Camping/Adventure/Explore/Travel with the Chin's. We are a family of 5 that love outdoor. We travelled mostly US and Canada with our pop-up camper or tent trailer, but with goal of travelling the world with vehicles.
Day 1 - We have a redeye flight on July 4th at 8:30pm. Our flight is pretty packed. Since I have to catch up some ZZZ before our day 1 ac...
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
2018 Overland Expo East
I committed to attend 2018 Overland Expo East. This will be my first visit to Overland Expo and I'm hoping to check out some vendors products and hang out with friends. The ticket to overland expo go on sale on July. We were on the road (Summer Camping Trip) when the ticket when on sale. After some back and forth consideration, I committed to attend the Expo as attendee and camp on site. I purchased my ticket as an attendee on July 26. The cost to attend as regular expo attendee with 3 days onsite camping is $210.
The planning to drive down to expo begin with hoping to meet up with friends. A group of Overland Bound forum members is organizing meetup before heading to the Expo. I decide to join the group for travel companion and it's also a good way to meet up new friends and hang out with existing friends.
Day 0
Since the kids school started and afterschool activities is full swing, I will have to travel alone (without kids & wife). My wife will stay local to help the kids with school and activities. The prep for the journey down to Ashville NC start on Nov 2018. The tent and trailer is ready as I took a trip to Vermont Overland Rally in Oct 2018. Hence the trailer/equipment prep is minimal. I started my journey on July 6 after grocery shopping and hitch up the trailer. I left around 11:30pm and start my journey driving down to the first meetup point. The first meetup point is schedule for 9am at Wilkes Barre PA. It's just highway travel and I drive till around 4am before I stop at a rest area on I-84 30 miles before Wilkes Barre PA. After 2 hours of nap, I continue my drive to the meeting point. The meeting point is at the parking lot of Walmart. As usual, I arrived early. I end up getting my fresh coffee at a nearby Starbucks.
In-route to PA
First rest-stop in NY
Continue to Wilkes Barre PA
Newfoundland?
Sunrise on rear view mirror
Getting closer
Arrived early
Try to catch some pokemon
Carfie
Day 1
The meetup was on schedule. We got about 5 rigs altogether. We hang out for sometime before we head out around 10am. Our travel goal for today, Nov 7, is heading down to VA and camp in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Our caravan of 5 rigs driving on I-81 heading south to Harrisonburg VA. We did not arrived at our trail point until 4pm. After several fuel stop with quick bite stop, we finally reach our trail starting point. Our first trail stop is Switzer Lake. From US 33, we turn into Switzer Lake Road. The paved road become dirt road.
The trail heading up to Flagpole knob has many washout due to recent heavy rain. Our caravan is moving slowly toward the destination. We arrived around 8pm, but decide to move on to camp at Reddish knob. After a short stop at Flagpole knob, we continue our journey to Reddish Knob. It takes about 1 hr to move to Reddish knob. From Reddish knob, you can see the valley. It was a great view, but we want to continue to move on to our camping spot. Our camping spot is a small pond. Once we arrived the spot, we found out the camp spot is soft and muddy. We are forced to move on and try searching for different camping spot. 10:30pm, we are all exhausted. We found a small pull-in right off the road with a river running next to it. We stopped and setup camp.
In route to GWJNF
Switzer Lake
Trail to Flagpole knob
Trail to Flagpole knob
Carfie
Getting late, try to push to the next stop
Checking out our 2nd camping spot, but it's bad
continue to find camping spot
Our camping spot from droneview
Day 2
Since everyone were exhausted from a full day of travel, we settled at a small pull-in and try to catch some needed rest for tomorrow. The good decision to drive further also help us cut off some travel time today on the trail.
We all wake up early and start packing up. The caravan leave around 7:30am. Our first stop is restroom stop. We stop at a gas station where I grab some Latte and breakfast. We continue our journey to Asheville NC. Our next official Overland Bound Rally point is at Papa's & Beer Mexican food, outside of Asheville NC. The meeting is at 3pm. We arrived at the spot around 1:30pm. Head into the restaurant for late lunch. There is about 20+ rigs arrived to the meeting spot. After the huge portion tacos, we prepped to head to Oskar Blues Reeb Ranch. The last checkin for today is 6pm and we hoping to get checkin before the registration closed. Having 20+ rigs has some problem with communication in-sync. Our big group of rigs has some miscommunication and some rigs left on a different direction. It was all good, but we have about 20 rigs with the group driving toward Reeb Ranch. After checkin and registration, we are directed to a spot reserved for Overland Bound member. We setup our tent and get together for a night of meet & greets.
