4 Famous Toyota Prius Drivers
The rich and the famous don’t always drive high-end luxury cars. Many environmentally conscious famous people choose, instead, to ride around town in their very own Ford Prius. Whether they value the Prius’s fuel efficiency, its quiet handling, or its stylish profile, let’s take a look at some of the most well-known Prius owners.
Jessica Alba
Known for her turns in movies like Fantastic Four and Entourage, Jessica Alba is a well-known American actress. She’s graced the covers of numerous magazines and earned titles like Sexiest Woman in the World. She’s also a proud Prius owner. Her decision to buy the Prius might have to do with her eco-friendly attitude. She founded a company that produces and sells non-toxic home products. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Best Toyotas for Handling Norfolk Traffic
If you brave I-64 every morning and evening on your daily commute, you need a car that can handle the traffic without giving you further problems. Several Toyotas perform better than their peers in heavy traffic conditions, so head to your local dealership and give one of these models a test drive.
Toyota Prius
Stop-and-go traffic can damage more than your good mood—it can also wreak havoc on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to the Christian Science Monitor, hybrids offer the best gas mileage, especially in heavy traffic. The Toyota Prius steps in to save the day with its EPA rating of 51 mpg on the highway and 48 mpg in the city. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Best Scenic Drives Near Virginia Beach
When you want to hit the open road with your Toyota, Virginia Beach offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy more than your sound system. Head for one of these three scenic drives around Virginia Beach that will take just enough time to relax your muscles, clear your head, and put you in the right frame of mind for the rest of your day.
Colonial Parkway
If you’re heading north from Virginia Beach, take the Colonial Parkway toward Yorktown. You’ll pick up the Colonial Parkway at Jamestown and follow this scenic drive for 23 miles through some of Virginia’s most beautiful scenery. You can only travel 45 miles per hour, which means you get plenty of time to take in the sights in a safe environment.
Take the Colonial Parkway scenic drive at any time of year, but the summer months prove the most beautiful. When you get to Yorktown, consider parking your Toyota and getting out for a brief stroll. You’ll enjoy walking around this historic town, so stretch your legs in preparation for the return trip.
Route 17
If you’re headed to or away from Virginia Beach, scenic Route 17 offers far more visual stimulation than the more mundane I-95 and I-64. You’ll pass through the iconic Fredericksburg, with its quaint shops and quiet cafes, as well as other historic destinations. The view from the James River Bridge is particularly stunning, especially during the winter months when the water is cold and serene.
Pull your Toyota into a parking space in Fredericksburg and spend a couple of hours touring the sites. Visit the Mary Washington House and the United States National Slavery Museum for a dose of history and a quiet way to pass the afternoon. If you’re visiting for longer, the Kenmore Plantation is another must-see spot in Fredericksburg.
Skyline Drive
When you need an escape during the gorgeous autumn months, Virginia will never disappoint. For the best fall foliage views, Skyline Drive is the perfect destination for you and your Toyota. You’ll pass through the unspoiled Shenandoah National Park, and although you’ll have to drive about two hours to reach it from Virginia Beach, you’ll receive a great reward as you wind your Toyota down blacktop surrounded by fall color.
Skyline Drive stretches for about 100 miles through Virginia country, but you don’t have to make the entire trip. Pick a segment and enjoy the views, then turn around and head home or back to your hotel. Look up the different mileposts before you leave, so you’ll remember which areas you want to see. Pause at one of the 75 scenic overlooks on Skyline Drive to drink in the surrounding scenery. Since the speed limit is only 35 miles per hour, you’ll also be able to enjoy the views while you’re cruising down the blacktop in your Toyota.
Getting out of the house (or the office) for a few hours to enjoy Virginia’s unspoiled territory can be beneficial from time to time. Gas or charge up your Toyota and hit the road.
Image Via Pixabay
3 Tips to Prepare Your Car for a Road Trip
According to AAA, more than 80 million Americans take a road trip each year that has them driving 50 miles or more from home. Whether you are taking a holiday trip to visit family or are the adventurous type and want to drive cross-country, here are three tips to ensure your journey is a safe one.
