Welcome!
I'm a backwoods country bumpkin from a town of 360 people. My grade school was 70 kids TOTAL K - 8th grade, and my mom was the school nurse. We walked to the country store a mile away, and bought groceries "on the tab". The store owner knew the School District paid on the first of the month. It was fine. Trust.
Now, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. To this day I do not lock my car and we usually leave the front door of our home unlocked. I assume noble intent.
Growing up, my Dad was a U.S. Forest Ranger. He worked in the Sierras in the lookouts watching for forest fires. His love for the outdoors created my childhood. We back-packed, we went for walks. Nature was everything.
I lost touch with this connection as I grew older. My career became my primary focus. I worked for Paramount Pictures, Electronic Arts and ran my own businesses in digital entertainment; however, my thoughts always led back to a one basic need...nature.
My 30s brought on marriage, 2 (awesome) kids, and then divorce. I was a 40 year old adult, divorced, and unemployed. I was grasping for my roots, so I decided to take my 3 year-old and 5 year-old up to visit my hometown. On the drive back home, my BMW 325i convertible got stuck in the snow. I watched my gas gauge go down to empty with the heater on, and wondered how I would keep my kids warm when the engine died. Luckily, CHP rescued us before that happened. It all came together in that moment. I would never have an incapable vehicle. Also, this low point created an involuntary need to get away. I needed to connect with the great outdoors. I had to. Overland Bound was born.
I bought the FJ80, threw shit in the back, and drove into the Sierras. The result was absolute freedom. To this day, I do one solo trip a year. I bark at the trees, howl at the moon, and eliminate all stimulus besides me, my rig, and nature.
It was during this reconnecting time period that I met Ms. Overland Bound, and she became a natural partner in all things adventure with me. She got to know me as a man who demanded this lifestyle, and loved me all the more for it (Corrie can tell you her story about her love for Overlanding.)
I want as many people as possible to experience self-sufficiency in the great outdoors. I want to make it easy, and attainable, for everyone. Overland Bound will become as big as we can make it as a community. I really do believe it's possible to make a positive change in the world and I want as many people as possible to feel the freedom and self-reliance only a connection with the great outdoors can bring. Here is what Overland Bound believes:
- Overlanding is: "Vehicle Dependent Travel". Nothing else.
- We will not further define "overlanding".
- The requirements of the trip define "Dependable", and we take that very seriously.
- You are an Overlander. Overlanding is for everyone who has exploration and adventure in their heart, or who need to be reinvigorated by connecting with nature. Nature is unforgiving. You must rise to a certain level of personal awareness to survive. Sound right? Overlanding is for you.
- Encourage uncomplicated ventures into the great outdoors. Don't over pack.
- Be prepared, and understand basic requirements. Question folks, to be sure they are aware of what is required. Don't assume.
- Share without reservation, trip locations, and information.
- It doesn't matter what you drive: The only requirement of an Overlander is that the vehicle serves the job required, safely.
- We do not care about make or model.
- We do not engage in "this is better than that" competitions.
- We DO give advice about how to make your vehicle ready for what you need. Share knowledge.
- Humility. "I don't know" is a great answer.
- We don’t brag about exploits.
- We seek answers from the community when we don’t know.
- We engage in the smallest of interactions.
- We have fun.
These are the core values I want Overland Bound to stand for, and I’m excited to keep spreading the word about the overlanding lifestyle. Thanks for being a part of this journey!
Outfit & Explore
