We have been friends for over 10 years, and it has been our greatest job and joy in life to raise our little humans, and even more so that we get to share this “boy mom” journey together.
We’re always on the move in our vehicles — from school to soccer practice to birthday parties to grabbing dinner — and without fail, someone is always screaming “Moooooooooom!” As much as we can agree there’s sweetness in the chaos, we still need some R&R to show up as our best selves for our kids.
So when Ford offered to send us on a Texas Hill Country spa getaway for Mother’s Day, we needed a vehicle that could handle the Houston-to-San-Antonio drive and feel like a retreat from the start of the journey. The Lincoln Navigator they provided delivered on all fronts. It’s the ideal vehicle for families with effortless connectivity and technology to make things easier, but also for some one-on-one mom time as it transforms into a sanctuary.
“We needed a vehicle that could handle the Houston-to-San-Antonio drive and feel like a retreat.”
BlueCruise: Look Mom, No Hands — Eyes Are on the Road!
As much as we needed this girl's trip, long drives and stop-and-go traffic can be fatiguing. To make our 2.5-hour trip more enjoyable, we used BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology.1 As soon as we merged onto the highway (I-10), the feature allowed us to drive with our hands off the wheel and foot off the pedal, as the vehicle managed the accelerating, braking, and steering. That meant less riding the brake and more talking about life and singing our favorite 2000s hits.
It’s not a self-driving vehicle. You have to stay alert. Your eyes must always be on the road, and you must be ready to grab the wheel at any time. But we loved the fact that you can touch the wheel to drive around a pothole or debris in the road, and you didn’t have to re-press the BlueCruise button.
From our experience, BlueCruise delivered peace of mind and confidence the moment we hit the highway.
Help Keep Eyes on the Road with Voice Activation
As moms, we’re often being asked to do a million things at once, which is exactly why voice activation is truly chef’s kiss. Being able to use our voices to access all of the features in the Lincoln Digital Experience — from Google Maps to music apps to climate — is something we know we’d be using day to day as we drive our kids around.
When one kid is screaming they’re hot in the backseat and the other wants their favorite song queued up, I can easily say, “Hey Google, lower the temperature to 69 degrees in the backseat,” and then, “Hey Google, play the ‘Barron Boys Playlist.’”
A Mini Retreat with Rejuvenate
One of our favorite family getaways is Rosemary Beach, Florida, along scenic highway 30A, but it’s not always easy to take the trip with our busy schedules. That’s what makes the exclusive available Lincoln Rejuvenate feature, a multisensory in-vehicle experience, such a standout discovery during our trip.
“When we need a few moments to ourselves to slow down and have a coffee, we can turn on Rejuvenate and instantly feel the shift.”
It’s like a spa in your driver’s seat while parked. So when we need a few moments to ourselves to slow down and have a coffee, we can, turn on Rejuvenate and instantly feel the shift, especially with the new Tropical Paradise theme.2 The seat gently reclines and begins a relaxing massage, the calming visuals fill the screen, and the ambient lighting softens. You can hear the sounds of the ocean and smell notes of sandalwood and jasmine petals, immediately transporting us to Florida without ever leaving the driveway.
A Journey as Relaxing as the Spa
With BlueCruise on our side, it’s hard to say what was more relaxing: the spa or the journey there. Either way, this trip was the ideal Mother’s Day getaway as we laughed, enjoyed each other’s company, and reflected on how much we’ve grown since becoming moms.
These are the days we know we’ll look back on and miss. Thanks to the added ease of thoughtful technology, we’re really grateful we got to slow down and soak it all in.
Madeline Barron and Rachel Baumann are Texas-based moms, friends, and content creators.
1Available feature on select vehicles. BlueCruise requires an active plan or trial — see ford.com/bluecruise or lincoln.com/technology/bluecruise for details. Terms apply. BlueCruise is a driver-assist feature and does not replace safe driving, driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. Only remove hands in a hands-free Blue Zone. Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.
2Lincoln Rejuvenate does not operate unless the vehicle is in Park, when the vehicle is off, or if any door is open. Do not use the feature in a closed garage or in other enclosed areas. See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions.
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