We are currently residing in Northwest Georgia in a little town called Blue Ridge, GA
Our current Rigis based off a 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, though we are in the planning process of the next generation of a dedicated Overland RIg instead of a dual use vehicle.
I have been Overlanding in one form or another since 1988. My first vehicle that started it all out was a Jeep Cherokee that I started to offroad and modify as well as travel around exploring new places while also following live music. For a while my militarycareer got in the way and was unable to do much traveling.
Then around 1995 I purchased a 1985 VW Vanagon Camper and traveled everywhere every chance I could in that thing. Even meeting my spouse from my travels. Eventually we handed it down to my sister as she wanted to travel and we upgraded to a VW Eurovan Camper. After some money issues we lost the camper to the bank, acutally one of our favorite setups for travel where the VW setups. The Eurovan wasnt too capable offroad but very comfortable to travel even off the beaten path. We did sign up for a membership a little bit ago.
Then around 2005 we built an insane FJ cruiser with Long Travel Suspension. Quitea capablerig ofroad and we did travel but most of our traveling was centralized to the East Coast as my commitment to the Army was my first priority. But due to being station in Hawaii for a few years and the damage that the salt air does to parts, ie springs rusting in half, etc. We decided it was time for something larger and more managable of a vehicle. Especially since I was given a service animal for some of my disabilities due to combat. which still allowed us to keep the FJ but as a secondary driver and extra explorer for harder Colorado trails. Though not really an overland vehicle we ended up being handed down a BMW X5 and drove the wheels off of it until after rebuilding the upper half of the motor we ran into oil delivery issues and where having transmission issues. We got a full sized ChevySilverado 1500 4x4 pickup which was great for Colorado that we called home at that time. We travelled all over the midwest Colorado, Oklahoma, Wyoming. Eventually I was medically retired from the Army due to my disabilities from combat in November 2013. We sold our beautiful home in Colorado, sniff miss that place just not the politics. So my wife could have help from family and be closer to them to help take care ofme.
After moving here to this small mountain town we wanted something with more interior storage and something more capable offroad. We then with the help of my brother in law who works with SET. Purchased our current vehicle. Although medical issues have prevented us from getting out as much as we would have liked we have enjoyed this platform though our current dreams of once again getting out for weeks and months at a time since I can no longer work and am fully retired have lead us to our next project. With our username might spread some light on our planned build. A jeep Gladiator in Diesel with very specific overland and capabilty mods. As well as a planned Patriot Campers PCOR Tray and Canopy. We do home one day to add a trailor to this build yet right now our budget cannot handle such a upgrade. Perhaps with some good relationships and partnerships on our planned expedition to end up Completing the Pan American HWY and with us trying to film our build, travels, etc. While also trying to introduce and help other wouded veterans into this lifestyle we might be able to add one to the stable. I will share more infformation about our Youtube Channel when the time comes closer for us to start this project. When we get there we wil offer this reasonably built rig that has any years left of use as I believe we just surpassed 50k the odometer. This was we can get a older used Subaru Forester or Outback for our around town and driving with the kids second car. SO we can truly make the Jeep our long term Overland traveling vehicle and all around weekend traveling rig when needed or Peacocking around to events and shows. Thanks I hope to meet some great people and make some good friendships here. We definitely would love to meet other like minded individuals and even couples who would liek to complete the PAH to tag along as a group for security reasons.
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