Hello from Sharpsburg, Georgia!

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Dustin Harrison

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

Hello Everyone,

I am from a small town that is south of Atlanta and about 10 minutes away from where they film the Walking Dead.
I don't have a 4x4 rig yet but I am trying to find a good one near me. I have a Honda HR-V for a daily driver and I have a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo (4 cylinder, 2wd) that I am probably going to try to sell.
Hoping to start going on adventures over the summer.
 

Eric Neal

Rank V
Launch Member

Pathfinder I

1,798
Atlanta, GA
Member #

8704

Welcome, IMO, you could do a lot of exploring on forest service roads in cental and northerern GA which include many campsites and miles of scenic drives using your Rodeo. All before you start sinking all your funds into a 'build'. That would give you at least a season to get your camping, kitchen, pantry, and sleep system worked out.

Then once you find you like, and what you don't, this info will help you narrow the field of possible rigs to select from for purchase that would meet your "majority" needs. Much of what we can do in the Nat. forests can be accomplished using a 2WD rig.

Just sayin...
 

Dustin Harrison

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

Welcome, IMO, you could do a lot of exploring on forest service roads in cental and northerern GA which include many campsites and miles of scenic drives using your Rodeo. All before you start sinking all your funds into a 'build'. That would give you at least a season to get your camping, kitchen, pantry, and sleep system worked out.

Then once you find you like, and what you don't, this info will help you narrow the field of possible rigs to select from for purchase that would meet your "majority" needs. Much of what we can do in the Nat. forests can be accomplished using a 2WD rig.

Just sayin...
Thats a good idea. I just don't know where i can legally go test it near me. Do you know of anyway i can find rhis stuff out?

Sent from my Pixel using OB Talk mobile app
 

Eric Neal

Rank V
Launch Member

Pathfinder I

1,798
Atlanta, GA
Member #

8704

As Silverback said the Piedmont WMA is a fine set of gravel roads with little development. However they do restrict camping to one or two locations inside the WMA. And the sites are "cowboy" camping with no toilets, water, and no electrical hook up... which is fine for many but not always "great" for wives and kids. YMMV

At this time of year the Piedmont is only open to camping for turkey hunters who've successfully been selected for the 'draw' hunts held every spring.

You might like to scout the PFA called Charley Elliot (Public Fishing Area) up near Madison (I believe). In some references you may see Charley Elliot called Clybel WMA... They have about 20 small ponds to fish from the bank open to fishing and lots of gravel roads as well.

Best if you just look on GA DNR website for USFS, WMA, PFA, State Parks, and so on. That should give you lots of places to go drive, explore, camp, etc. Some will offer cabins, some improved camping sites (H2O and elec. hookups) others offer only primitive camping.

As others have said, the Chattahoochee National Forest in N GA and or the Oconee Nat. Forest offer more options but have longer drives to & from.

Good luck. I would offer to provide escort or guidance personally but this is spring gardening season and I'm covered up with our home perinneal garden seasonal work...at least for the next couple weeks.
 

Dustin Harrison

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

Thank you I will check those out.

I probably won't be doing anything anytime soon. I have to fix the clutch and shocks on the Rodeo and busy with school. So the earliest I should be able to do something will most likely be over the summer. I am just getting prepared.
 

Eric Neal

Rank V
Launch Member

Pathfinder I

1,798
Atlanta, GA
Member #

8704

Good luck with the clutch and shocks, is that going to by a DIY or are you going to use a shop... either is fine with me, not judging here. Shocks are much easier as DIY, the clutch is a more difficult task but it can be done at home with a "few" good tools, patience, YOUTUBE, and a good friend is very helpful.

Let me know if/when you'd like to go check out N. GA... I'm typically ready to go with about 8 hours advance notice. Yep, my gear stays packed and my truck is ready all the time. Good luck with the studies!
 

Ripley1046

Rank VI
Launch Member

Influencer II

3,671
Manitowoc, WI
First Name
Cory
Last Name
Ripley
Member #

10046

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KD9VKY
Welcome to the forum man! I'll echo others and say get out and rock what you've got, figure out where you want to be, then start drooling on the rig you want after the fact.

Good on you for diy repairs too. No better way to be confident in the middle of nowhere than knowing how to work on your vehicle. Or at least being resourceful with trail fixes. I love wrenching on cars, and have learned a hell of a lot doing it with a buddy that was a mechanic.
 
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Dustin Harrison

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

Welcome to the forum man! I'll echo others and say get out and rock what you've got, figure out where you want to be, then start drooling on the rig you want after the fact.

Good on you for diy repairs too. No better way to be confident in the middle of nowhere than knowing how to work on your vehicle. Or at least being resourceful with trail fixes. I love wrenching on cars, and have learned a hell of a lot doing it with a buddy that was a mechanic.
I might get to go camping tonight so if I do I will get to see how it handles it. I know how to fix a few things with my Rodeo because when I got it it was 10 notches out of time, part of the crankshaft was stripped, the key way was shattered, and when I did a tire rotation all of the studs snapped.
 
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ckkphoto

Rank V
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

2,471
Rome, Georgia US
First Name
Chris
Last Name
Knitig
Member #

10300

Welcome to Overland Bound! I live up in the Rome area. As another poster noted there is a lot you can do already....the adventure is what you take with you not what you drive. Glad you are here. :smile: