The Wild West, Pick Up Trucks and Cowboys Oh My! #SierraWest

Last week was not an ordinary week for this Mama from the Suburbs;

* Hubby and I Drove the Wild West in style, armed with only a map and our wits.

*I ate dinner under the stars under the biggest open sky I have ever seen.

*I sat with new friends around a roaring campfire, exchanging stories and learning (okay watching) some sweet line dancing moves.

*I camped overnight in  a trailer at the base of a mountain.

*I played Cowgirl on a real working Ranch.

*I took a pick up truck through dusty back roads, and over rocky terrain, exploring areas that were almost too beautiful to believe.

*I cheered for my new favourite Chuck Wagon teams at the Calgary Stampede.

Yup, clearly I checked some things off the bucket list this week!! Thanks to the creative minds of GMC Canada, Dear Hubby and I have just returned from the Wild West Adventure of a lifetime and I have so much to tell you!

On Thursday morning we jetted from our hometown to Calgary Alberta, arriving during what has to be one of this cities busiest times of the year, The Calgary Stampede. 

The airport, the streets, the bars and the restaurants all had one thing in common; they were stuffed full of gloriously happy people wearing their swankiest western attire.  It was flippin fantastic! *You just know I had to buy a hat!

GMC Canada greeted us at the airport and whisked us to our first stop on what was to be a whirlwind of an adventure.  The Arts Hotel just blocks from the Stampede grounds.  After a meet and greet with a small but enthusiastic crowd of other lucky writers and guests, we were taken to meet our ride for the next few days.  The brand new 2014 Sierra Truck.  Let me tell you, she is pretty. 

The incredible features of this fab new pick-up were outlined to us by our hosts.  Here are just some that left me awe struck.

*Lighting on the inside of the box truck.  The inside people!

*Back seats that fold up so easily even I could do it.  They fold up flat against the back of the interior of the truck so you can easily stash your luggage (or your groceries, dog) whatever you need back there!  Making it a smart choice for a family on the go.

*A touch screen that is responsive, and very user friendly.  With the touch screen I quickly and easily turned on the climate control to adjust the air to my liking, linked up my cell phone for safer driving, and if I had wanted to could have synced in music from either my phone or iPod. 

*The centre console is even  big enough to store your laptop or hanging file folders.

*Right under the dash GM has added a great little slot that is the perfect width to stash your iPhone.  This slot is also wide enough to accommodate other smart phones, or a full size iPad.  (umm brilliant as my cell phone currently spends an awful lot of time rattling around in my coffee cup holder.  Not great for the phone, plus I need that spot for my java)

*My favourite thing; and in my opinion the newest and most remarkable safety feature ever, Driver Alert Technologies.  Have you ever drifted out of your lane over that yellow line?  Me either.  Cough.  Have you ever driven when you are tired, worried about your partner driving when they are tired, or your teen?  Do you know how easily teens are distracted?  Of course you do!  This newest feature called   Driver Alert Technologies alerts you when you have drifted over that yellow line.  How?  With a little vibration in the seat the Sierra truck is simply saying  “Hey girl, pay attention here!”.  Now hopefully this is not a feature you would need very often, and it is certainly not one you would want to rely on, but just knowing it is there provides peace of mind.  It is simply brilliant.

This new technology will also alert you if you are following too close, and on some trim packages, actually brake for you!  Wow. 

From the GM site:

GMC Sierra’s advanced technologies pair intelligent engineering with driver-centric safety, using cameras or ultrasonic sensors to watch where you might not be looking. These available technologies include Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning. The 2014 Sierra is the first pickup truck to offer this technology, which lets you know when you are approaching another vehicle too quickly or when you’ve left your driving lane.

After our run down of features of the new truck we were handed a map to our destination, the Sierra West Ranch, and set loose with this brand new vehicle.  Love! 

The next two hours we spent navigating our way out of Calgary and through the truly gorgeous country of Alberta.  We went from city, to country, through sweet little towns like Nanton, and arriving at our final destination the Sierra West Ranch.

The truck impressed me on our drive through the hilly and winding roads.  Handling with ease and riding like a car.  It was comfortable and ridiculously roomy.  Obviously on this trip, all we had in the back was our (my) copious amount of luggage, but there is a ton of room back there for a couple of kids and golf clubs, or if you prefer a whole whack of groceries! 

I should also add we loved the stereo equipped with Sirius XM Radio and felt secure in our adventure that should we get lost, the magic of On Star was only one push of a button away!

It wasn’t long before we arrived at Sierra West Ranch, ready to see what adventure lay ahead for us next.  It didn’t take long!  Why?  We had to drive through a creek, really test out that truck, to reach our “glamping” spot for the night!

*This is a picture of the group after us plowing through the creek.  It was awesome! 

On the other side of the creek, we were met with this…

..Campers provided by Bucars of Calgary Alberta.  Does it get any better than this?

The rest of the evening allowed us to spend time with new friends, indulge in some good old fashioned home cooking, a fantastic bonfire and some Bollywood style line dancing?

 

Let’s just say what happened from this point on in the evening on the #SierraWest adventure will stay on the #SierraWest adventure.  The sun set slowly and the laughs poured freely.  After the band called it a night, and the last of the smores had been eaten, it was time to head back to our trailers and enjoy the kind of quiet sleep I now firmly believe everyone should try at least once in their lifetime.  The only sounds to be heard that of your peacefully sleeping Husband and the coyote’s off  in the distance.  Cool factor of ten. 

I drifted off to sleep thinking about all that was in store for us the next day; horse back riding, tours with the 2014 Sierra, the Calgary Stampede and time with good people. 

Here’s a hint, it was fabulous and I can’t wait to tell you all about it….

Disclosure: I was provided a trip to Alberta to test the 2014 Sierra.  All opinions expressed in this post are my own.  Please follow GMCCanada on Twitter.