Hello,
I first came to OB by searching YouTube looking for vids on First Aid/Trauma kits and have been hooked ever since, watching many videos and living vicariously through these adventures.
I was very reluctant to join as a member because my rig is not really worthy. However, I read the thread introduction and felt I would be accepted as Michael has made me feel welcomed through every video, so I happily joined - Member 29159.
Background:
I am a 55yr old, QA Manager (formerly worked as a Mechanical Engineer on Space Shuttle hardware) and have experience as a former Electronic Tech, and have self-taught auto repair skills. I have hated the constant rat race that life has been for many years after my wife and I had kids. Our 2 girls are finishing college and we need to start living again. As Michael says, adventure is necessary, I could not agree with him more, and am at a point where we need to make a change. The outdoors is food for the soul. Have done camping before and have all the gear minus a new tent - something I would love to do again - currently in discussion with family.
A few years ago I became interested in the whole prepping thing and started by putting together a home bug-out-bag, extra pantry and paper item storage, a vehicle get-home-bag. My focus has been on the get-home-bag, vehicle tools, and vehicle first aid/trauma kit. I was a former EMT and have a passion about carrying a good vehicle first aid/trauma kit - I will most likely be posting about my FAK thoughts in the future.
To link in with the prepping mindset, I recently obtained my Technician HAM license - KD2UQW, which I now realize could be useful in an overlanding a group.
Location
Home is Northern NJ, about 9 miles west of NYC. I have had some off-roading experience with the terrible roads and potholes my poor vehicle has to routinely endure, lol. It takes a good drive to get away from people and really get into nature from where I live. 3 yr plan is to sell house and move to FL, that's a story for another day.
Rig
Current rig is a 2001 Ford Explorer XLS with 134k miles (bought with 35k for $4k) that needs some suspension work (shocks/bushings), where I do almost all of the repairs myself. Running Goodyear Wrangler 235/75R15 105S (seems adequate for everyday drive and weekend stuff). I do not think I will be upgrading the vehicle to make it a true off-roader (water crossings and narrow mountain roads scare me terribly), so a moderate trail would be the limit. Have a brush guard and need to install the nerf bars I bought last year. Upgraded radio with integrated GPS maps and rear camera. Plan on adding power panel to back of vehicle, similar to Michael's "Power in the Back" video.
Future Plans
I am trying to convince the wife to go camping again, to get back into nature. Trouble is having to take 2 girls in 20's who don't like bugs, dirt, and weak or non-existent WiFi!!! Other options are to look into nature trails with some hiking when the summer kicks in. Desperately have to get out of town, tired of seeing the same roads, supermarkets and Walmarts. There is definitely more to life than this.......
I first came to OB by searching YouTube looking for vids on First Aid/Trauma kits and have been hooked ever since, watching many videos and living vicariously through these adventures.
I was very reluctant to join as a member because my rig is not really worthy. However, I read the thread introduction and felt I would be accepted as Michael has made me feel welcomed through every video, so I happily joined - Member 29159.
Background:
I am a 55yr old, QA Manager (formerly worked as a Mechanical Engineer on Space Shuttle hardware) and have experience as a former Electronic Tech, and have self-taught auto repair skills. I have hated the constant rat race that life has been for many years after my wife and I had kids. Our 2 girls are finishing college and we need to start living again. As Michael says, adventure is necessary, I could not agree with him more, and am at a point where we need to make a change. The outdoors is food for the soul. Have done camping before and have all the gear minus a new tent - something I would love to do again - currently in discussion with family.
A few years ago I became interested in the whole prepping thing and started by putting together a home bug-out-bag, extra pantry and paper item storage, a vehicle get-home-bag. My focus has been on the get-home-bag, vehicle tools, and vehicle first aid/trauma kit. I was a former EMT and have a passion about carrying a good vehicle first aid/trauma kit - I will most likely be posting about my FAK thoughts in the future.
To link in with the prepping mindset, I recently obtained my Technician HAM license - KD2UQW, which I now realize could be useful in an overlanding a group.
Location
Home is Northern NJ, about 9 miles west of NYC. I have had some off-roading experience with the terrible roads and potholes my poor vehicle has to routinely endure, lol. It takes a good drive to get away from people and really get into nature from where I live. 3 yr plan is to sell house and move to FL, that's a story for another day.
Rig
Current rig is a 2001 Ford Explorer XLS with 134k miles (bought with 35k for $4k) that needs some suspension work (shocks/bushings), where I do almost all of the repairs myself. Running Goodyear Wrangler 235/75R15 105S (seems adequate for everyday drive and weekend stuff). I do not think I will be upgrading the vehicle to make it a true off-roader (water crossings and narrow mountain roads scare me terribly), so a moderate trail would be the limit. Have a brush guard and need to install the nerf bars I bought last year. Upgraded radio with integrated GPS maps and rear camera. Plan on adding power panel to back of vehicle, similar to Michael's "Power in the Back" video.
Future Plans
I am trying to convince the wife to go camping again, to get back into nature. Trouble is having to take 2 girls in 20's who don't like bugs, dirt, and weak or non-existent WiFi!!! Other options are to look into nature trails with some hiking when the summer kicks in. Desperately have to get out of town, tired of seeing the same roads, supermarkets and Walmarts. There is definitely more to life than this.......
