#Ford Taurus -- After I finish with the Natchez Trace, I'm pretty spent as I work my way back to Interstate 20. I don't get any happier when the beige 2010 Ford Taurus Limited and I roll into Shreveport, Louisiana, around 9 p.m. and find the city's famous barbecue place, The Hickory Stick, already closed. Damn. Good thing I ordered that foot-long at Subway a few hours back.
From there, it's another 64 miles to my reasonably priced Microtel in Longview, Texas.
Good grief, it's humid here. As I peel myself out of the Taurus' leather driver seat after 13 hours, though, I'm not really sore or kinked up. The addition of a telescoping steering wheel vastly improves the driving position in the 2010 car compared to earlier models or the Ford Flex. But I still feel funny sitting up high in a chair in the SUV style, and the seat-bottom cushion exacerbates that feeling by cutting off mid-thigh.
But in practice, this funky design works. Both the shape of the seat-back and the blend of soft cushioning and firm support are spot-on for long-haul travel. And this alone makes the 2010 Ford Taurus an A-list road trip car in my book.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 932 miles
powell_jr says:
05:45 AM, 06/24/09
Keep on coming south to Houston if you want to feel humidity. Us Texas Folk love the open mouth heat and humidity of 101 degree days. Try Rudy's barbeque. There is one in Waco, College Station, Austin, and Houston. They have Vanilla coke on tap and the best BBQ in Texas.
adavis2493 says:
05:46 AM, 06/24/09
Does it gets looks on the highway?
1487 says:
07:07 AM, 06/24/09
nice pic of the interior. Looks almost Audi-ish from that interior shot.
machwon23 says:
07:15 AM, 06/24/09
Yea, I think the Hickory Stick closes at like 8 or so. Not too sure, they seem to have weird hours if I remember correctly. You should have gone just down the road a bit to Shawn's. They have BBQ & all kinds of seafood on their menu and I think they close at 10.
And yes, it is freaking hot and humid around this area. I'd like to say that you eventually get used to it but you really never do.
rw1129 says:
07:26 AM, 06/24/09
I live in Shreveport, and it is unfortunate that you missed out on the Hickory Stick. Maybe next time?
And agreed with you and machwon23, it is very hot and humid here. Just a fact of life this time of year. However, temps are hotter right now (around 100 F) than usual at this tme of year.
altimadude00 says:
08:40 AM, 06/24/09
Why does the center console have to be so high? When you open the door, it's like you're looking at a wall of plastic!
estreka says:
08:43 AM, 06/24/09
I beg to differ! The Country Tavern in Henderson has the best BBQ.
bryan__t says:
08:53 AM, 06/24/09
I am going to Shreveport for a few weeks later this summer. I assume you are all joking about 100 degree weather, especially since that is a good 30 degrees warmer than it has been recently in Santa Monica...
I will look up the Hickory Stick, though.
rw1129 says:
09:14 AM, 06/24/09
Not joking Bryan_t. 100+ this week (not counting what it feels like with humidity).
powell_jr says:
09:46 AM, 06/24/09
I'm a football coach in Texas. I'm used to the heat. Its a way of life for me.
whs says:
09:56 AM, 06/24/09
You should have gone to Herby K's or The Cub.Both landmarks have very long histories. They are more of a event!
1487 says:
10:46 AM, 06/24/09
bryan_t:
California isnt that hot compared to the deep south or Mid atlantic. When I see national forecasts in the summer I laugh at the temps in SoCal.
machwon23 says:
11:13 AM, 06/24/09
The heat index in Shreveport today is about 105 I heard. It's ridiculously hot out there for this time of the year! I'm not looking forward to August!!!