In which the Overland Gods have smiled a thousand smiles, and their beneficence knows no bounds.
Open your copies of Apostle Sheppard’s Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide, and gather ‘round the ceremonial skottle, my fellow believers - let us praise them in their infinite wisdom and kindness. It’s a good old fashioned Roof Top Tent Revival, and there is much to be thankful for. (I promise - no snake handling.)
Allow me to share The Good News.
First, I have a new job - this week I started as the Logistics Manager for Overland Expo. With a helpful assist from Brother Tim (come forth, child, and receive the blessings of the Overland Gods for your good works!), I managed to convince the team at OvEx that I could help lead them to the promised land.
I’m pretty excited to join the Expo on a more permanent basis, as my experiences as a freelance instructor with the organization have been excellent over the last two years. I do feel very fortunate, as it’s not every day when you can find a job that also mirrors your passions, or find a company that actively encourages you to travel. I’m really looking forward to digging deeper into the overland industry, and, of course, not seeing Tim again in May at OvEx West in Flagstaff.
Second, plans for our long trip in December and January have gelled - we’ll be spending about four weeks meandering through Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia. Most of the points on the route and campsites have been confirmed. On the agenda: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, hiking in the Naukluft mountains in Namibia, camping in an extinct volcano, visiting NamibRand Nature Reserve for a second time, and a possible meet-up with my parents in the north of Botswana for a visit to Chobe National Park. If that doesn’t transpire, we’re thinking a trek across the entire Central Kalahari Game Reserve is in order to wrap things up.
The kicker? We will be traveling on assignment with SA4x4: Overland Adventure magazine yet again. We’re working with the magazine on some interesting equipment/vehicle partnerships for this trip, too, so stay tuned for more news on that front.
Lastly, we are in the initial sketching stages of a much longer east Africa journey that will start in June once classes end at the University. Essentially, it will be a big loop north to Uganda and back. More on those plans to come.
Thus ends our brief service for the day - go forth and get dirty, spread the Good Word of adventure!