Nice view blocked by 2 antennas
someone say smoky mountain?
Overland Bound Rally Point
Overland Bound Rally Point
Papa's & Beer Mexican Restaurant
Papa's & Beer Mexican Restaurant
Official gathering for direction to Reeb Ranch
Caravan
Caravan
Caravan
Caravan
Caravan
Caravan
Entering Reeb Ranch
Registration line
Registration line
Chef Rob in action
Meet & Greet
After some gourmet dinner (Chef Rob cook some great duck meat dishes), we all try to slow down, drink beers and chit chat. The night started with some early light drizzle prior to midnight. Once the drizzle change to light rain, I start to find my way into my cozy tent and snoozed off.
Day 3
Overland Expo East Day 1. Rain....Rain....Rain....
I wake up with down pour rain. The rain sometimes is light, sometimes is heavy. Throughout the day, the rain continue and will not end till afternoon. Campground is wet and water puddles everywhere. Road turn muddy. Ground turn muddy. Everything is MUDDY. Path is occupied with Thick Mud.
Aside with all the mud challenges, I have a great day. I went up to the vendor exhibition area. Visit many vendors and check many products.
2019 Ford Ranger
2019 Ford Ranger
Early morning rain pouring
Early morning rain pouring
CVT Trailer + Installation station
Expedition Overland Booth
Cool rig
Mainline Overland
Mainline Overland
Vendor Booth
Bad driver causing havoc for camper
Afternoon mudfest
Afternoon mudfest
Afternoon mudfest
Afternoon mudfest
Afternoon mudfest
Afternoon vendor visit
Test drive 2019 Ford Ranger
2019 Ford Ranger Demo
Test drive 2019 Ford Ranger
Patriot Camper PCOR
Where is my boot?
EarthRoamer
EarthRoamer
GFC
Very nice restore LC
Black Series Camper Trailer
Hard Shell RTT
PCOR
Expedition Overland new Tundra
Free Delivery for Fridge purchase
Datsun? Classic
I was soaking wet by noon time. I head back to the campsite and grab some lunch. The ground start to be muddy and the official mudfest begin !!!! As usual, there always some A.hole try to ruin the fun. Some truck spread lots of mud onto the camper. Some camper tent covered with mud and some vehicles are soak with mud.
After a quick lunch, I went back up to the vendor area again, hoping to meet with some friends. The walking path to the vendor area is getting very muddy and almost impossible to walk. I have to walk carefully and detour around deeper mudpit. Some mud is soupy, but some mud is sticky. Instead of having miserable feeling, I try to find some interesting thing to do. I went to test drive the new 2019 Ford Ranger. I have some great time driving the new pickup. Also having some time with the Ford Rep chatting about the new pickup. After the test drive, I was awarded with some swag. That's just brighten my day even I'm with muddy boots and soaking wet jacket.
After test drive, I went to meet up with several friends working at the vendor booths. We chat for a bit. I explored more vendor booths. At the end of the day, I'm tired of the extra 10+lbs of mud on my boot. Heading back to the camping site. I stop by to meet Jim, the Sequoia legend. I supposed to meet up with Jim during our Summer Camping trip in CO. But due to my timing, I missed our meetup with a bunch of Sequoia guys in Ouray CO. Finally, I meet up with Jim. We chat for a bit before I head back to hang out with my neighbors. Chef Rob is cooking some grass-fed burger for tonight. I didn't take any picture as I chowed down the burger in less than a min.
Chef Rob in Action again
Nips to keep warm
My muddy boot
Since the rain is still lingering around and I'm trying to stay dry, I climb up the tent and hide underneath my sleeping bag early today. I snoozed off and hope for a better day tomorrow.
Day 4
Overland Expo East Day 2. Rain is gone, but cold weather arrived. Brrr..........
It's a beautiful day. Those who survived the rainy mudfest Friday, you get a sense of relieved as the blue sky and sun is coming out from the hill. Although the mud still exist, the cold temperature help to pack the mud a bit solid.
View of the vendor exhibition area
View of the vendor exhibition area
View of the vendor exhibition area
View of the vendor exhibition area
View of the vendor exhibition area
View of the vendor exhibition area
I don't have any activities today and my schedule is wide open. I just continue hang out at the vendor exhibition area and checkout more products.
