Overland Expo 2014
The registration for the Overland Expo 2014 is now open Clicky If you think you might want to attend, EXPO14, send me a PM and I will put you on our list for updates and information. If you sig...
Forum Discussion
We will be there again this year. I made a little announcement to people there last year, which should be coming to fruition about the time of the OX. ;) But I suspect we'll be heading down for the event and then right back to Colorado until more like the first week or two in June.
This is a one-of-a-kind event that is way more than about 4x4's or equipment, even though that is the part that catches your eye. It is really about people sharing a love for adventure and exploration and learning from each other in the most practical aspects of what we all do. Yeah, a lot of it is focused on international travel, but most of those lessons are just as relevant to those that simply go boondocking on weekends.
A couple of comments regarding classes, culled from our observations and many of the other TC'ers:
The best classes were the ones taught by people that actually go do this stuff, as opposed to vendors and service providers. In particular I enjoyed every class or panel that Doug and Stephanie Hackney led or were a part of.
My wife LOVED the off-roading skills for women class, as well as the "marshalling" class. You get to drive LandRovers with lockers and cameras underneath and they teach you about 4x4 driving and how these various 'tools' add to success. Next year, she will be driving in her own Jeep we bought recently. She had basically never done any 4x4 driving in her life prior to this.
The series of "ideal overlanding vehicles" (small, medium, large etc.) that were done by owners of these vehicles were great. The ones I saw were not run by people simply trying to brag or show why their rig was the best, rather, it was all about the pros and cons of a particular vehicle. I really enjoyed the one done by a Special Olympics volunteer that goes to Central America every year, in a 2WD converted ambulance. I was amazed at how well an old Ambulance chassis can work (heavy duty stuff, amazing existing electronics and lights etc.)
We chose to focus on classes that were not just the "fun" stuff, but things like "A Couple's Guide to Overlanding" panel discussion and "Learning to Share the Adventure" and preparing food and meals for extended "no shopping" trips. Useful things for someone that wants to full-time travel as a COUPLE.
There was a seminar on "how to quit focusing planning it and instead focusing on just DOING it". It was OK, but I enjoyed it regardless.
There was a seminar on "how to stop passing up the buck; building a business while on the road" that was very good I thought.
There were a lot of really good and practical lessons for anybody that goes camping to be found here. My wife and I felt pretty good about seeing that we are already doing most of the 'right things' in terms of how we travel and explore and prepare. OK, maybe I still need to leave more behind but our truck lets us get away with it. ;) Another really good lesson I heard a number of times is about "cross-training". No, my wife doesn't need to drive our rig all the time, or remove the camper, or winterize it but what to do in an emergency? If I am injured, she MUST know how to tear down camp and/or how to disconnect the Jeep to go get help. They made the point once about what good does a PLB do, if the only person that knows how to hit the button is the guy that is unconscious?
We'll be there again for sure, and look forward to seeing those that were there from last year as well as newcomers.
BT
This is a one-of-a-kind event that is way more than about 4x4's or equipment, even though that is the part that catches your eye. It is really about people sharing a love for adventure and exploration and learning from each other in the most practical aspects of what we all do. Yeah, a lot of it is focused on international travel, but most of those lessons are just as relevant to those that simply go boondocking on weekends.
A couple of comments regarding classes, culled from our observations and many of the other TC'ers:
The best classes were the ones taught by people that actually go do this stuff, as opposed to vendors and service providers. In particular I enjoyed every class or panel that Doug and Stephanie Hackney led or were a part of.
My wife LOVED the off-roading skills for women class, as well as the "marshalling" class. You get to drive LandRovers with lockers and cameras underneath and they teach you about 4x4 driving and how these various 'tools' add to success. Next year, she will be driving in her own Jeep we bought recently. She had basically never done any 4x4 driving in her life prior to this.
The series of "ideal overlanding vehicles" (small, medium, large etc.) that were done by owners of these vehicles were great. The ones I saw were not run by people simply trying to brag or show why their rig was the best, rather, it was all about the pros and cons of a particular vehicle. I really enjoyed the one done by a Special Olympics volunteer that goes to Central America every year, in a 2WD converted ambulance. I was amazed at how well an old Ambulance chassis can work (heavy duty stuff, amazing existing electronics and lights etc.)
We chose to focus on classes that were not just the "fun" stuff, but things like "A Couple's Guide to Overlanding" panel discussion and "Learning to Share the Adventure" and preparing food and meals for extended "no shopping" trips. Useful things for someone that wants to full-time travel as a COUPLE.
There was a seminar on "how to quit focusing planning it and instead focusing on just DOING it". It was OK, but I enjoyed it regardless.
There was a seminar on "how to stop passing up the buck; building a business while on the road" that was very good I thought.
There were a lot of really good and practical lessons for anybody that goes camping to be found here. My wife and I felt pretty good about seeing that we are already doing most of the 'right things' in terms of how we travel and explore and prepare. OK, maybe I still need to leave more behind but our truck lets us get away with it. ;) Another really good lesson I heard a number of times is about "cross-training". No, my wife doesn't need to drive our rig all the time, or remove the camper, or winterize it but what to do in an emergency? If I am injured, she MUST know how to tear down camp and/or how to disconnect the Jeep to go get help. They made the point once about what good does a PLB do, if the only person that knows how to hit the button is the guy that is unconscious?
We'll be there again for sure, and look forward to seeing those that were there from last year as well as newcomers.
BT
