Overlanding as the New RV'ing

fulltimedaniel wrote:
It is amusing to me that some, a very few, on this thread have continued to make this about SEMANTICS and not the topic.

They seem to revel in this semantic argument over the meaning of "NEW" as if this carries some great national pride of place with it.

Why not stick to the intended discussion of Overlanding, What it is, how it's done, who does it, the vehicles, destinations and how it related to Rv'ing.

I think that it will always remain a small part of the Rv'ing world in America but it will grow steadily in the years to come. In Europe it is so common as to not cause remark by one's neighbor when you set off in your newly kitted out Expedition motorcycle or giant MAN truck for Kazakhstan to drive the Silk Road to cities like Samarkand, Khashgar and Bukhara. (that is overlanding)

And that approach to travel to say nothing of the destination is new for most Americans for sure. In Fact my bet is a good share of Americans could not find Khazakstan on a map or even name it's continent. And that just might be the problem with this semantics argument. We may be in territory that makes a few uncomfortable.

The reason why folks are arguing semantics is because you have made it about semantics. You posted the OP stating that there is a "new" thing called "overlanding". You talk about how wonderful it is that this "overlanding" has finally gotten to the U.S.

But, as people keep pointing out, it isn't a new phenomena. It has been around since before there were cars. People have been doing it for years in cars, vans, on motorcycles, on foot, in RVs.

But, you come back and argue that what we are describing isn't the definition of "overlanding" because it doesn't meet a, b or c. When folks then point out that it does include a, b and/or c, you complain that everyone is focused on semantics.

You keep going on about how Europe has been doing this to the point that it's no big deal. You use examples like traveling to destinations such as Samarkind or Kazakhstan. Yet, your OP states that it is not about the destination, it is about the travel to get there.

You now argue that Americans don't even know where Samarkind or Kazakhstan are. And that somehow Europeans are more advanced that us because they travel there. And that THAT is what "overlanding" really is.

You do realize that Europe, Asia and Africa are all connected by land and it IS possible to reach each other by driving. One cannot drive from Omaha to Samarkind - it is an impossible feat. So, therefore, by your statements it is impossible to "overland" in the Americas because one cannot drive to these "overland" destinations.

One may also point out that much of these exotic and remote destinations in Europe and Africa you mention are across flat dry lands. It is easier to get there by "specialized overland vehicles" than it is to get through the Amazon forest or over the Andes in one.

I also notice that you make no mention of exotic Asian locales. Could it be that you simply find "the Silk Road" destinations to be more interesting than other places? Could it be that your responses are biased on what YOU perceive as "exotic and remote" and dismissing other posters' ideas of what is "exotic and remote".

I would love to travel into the remote areas of Asia in hopes to see the tigers, snow monkeys, etc. I find those areas to be a great destination with a unique travel experience. However, one cannot reach those areas by "specialized vehicles". One must hike to reach those areas. I would love to travel in the footsteps of the Buddha. I could drive that, however, I can't drive it from California. So, my ideas of "exotic and remote areas" don't lend themselves to "overlanding". I have no interest in Kazakhstan. It is not a place I have any desire to see. I would like to travel to the arctic, however, I can't afford a vehicle that could get me there and keep me safe while there.

So, what destinations do you feel are worthy of the term "overlanding" in the Americas? Can you name a remote location in South America where it would be possible to reach by vehicle from a town in the U.S. And remember, it's a lot easier to cross borders in Europe than it is in Central or South America.