Live from New York City! We’ve been quiet for several days. Who needs more time on the blue screen during vacation anyway. While information is amazing, disengaging is important, too. And now we’re back, geared up for ‘09. Buckle in and join us for the ride.

We made it cross country safe and sound in a Ford Flex from the New York media fleet to it’s native Detroit, on its way back in from it’s east coast tour of duty that coincided with my annual journey to native country. Generally, media cars have a reputation for being dogged after they make their way through a steady of rotation of journalists who go buck wild on the open road, and I wondered how the Flex would measure up when we picked up the vehicle from the Ford garage shortly before Christm

It seemed ironic to us that my partner Lee Quinones, who recently customized a Flex for Automobile Magazine, and I would take turns helming the wheel on the 600 mile westward journey. During the time he performed the job, Lee spent a great deal of time staring at the Flex for artistic inspiration. As a result, he is now familiar with every panel of sheet metal down to the knobs inside out.

Now we would see if the Flex would live up to the hype of the fly paint job he laced on the show car. And the conditions for our journey proved formidable — sub-zero temps, high winds, and gusts of snow on the I-80 Great Lakes front. We were only three — but with a three month old baby on board and a bale of presents, that’s equivalent to a full load.

The Flex has one of the best interiors I’ve seen in years on a domestic car — interesting stitching and decnt quality fixtures, and it proved comfy on the long journey, too. The spacious interior allowed for easy access to the baby seat. The cabin was quiet and the panoramic glass allows for a wide outlook from the driver’s and passenger’s vantage point.

Our vehicle was equipped with Sync, and we made use of a few of the features. I still have quibbles over navigation systems with too many options. When we dropped off the vehicle we were led on a detour that turned into a wild goose chase, but perhaps blame it on the user. It seems that navigation should also allow passengers to enter addresses even when the vehicle is in motion.

However, we made it to Michigan in good time, a steady cruise control despite winter weather on our heels aided by sure handed all wheel drive assertion. The 3.5-liter V6 that churns out 262 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque proved powerful enough for our needs, but thanks to low gas prices and about 23 mpg on highway fuel economy, it was a cost efficient misison.

More to come on details of our return journey in a brand-spanking new Lincoln MKX to come. However, wherever you are today, whatever you’re doing, GoTryke.com want to take moment to stand still and wish you peace in the new year. We look forward to the ride.

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