Traveler III
What was your first vehicle you took exploring.
- Thread starter O.Dfj
- Start date
The question is what was the first "vehicle" you explored in? Well, because of the nature of the job I have in the Army I did a lot of exploring. I think a lot of my interest in Overlanding, camping, exploring, and just traveling came that time. The first vehicle I explored in was a M88A1 Medium Recovery Vehicle.
I just call it my Winnebago. The thing about Recovery is you work completely independent, you get a mission and you go. How you get there and get back is completely up to the person in charge of the 88. The problem was you could be out for a long, long time. We always carried enough food (no MRE's) and water for several days. We used the exhaust deflector to cook our food and heat our water for showers. I always had tunes in my 88's and one I even had a TV. We were truly independent and enjoyed our time away from everyone else.
I just call it my Winnebago. The thing about Recovery is you work completely independent, you get a mission and you go. How you get there and get back is completely up to the person in charge of the 88. The problem was you could be out for a long, long time. We always carried enough food (no MRE's) and water for several days. We used the exhaust deflector to cook our food and heat our water for showers. I always had tunes in my 88's and one I even had a TV. We were truly independent and enjoyed our time away from everyone else.
This wasn't my first vechile, but my families vehicle as a kid that I remember clearly with many fond memories. It was a 1976 (I think) Ford Van - Open Road RV conversion similar to the picture below, I know the one below is not a Ford, just the closet I could find on the web. My mother's best friend from High School had two sons the same age as my brother and I, they had the exact same van and we often travelled together. Many of my best child memories were in or because of that vehicle. My parents made sure we got into the wilderness a couple of times a month if not more. We explored everywhere in California - mountains, coast and desert. We took several trips to Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, always camping and backpaking in or out of that van. We were definately Overlanders, although if that term exsisted at the time we were not aware of it. My parents are both gone, I wish I could go back and thank them for the foundation they laid. Nothing brings me more happiness than a day in the wilderness.
'89 Chevy S10 long bed 4WD
My old man's truck. Had many a late night bombing around the ruins of the old Meadowdale Racetrack. Stuck more times than we could count, never got caught, by police or the old man. Did 'fess up to him around 15 years later and found out he had some pretty strong suspicions but never said anything, and actually wished wed gone together! LOL!
My old man's truck. Had many a late night bombing around the ruins of the old Meadowdale Racetrack. Stuck more times than we could count, never got caught, by police or the old man. Did 'fess up to him around 15 years later and found out he had some pretty strong suspicions but never said anything, and actually wished wed gone together! LOL!
This isn't a picture of the actual one I had, but I went exploring in one of these when I was about 5 years old! Does this count?
My first vehicle, I never took it offroad or into some remote area, but I did take it all over Michigan and got my first taste of "freedom". I spent many of nights sleeping in the back of it at the beach, in a rest area, in a camp ground, or wherever I could find a place to setup shop.
It was super impractical though, it was lowered 7" in the front and 5" in the rear, but I loved it. I ran a CARFAX on it a couple months ago and it's still kicking somewhere in Indiana. I'd love to be able to see it again.
It was super impractical though, it was lowered 7" in the front and 5" in the rear, but I loved it. I ran a CARFAX on it a couple months ago and it's still kicking somewhere in Indiana. I'd love to be able to see it again.
We had a Typhoon (previous gen S-15 Jimmy with a turbo slapped on the 4.3 and AWD) that I got to use Junior/Senior year of high school. The stories that thing could tell if I could find it...My first vehicle, I never took it offroad or into some remote area, but I did take it all over Michigan and got my first taste of "freedom". I spent many of nights sleeping in the back of it at the beach, in a rest area, in a camp ground, or wherever I could find a place to setup shop.
It was super impractical though, it was lowered 7" in the front and 5" in the rear, but I loved it. I ran a CARFAX on it a couple months ago and it's still kicking somewhere in Indiana. I'd love to be able to see it again.
1984 GMC Vandura 2500 Starcraft Conversion.
Before I daily drove it, it was the family vehicle and with 4 kids it had plenty of room.
It was only 2wd but with some truck tires on the back and plenty of weight it made it's way up some steep dirt, and rocky roads in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.
Funny you mention that. My initial thought was my red Huffy BMX bike. Seriously. Miles and Miles of adventuring. City parks, creeks, wooded areas and the like were explored as a young lad.
I wanted nothing more when I was younger to have a Typhoon...actually come to think of it, I'd still really like one. It just seemed like such an odd concept but was so cool at the same time.
That's a really good point. I did tons of exploring on bike as well.
An old 305 Honda Scrambler. Rode that thing all over the Arizona desert in the 70's.
Influencer I
Creator I
1961 Chevy Brookwood station wagon. That old car went like a champ. I spent a lot of nights camping with it in the late 1980's. Wish I had pictures.
My aunts jeep old jeep I borrowed a lot since my car always broke down. That jeep
was the first I took down a trial but my 03 focus was always the root of adventure in high school, I wish I had taken more pictures of that car.
was the first I took down a trial but my 03 focus was always the root of adventure in high school, I wish I had taken more pictures of that car.
