Overland Expo Roll Call

[BroncoHauler]

I'm now officially, a definite-maybe.

Regardless of the circling-the-SMBs philosophy, I'd rather have a slightly more relaxing camping experience, so I reserved a camp site at the nearest campground. Hardly boondocking, but should be calmer than in the eye of the Expo storm.

In case anyone else is interested, it's the Dairy Springs Campground, which is something like 4 miles from the Overland Expo. I'll be at Site 14.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino ... 7&actid=29

http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Dairy ... g=y&clCr=y

[EDIT: I checked, but the Group campsites at Dairy Springs are already reserved]

I haven't yet purchased tickets to the Expo, and that's why I'm still a definite-maybe. I'm not holding my breath that Congress will resolve things to prevent Sequestration from happening, so there's a distinct possibility that I'll be hit with a one day a week furlough starting sometime in April, quite possibly through the end of September, or maybe even longer. If that happens, taking a trip to look at a bunch of equipment I can't afford while sucking up a 20% pay cut doesn't make much sense. I did want to lock in campground reservations just in case though.


Herb

[Abitibi]

I went last year, 4 of us convoyed from Vancouver BC myself and a buddy in our Nissan Patrol and two others in their 4x4 Mitsubishi Delica van. All right hand drive vehicles. Not sure if I enjoyed the show as much as the drive though, we had a good time that's for sure. Two of us are going again this year. I was hoping to have my AmbuLand ready by then but I'd doubt it so ill probably use the Patrol again. It be nice to meet anyone from here as I'm sure over the years I'll become an avid member here...

And one good thing going for the Patrol is that it's running on veggie oil and I pull my army trailer filled with over 200 gallons of oil, enough to power me on the entire trip for free



Seeya then!
Mr. D


Sent from my iPorn using Tapatalk

[haywoodphotomaccom]

This year only going one day to see the vendors and then exploring the surrounding area for a few more days.

[Abitibi]

That's actually not a bad idea, we ended up leaving earlier last year and making our way to Moab. 3 days of dusty cramped camping as a bit too much for us...

[BroncoHauler]

Anyone else going? Still deciding myself. Looks like I'm 'only' going to get 14 unpaid days off between May and September, rather than the original 22 days, so I might be able to [s:k1zmgx8n]justify[/s:k1zmgx8n] rationalize going.


Herb

[bettyford]

Looks like I will be there!

Ron

[BroncoHauler]

I'm officialy out. I was hoping to use this as a shakedown run prior to a 12 day trip with my son in June, but between a few recent mechanical issues with my Excursion, and a recent health issue with my wife, I'm taking a short trip closer to home instead.

The road up to Big Bear should give the Excursion a good workout and test.

FWIW, I just cancelled my reservation at Dairy Springs campground if someone is looking for a camp sight not right in the middle of hundreds of vehicles.


Herb

[Ocsmb]

No go for me. Wife works that weekend.

[Abitibi]

So who ended up going? I was there but didn't know who was who in the zoo so I probably missed whoever was there. A few SMB went over some of the courses while I was there in my Patrol, also got some pictures.

Interesting to see how much better a stock Fuso does in the articulation department...





Good crowd!



This is the donkey I was fantasizing of cooking up for dinner after getting woken up at all hours of the night by his awful singing!



That's my beast going for a mud bath



Funny how within a few days we went from this;



To this;



"Don't eat the ... Snow"



Cheers
Mr. D

[Tapatio]

We were there on Friday and left Saturday morning. Headed into the Coconino forest and then into Sedona for a nights stay at the http://www.lauberge.com/ resort. I only saw 2 other Sportsmobiles in the cow pasture. Interesting event, not sure I will go again though.