Sometimes, life's little adventures teach you something unexpected about yourself. That happened to me a while at Wheelers Overland Weekend. I discovered that, despite enjoying solo activities, I’m not much of a loner.
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| Selfie with my Jeep and dispersed campsite |
The Solo Trip to Moab
Last year, I embarked on a solo trip to Moab. I hiked alone, dined alone, and generally enjoyed my own company. But I was never truly alone—there were always people around. I chatted with fellow hikers, met some incredible individuals, and even made new friends. I realized I can be by myself, but I don't like being isolated.
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| Moab Selfie |
Wheelers Overland Adventure 2018
In May, I attended the Wheelers Overland Adventure 2018 at Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area. This event included three nights of camping, three days of off-roading, overland and navigation classes, campfires, a scavenger hunt, and a raffle. I opted for "primitive" camping in an "open" field, away from the designated campground.
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| My Jeep and the sunset |
Primitive Camping: A Lesson in Solitude
When I arrived, I set up my campsite in a brush-filled field on the outskirts of the off-road park. It was just me and my Jeep. The nearest campers were about a hundred yards away, out of sight and sound. After setting up my tent, I felt a bit lost. So, I headed into town for dinner and a glass of wine (or two) to calm my nerves about sleeping "alone" in the woods. Despite people being within hundreds of yards, I felt truly alone.
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| My primitive campsite |
Nightmares and Realizations
Exhausted, I skipped the group campfire and went to bed early. The distant "whoops" from the campfire lulled me to sleep, but I woke up in the middle of the night, startled by the eerie silence and a nightmare involving a bear. My youngest son and I were fending off a bear trying to get in the tent. At 2 AM, I realized I needed to be around people. I had given "primitive" camping a shot, but it wasn't for me. I booked a campsite at the Trailhead Campground, where most of the other attendees were staying.
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| My tent |
Finding My People
The next morning, I moved to the new campsite and began setting up my tent again. That’s when I heard my name. An online Jeep friend, who also listens to the Jeep Talk Show Podcast, was camping next to me. It was perfect. That night, we gathered around the campfire, sharing stories and laughs. Jesse, Mike, and their friends—all Long Island UPS drivers—entertained me with tales of their Jeep adventures.
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My tent at the campsite
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| My new friend Jesse |
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| Campfire tales |
Learning and Wheeling
Embracing My Social Side
During the weekend, I wheeled on the green trails at AOAA, enjoying the serene nature from the comfort of my Jeep. The main reason for attending was the navigation classes taught by JoMarie, an extraordinary woman who has wheeled all over the world and participated in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in Morocco.
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| JoMarie teaching navigation class |
She taught us about topographic map reading, compass reading, and plotting our location on maps. It was a fantastic start to building my navigation skills. There were other cool classes on Overland planning, recovery 101, and using a winch—something I hope to own someday.
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JoMarie teaching Navagation
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| Reading the topo map |
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| Navigation Class |
Despite the weekend being rainy, it was an unforgettable experience. Next year, I'll definitely book a campsite from the start. I love camping and hanging out by the campfire, but I need to be around people. I thrive on meeting new people and sharing experiences. This adventure taught me that while I enjoy solo activities, I cherish the company of others.
Tips for Cold Weather Camping.
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| My Jeep at camp |
So, if you're planning your next off-roading adventure, remember: it's not just about the trails you conquer but also the friends you make along the way. Happy wheeling!
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