Leaving is hell, especially on dreary, dismal days, which only rush the hemorrhaging of bleeding hearts and heighten the tension of departure. “The traveler’s guilty pleasure is staying home,” wrote Paul Theroux, and those words came to me as I stood looking out at the dripping leaves and grey sky of morning. It had been…
The Pandemic and International Overland Travel
When the pandemic bore down, our family had recently completed a journey across West Africa. Our plan was to remain in South Africa for a few months, recover our finances, and prepare the Land Rover for a trip from Cape Town to Vladivostok. In March 2020, we left Cape Town as news of Covid-19 rang…
Mission Driven
Cirios plants, also known as boojum trees, provide fascinating roadside entertainment in Baja’s Valle de los Cirios protected area. Legend has it they inspired some of Dr. Seuss’ comical characters. Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2020 Issue. “ Do you feel safe down there?” It’s the question we hear…
Slim Pickins Outfitters is the First Black-owned Outdoor Gear Shop in the US
Slim Pickins Outfitters is the first Black-owned outdoor gear shop in the country, and like many other small businesses, they are fighting to keep their doors open through the economic downturn caused by Covid-19. But before you write this business off as just another gear store, it’s important to realize what Slim Pickins represents and…
Riding Full Circle: The U-Turn
A long and unexpected delay during a round-the-world journey
Making a Case for the Wild Places
The wildlands of the Judaean desert are a far cry from the dense complexity of Ramallah. Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Winter 2020 Issue. A few years ago, I found myself on a long-disused track in the wastelands of Sudan. Over 200 kilometres from real civilisation, my team and I…
Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication
Product Review—Garmin inReach Satellite Communication First off, a disclaimer: my husband and I used Garmin inReach Explorer Satellite Communication during a round-the-world motorcycle trip that lasted 708 days. DeLorme inReach (bought out by Garmin in 2016) gave us two Explorer devices—one we received on loan; the other we paid for at a 50-percent discount. The company…
Long-awaited 2022 KLR650 Motorcycle Released!
Many adventure moto riders will argue a KLR650 is the best choice for a round-the-world motorcycle: you’re likely to find Kawasaki parts in most countries, and few manufacturers can compete with the KLR’s low price. Not that any of us want our round-the-world steeds stolen, but if your KLR is highjacked, you’re only out about…
The Armchair Adventure Festival 2021
For almost a year now, many of us have been dreaming of when or where our next adventure might be. While most of us spend time wondering if we have the money and time to travel, this past year has been different in that respect. Even with money and time, travel itineraries were severely limited…
Fear Is an Accessory You Can Take Off: An Interview With Vibes of Panama
The lowest point, figuratively speaking, between Panama and Alaska was the floor of a Land Rover shop, where Alejandro “Alex” Huerta Franco and Ana Victoria Viera spent a torturous night. It was mid-March on the West Coast of the United States, and the pandemic panic was closing in as campgrounds and even Airbnbs closed down….
The Prometheus Design Werx A.G. Wilderness Quilt for Rooftop Tents
Want to snuggle with your significant other, your dog, or maybe just get under something cozy after a long day? Prometheus Design Werx has just introduced their A.G. Wilderness Quilt, a premium goose-down comforter you can use in your two-person tent, rooftop rig, or for couch-potatoing. The quilt is like your down comforter at…
On The Road With VanGar: Interview With The Two Travelling Aunties
Photos Courtesy of Two Travelling Aunties It all started with a Swiss-plated Unimog parked on a dusty street corner in Borobudur, Indonesia. Susie Chua and Norah Soeb spotted the hefty home on wheels during a vacation back in 2018. “We had so many questions!” Norah exclaims. “Which countries did the vehicle need to cross…
South Africa Overland
There are countries within continents which are quite unlike those surrounding them: Uruguay and Turkey are good examples. And South Africa is unique on the African continent. It is a land of extremes: wealth and poverty, desert and tropical coast, cities and wide-open spaces. Yes, it has its challenges, but the crime and political instability…
Overland Expo West Postponed to September 24-26, 2021
Indianapolis, Indiana — Lodestone Events, producers of the Overland Expo event series, has postponed Overland Expo West to September 24-26, 2021. Traditionally held mid-May in Flagstaff, AZ, Overland Expo West has been postponed to ensure the health and safety of fans, exhibitors, staff, and the surrounding Flagstaff community. “Overland Expo West is our flagship and…
36 Hours of Adventure :: An Origin Story
This 36-Hours of Adventure is Presented by: Origins I remember the first fish I caught, my grandfather smiling as I pulled the heavy (to my six-year-old frame) trout out of the pond. I am not sure how many fish my sister caught, but it was likely several more than me, my reputation as a dubious…
Four Years Circumnavigating the Globe: An Interview with the Alveto Expedition
The Miami sun collided with the asphalt in the Walmart parking lot. Interpersonal conflict came to a boil, and litter was tossed by the breeze, as desperate people gathered to make an unlikely home. Their close proximity ran dangerously counter to the pandemic threat hanging in the humid Florida air. When Aldo Giaquinto and Vera…
Lumpy Land Roaming
It takes a life-changing experience to change the way we live our lives. This is exactly what happened to our family in 2010 when our youngest daughter, Sephine, at age 4, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. This circumstance quickly became uncharted territory with countless rough roads. Cancer is a perfect combination of…
One for the Road
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Fall 2020 Issue. Let’s accept that adventure motorcycling means long, unsupported journeys across the world’s developing nations, lately redefined as the Global South. Overlanding is another word for it, as distinct from regular touring vacations or even gnarly domestic adventures that aren’t hard to have…
Overland Across Eurasia by Bus
Article by Martyn Davies “The Overland” From 1957 until 1979 a steady stream of people travelled from Europe to the East. They were a mixed bag seeking a change of lifestyle and a little adventure, including students, artists, Vietnam Vets, and hippies. The road from Europe to India and beyond was called “The Overland” or…
The Great British Road Trip
In mid-July, my husband and I headed north on a Great British road trip. We had no fixed plans: just a desire to climb hills, swim outdoors, and heal the grief and losses of the past six months. Armed for adventure, our ageing T4 bulged with wetsuits, kayaks, and acres of Gore-Tex. We’d even packed…