Around lunch time, I was a bit lazy to walk back to campsite. So, I try to hit one of the food truck vendor. There are a few choices of food selection. From Pizza to BBQ. Pizza food truck seem to be the most hit as the line is long. Also, German food truck also got a good line of hungry guest. I opt for BBQ as I'm a BBQ fanatic. Seeing beef brisket on the menu solidified my decision. The pricing for the food truck is actually very good and affordable. My selection cost less than $12 bucks.
BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich.
Today, I finally got to try out my new Goal Zero setup. I have the solar panel setup and charged my car battery. My car has been powering my ARB fridge for the last 2 day. I want to make sure my car battery is still have enough juice to start the car. The Goal Zero Yeti 1000 battery pack already working hard charging my electronic for the last 2 day. Although still plenty of capacity, I want to try to charge the battery pack via the new MPPT controller. So far, the investment is really good. I recharged my car battery and also top off the Goal Zero Battery pack with a full day of good sunlight charge.
Goal Zero 100 watts solar panel
Goal Zero Battery trickle charger
Goal Zero Yeti 1000
MPPT controller charge the battery more efficient
One of the surprise at the campsite for today is the crowd is less. I think 1/4 of the camper at the campsite gradually leave since yesterday or today. I agreed that the weather is a real challenge to tough out. With the rain is gone and ground is more solid, most camper try to leave early.
Still Muddy ground, but better than yesterday
Still Muddy ground, but better than yesterday
Cool Sprinter
Awesome FJ
Still Muddy ground, but better than yesterday
Mudpit still visible
Metaltech GX
Nice LC200
The Vagabroads LC100
Basil Lynch rigs
Sema Expedition
The temperature start to go downhill after sunset. We are all facing a brutal challenge for the coming evening with forecast as low as 20's F. After a full day visiting friends and meeting new friends, it's time to get warm. One of the neighbor setup an enclosed awning room. With Buddy Heater turn on, about 12 people squeeze into the crowded space and hang out.
We all hungout at the small awning room till late and we all forgot to have dinner. I don't recall what time when we got out from the awning and look for food. Rob the chef generously prep some chicken. While cooking under the chilly night, I saw a great opportunity. The skies is clear and I can see stars. Quickly, I setup my camera and start take some photos.
Clear skies for astrophotography
Clear skies for astrophotography
Clear skies for astrophotography
Clear skies for astrophotography
Clear skies for astrophotography
I'm lucky to grab a few picture while Rob cooking. Some picture taken while I'm consuming my dinner meal.
Final Day
Since I need to be back in MA by early Mon morning, I have to leave as early as possible from Reeb Ranch. When I wake up at 6am, it was very cold. The ground is frozen solid. My tent is frozen solid. Trying to bundle up and take the walk to potty john was the hardest part.
Frozen Rig
Frozen Rig
Every thing is Frozen
Frozen Ground
Frozen Ground - walking toward potty
Mud ground also frozen solid
Since I need to be on the road early, I start to pack up the tent. After some struggling with closing the frozen tent, I'm able to zip up the cover and ready to head out. I try to say goodbye to a few friends before head out. Since the ground is frozen, I have no issue pulling out the campground. My first stop is to fill up gas as it's running low. Next, I found a self service carwash and start clean out all the muds from the offroad trail and Reeb Ranch campsite.
My drive up to MA take about 15 hrs. I make stop only to fill up gas. I do some take out food from gas station. The only food stop I have taken is doing a takeout from Bojangle (chicken biscuit) in TN & Peruvian Restaurant in Winchester VA. I'm safely arrived home around 2:30am on Monday.
I have no complaint about the venue. I think the organizer done it's job to find a good venue. The food truck is good. The portable potty is clean and regular serviced. The area is beautiful. There is a variety of vendors. I didn't take any class or course for my first time, but I would love to take some class on my next Overland Expo visit. It's sucks because of unexpected weather. Rain, wet, mud, cold, chill, freeze.....All kind of element which is a good test for overlander. There are a lot of read about people complaining the event, but I'm for one which blessed from problem. The weather don't tear my spirit down. Meeting up with existing friends and also got to meet a lot more friends worth all of the hassle. I'm channeling all the negativity into positive. Enjoy the event as expected aside of weather challenges. I would attend another Overland Expo event again, hopefully able to attend Overland Expo West. I learned and see a lot of products available on the market. This give me a lot of idea on my future exploration and adventure.
No comments:
Post a Comment