Why Your Family Will Love a Used Chrysler Pacifica
The Chrysler Pacifica is a family-friendly, tech and convenience packed minivan. It has seating for up to seven passengers, a large cargo area, and a full suite of available safety features. Here are some reasons your family will love a Chrysler Pacifica SUV.
Read the rest of this entry »The Top 4 Golf Courses in and Around Cincinnati, OH
Playing golf is a great way to spend your free time. It’s also a fantastic way to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun with friends or family. Luckily, Cincinnati, OH has some of the best golf courses that offer everything from city-like settings with views of the downtown Cincy skyline to more remote landscaped locales.
Read the rest of this entry »Custom Order Your New Ford with Beechmont Ford
Currently in the market for a new 2022 Ford crossover SUV, pickup truck, or commercial wagon in the local Cincinnati, OH area? Read our blog to see why custom ordering a new Ford vehicle with Beechmont Ford is the best option for you!
Read the rest of this entry »6 of the Best Pizza Joints in Cincinnati, OH
There’s no shortage of great pizza to be found here in Cincinnati, OH. But with all of the different pizza joints out there serving up slices in our area, which can claim to have the very best pizza the city has to offer? We picked six of our favorites so you can check them out for yourself.
Read the rest of this entry »Your Next Compact SUV: The 2021 Ford Escape
Drivers who appreciate style and elegance, but who also want an affordable vehicle that can handle a growing family, will need to look no further than the 2021 Ford Escape. This incredible crossover has a beautifully sleek body that rivals many of the more luxury vehicles in its class. The Escape offers more than just good looks, however. Its range of function sits perfectly between that of a fully-capable large SUV and a fuel-efficient sedan.
Read the rest of this entry »6 Fantastic Breakfast Places in Cincinnati, OH
If you’re planning a drive through Cincinnati, OH, you’ll find some great places to enjoy a delicious breakfast. Whether you are looking for a quick breakfast wrap to go or brunch with the family, you’ll discover some of the best breakfast places in and around the city.
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With the reprise of the iconic Ford Bronco and birth of the Ford Maverick, the new generation of vehicles are shaping the landscape of future car buyers’ expectations. Efficient, customizable, all terreran, everyday drivers with enough storage capacity to sleep in during a camping trip will be the standard for a generation filled with wanderlust and “what if’s”. As adventure becomes more accessible due to the advent of the internet and various recreational conservation efforts, making vehicles more accessible is vital in reaching these emerging consumers. As the market tends to this emergence of our primal lust of natural thrill, car buyers will be presented with al-la carte options when purchasing their next vehicle; giving them the flexibility to build around their lifestyle.
Ford is stepping ahead of the curve with their latest lineups of vehicles like the Bronco and Maverick, both geared towards young groups looking for the flexibility of customization and efficiency of a new vehicle. In this series we will be focusing on the features of these vehicles, our experiences with the Bronco, news related to these vehicles, and various anecdotes we feel could be helpful to anyone interested in these vehicles.
As with many new 2021 vehicles, the release of the new off-road focused Bronco SUV is being delayed and some models like the “Sasquatch” package are being pushed back to a 2022 release date. Fortunately, the Bronco Sport models have made it to the road and are beginning to fill driveways across the nation.
We have been fortunate enough to secure multiple Bronco Sports at our dealerships and even drove a Rapid Red Big Bend model down the coast and throughout the state of Oregon
(more information and content to come from that ride soon). To say the least, we are big fans of the Bronco Sport. It’s versatility as an everyday driver has been very exciting, providing ease when traversing through backcountry to highway. I personally learn something new about the vehicle everytime I drive it. Without taking the time to study its various specs, you’ll never utilize them all – so let’s dive into some of my favorite Bronco Sport features.
AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM CONTROL
You never knew you needed automatic high beam control until you’re driving through the emptiness of night desperately looking for a place to set up camp. When you are driving through the vastness of Montana or weaving trees of Northern California with nothing but the moon and your headlights illuminating the road, your focus needs to be dialed in. It is a huge help to have your brights activated to give you a brighter, wider field of view to avoid any nocturnal animals running in front of your vehicle or sudden drop offs in the road. With that, you must also put other’s safety into serious consideration if another vehicle is driving ahead of you about to pass coming from the opposite direction. It seemed almost like magic when my headlights automatically switched from the high beams to low beams when the sensor detected oncoming headlights in the far distance. As soon as the vehicle passed, the high beams were reactivated; creating a smooth transition while not losing visibility for a split moment. This is something I was not expecting in the Bronco Sport and a taste of the great safety and tech features Ford is committed to implementing in their new line of vehicles.
G.O.A.T MODE
The “G.O.A.T Mode” feature in the Bronco Sport is a given when it comes to exciting specs. The acronym stands for “Going Over Any-type of Terrain”. This also is a great salute to Ford history as the first African-American designer hired by Ford, McKinley Thompson Jr, coined the G.O.A.T term when designing the original Bronco in the early 1960’s. There are 7 modes available including Eco, Mud, Normal, Rock Crawl, Sand, Slippery, and Sport (varies depending on trim level). I am not too sure how efficient each terrain mode is, but you could definitely feel an enhanced powertrain control when powering the throttle in Sport Mode, and Eco Mode will make the most out of your gas tank. I got the thing stuck pretty badly in the sand on the Oregon coast line and the Sand Mode was no saving grace. As the different modes do optimize your 4-wheel drive capabilities and electric power steering, the vehicle still has its limitations. I would assume the new Broncos coming out will handle nasty terrain better, but since I see the Bronco Sport as an everyday driver, it doesn’t lose any points there for me. Thankfully we were able to eventually dig the Bronco Sport out of the sand. We probably shouldn’t have been ripping donuts on a wet rainy beach; but ultimately it was a pretty epic time – most vehicles would have gotten stuck long before we did.
GAS MILEAGE
There have been mixed reviews online about the Bronco Sport’s fuel efficiency with a 1.5L 3 cylinder engine. I am here to say that we had a rather positive experience with gas mileage on our road trip. Driving through the backcountry with little traffic or along the coastlines in Eco Mode provided for optimal fuel performance as we clocked in around 30 mpg. We even switched over to Sport Mode every now and then without sacrificing any fuel efficiency, so it seemed.
110V POWER OUTLETS / CARGO STORAGE
I decided to put these two sections together because they went hand in hand on this trip. The multiple 3 prong 110V outlets (or the 12v power outlets depending on your Bronco Sport Model) could come in handy for a variety of reasons based on the person utilizing the vehicle. Personally, I was shooting various commercial spots with my run and gun camera package which included a Sony A7iii mirrorless camera, Macbook Pro for footage review / storage, and a DJI Mavic Air 2 drone. The drone being the beefiest in power needs, I was able to set up a base for my video equipment in the spacious back trunk with outlets to charge gear. It was like a mobile office and perfect since we were camping for multiple days. Although our model did not come with the 110V 3 prong outlets like the Badlands model does, I was able to plug an adapter into the 12V outlet that worked well for my needs. I would pay more money to have that feature, without a doubt. The all weather floor mats also provided a durable, slip free area that complimented my mobile office well. This allowed me to leave certain gear charging without worry about them sliding when driving (of course, not when your ripping donuts getting stuck on wet beaches).
I couldn’t conclude this section without highlighting the ease of throwing all our gear into the front seats, putting the back down, and transforming the Bronco into our sleeping quarters for multiple nights.
SHAPE AND LOOK
The overall look and shape of the Bronco Sport was very sharp and turned lots of heads. We had the Rapid Red Big Bend and the shade of color was muted enough to not stand out like a cherry colored sports car, but prominent enough to be the baddest whip at the campground. I’ve never driven a car that stopped people in their tracks to come talk my ear off like the Bronco Sport. I couldn’t count the number of times someone would approach me to ask about the engine, drive feel, gas mileage, new tech, or my favorite; when someone would tell a story about having an original Bronco when they were younger. Our Rapid Red 2021 Bronco Sport seemed to be a timemachine for a lot of people, it brought back memories when they were running wild ripping donuts in a Bronco themselves. They installed this sense of nostalgia. Made us feel that these moments of getting stuck on a beach and driving lost through the backcountry under western moonlight were worth living. That we would look back on these times and feel proud of how we got to our destination, even if the road was rocky.
