Traveling has been one of the best ways to unwind and create memorable moments with your loved ones. It’s a kind of life exploration that is worth investing in to have some time to relax and recharge. Overlanding is an old kind of traveling that has been gaining more attention recently because it offers unique experiences.
Overlanding is a very unique way of exploring the outdoors of the United States or other countries. It also offers a time for the family to reconnect and create memories together. However, you should also remember that there are factors that you might need to consider before planning to travel overland.
Overlanding, A Unique Adventure
Often, the traveling journey is more focused on the destination, like exploring a beautiful city or trying the leisure activities offered. On the other hand, Overlanding provides a unique journey along the way, such as camping, sightseeing rather than just the destination. Let’s get to know more about the basics of Overlanding below.
The Basics of Overlanding
Basically, the word Overlanding means to travel overland, which has been used even before the advancement of civilization. Hundreds of years ago, our ancestors traveled overland by foot, horses, and camels until mechanized vehicles were invented.
Nowadays, overlanding offers a broader meaning as it’s used to describe a self-reliant overland journey using mechanized vehicles while camping. So, you don’t have to be stressed out about hotel accommodations or lodging expenses since your vehicle is also your campsite.
Overlanding differs from other types of traveling since it usually lasts for weeks, months, or even a year, making it more fun and exciting. Moreover, it will also depend on how remote the destination you’re planning to go. Therefore, if you want to have a long road experience, it can be helpful to have a solid plan and prepare the right gear and equipment.
The Unique Outdoor Experience of Overlanding
Have you ever thought of waking up in the morning and having coffee in front of a breathtaking view? Well, that’s what overlanding looks like. It will start with an exciting moment of loading the vehicle with the necessary things to have a comfortable road trip. Then, the moment when you start hitting the road, it’s the beginning of a journey that you and your loved ones will relive forever. It will be filled with loud laughter, funny jokes, life stories, music, and memorable moment.
And as the sun goes down, the unique experience of camping while hearing the crickets and feeling the breeze of the fresh air from nature is worth the long drive. Then, if the weather is great, you’ll definitely miss the chance to get lost in the beauty of the night sky with its sparkling stars and shining moon.
After a night of peaceful sleep close to nature, it’s another day of indulging in the spectacular views of mountains, trees, landscapes, and beaches. It’s also another day of meeting new people and sharing experiences.
Overlanding is not just merely driving to the destination. It’s an expedition that offers great adventures along the way. You get to enjoy the drive, indulge in the beauty of the places, spend a wonderful night, meet people and create memories that will last forever.
Factors to Consider Before Overlanding
Undoubtedly, overland travel is really an experience that is worth trying. However, like any other escapade, there are essential factors to consider before starting an Overlanding journey.
Planning the Trip
One of the most important things to do before going on an overland trip is planning. You should formulate a solid plan of when, where, and how you will execute a long journey. Overlanding also includes living outdoors, which recommends plenty of preparation, especially in preparing the vehicle, food, gears, and equipment. Moreover, planning where to stop to spend the night is also essential. To make it easier, you can search the map for the best and safest place to park the car and rest.
Vehicle Preparation
In Overlanding, your vehicle will serve as your transportation and your temporary home while living outdoors. Therefore, preparing your car for the trip is essential, especially if you plan to Overland the United States in 4 weeks or so. The preparation should include preventive maintenance, improving the system, and checking engines and other parts of the vehicles if they can last the journey.
Skills Preparation
Living outdoors is fun but challenging. You might encounter problems along the way, which is why it’s essential to be ready in case you face obstacles. You should either have preventive measures or possible solutions on hand. Some of the most typical troubles when Overlanding are vehicular problems, language barrier, medical emergencies, and many other things.
One thing to do to be ready to solve Overlanding obstacles is to have intensive skills preparation. For example, you can attend language classes if your destination has a different language. It’s also essential to improve medical skills through training since accidents and other medical emergencies might happen along your Overlanding journey. This is helpful, especially if you have kids or the elderly coming with you.
Camping skills are another thing that you should consider improving, especially when it comes to securing the campsite. You should have basic to advance knowledge about surviving in the wilderness to prevent unwanted accidents from happening.
Moreover, upgrading your mechanical skills will come in handy to have a smooth sailing journey since you can solve complications. Aside from that, improving your driving skills is another factor for a safe trip.
Organizing Paperwork
Aside from preparing the vehicle and your skill sets, there is also paperwork that you should organize. For example, if you’re traveling to another country, you should prepare international travel papers, border crossing documents, and even insurance. This is an essential process when you’re planning to travel overland.
Budgeting
Lastly, since you need to pay for the gas, buy food, and other necessities, budgeting is another factor to consider before Overlanding. You should be able to budget the amount of money you’ll spend in the preparation and along the Overlanding journey. Thus, you can save money ahead of time and intensively allocate a budget for the travel.
Final Words
So, go ahead, and travel across the country, you won’t regret it…but remember to prepare for your great adventure.
When you are crossing the country, you need to check out the Mojave Road in the Colorado Desert. Check out this recent article here.
