Driving Miss Vodka and Mr. Dimitri

There is nothing I enjoy more than taking my doggies for a trip out of town.

So, in pursuit of the mantra of Chevrolet Philippines-The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI) — “Find New Roads”  — I made plans.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer, a midsize SUV, was perfect for me and my two doggy companions, Vodka the Bichon and Dimitri the Schnauzer.

I had planned a weekend drive around two factors: as far away from the traffic-filled Saturday roads of Metro Manila, and as close to nature as we could get, where my companions would be welcome.

Dimitri and Vodka were jumping with joy when I opened the rear door of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, a clear sign that they were going for a ride. I put them in a carrier and folded down all the backseats, to make more space for them.

Let me just say that for a solo driver like me, being able to fold down backseats in a jiffy is a must — and this Trailblazer made it easy.

It is no wonder that the Trailblazer‘s market performance in the highly competitive midsize SUV segment has propelled it to become the local distributor’s best-selling model, and has paved the way for the company’s impressive 59 percent vehicle sales growth in 2014.  

Anyone who travels with doggy companions knows that good space is a must for them on long drives.

All set.

I planned my destination: unknown. All I knew is that I wanted to get out of town, drive down the SLEX and then see the green outdoors. Green means breathing, as far as I am concerned; for two doggies, it means grass and space to roam.

Kibble in place, leashes ready and bags for picking up after Vodka and Dimitri, I stepped on the gas and drove out of our village.

BLAZING NEW TRAILS

I enjoyed the view from the cockpit of the Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8L LTZ E. From where I sat, I found that all the controls I needed to reach at a moment’s notice were within easy reach, and easy to figure out.

As I neared the SLEX and the roads widened I was able to fiddle with the control panel in the cockpit.

For starters, there’s the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with Mobile Connect for iOS and Android. With the Trailblazer’s MyLink, users can mirror mobile devices and utilize applications such as iPhone’s Siri, Tune-in and Stitcher, applications that make viewing and listening to the latest news, sports, talk and entertainment radio anywhere around the world possible.

Just cool.

When one is driving solo, the need to be able to stay in touch with the world, while taking a break from it, is always important. The Trailblazer makes this easy.

Also standard is Chevrolet’s Dash camera with 32GB of memory. This new feature offers Trailblazer owners the option to conveniently record road trips and traffic events for a more reassuring drive.

Driving down the SLEX, I took time to test the braking system of the Trailblazer. But before that, I took a look at the carrier and saw both Vodka and Dimitri huddled close together and napping.

For anyone who drives, safety always comes first, and the Trailblazer does not fail. The Trailblazer is the first midsize SUV in its segment to offer a state-of-the-art Dynamic Driving Technology that includes an Anti-lock Brake System, Dynamic Brake Distribution, Traction Control, Hydraulic Brake Assist, Panic Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Engine Drag Control, Cornering Brake Control, Hydraulic Brake Fade Assist, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.

A good braking system is a blessing when one sets out to drive early in the morning, as there are quite a few speed devils on SLEX. Anyone who reads the news is aware of the many accidents happen at dawn because drivers become sleepy or perhaps are in a rush to beat a delivery schedule.  

BREAK TIME

It had been an hour since we left home, and I was beginning to see green all around. I heard a small yelp from Vodka, a sign that it was time to find a spot for a break.

I saw a small panaderia that was open and I noticed that the residents of Calamba were lining up for some bread. I stopped, got a bag of bread, hopped back into the car and looked for a place to stop.

A spot in an empty field. Popped up the rear door and let the doggies out.

The joy of running with Vodka and Dimitri in the empty field lifted my spirits. The dogs were happy; so was I.

We settled down. I gave the doggies their kibble and mixed bits of pandesal into it.

I took a seat on my foldable chair and the doggies lay close by.

I took one better look at the Trailblazer, and I smiled. After all, the Chevrolet Trailblazer exudes a commanding and sophisticated appearance — a head-turner on the road, if you like. The 4x4 LTZ SE AT trim features new front and rear bumpers, LED projector headlamps, LED fog lamps and daytime running lamps resulting in a more muscular and sportier profile. 

I fell in love with the rugged appeal of the Trailblazer — but I must add that everything about this SUV is made for comfort and convenience.

This seven-seater midsize SUV has loads of space for its passengers, with a definite comfy feel. Again, I add here that second- and third-row seats can be configured in multiple ways for cargo flexibility — making the Trailblazer the perfect vehicle for family outings, trips to the mall or grocery shopping — and long drives with doggies. 

JUST DRIVE

It was time to take the Trailblazer for a drive back home. The doggies were ready and so was I. I walked Vodka and Dimitri for a few more minutes (just in case they needed to do their thing) and as I smelled the fresh air, saw a carabao sleeping and heard the chirping of birds — a new zest for life was awakened in me.

Sweet drives are made of these: Vodka the Bichon, Dimitri the Schnauzer and lots of wide-open roads for travel.