Chevy 2010 Traverse: I want one. My day at the races. #ChevyTMS

Courtesy of the kind fokes @GMTexas today, I went to the Texas Motor Speedway for what was planned to be a great day at the races.  Being a social media Daddy Blogger, this was my first chance of working with a major car company and I have to say, after seeing that the Chevy 2010 Traverse will hold 30 percent more than the Honda Pilot; has a third row perfect for a dad with three girls who love to travel; and just looks darn good with myself in it–I want one.   Chevrolet_traverse

I'd never heard of this car before today.  But I'm all about it now.  I looked at the GM specs and it's a cool ride.  It's got more horsepower than the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and the Ford Flex

It also has more space: 116.4 cubic feet v. the 87 of the Honda Pilot–hence the 30 percent comparison.  I got to watch people put odd shaped boxes in one just to show how much stuff you can pack into this car and again, I want one.  (See photo below)

Remember when I moved my stuff a few weeks ago in the Chrysler Sebring convertible?  I could have cut the number of trips in half with a Traverse.   Photo

And then something that's immensely important to any dad–safety.  The Traverse has a 5-Star crash safety rating.  That's the highest there is.  It has six standard air bags, and head-curtain side air bags in each of the three rows.  As a dad, that's critical to me and something I just don't have in the convertible.  Not to mention On-Star.

Other cool features include the built-in DVD, Bluetooth and even a Flash connection you can plug in with music files.  And if you're really wanting it, you can also add the rear view back up camera and screen.

My situation in life has seemed pretty grim over the past couple of months.  So far 2010 has brought some fairly significant changes in my life–and while at times it's felt like I was getting lemons, I'm starting to make some sweet, sweet lemonade. 

Dads and moms, you really should go visit a GM dealer near you and take a look at this car.  I think you're going to be surprised at the product selection at a GM dealership. 

I got into that Traverse this morning and I felt like I was sitting in the lap of luxury, all the while feeling like I was in a solid vehicle.  GM has taken a lot of hits on their chin just like I have in the past couple of years.  For me, they're now an inspiration because even as they were in the midst of financial stress and despair, struggling for survival, they, too, pulled it all together and are now turning out a far superior product.   Images-1

In a few months, certainly by this time next year, I'm hoping to be in a more sound place, just like GM is today. 

But for today, I now have a new dream to chase, thanks to GM.  I had a great time today.  It even rained so I didn't see the first race car going around the track.  But that's okay.  I have a new appreciation for a car company that my dad only used to buy when I was a kid.  I have a reason to come back to GM now, too.  And now I have a new journey in which to traverse.

Fitness Tuesday is on

Got up this morning feeling fine.  Slept in a new king-sized bed a friend has given me.  The graciousness and generosity of Christians is so overwhelming. 

Took a walk in the apartment complex.  There are plenty of hills, which are good, as I noted Saturday or Sunday, I'm going to get fit enough to climb Half Dome in Yosemite by the end of September of this year. 

When I returned, I did 20 minutes of yoga.  I just ate a healthy morning breakfast. 

And now I'm dedicated to working my projects the rest of the day to add value to the lives of others; value centered living. 

Thank you, God, for such a beautiful day.  The birds are singing.  The sun is shining brightly and it's going to be a great day. 

The FLTF–The Fred Lee Truck Fund gets cashed in

There are certain people we come across in life who have many things figured out.  One such person I've known was the late Alabama State Trooper Fred Lee from Decatur, Alabama.  My friend, David, who has in many ways been like a brother to me since the mid-90s, sent me a note letting me know that Fred passed away yesterday. 

Like I said, Fred had a lot of things figured out in life.  The most important one was to not take life too seriously.  He didn't.  He often used to talk about the funnier sides of life and were his stories ever that.  And when you had extra money that he knew about, his favorite joke was to ask for a contribution to the FLTF–The Fred Lee Truck Fund.   My Childhood

In the picture included in this post from June 19, 1995, you can see Fred at the far left.  He was one of Gov. Fob James' body guards when we all worked in the governor's office from 1995-1999.  That's Gov. James talking.  That's my eye ball peaking around him holding the microphone to ensure he was never misquoted. 

Off to the distance behind me is now former Gov. Don Siegelman who beat us in the 1998 elections and was later convicted of federal crimes.  Next to me is a former Montgomery Advertiser reporter and friend, the late John Alcorn.  Next to him, former Birmingham News reporter Tom Lindley.

I'm sad at the loss of Fred, but I know St. Peter now has a fun friend in his midst.  No telling what Fred will be saying in Heaven.  I miss you, Fred.  Can you now start putting funds into the DCCF in Heaven?