When I was approached about this event I was both curious and excited. After all, for the past three years I have led the members of JeepExpeditions.org on many overland trips here in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico. An Overland Expo right in my backyard…well, two hours from my backyard.
Overland travel is becoming more popular and is a different way of exploring the many wonders of our world that most people only dream about. It’s not just about the off-highway travel and camping out under the stars. Overland travel with a group is a whole new way to experience our public lands. Nothing beats getting away from the stress of the city, whether it’s the traffic, the crowds, or even your job. A few days to be in touch with the land, to see the beauty created by nature’s hand, and seeing more stars than you ever thought existed. Add in the camaraderie of those who enjoy their Jeeps and the outdoors as much as you do, and that’s about as near to perfect as one might get.
The promoters of Overland Expo ‘09 touted the event as “an all-new and exclusive event for people who see their 4WD as a means to adventure and exploration, and who see travel as a portal to learning about the world, as well as a means to conserving its beauty and preserving its unique cultures. No other event for 4WD combines intensive education modules, social opportunities to visit with hundreds of other enthusiasts and to share information and experiences, and a wide array of product and service vendors just for overland-related activities, service and conservation organizations, land agencies, and clubs/associations will also be on-hand”
Wow, sounded like a lot and as I looked at the schedule of events, seminars, sponsors and activities, the Overland Expo sounded very cool to say the least! From novice to advanced driving courses, even a driving course for women, wilderness first aid, photography, tire repair, vehicle recovery, food selection/storage, and so much more. This being the very first Overland Expo, I got the feeling that I was going to be part of something big that would only get bigger and better as time goes on. Packing my rig for the weekend started a month before the event!
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Tags: 4x4, Adventure, Arizona, Conservation, Defender 110, Defender 90, Expeditions, First Aid, FJ Cruiser, Jeep, Land Rover, off road, off-highway, Overland, Sportsmobile, Toyota, Travel, Wrangler
Wow, that was an awesome account of the Overland Expo. I attended and was very impressed with the many creative products available for Jeepers as well as some of the creative ways in which people used the new items. It was nice to see so many people travel to Southern Arizona. Everyone was having a great time.
Have to agree 100% with the 1st comment. I’ve read several articles on the Overland Expo but this is without a doubt the most comprehensive and detailed one I have seen. Jeeps are getting a much greater presence when it comes to overlanding. These type of events will become more attended and more popular. Kudos to JPFreek for doing a great job reporting this!