Explore California: Fort Funston + Lexus collab

Fort-HeaderSo excited to finally blog about my first Lexus collaboration with one of my fave Bay Area buddies, Lauren. We’ve hung out a ton, but we came to a realization that our two dogs had never met one another! Cue: an off leash dog beach adventure at Fort Funston! (See Lauren’s post here!)

Lauren-in-carI drove the Lexus RX450 hybrid (amazing on gas by the way) which I thought was pretty big, until I saw Lauren drive up in the beastly GX 460.

Alfie

trunkThe last time I took Alfie to Fort Funston dog beach was last summer, so I thought it was perfect timing for the both of us to drive up in our matching Lexus vehicles and arrive in style with our pups to meet.

Alfie-passengerLook how excited Alfie was! So sweet.

Gotta get da pants tucked into the socks ready for a set of rubber boots! socks-in-trunk

Fort-Funston-walkThe walk down to this beach is always so picturesque and simply breathtaking. Check out that beach view for miles and miles.

2-palsI mean, really. Look at the little cutie boys walking close together (note: Alfie doesn’t let dogs get close hahaha).

BEACH TIME! Aka overflow of Mochi and Alfie photos running on the beach with huge smiles!Mochi-sprints

Running-puppies

Mochi-walk

Alfie-run-to-me

Running-with-puppies

Solo-with-Alfie

The tide was high the morning we drove up there, plus with all the rain that we got in California the past few weeks, made the long beach inaccessible right at the graffiti wall. In fact, the tide kept rolling in, and at one point Lauren’s amazing reflexes grabbed all our stuff in the nick of time, from getting swept out to the ocean. ALL BUT ONE ITEM: Mochi’s leash! The ocean ate it! Whenever Lauren has a reaction, it seems to be always (unfortunately) super hilarious to me.

We discussed later, that at least it wasn’t a key to the Lexus vehicles we had. Imagine?!

running-pups

Pups-with-treats

Lauren-and-pups

Although Alfie is a bossy boots and barks constantly to let all the other dogs knows he’s around (total little dog syndrome) he does listen to me well when I ask him to come, or sit for a photo opp. Except, it’s a bit difficult for him to look at the camera haha. Alfie-me

Lauren-Mochi

I loved how happy Mochi and Alfie were to be there, playing in the water and prancing around together, even though Alfie wanted nothing to do with Mochi. You’re failing at making new friends ALFIE. pupps

Nancy-snappin

2-pals-on-beach

I wish Fort Funston beach was a bit closer to us, since it took close to an hour to get there. The views here are simply incredible.Fort-Funston-beach

After an hour or so we had worn out the dogs completely and it was time to venture back to the homeland. Pups-in-trunkMochi

Lauren-nancy

Such a fun adventure, and I can’t wait for the next one!

sit-in-truckThanks to Lexus for providing us with vehicles for the week, and for Lauren for collaborating with me!

Continue Reading

Fort Funston off leash dog beach | San Francisco

Fort-Funston-headerThere goes 3 weeks of no Pomeranian Friday posts! Sometimes you need to take a break, I mean it’s a ton of work taking out Alfie and remembering to capture moments in time together every single week when we’re out on our adventures. Plus, holy time consuming going through all the gorgeous photos of our little nugget. He photographs (and listens) so well when we’re out! I can’t put him up to that sort of posing for pictures every time we’re out having fun. So hence the lack of Alfie pictures lately.

Happy-pomeranianLet’s hope this one makes up for it.

Fort-Funston-San-FranA few weeks back I took Alfie up to Fort Funston off leash dog beach in San Francisco, both of our first times there and was recommended to me by my friend Megan when she used to live in California. The drive took close to an hour to get there, but the views were simply incredible that I wouldn’t think twice heading back there again for another few hours.

Fort-Funston-offleashDog-BeThere are tons of acres of trails, which of course then leads you the incredibly long beach that took over 1 hour to walk! I was absolutely astounded by how many professional dog walkers there were.

Alfie-smilesAll the dogs looked SO freaking happy to be there whether they were off leash or not, playing with others in the sand and literally gallivanting about. It was precious.

Alfies-head-tilt

Fort-Funston-stairs-view

Alfie-running-towards-me

Fort-Funston-dog-beach

Alfie-me-Fort-FunstonAlfie was off the leash for the most part, of course tickled pink with himself prancing around without the restrictions. He surprised me, and ended up going up to a few dogs on his own (he’s usually a vicious little creature on the leash and won’t allow dogs or humans to come close to me. Trust me, we’ve been working on this for his entire 5 years of life. It’s rough. But I’m pleased to see he’s much better off the leash!

Alfie-looking-up

Alfie-chasing

Fort-Funston-SF

Alfie-and-graffiti-wall

Alfie-at-Fort-FunstonHe was all smiles the entire day. Couldn’t have asked for a happier pup.

I filmed a YouTube video while I was there too, it’s about 8 minutes long, check it out if you have the chance!

