Chasing Clean Air

All-New 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe On The Sunshine Coast Highway

The  spectacular All-New 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe was great fun to drive on the 110-mile smooth curves of The Sunshine Coast Highway in British Columbia.

I felt one with the road in Honda's latest hybrid, a two-passenger sports coupe developed as a stylish, driver-focused vehicle.

It was quick with sporty handling.

A first-of-its-kind in the gasoline-electric hybrid segment. 

Wow!

Building on the successful technology of the Honda Insight Hybrid, which I thoroughly enjoyed driving last year, the Honda CR-Z went further.

Where the Honda Insight felt sturdy and peppy, the Honda CR-Z felt like a grip-the-road, love those turns, sexy two-seater sports car with plenty of trunk room for a long road trip.

So let's start this baby's engine...

Vraaammm...

and experience the thrill of the open road.

To begin, I sat in the Honda CR-Z Sport Coupe sturdy driver's seat, which was low to the ground compared to my Lexus, but adjustable and comfortable for my back.

I turned the key in the ignition and watched a modern dashboard dazzle with its neon blue and green lights.

To the left of the steering wheel was a new, exclusive 3-mode drive system to configure the vehicle's responsiveness for Sport, Normal or Eco (Economy) driving modes. To the right was the dashboard's GPS and audio systems.

On each side of the car were well-designed rear-view mirrors. I adjusted the mirrors to make sure I could see well behind me. This was particularly important in the Honda CR-Z because due to its design there was a blind spot when I turned my head.

The rear-view mirrors compensated for this blind spot, allowing me to see well behind, but I had to force a new habit relying on the mirrors more than turning my head.

Let's look at what makes this splendid driving machine unique.

Sports Mode

Sports mode gave me exciting power, and boy was that fun.

I reserved Sports mode for the long windy road that was The Sunshine Coast Highway.

I took corners like a sports car driver, forgetting I was in a hybrid, utilizing new technologies.

The CR-Z had speed and agility.

The ride was smooth.

I was a free spirit, shifting up and down, zipping around the bends, cruising long stretches---queen of the road.

I passed blue waters, Douglas fir trees, and wildflowers that hugged the Pacific Northwest highway.

Hardly any other cars were on the road, which was the best way to go...go...go!

The all-new Honda CR-Z Hybrid let me zoom!

In Love In Love In Love

TODAY wherever I turned in clean air Victoria, I captured love blossoming! 

Birds!

Butterflies!

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Victoria

Oh my what an adventure this has been, picking up an All-New 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe in Seattle, driving to Vancouver, followed by 110 windy miles up the majestic Sunshine Coast, including ferries, landing me in Comox on Vancouver Island where, serendipity there I went, writing article upon article staying with an old friend. And today. A four hour drive through sheets of rain along the coast of Vancouver Island to beloved city of Victoria, where the sun now shines.

I'm staying with friends, and look forward to exploring Victoria (my fourth visit) committed to being not only North America's bicycling capitol but green as well. I wonder how many tourist sites start with suggestions on how visitors can interact with their city by being "green". Here take a look.

The exciting news circulating through the B.C. land is, Biggest Salmon Run in 100 years. Everyone is eating Coho salmon. I had it two nights in a row. Last year was worst run in 100 years.

Photo of Empress Hotel in Victoria, which I took last year on Canada Day.

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The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia - Upper Coast

While civilization marches on throughout the western world, it's refreshing to find areas that remain largely untouched. The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia is one such gem, whose regal mountains and waterways seem to whisper,

"Leave nature's grandeur alone!"

This is particularly true for the Upper of the two coasts, where Desolation Sound seems to have been crowned the unofficial "Crown Jewel".

Your Turn: Editorial by Tom Rooney of California's SPG Solar

Occasionally, I receive worthy op-eds and thought I'd share this one from Wall Street Journal reader and SPG Solar CEO, Tom Rooney, who wants to set the so-called speculative solar record straight.

In Mr. Rooney's own words...

The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia - Lower Coast

At the edge of dramatic fjords, sparkling lakes, and green mountains, immersed in clean air, is The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, which made my must see list.

The Sunshine Coast is divided into lower and upper coasts, and connected by waterways and a 177 kilometer or 110 mile long smooth windy highway perfect for driving and biking.

I drove the All-New 2011 Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe on The Sunshine Highway, which was great fun.

Sunshine Coast activities include boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing and checking out one-of-a-kind artists finding inspiration in natural beauty. It's also very romantic--perfect for falling in love.

Many come to get married.

The Lower Sunshine Coast goes from Howe Sound to Jervis Inlet, and includes the communities of Gibsons, Sechelt and Pender Harbour.

Let me tell you more.