Get a Checkup
There are several car maintenance measures you have to do to keep your car in tip-top shape. One of those is having your vehicle serviced regularly. This involves having all of your fluid levels checked (oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc.), tire pressure, lights and turn signals, and all belt and hose connections. Remember, a pre-trip checkup is the one thing you can do that will tell you whether your vehicle will make however long a trip you plan on taking in it.
Inside the 2015 Toyota 4Runner
There aren’t too many midsize SUVs available these days that provide 4-plus star safety ratings, serious off-road capabilities, and plenty of space and comfort on the inside of its four doors. The 2015 Toyota 4Runner certainly fits the bill; offering a bit more all-around for those looking for a top-notch SUV that includes plenty to like interior wise.
Seating and Space
The 2015 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with a five-person seating arrangement that includes a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat. It also has an optional third-row seat, if you are ever in a pinch for added passenger space, but its best use is for additional cargo space. Behind the second-row seats, you get a hearty 47 cubic feet of cargo room. If you fold the second-row seats down that ‘magically’ becomes an even heartier 89.7 cubic feet. Moreover, while not specific to seating or space, a sunroof adds just a little extra pizazz to driving or riding in the 2015 4Runner.
Technology
One of the highlights of the 4Runner is the touchscreen infotainment system that comes standard in the TRD Pro Series. It includes a 6.1-inch display screen, reliable and easy to use navigation, and a stereo system that is better than what most other vehicles have to offer. There’s also the Entune App Suite that offers smartphone connectivity, which makes using your phone as easy and hands-free as possible. This system also comes complete with useful predictive traffic and weather features, though the 2.0 USB port is the real jewel here because it allows you to charge your smartphone and other devices more quickly while on the go.
All in all, the 2015 Toyota 4Runner has a lot to offer that goes beyond providing you with a true SUV and off-roading experience.
Image via Pixabay
Which Toyota Prius is Right for You?
For more than a decade, the Toyota Prius lineup was limited to just one model but recent years have introduced us to the larger Prius V and the more compact Prius C. Now that fans of the hybrid vehicle, and the Prius specifically, have multiple models to consider it can be a bit challenging to figure out which one is right for you.
The Prius C
The Prius C is the compact version of the standard Prius and offers the fewest features and amenities. If all you are looking for is a hybrid vehicle that can get you around town, offers phenomenal gas mileage (50 mpg average), and has a very modest price point at $20,000 or so then the Prius C is for you. It does come standard with automatic climate control, power windows and accessories, and a touchscreen display and Bluetooth capabilities.
Warning Signs Your Tires Need Replacing
Let’s face it, when it comes to car servicing and maintenance we don’t always stay as on top of things as we should. We are all guilty of waiting until the last minute to take care of things like oil changes, general checkups, and having our tires balances, rotated, or outright replaced. Unlike other required maintenance, tires are one of the few things that warn you well ahead of time when they need some attention.
Here are the warning signs your tires need some serious attention to avoid an accident, poor gas mileage, and extra wear and tear on your vehicle.
Tread Wear
The easiest way to determine if you need to replace your tires is by checking the tread on them. What makes this so easy is because you can do it with a penny. Quickly check the treads on your tires by placing a penny into the tread with Abe Lincoln’s head facing down. If any of Lincoln’s head is visible, your tread is bordering on being unsafe. If all of Abe’s head is showing, it’s time to get new ones.
3 Free Fun Things to do With the Family
It can be tough trying to come up with things to do with the entire family that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Going to the movies with kids and your partner not only gets expensive between tickets and snacks, but it’s not exactly a great bonding experience either. Here are three things you can do with the family this weekend that won’t break the bank – because they’re FREE!
Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
Its name may give you the impression the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is, well… dismal, but it actually offers a lot of variety. The trail is open to everyone seven days a week and is popular with hikers, bicyclists, horse owners, and others. The 8.5-mile trail offers a full day of sight seeing and adventure or even a couple hours. The Great Dismal Swamp Refuge is also home to plenty of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals you otherwise wouldn’t see. Also, Fun Fact – this place is nationally recognized as a stop on the “Underground Railroad.”
Chesapeake Planetarium
Every Thursday night at 8 PM you can attend a free program at the Chesapeake Planetarium to learn something new and exciting. The programs themselves are provided as a free service through the Chesapeake Public School System and the Planetarium itself has been in operation for 52 years now. The special program for October is called “Sky Watchers of Ancient Mexico” and explores the skies of Central America. Learn the secrets of the Maya, Aztec, and other sky watchers of Mexico.
Fun Forest
What’s better than watching your kids’ faces light up as they run around the ultimate children’s playground? Fun Forest sits on three acres of City Park and includes an older children’s area that focuses on helping kids develop gross motor skills. There is also a dragon (who doesn’t love a good dragon), a three-way underground telephone, shaky bridge, and plenty of other cool things for kids to get into.
Image via Pixabay
Fort Monroe used to be an active military base, completed way back when in 1834, but now it’s home to the Casemate Museum. The museum chronicles the history of Fort Monroe, which happens to be the largest stone fort in the United States, and was a stronghold for the Union and Union soldiers during the Civil War. Once the war was over, the fort was home to Confederate President Jefferson Davis for a brief time. It has been 126 years since Davis died but interest in his time spent at the fort remains strong.
After his capture in May 1865, just one month after the Civil War ended, Davis spent two years at the fort. The cell he spent a portion of his time in, 4-1/2 months to be exact, is the same one on display at the Casemate Museum within the fort. He was locked away in Casemate No. 2 with nothing more than a cot, a shelf, a bible, a table and chair. And for good measure the 35-star American flag was hung on the wall to rub his defeat in his face just a bit more.
Whether you care about Davis and his being held there as prisoner or not, the museum itself highlights an interesting historical collection of items and the fort itself is really cool. If self-guided tours are your thing you can get in for free and wander around a bit. Guided tours are available, and offer a bit more substance and history during your trip, for groups of 10 or more and cost $3 per person.
Open Monday-Sunday 10:30am – 4:30pm Memorial Day to Labor Day
Tuesday-Sunday for the remainder of the year
Phone: (757) 788-3391
Fax: (757) 788-3386
Email casematetours@fmauthority.com
Address: 20 Bernard Road, Fort Monroe, VA 23651
Image via Pixabay
Get Out Into Nature at the Chesapeake Arboretum
If you are looking for a nice relaxing walk in the middle of Chesapeake then the Chesapeake Arboretum is for you. The whole park is about a 3-mile walk and the trails are color coded so you will know exactly what you are getting yourself into before setting off on your adventure.
The trails are absolutely wonderful to explore and hike or bike on, the Arboretum also offers the opportunity to learn more about trees with their Urban Forester, who has an office onsite. You’re also able to speak with a Master Gardener if you need help or advice with your lawn, flowerbeds, or vegetable garden at home. If that doesn’t interest you, there are also spots where people are welcome to practice painting, do some writing, take photographs, or just lay out a blanket and enjoy a picnic.
Another hidden treat of the Arboretum is the 18th century farmhouse that is on the grounds. It was built in 1730 and had an addition built in 1822. It was originally owned by the Williamson family, who later donated all 48-acres the Arboretum resides on today and the farmhouse itself. The Arboretum is maintained and cared for mostly by volunteers, which is a testament to the community in action to preserve something beautiful.
After you’ve gone and taken a relaxing stroll through the trails, or learned about tree and plant maintenance from one of their experts on site, there is still plenty left to see and do. The Arboretum hosts regular events for the public and also has options for you to put on a private event. The picnic area in the Pecan Grove is always available during daylight hours to small groups. If you have a larger group you can still host an event, but reservations are required at least two weeks in advance.
Image via Pixabay
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