[x_section style=”margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 45px 0px 45px 0px; “][x_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=”” style=”margin: 0px auto 0px auto; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_column bg_color=”” type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]Crossing the field, I tighten the hood around my face, sink deeper into the mud, watch the steady line of traffic fleeing the incessant morning downpour.
I’m sure this is not what the organizers had hoped for. Not the ideal weather for this weekend gathering of overlanders, travelers and adventurers from across the country.
Wind blowing sideways, water pinging against my face, I wonder if we too should get out while we can. What do you think? I ask looking down. Baylor squints up at me through the rain. Calm, reactionless. I shrug. You’re right, we’ve come this far. Might as well see it through to the end.
There’s a lovely natural selection of sorts when circumstances are less than ideal. A cream rising to the top effect that happens when things don’t go exactly as planned. The people choosing to stay, to make the best of the soggy weather, are downright delightful. They’ve a good attitude. Happily slop from session to session. Pile on layers to stay dry and warm. Make the best of the situation and enjoy themselves regardless.
It’s events like this I wish for a perfect memory. There’s so much being shared. Tips and tricks for life on the road. Stories of adventures large and small. Dreams for the future, nostalgia for the past. Surely great swaths of information are forgotten, but I absorb as many moments as possible.
The evening we stand outside. Sky momentarily dry, dark settles in quickly. Baylor forges a nonchalant friendship with Jake. They sniff momentarily before exchanging knowing looks, just two wise people stuck in these black and white dog bodies. A woman approaches, gives the dogs scratches. Are you a dog masseuse?, Matt asks as the woman focuses intensely on the pup’s hips. No, I just have a lot of animal experience. And they like this because their quadripets just get so tight. Eyes sparkling I look at Matt. Turn to the woman, nod seriously. Quadripets. A new word I’ll never forget.
The session I circle a Land Rover through the rutted mud. Test it’s abilities and add a few off road driving skills to the repertoire. Keep the speed up. Come on, don’t let off. Saw the wheel. Keep it going so we don’t get stuck. Good work.
The night we wander in search of small sticks to test Ben’s tiny self-contained fire pit. Pretty sure this is how half of all horror movies begin, I tell the guys as we disappear into the dark forest. Stick fire enjoyed and finished, I whistle for Baylor. A raccoon at heart, he sneaks off to pillage the few remaining campsites. Slinks back guiltily, but lacking remorse. Hunger taking over, Matt and Rich go into a late night camp-cook mode worthy of cable television. At my excitement over firearms, Rich takes a break from cooking. Pulls out a gun, checks it’s unloaded and offers it to me. Cold metal in hand, I grin. Learn to shoot is officially added to the to-do list.
The morning I wake to sun reflecting off the lake. Enjoy a final moment of appreciation for this diverse group of adventurers. Young couples, established families, retirees and everything in between. Loaded touring trucks, barebones campers, tents of every shape and size, big, small, ornate, simple. Some travel the world, others escape to the wilds every weekend. Some do it alone, others travel as a group. Some just get up and go, others meticulously plan. It’s inspiring to see the variance that exists. To be reminded that there is no right and wrong. With each undertaking there exists a spectrum of possibility.
Pulling away from the ranch, the sun shines brightly for the first time in days. Face warm, heart full I wave goodbye. Head off to the next adventure. Thankful for the time here, excited to see what serendipity may come from these newfound friends.
Overland Expo East – Days 113 – 115 – down. Many to come.[/x_text][/x_column][/x_row][/x_section]