It took a lot of dirt to raise Jon Birkmire. A lot of water, too. As a child growing up in Florida, there’s hardly a river, beach, or dirt road he hasn’t explored in the peninsula state known for its abundance of coastline, swamps, alligators, and snakes. So ten years ago when he discovered Florida had no adventure trail, he…

Prints for Wildlife Fundraiser Running for the third year, Prints for Wildlife will be raising funds for African Parks. This conservation non-profit currently manages 20 parks in 11 countries on behalf of governments in the hope of safeguarding and securing protected areas in Africa. Over 100 wildlife photographers will donate one fine art print each, which will then be sold…

  Show notes for podcast #109 GonDirtin on Traveling with Dogs, Overland Kitchen Staples, and their 70-Series Land Cruiser Troopy Build Summary:  L.A.-based automotive photographers Karissa and Linhbergh found that the best way to escape the city was to pack up their Mitsubishi Montero and head for the great outdoors. In this podcast from Overland Expo West, senior editor Ashley…

The Toyota Land Cruiser is without question one of the greatest overland vehicles ever produced, and when it comes to round-the-world exploration it remains the 4WD of choice for many travelers. We’ve featured a number of adventure-ready Cruisers, including this 2016 200 Series, a 1999 100 Series Camper, and a 1996 HDJ80L.  The Land Cruiser is championed for its legendary…

Photography by Richard Giordano Located in British Columbia’s southern interior, Nelson is a funky bohemian hub in the heart of the Kootenay region. Surrounded by the Selkirk mountain range, Nelson boasts a vibrant arts community, colorfully restored heritage buildings, and more restaurants per capita than Manhattan or San Francisco. Part of the traditional territory of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa Nations,…

In 1968, a group of climbing friends set off from California to Patagonia in a 1965 Ford Econoline van, sights set on ascending Mount Fitz Roy, the 11,171-foot granite peak in Argentina’s Patagonia region. Packed with surfboards, climbing gear, and skis, the van suffered from several flat tires and a complete engine overhaul; despite this, its occupants were kept busy…

Show Notes for episode 108 Mali-Mish, a Family of Five on Four Continents Summary: Mali Mish is a family of five that have been living on the road since 2008, visiting 41 countries on 4 continents. They are currently traveling in a Mercedes Sprinter. Guest Bio: Marlene and Dan and children- We are a full-timing family of 5 living, working,…

In August 2009, I drove my 1982 Series 3 to talk to a friendly man about the sale of his green Hardtop 110 Defender, which I was considering for a journey from Argentina to Alaska and beyond. I had been a Land Rover fan since I was a young man and believed then, and still maintain, that the Hardtop 110…

Photo credits: Julia Albu Julia Albu was baking brownies when she decided, spur-of-the-moment, to drive her 1997 Toyota Conquest to London. Measuring ingredients and mixing chocolatey batter in her Jakkalsfontein, South Africa, kitchen, a radio program announced the expenditure of 8 million dollars on cars for President Jacob Zuma’s wives. Outraged, Julia picked up the telephone and dialed the radio…

  Show Notes for Podcast #107 Greg Miller on Overlanding Continents and Land Cruisers Summary: Scott Brady interviews Greg Miller, Philanthropist, Expeditions 7 co-founder, and founder of the Land Cruiser Heritage Museum   Guest Bios: Greg Miller Founder and Chairman of the Landcruiser Heritage Museum Greg Miller is an American businessman, philanthropist and adventurer. His career has encompassed leadership responsibilities…

When we first started overlanding with our two young children, we had limited space, time, and money. Let’s face it; it is a difficult transition from the comforts of a large home to full-time, vehicle-dependent travel, and that challenge alone was enough for us to decide not to travel with a pet. Fast forward 10 years and the kids are…

Walter gets a little nervous when Reid Hobby isn’t around. The 4-year-old Deutsch Drahthaar doesn’t much like being without his human companion. “He’s a social dog,” Hobby says. “Actually, he’s like a leach. He’s the Robin to my Batman. He sticks to me like glue.” Walter has ridden shotgun in every vehicle Hobby has ever owned, and until last year,…

No escape There was no warning, and no time to escape. When extreme rainfall caused devastating flooding in eastern Kentucky less than a month ago, residents lost their lives, loved ones, homes, shelters, schools, electricity, and access to food and clean drinking water. Since then, survivors have utilized springs, swimming pools, and floodwater for their water needs.  The death toll…

No, Elon Musk is not dipping his toe in the overland world. Mars Campers is an Australian company that, for whatever reason, decided to brand their camper range “Space X.” (Please note that it is currently unclear whether a camper trailer from Australia may legally be imported to the USA, or Europe, etc. We advise due diligence when considering such…

    Show notes for podcast #106 Bound for Nowhere on the Quest for the Perfect Overland Vehicle, Exploring Alaska, and Realizing Childhood Dreams Summary:  In this podcast from Overland Expo West, senior editor Ashley Giordano speaks with Mak and Owen from Bound for Nowhere about balancing content creation with truly experiencing the places they visit, and why they chose…

When Juve, Margie, and their children Zara and Max left their driveway in Vancouver, BC, their travel schedule was all planned out. A spreadsheet was filled with countries, areas to visit, and activities they would do during their overland trip from Canada to Europe. “[In the beginning], we over-planned and overpacked,” Margie says. Half an hour into their epic adventure,…

Volcon Off-Road UTVs to be Powered by General Motors’ Electric Propulsion System Off-road powersports company Volcon Inc. has announced it will power all of its off-road utility terrain vehicles with General Motors’ electric propulsion system, including its all-electric UTV, the Volcon Stag, which will come to market in 2023. The GM system will provide instant high power and torque with…

Choosing an overland vehicle can be like an episode of Indian Matchmaking: you want a unicorn, but your matchmaker insists that meeting 60 to 70 percent of your criteria is more realistic. You want butterflies fluttering in your stomach, to develop a trusting relationship, and have the coolest winch, lights, and bumper. But sometimes, the right vehicle appears unexpectedly, in…

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2022 Issue. Many of you likely remember the Ford Explorer rollover lawsuits of the early 2000s. We were inundated daily with news reports about the dangers of the Explorer and the risk to society that SUVs posed in general. Fast forward 20 years, and though we hear less about SUV…

Overlanding and outdoor shows have seen a tremendous growth of exhibitors as well as attendees, and we are seeing a broader spectrum of people that have taken to the overlanding lifestyle. In recent years, there has been an increase of overlanders and, more notably, the #vanlife movement. Although the pandemic put a damper on exploring the outdoors for a brief…