​The November sun glinted off the chrome of the 2024 Ford Bronco as I pulled out of West Hills Ford. Joe, shotgun beside me, gave a low whistle as he nestled into the seat while Sue, in the back with our trusty Golden Retriever Gracie, fussed over the dog's water bowl.
"Nice ride, isn't it?" Joe commented, running a hand over the black leather interior. "Plenty of space for Gracie and all our gear."
"Wait till you experience G.O.A.T. mode," I said, "Perfect for a day in the mountains – go anywhere, more access to the scenery."
The Bronco hummed responsively as we merged onto the highway, the panoramic sunroof revealing a sky the color of faded denim. The redesigned cabin felt spacious, even with all our hiking backpacks crammed into the back. It was a far cry from the beat-up Subaru we used to pile into for these adventures.
"See that new Heads-Up Display?" I pointed to the transparent readout hovering above the steering wheel. "Speed, navigation, all right here without taking your eyes off the road."
"Fancy," Sue conceded, momentarily distracted from wrangling Gracie, who was attempting a Houdini Bronco act from her harness. "But I still like having a physical map to spread out on my lap."
As we left the built-up area behind us, the Bronco transitioned seamlessly to gravel logging roads. The independent rear suspension handled the bumps with ease, and the 418 horsepower 3.0 Liter EcoBoost V6 engine purred with a low, confident growl.
"Gold Creek Trailhead, coming right up," Joe announced, consulting his phone.
The parking lot was bustling with fellow weekend warriors. We squeezed into a spot, unloaded our gear, and strapped on our backpacks. Gracie, leash clipped to my harness, wagged her tail impatiently, eager to hit the trail.
The Green Mountain Loop was a well-worn path, but that didn't diminish its charm. The forested trail, dappled with sunlight filtering through the leaves, was a cool haven from the growing warmth. We walked in companionable silence, punctuated by the rhythmic crunch of boots on gravel and the occasional chittering of unseen birds.
Gracie, ever the champion sniffer, explored ahead of us, nose twitching with excitement at the myriad new scents. Once, she froze, ears perked. A fleeting movement in the undergrowth sent her hackles up. A deer, startled by our approach, bounded away in a flash of brown fur.
Further along the trail, we reached the first viewpoint. Below us, the blue ribbon of Hood Canal snaked its way through the landscape, dotted with sailboats like white butterflies. Hoodsport, a cluster of weathered buildings on the opposite shore, looked like a scene from a historical movie.
"Breathtaking," Sue sighed, leaning against a sturdy fir tree. "Makes you realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things."
We continued our ascent, the terrain becoming steeper, the trees thinning out to reveal ever-expanding vistas. From the next overlook, we could see a full half of Kitsap County laid out before us. Silverdale to the north, Bremerton a sprawl of houses and shops, transitioning seamlessly into the imposing gray buildings of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In the far distance, the hazy outline of the Cascade Mountains punctuated the horizon.
Just as we reached the summit, dark clouds began to gather ominously in the south. A sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, carrying with it the scent of impending rain.
"Looks like the weather's changing," Joe observed, pulling out a weather app on his phone. "Might be smart to head back before things get nasty."
We agreed, reluctantly turning away from the magnificent view that had held us captive. The descent was a little quicker, fueled by the approaching storm. Back in the parking lot, fat raindrops were already starting to fall.
The Bronco offered a welcome refuge as we piled in, Gracie shaking off water droplets on the leather seats. With a satisfied sigh, Sue leaned back on her headrest.
"What a day," she murmured. "Fresh air, stunning views, a great hike – and no blisters!"
"And a comfortable, dry ride home courtesy of Ford," I added, merging back onto the highway. The Bronco sliced through the rain with ease, the wipers rhythmically clearing the windshield. The day's adventure might be coming to an end, but the memories, like the panoramic images I'd captured with my phone, would stay with us long after the storm had passed. As we drove into the setting sun, casting long shadows across the wet asphalt, I knew this wouldn't be our last Green Mountain loop adventure. And maybe next time, we'd explore the other side of the mountain, letting the versatile Bronco be our trusty companion on another unforgettable journey.
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