These are just a few takeaways from my experience driving the new Bronco Sport, Big Bend Edition. There are plenty more specs and features that make these vehicles special, and each model of the 5 trims are slightly different; but at a glance these really stood out to me. I’m looking forward to learning more about this lineup of vehicles and fully diving into their capabilities. The legacy of the Bronco lives on, and I myself will be a part of that legacy when opportunity strikes to park one in my driveway.
Nick Schultz
Creative Specialist
Mark Williams Auto Group
Beechmont Ford – Mt.Orab CDJR – Mt. Orab Ford
“Onward weary traveler, continue to climb those tall mountains. As the path forward seems rough, the journey is worth traveling”
$3,000 Push, Pull, Or Drag Event
We have the fan-favorite Push, Pull, Or Drag Event going on at our Mark Williams Auto Group locations including Beechmont Ford, Mt. Orab Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Mt Orab Ford this Labor Day weekend!
Read the rest of this entry »Discover the Amazing Value of the 2021 Ford EcoSport
At Beechmont Ford Inc, we want to help simplify your research process if you’re in the market to purchase a new car. We have the insider information you’re looking for as it pertains to our incredible lineup of new Fords. In particular, we’d like to shine the spotlight on the 2021 Ford EcoSport, one of our most talked-about models of 2021! Here’s everything you need to know about the EcoSport:
Read the rest of this entry »5 Best Hikes within 5 Hours of Cincinnati
Overlooking the New River from the Endless Wall Trail. Photo by Jared Musgrave.
Believe it or not; Cincinnati sits between some notable natural areas that are nationally, if not globally, recognized and praised. Due to Cincinnati’s picturesque placement at the confluence of the Ohio River, the city historically was known for river commerce and various manufactorings. Because of the city’s strategic placement and liveliness in the late 1800’s, it was often referred to as the “Queen City of the West”.
Jumping forward through the Industrial Revolution and emergence of natural area conservancy, Cincinnati’s strategic placement led it to being graced with numerous other accessible cities and parks.
As warmer weather approaches, many venture far from Cincinnati to go on vacation or experience scenic nature; not knowing that some of the most beautiful areas of the country are a short road trip away from the inner city.
Let’s dive into 5 of my favorite hikes within a 5 hour radius of Cincinnati. Yes, there are plenty of moderate hikes with gorgeous scenery EVEN CLOSER than an hours drive; but this is for those who are looking for a little more adventure to spice up their summer road trip.
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5. Gunpowder Creek – Burlington, KY
6750 Sperti Ln, Burlington, KY 41005
Gunpowder Creek comes in at number 5 because of its accessibility. This is an easy day hike coming from the city and is surprisingly hidden in the middle of suburbia in Burlington, KY. So, you won’t have to go far to reach the trailhead and have plenty of surrounding lunch options to wrap up your day. Parking is limited in the main lot so you may have to find street parking. The approach starts with a steep decline, which is easy to walk down, but you will definitely feel the burn coming back up. After following the trail down into a few switchbacks, your jaw will job at the beauty of the stretch of river you quickly approach. From there, you can follow Gunpowder Creek for a seemingly endless amount of time, but it does eventually connect to the Ohio River. The trail stops long before the river, but if you’re adventurous enough to follow through downstream, you will be gifted with awesome swimming holes and small waterfalls. At a glance, this may be the cleanest stretch of river in the Northern Kentucky area.
4. Glen Helen Multi Trail Loop – Yellow Springs, OH
405 Corry Street, Inman Trail, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Glen Helen is a nature preserve right outside of downtown Yellow Springs. The city of Yellow Springs is an absolute Ohio gem and, until recently, one of Ohio’s best kept secrets. You can easily spend the whole day hiking in the surrounding areas and exploring the various happenings of this quaint city and make it back to Cincinnati for dinner. You can also stay for the
night at a campsite or one of the various Bed and Breakfasts! The Glen Helen Multi Trail loop connects some of the best hikes. The loop trail is about 3 miles long and will take you along some gorgeous rock structures and waterfalls as the Little Miami River carves its way through the area. This hike is also very well known for bird watching and is a moderately / heavily trafficked area, so be prepared for other hikers. Also, due to the park almost shutting down due to a lack of funding, there is a $5 parking fee to help with donations and mitigate the amount of cars parked in the limited lots. A great day trip, or stay for the weekend if you want to fully explore the small city of Yellow Springs!
