The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, spanning nearly 1.87 million acres in southern Utah, is a beacon for overlanders and adventurers alike. This vast wilderness, known for its grandiose landscapes—comprising the Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits Plateau, and Escalante Canyons—captures the essence of untamed nature. It's a territory where the profound quietude and solitude offer not just a retreat, but an extraordinary canvas for scientific research, education, and an array of recreational activities from hiking to canyoneering. One of the many rock formations in the Grand Staircase Em ..read more

Introduction Overlanding—the art of exploring remote and rugged terrain in a well-equipped vehicle—has captivated adventurers for decades. From traversing desolate deserts to conquering snow-capped mountain passes, Overlanding offers a unique blend of freedom, self-reliance, and awe-inspiring landscapes. But what happens when we infuse this age-old pursuit with cutting-edge technology? Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI), the driving force behind the next evolution of overlanding. AI picture of Overlanding In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intersection of overlanding and AI. Buckle up as ..read more

Parks on the Air (POTA) offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and amateur radio, providing an engaging way for participants to enhance emergency awareness and communications skills from scenic state parks. As an internationally recognized program, POTA underscores the seamless integration of Morse code, communications, and the beauty of national parks, fostering a vibrant community through various platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and MeWe. This initiative promotes the heritage of amateur radio and encourages the exploration of natural reserves, such as Indiana's picturesque Turkey ..read more

Cheryl and I have been busy this winter working on our future ranch house in Montana. Between this and a new project at my regular job, we have not had any adventures so far this year. We plan on changing this as soon as we can, probably this summer. I wanted to remind all members that we changed the format this year for the Rendezvous. Please log into your membership and navigate to the Rendezvous tab at the top of the page. If you see all the details, you are already signed up to a paid membership. If you don't and want to attend, please sign up for one of the paid plans. The proceeds from ..read more

Introduction Embarking on an overland camping trip without sufficient knowledge and preparation can lead to various obstacles. One common challenge is the lack of information about suitable camping locations. Uninformed travelers may struggle to find appropriate campsites with amenities and facilities. Additionally, they may be unaware of the regulations and restrictions imposed by different camping areas, leading to potential legal issues or conflicts with park authorities. I witnessed this on a recent trip. It was 4:00 AM in Custer South Dakota. As we entered the western gate of Custer Stat ..read more

The allure of overlanding and camping in the Superstition Mountains Overlanding, the art of self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. The Superstition Mountains, with their rugged terrain and stunning vistas, offer an alluring destination for overlanding enthusiasts. Nestled in the heart of Arizona, the Superstition Mountains beckon adventurers with the promise of unforgettable experiences and breathtaking natural beauty. As an overlanding enthusiast, I have been captivated by the allure of this majestic landscape and the endless pos ..read more

As the weather starts to turn to winter, I am finally getting around to writing about the Rendezvous at the Whiskey 7 Ranch in August 2023. We had a great time spending time with old friends and meeting some new ones. Here is a video of the introductions The introductions The first night we had Tacos Carnitas prepared by Gary, Gretchen, Charlie, Norma and family. They were loved by all and I have been informed that we will be able to sample another serving in 2024. After dinner, we had a very serious game of Cornhole that lasted into the dark of night. We lit the holes with lights and contin ..read more

Elk City - Starting Point Elk City Idaho is a small community – much smaller than our hometown of Sisters Oregon. The population, as of 2020, is 170. Good things come in small packages! It was once a boom town when gold was discovered in 1861. When mining played out 80 years later, timber harvesting took over and is still an economic mainstay. Elk City is lesser known as a gateway for the Southern Nez Perce Trail – now commonly referred to as the Magruder Corridor. The Magruder is a 120 mile primitive route over the Bitterroot Mountains that connects Idaho to Montana. It is wild, raw and a sc ..read more

Those of us who were born with wanderlust, carry a higher-than-normal degree of curiosity which will bring rewards if employed while traveling. We make it a habit of visiting with people while traveling and asking this one powerful question: “If there were only time to see one thing in this area, what would it be?” Of course, you already know that Americans love to help travelers see the best of their region. You also know that 99% of the time you won’t get one destination. In most cases, people will openly argue in front of you to decide which location is the best destination. Write them all ..read more

Camping is a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And what better companion to have by your side than a loyal and energetic Australian Shepherd? These intelligent and versatile dogs make excellent camping partners, bringing joy and companionship to every outdoor adventure. But if you think you're going to put them in a crate in the back seat, think again. Australian Shepherds like to be involved in everything, like sitting up front in the EarthCruiser Rusty and Riley up front with Brent in the EarthCruiser Why Australian Shepherds ..read more