Miles and Smiles in the Mitsubishi Outlander

I’m taking a quick break from unpacking to say HI, FRIENDS!

I’m waving to you from Virginia, and besides being cold and rainy, we are all loving it here. It’s not Arizona, but that’s what makes it cool. There’s a lot to offer for families here and I can’t wait to get out and explore more!

Speaking of exploring, I’ve been running around quite a bit this month. I’ll update more specifically in a few days, but I think this is a the highest travel month for me so far.

Coast to coast to coast to coast in less than 3 weeks. Wowza.

It kicked off when we returned from California where we spent Christmas with family. I was home for a few days and then headed out to Disney World for the Marathon weekend.

Hey, runners, hey!

While I was there, I was able to borrow a vehicle from my friends at DriveShop.

They sent me out on the town in the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2WD.

This?vehicle was perfect for driving my running friends and me around the resort, especially with all our luggage and shopping bags courtesy of Disney Springs. Those girls do love to shop!

This one came loaded with the bells and whistles I’m learning to love in the Mitsubishi brand.

Now I know I mention it in every car review, but the backup camera in this vehicle is AH-MAZING. Moms and Dads: you know how important these babies are in protecting our babies out on the streets.

Clear, crisp images along with a split screen and guidelines made parking at the parks a cinch!

One night we had a lot of rain that resulted in a carful of ladies escaping it all, including my volunteer friend who crunched into the 3rd row.

Folks, yes, this vehicle fits 7, but I’d vote for the last 2 in the way back to be little peeps. Not a lot of leg room for anyone tall enough to ride Rock ‘N’ Roll Roller Coaster.

After this trip I made it home in time to do some laundry (I think- holy cow it was a fast turn around!) and pick up the family.

We were off to the Disneyland Resort for the Star Wars Light Side weekend.

Every Holliday old enough to do so participated in the 10K race that weekend, and my youngest even ran her first official kids race. She ran one before, but I’m not sure that counts as running (even in my loose interpretation of it!) when Grandma carries you the whole way!

After Disneyland, things got real.

Our move to Virginia was eminent and we were packing up and shipping everything away. Including the cars!

Thankfully another Outlander came to my rescue. This a slightly different model, a?2017 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL S-AWC. It was a larger SUV that seats up to 7 passengers or 5 with extra cargo space!?And if you know me and my packing “skills,” cargo space was needed.

We folded down that back row this time and loaded it up with suitcases.

Sorry, kids, your personal back seat was being borrowed by the bags!

This ride also had a nifty auto emergency brake button. Push it to set the brake, pull it to release it. A simple touch was all that was needed.

The Outlander took us all over town as we finished up our time in Arizona.

Even in the rain, it handled beautifully and everyone loved the comfort and safety of this vehicle.

Both these vehicles got an enthusiastic thumbs up from friends and the family who rode in it with me.

We all felt it was comfortable and safe, and the price isn’t too crazy for an SUV either at just over $30,000. ?The gas mileage was better than I expected it to be as well. We averaged 27 mph driving around in both vehicles, which is always nice on the pocket book, especially in a loaded down vehicle!

As January closes out, I’m going to enjoy settling in without any travel on the horizon. Well, at least none planned outside of a quick hop over to Washington D.C. because I’m dying to become a tourist in my new backyard!