3. Highlands Nature Sanctuary – Fruitdale, Ohio
7660 Cave Rd, Bainbridge, OH 45612
A lot of people are surprised when told that Ohio has beautiful, natural attractions. Before heading west, try heading east; specifically to Fruitdale, Ohio. This area has yet to be overrun with tourists and is, in my opinion, Southern Ohio’s best kept secret (which was once Yellow Springs until famous comedian Dave Chappele moved to the area, thus shining national attention on this once hidden city). Only an hour and a half east from the city, you will begin to enter the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. The area is home to a large Amish community and has deep Native American roots. There are loads of riverways perfect for kayaking, long hikes that loop upwards of 14 miles, and great climbing boulders. A perfect getaway for the city adventurer who is trying to get some serious sends in and really push their trail hiking experience.
2. Indian Staircase, Red River Gorge
3451 Sky Bridge Rd, Stanton, KY 40380
This would not be a legit list of Best Hikes in the area if it didn’t have at least one in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, the crown jewel of the state. For those that are familiar, you know that the Gorge could have an extensive list of it’s own, but one if it’s most notable is Indian Staircase. Known for its near vertical rock scramble up it’s sandstone rock face, this hike will make you work for its beauty. The 3 mile loop takes longer than most hikes of that length due to the 643 feet of elevation gain, of which is mostly vertical with some heavy switchbacks at the start. The journey though is very much rewarded when you reach the top and are surrounded by one of the most unique views in the whole park. Atop of this horse shoe like rock structure that loops all the way around to other great hikes like Cloud Splitter, you will experience a vastness of beautiful treelines and distant sandstone. Bonus points if you go in the fall while the leaves are changing colors, a breathtaking spectacle.
1. Endless Wall Trail
Endless Wall Trail, Edmond, WV 25837
As the idea of what would be considered “the most beautiful” is subjective in any matter, I don’t think it’s up for debate that the New River Gorge holds the east coast title as it was just recently / finally recognized as a National Parking; making it America’s most recent National Park,
protecting it from ever being industrialized or developed. The New River being one of the oldest rivers on the continent and also a part of the long stretch of Appalachian Mountain, this is the furthest drive from Cincinnati, but easily roadtrip-able, clocking in at about 4.5 hours. In the heart of the park, trekking alongside the gorgeous new river, you will find the Endless Wall Trail. The trail is well-kept with numerous small bridges over creeks and some stairs down inclines. You can even climb down ladders to get to the bottom of the 300 foot cliff you are hiking along, which is great for rock climbers, of which you’ll see plenty of on this hike due to the world class sandstone rock face heavily sought after by any climbing enthusiast. As you exit the wetter areas and begin to enter the sea of sandstone boulders, you will eventually approach the most gorgeous overlook within driving distance from Cincinnati, a surreal gaze over the New River with a seemingly endless wall structure vectoring into the distance. From there, you will continue to walk along the ridge with nothing but panoramic beauty at all angles. This is a must do hike for those willing to go the extra mile.
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As there are plenty of gorgeous hiking, climbing, kayaking, bird watching, adventure opportunities within a short radius of Cincinnati, these top 5 are sure to satisfy any nature enthusiasts or someone new to hiking, looking to get out of the city.
Getting to your destination is vital, and having the right transportation will allow you to even be more prepared. The new Ford Bronco Sports are perfect everyday drivers as well as camping vehicles with accessories geared towards adventure enthusiasts. We also have Jeeps and trucks that will rip through any backcountry situation you find yourself in.
You can review our extensive collection of vehicles at MarkWilliamsAutoGroup.com and find your perfect adventure vehicle.
Please read any rules and guidelines of these areas before approaching and ALWAYS respect the wildlife and these preserved areas. BE SAFE when going on more difficult hikes and wear proper gear. Most importantly, get outside and have fun!
Nick Schultz
Creative Specialist
Mark Williams Auto Group
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