I wanted to start off this post by thanking those out there that inspired Paula and I to get out and explore and try something new back in the fall of 2019. We both had always enjoyed camping and being outdoors but had grown weary of State Park Campgrounds and the people that come along with such places.
It was the summer of 2019 that I joined the Natural State Overland Facebook group. Soon I took notice of the various ”personalities” in the group and started to follow some of them and their social media presence.
One evening while browsing posts in the NSO group I stumbled across an event that a group from Texas was having that fall in the Ouachita NF. I sent a direct message to the organizer and I was in on the ride! That weekend was a turning point for Paula and I and we haven’t looked back. We had a blast and we decided on the drive home back to Memphis we were going to try this ”off grid” thing. We owned a 2019 T@G xl that ironically, we bought in Conway, AR. We soon found out that although the Jeep could get us where we wanted to go, the little teardrop just wasn’t able to. Long story short, by the start of the pandemic, the tear drop was sold and a new trailer build was underway and by the end of the summer of 2020 we had conquered the Georgia Traverse on the diy trailer’s maiden voyage. Although health issues I’ve dealt with, and hopefully put behind me, put a damper on most of 2021 but we have big plans to close out 2021 with a bang!
In closing I want to thank those of you who have listened to the podcast over the last year. A podcast is not something I EVER would have thought I’d do. Some would say, I still haven’t and to those I’d say stick it in your ear hole buddy boy. Same goes with the YouTube channel. So to those of you who inspired me and continue to encourage me I say THANK YOU!
My List Of Allstars
Paula (PaulaP1970) – My partner in crime, she tolerates A LOT.
Paula and Redd Bellman (Popping2Tops)– Salt of the earth people, they are the Cajun version of me.
Todd and Clay Chapman(BigRiverOverland)– They share a real love of the outdoors and are all around great people…HOTTY TODDY
Chris Shontz (Venture4wd)– Although Chris and I have only exchanged a couple of messages back and forth he has shown what is possible when you break free of the daily grind of life and just leave it behind.
There are many many more people out there that have nudged me in this direction or that one that have brought me to where I am today. I look forward to more of YOUR adventures as I am out there excited with anticipation to what might be just around the bend.
–Overland Curmudgeon