Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: A Celebration of Hoops

 

AAE recently visited the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., the city where basketball was born.  

The hall is dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." 

Best known for its annual marquee enshrinement ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. 

2023 Toyota RAV4: Still a Leader among Compact SUVs

 

Long after helping to popularize the compact SUV, Toyota shows that it still knows how to do that type of vehicle right with its 2023 version of the RAV4.

With seating for five passengers and a maximum cargo capacity of 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, this vehicle offers the versatility that many drivers seek in a fuel-efficient package.

The RAV4 offers six trim levels: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited and TRD Off Road.

Under the hood, there is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 203 horsepower and is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is comes standard, with all-wheel drive optional. Fuel efficiency is rated at an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/35 highway for the FWD model. The AWD model drops a bit to 25 and 32.

Driving dynamics are solid, as one would expect from a Toyota, with crisp acceleration, firm braking and responsive handling. 

Interior comfort is pretty good too, despite the compact size of the RAV4. 

Pricing starts at around $28,500 and ranges to around $38,000.

For a time-tested, reliable and attractively styled compact SUV, you can't go wrong with the Toyota RAV4. 

Rolling Off Road? Make Sure You Have Proper Tires

 

Overlanding – off-road explorations where the journey by vehicle is as important as the destination – is a fast-growing pastime. With June officially Great Outdoors Month and National Camping Month, more will take the path less traveled. Experienced overlanders know the importance of having the correct gear, proper provisions, and vehicles in top condition, and those new to the scene need to take basic precautions to ensure a breakdown doesn’t ruin the experience.

Key is the vehicle’s capabilities and condition. The most basic preparation starts with tires. 

What is Overlanding?
Overlanding involves outfitting a vehicle with gear and provisions and navigating dedicated trails to destinations and setting up a basecamp that facilitates day hiking/cycling exploration in any direction while providing a nearby home away from home. Similar to car camping (or ‘glamping’), gear ranges from basic camping equipment to robust survival tools. Deeply dedicated enthusiasts outfit vehicles with a rooftop tent, stove, refrigerator, water purification and communications systems, generator, basecamp lighting, and off-road navigating tools like a winch and traction recovery gear. 
 
Overlanding started in South Africa and Australia, spread rapidly through South America, and is now so popular in North America that in 2019 the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) dedicated part of its annual Las Vegas trade show to overlanding. Thousands joined the trend during the pandemic when many were cautious about traditional vacations. According to SEMA’s January 2023 “Truck and Off-Road Market Trends” while the overlanding market’s size remains elusive, new data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that outdoor recreation generated $454 billion in economic output and supported in excess of four million jobs in 2021.

Tires – Where the Rubber Meets the Trail.
Whether new to overlanding or an experienced explorer, the vehicle of choice for outdoor adventure must have proper all-terrain tires to help ensure a successful journey. 

Many tire manufacturers classify all-terrain tires in five categories: On-Road All-Terrain, Off-Road All-Terrain, Commercial All-Terrain, Rugged All-Terrain, and Off-Road Maximum Traction. 

Experts say tires with more off-road capabilities have some on-pavement limitations, particularly additional noise and vibration. So it’s best to choose tires based on the majority of your driving needs.

Acme Township, Mich.: Beautiful Lakeside Village Has Scenery and Many Attractions

 

AAE recently visited Acme Township, Mich. This beautiful small town on the shores of Lake Michigan offered beautiful views of the water, quaint shops and restaurants and plenty of recreational activities. 

This breathtaking sunset viewed from the shores of Lake Michigan gave a glimpse into why this small town attracts many visitors to enjoy lake life and all that it has to offer. 

2023 Chevrolet Equinox: Compact SUV is a Solid Choice

 The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offers a comfortable ride, versatile interior space and good fuel economy. This compact SUV offers seating for five passengers with a maximum cargo capacity of 63.9 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

Under the hood, the Equinox features a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional. Fuel efficiency for the FWD model is 26 mpg city, 31 highway and the AWD model is rated at 24 and 30, according to EPA.

The Equinox is available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS and Premier. 

Pricing starts at around $27,000 and ranges to around $34,000. 

The Equinox is a solid competitor in the crowded compact SUV field.