Spotlight #17, Inside the S&Y Podcast, Crosstrek Wilderness Review Round-Up

Hey there!

An early Happy Halloween to you! 🎃 It’s almost time for trick-or-treating and there’s nothing but treats coming up in this edition of your newsletter:

• Adventurer Spotlight #17

• Inside the Subie & YOU! Podcast (on my podcast!)

• Crosstrek Wilderness Review Round-Up

• Quick Hit Items in the Wrap-Up

Adventurer Spotlight #17 with @crosstrekbabe

Welcome to the Adventurer Spotlight, an interview series with Adventurers from our newsletter about their life with their Subaru. Here, we find out more about the person behind the wheel and get inspired to embark on new adventures.

Before we get to this edition’s feature, I’d like to thank Justyn / @endor_onyx again for being in the previous Spotlight. Now, let’s jump into our 17th edition!

Introduction

Howdy Ya’ll! 🤠 My name is Roxanne (or Roxy) aka @Crosstrekbabe and I’m a proud brown Latina born and raised in the vibrant and diverse Bay Area (aka Yay Areaaa). I work in remote tech, specifically in Account Management. With the flexibility of remote work, I’m empowered to focus on my personal growth, mentoring others (personally and professionally), and cultivating meaningful relationships with family and friends while enjoying the beauty this earth has to offer.

Which Subaru do you own? What do you like most about it?

I own a Cool Gray Khaki (CGK Gang!) 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium - I truly love everything about Sky (my Subie)! I wanted my first big girl purchase to be an investment that will cater to my love for outdoor adventures while also having the potential for growth with new modifications. I personally love the size and body style of the Gen 2 Crosstreks and the beautiful color is the cherry on top. Some features I love on this specific Crosstrek are the heated seats, remote start, and the underrated Moonroof!

Why did you choose a Subaru? How many have you owned?

This is my first official Subaru! For me safety is sexy and everything about this Subaru from the Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, the Vehicle Dynamic Control, all the way to the 4 Wheel Disc Brake w/ Brake Assist (Symmetrical AWD FTW) is one of the reasons I went with the Crosstrek. I don’t rely on these features but it’s definitely a reason I can drive confidently!

Have you made any modifications?

Yes! I’ve dabbled in the world of mods and I’m not done yet (insert evil laugh) 😈

• Diode Dynamics SS3 LED Fog Lights @diodedynamics

• Trail Pro LEDs @boxeroverland

• Black Rhino Boxer Wheels @blackrhinowheels

• Toyo Open Country A/T III Tires @toyotires

• OEM Crossbars

• OEM Window Deflectors

• Thule Roof Basket @thule

• NR Galaxie Film Tint @solargardwindowfilm

• Eco-Hitch @ecohitch_usa

• (3) Skid Plates (front, transmission, and differential) @primitiveracing

• JDMFV Plate Delete

• AMBULL 3/4 Inch D Ring Shackle

• Emblem Overlays @orsinivinylanddesigns

• Blackout Taillight @accentrek.designs

• Forest Rear Reflectors & Mountain Cutout Side Taillight Overlays @accentrek.designs

What would you like to add to your setup?

I would love to add a tire carrier for my spare and a NashFabCo ladder (shoutout to all my short and petite ladies who need to get to places but can’t reach lol).

Favorite road trip? Or favorite thing to do in your Subaru?

One of my favorite road trips to date in the Subie was visiting Trona Pinnacles in California. It was truly such a magical place and the energy felt there was undeniable. I saw some epic desert sunrises and had so much fun with my fellow subafoo’s (inside joke lol).

Have a favorite picture of your car?

It so happened to be on my Trona Pinnacles trip and this was the first time I did some donuts with Sky. Shoutout to my amigo and teammate Dan (@satanicsubaru) who was risking his own life to take these epic shots and running into dust clouds without realizing where he’d end up. An epic shot accompanied by an epic story!

Where would you like to travel to next with the Subie?

I’m actually headed to Mammoth for the first time at the end of the month with my Subie Crew and I’m excited to test out my new tires!

What, if anything, would you do differently, or change, about your Subie?

Personally, I wouldn’t have changed anything on my Subie but more so taken a step back on what others thought I should do to my vehicle. At the end of the day, everyone has their own vision on what they want their build to be and trying to please others or breaking your bank to get the latest mod is not the purpose of modifying your vehicle in my opinion. Everyone around you is quick to let you know what you should do with your vehicle and approve/disapprove of your choices but it’s what YOU want and I wish someone reinforced that with me and reminded me not to doubt myself in the first year of owning my Subaru. A friendly reminder to those who are starting off their own build journeys - shut off the noise, to each their own, and always listen to your heart and what YOU want. You’re on your own timeline and wavelength!

Thank you, Roxy! I have a CGK Crosstrek, too, and yours is the first CGK we've featured in a Spotlight! And I love your Black Rhino wheels and Toyos — a great-looking combo!

There's been a bit of a theme, unintentionally, over the last few Spotlights of encouraging others to do their build the way THEY want, and it's a great point. While we are all inspired by one another, we should be comfortable enough to do as much or as little as we want with our Subies. I mean, I'm still "Team Stock" over here! 🤣

🎙️ Inside the Subie & YOU! Podcast

As some of you know, I was on episode 78 of the Subie & YOU! podcast with Rafael Ruiz, and I credit it with rekindling my interest in podcasting and I’m now doing a tech show with my co-host Jeff Battersby. In our latest episode, we had the great honor of returning the favor and welcomed Rafael for an entertaining, behind-the-scenes discussion about his podcast!

We chat about the origins of Subie & YOU!, how he organizes and manages guests, records and produces each episode, his podcasting and Apple gear, and how the Subie community is the root of it all. If you’re a regular listener of his show, you’ll enjoy this inside look at how it all comes together.

You can listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, basicafshow.com, and all the other podcast apps.

🔗 Crosstrek Wilderness Review Round-Up

A fine assortment of informative and entertaining links selected just for you! Have a link you’d like to share and have featured here? Send it over, and if it’s used, I’ll include a shout out to your Instagram page, or other social site.

🎁 The Wrap-Up

📅 The 23rd annual 48hrs of Tristate charity event is coming up on January 10-14, 2024. The event will kick off in New Jersey with a visit to Subaru of America headquarters and then hit the road to Indiana for a tour of the Subaru of Indiana plant before heading to Pennsylvania. You can find more information and details on how to sign up and join the event at 48hrs.info.

👕 Pick up a shirt! A fine collection of Subie Adventures T-shirts is available if you'd like to grab one to support the page and newsletter. Thanks!

That’s all for now!

Tom Anderson
Subie Adventures