Our Progression into Overlanding

The Beginning

Our family was founded in the woods. With a love for the outdoors, we began our relationship backpacking and camping.

We had big ambitions of exploring local areas and building quality memories with our daughters. My wife and I have daughters from previous relationships and eventually we had one together but, in the beginning, it was just the 4 of us.

Young parents, with young children, in a young relationship. With little money, our adventures were built on a budget. Our adventure vehicle at the time was a 2004 GMC Envoy, and it served us well for many years. We replaced the suspension and kept up on all the routine maintenance.

Our first major investment was a Big Agnes 4 season tent. It took us months of saving and a tax return to afford our dream tent.

We used that tent in all kinds of weather, snow, rain, and of course sunshine. One such memory, prior to going to bed, a massive storm rolled in and all night I dreamt nightmares about the pounding rain buckling the tent and burying us underneath it. Fortunately, it was only a dream, the tent held up admirably. The only heart ache we ever experienced was a malfunctioning zipper which Big Agnes graciously replaced after a quick customer service call. Nearly 10 years later we still have the tent and use if occasionally. We have since upgraded to a roof top tent.

Progression into overlanding

Our progression into overlanding was slow at first. My initial thoughts on the idea were nothing short of mockery. From an outside perspective it seems ridiculous to spend so much money on gear that is traditionally inexpensive. A roof top tent can easily finance 2 brand name traditional tents. A quality clamshell roof top tent will cost you the same amount as a cheap car found on craigslist. Needless to say, I didn’t consider buying into the scene until my friend, avid overlander, invited me to the Panhandle Overland Rally in Idaho.

Whilst there I was amazed at the customizable setups, the ingenuity, and capability of the vehicles present. The overall kind spirited nature of the community was warming and the onsite clinics and training was invaluable.

The thought of exploring areas uncommonly experience paired with the challenge of doing difficult things immediately appealed to me. Preparing a vehicle for off-road excisions meant the likely hood of obstacles, danger, and the unknown. With an increased heart rate I pondered the potential.

What I dislike the about traditional camping is the campsites and their lack of privacy and the embodiment of the outdoors. It’s odd to drive into the woods, away from everyone to park at a campsite surrounded by everyone. Then embrace their presence, while sharing a communal toilet, and watering station. I don’t reject it, but I find it less than ideal. I like seclusion in nature and the ability to do whatever I like.

Overlanding presented a new option, no strange camper next to you, no camping fees, no reservations, no loud neighbors, no manicured lawns at the camp host parking spot. Just raw, quiet, untamed outdoors.

Maintaining work-life balance

Time is the number one thing parents and career professionals have little of. Balancing work, life, and passion are very difficult. The monotony of average life can be a bore and the need to explore is often overwhelming.

Our family juggle sports, work, birthdays, family holidays and the unexpected visit from the in-laws.

Weather is another factor that never seems to cooperate in the pacific northwest. But we still manage to find time, get out and relax in the wilderness. Sometimes its spontaneous, sometimes its planned, other times its forced, but we always mange to get out and do it.

If you always make it a priority to invest in your own experiences you will never be disappointed.

So get out there and make some memories.