015, which includes information on sustainable materials. And for some of that personal and positive engagement I spoke of follow Ford Canada and their social media team on twitter Ford Canada, FordCraigSilva , and Matt Drennan-Scace to name a few. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about #FordFarmToCar Sustainability Breakfast.

Note: I was not compensated for this post. The purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers. All opinions are my own.