Fort Funston National Park
Fort Funston Rd, San Francisco, CA 94118

Continue Reading

Mazda CX-5, feels like home

Mazda-CX5-HeaderAs soon as I stepped up to the driver’s seat of the Mazda CX-5 (this is going to sound like I’m buttering up the Mazda people but…) it felt like home.

Now, don’t stop reading just because I stated that. I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that I currently own a Mazda already. Heyyy?

Mazda-CX5-steering-wheelIt’s also pretty much the reason I felt comfortable driving it all week long. So much so that I ended up putting 500 miles on it during the week I had it. It was almost as if it was all mine, even though those seven days simply flew by. It’s a perfect size, has a bit more room in it than my Mazda 3 hatch, but overall felt the same with regards to driving it.

Alfie seems pretty comfortable in it too.Alfie-in-front-seat

BMC-in-back-of-MazaCX5Remember my 4th of July recap and Santa Clara Uni trip? That was pretty fun.Not to mention all the Instagram pictures I took for the duration. That’s my husbands bike laying flat with the two back seats folded down in it. In my Mazda hatch he has to turn his wheel up  in order for it to fit. But you can see here it has plenty of room.

This was the first car I was disappointed in handing back over the keys to. I walked up the stairs last Friday after walking into the house and my husband asked me if I was okay! His concern for me “losing the car” definitely made me chuckle a bit. Honestly, I really loved driving it. I really loved the looks of it. And I really enjoyed the size.

Santa-Cruz-Mazda-CX5Every car I’ve test drove so far has had an automatic transmission. I’ve taken a driving course with Young Drivers of Canada a few years ago to learn how to drive a stick-shift, and although I can probably drive one if absolutely necessary, I feel more comfortable driving an automatic, especially after all these years of driving. I probably wouldn’t review a car if it were a manual. If anyone ever wants to make fun of me for driving the automatic, they can — and what odds? I don’t see it as a flaw at all, besides, car manufacturers are making and selling many more automatics than manual transmissions these days how it is.

Alfie-smilingIsn’t that the cheesiest photo ever? My dog and I smiling back at one another? Minus the dirty dog-shirt I have on, I say this could easily be in a print ad for Mazda. Don’tcha think?

Inside-Mazda-CX5Adaptive Cruise Control you can set not only the cruise control, but you can also set how far away from the vehicle ahead of you is, and if that car slows down a tad, your car will too. It was definitely a bit of a learning curve to get used to it, especially on the higway when people merge in front of you, you feel like you’re slowing down a little without doing anything. But after a full day of using it I had come to rely on it while on the highway to give my right butt cheek a little break from always hovering over the gas peddle. Just sayin’. In conjunction with that, the ‘dead peddle’ on the left hand side, something I look for in cars when cruising on the road. I need a spot for that left foot when driving an automatic!

Another good feature is the lane assist. If you go over the line when you’re driving, it can either making a beeping noise at you or a vibration noise, whichever you prefer. Great for those travelling on the highway all day every day, commuters. etc.

Mazda-CX-5-side-viewBright and early one morning while taking this exact photo in Santa Cruz, a couple walking down the sidewalk stopped me and said “What a cute little car, what kind is it?” Mazda CX-5 I promptly replied.

Alfie-smile-front-seatWhen I parked it outside one afternoon in our complex, I clearly walked straight past the car and up to a BMW SUV, thinking that it was the Mazda! I suppose they have simiilar traits as to sizing, and the rear of the vehicles, so I thoght that was a bit funny and should be noted here! Looks a bit fancy snazzy hey?

Let’s talk about the cons of the car. I’m not a huge fan of the automatic dimming of the driver’s rear view mirror come darkness. Either I’m getting old and can’t see when it’s dark out, or I prefer being blinded by headlights in the mirror. I didn’t see an option to turn the dimmer off to have it be ‘normal’. Perhaps you can, and my mistake if I’m incorrect. It also has a D-window mini blind spot. Nothing too huge, but that’s where you become more aware of switching over lanes, especially in the dark. You can definitely turn on the blind spot detection but don’t let that be your eyes, use your own two as well. Of course.

If you know the seats in Mazda cars, well, the CX-5 has the same sort of comfort as my 2007 Mazda so if you know what that means, you know your butt can go numb after about an hours drive or so. Considering I’m quite used to it with my car, it didn’t have any affect on me.

Santa-Clara-Uni

Mazda-Sunroof-and-backseat

Mazda-CX-5-Rear

Mazda-CX-5What do you guys think of the Mazda CX-5? Pretty snazzy right? As I stated above, I was sad to hand over the keys back to the company that loaned it out to me. Guess that means I’m pretty much sold on it, I mean it’s almost time for me to upgrade my car…. I don’t mind the red colour it comes in, either.

If you’re looking for more information regarding the 2016 Mazda CX-5 check out their website.

Disclaimer: The 2016 Mazda CX-5 was loaned to me for the week for my review. 

Continue Reading