The last few years, we've left Overland Expo saying "it's not about the "stuff". So this year, we planned on taking no classes and intended to hang with people we knew and meet new people. Of course, there would be the requisite ogling of rigs (see next post); but our focus was really to reinforce our overlanding community.
The weather made that a bit tougher than we'd imagined. Happily, we were able to quickly find the ATQA gang. We retreated for a "coffee" during a rainshower on Friday and after the third beer, I forgot I had a camera, so this remains my only photo of that dinner.
By the time we left, I felt much like these guys did:
It was good to spend time with @wildernessdave @AmericanSahara @valinreallife on that rainy afternoon. We visited with Neil and Lori at their GXV truck inside the Expo. I bet they sold a truck or two, as their setup is really nice. They were nice enough (and brave enough) to let people come inside their truck and look around. Considering the amount of mud and rain, I would have had a tough time doing that.
On Saturday, it dried out enough for @wildernessdave and @AmericanSahara to do a lap of the lake, and later @valinreallife got back on a bike for the first time since some bimbo blindsided her. She was stoked.
Speaking of overlanding rigs..this Subaru has been more places than most fancy-pants trucks, probably including mine.
Linda, our neighbor from the Poudre came up from Gilbert to check out the Expo. She was amazed by the array of vehicles and the sense of community. I think she'll be back next year, maybe in a truck of her own.
Pam and Dino came back Sunday and was present when Earthroamer announced their new, really big truck.
We also got to hang with Astrid and Anthony of @OverlandNomads. Anthony works with Overland Expo and was busy working much of the day. He did take a moment to give Nancy a spin in the Ural. We planned to camp with them after Expo.
It was great to see Beau Johnson @LivingOverland, although Krista was missed! We bumped into him again in Kayenta after leaving Flagstaff.
@ExploringElements was working the show for OurdoorX4 and DeLorme and we bumped into Bryon more than a few times.
Despite the weather and conditions, we were happy to be able to spend time with so many people. I missed meeting @DriveNachoDrive, which I'm sad about. I've followed their blog as they drove their van around the world and wanted to let them know how much I enjoyed their writing.
Also missed were those who are still on the road. This list is too large to mention, but I will mention especially @Lostworldexpedition as last year we spent so little time talking. One of these days...
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