Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

That article was... entertaining.

When I joined Expo in 2007 (when the author was 17), it was actually "Expedition Campers". An elder dude saw the Scout and told me about it in a parking lot. That site merged with Expedition Portal. Folks on that site were generally helpful. Probably because I slapped a Fourwheel camper on a 1972 Scout. But I got the same comments. "Why do you need all that? I just sleep on the ground, as I have been since the 70's..." But, the majority understood why and were generally stoked on the project. Everyone who camps has slept in a ground tent and know the pros & cons of that setup. If the latest overland gear helps someone camp more often, be more comfortable with a smaller footprint, and support the industry, I'm not sure what the issue is.

"We didn't call it 'Overlanding' back then..." Well, we didn't. But who gives a shit. It's just a word. It's become contentious to the point that I use it sparingly. It's an easier way to describe what many of us are doing. Just like "rock crawling" describes a niche of off-roading, "overlanding" describes another.

When RTT's started appearing on trucks, I geeked out a little when I saw one on the road. Still do. The owners of Tepui are good people and I'm happy for their success. If I see a Tepui on a Subaru Forester, cool. Plus so much more room for scissor activity.

I started wheeling in 1991 (when the author was 1-ish). I had a 1965 Scout and my buddies had old rigs (FJ40, Scout, Jeepster Commando). We also wheeled with some wealthy Hillsborough kids with new Wranglers. Sure, there was some shit- talking, but we all had fun and participated in heavy under-age alcohol consumption, which obviously made us family And we all were huge fans of the Camel Trophy, but our beater rigs wouldn't reliably take us as far as we wanted. "Camping without cell reception" is a joke. We obviously didn't have phones back then. Does all this make me a jaded veteran wheeler/ camper? Why would it. People have been recreationally wheeling since the early 1900's. And I've been on the most challenging trails with the folks in this forum, mostly younger than me, who have tackled even harder trails. So I still feel like a newb sometimes.

As others have said, and IMHO, everthing would be better if beginners:

• Learn proper trail etiquette.
• Are willing to help others.
• Don't share locations of secret spots on social media.
• Don't come unprepared to the point that they hinder the group or put themselves in danger.
• Don't get preachy or judgmental, or pretend that they're experts.
• Leave your camp spot better than you found it.
• Don't "send it" when you're supposed to crawl.
• Don't "crawl" when you're supposed to send it.
• Buy a Vagabond Drifter

People are going to go camp and there are plenty of people. We can't stop it. It's better that they go prepared, learn to respect the trails and wilderness, and have fun. If they happen to take a bunch of pictures and put them on Instagram, it doesn't mean they didn't enjoy the experience.

 

You forgot "don't cross selfie-sticks."

 

AMEN!



Coming from a 26 year old veteran old school wheeler who's tired of people with nicer rigs because their vehicles look better in pictures than mine.




So just to make it clear, that last bit was sarcasm. Dont want anyone misinterpreting it. I'm a #n00b.

 

Excellent treatise, Phil. I concur.
I am, however, stuck on this one sentence below.

So, Overlanerd, are you going to change your forum name, then? Just curious.

 

I just posted more jobs here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/norcal-jobs.525107/page-3#post-17636668

 

And it doesn’t matter what you drive

Me in my high school ride at carnigie



More flex than @jberry813

 

Maybe that's why I did it.

 

Thanks Don. I’m not an overlander. Or maybe I am. Either way, I’m a nerd about all of it.

If I liked to fish, I wouldn’t neccesarily call myself a fisherman. And if I did, some “Deadliest Catch” guy would say I’m not one. Doesn’t take away anything from the experience though.

Not changing the username. After all, I just moved the “D”.


#anagramAF

 

I caught the movement of the “D” a while ago. And I agree with your premise. I got my 100 Ton Master Mariners Captain license way back, but I have never called myself Captain. Just seems so pretentious. That and it's one of the lower ratings. My boss has a 1500 ton license. But, I've seen guys with the same license as me print up business cards with Capt. in front of their name. I like to golf, but don't call myself a golfer. I'm a hack, pure and simple.

 

Did this become a Istalander Annonamous thread?


You boys have been busy today.
Between this thread and the jberry show my stomach is hurting from all the love and laughter.

 

If you capt a boat your a capt. I don't see whats wrong with that. I don't make porn but I call myself a pornstar in the bedroom. lol

 

So, Dirk Digler, got any videos to share?

 

in as fuck

 

like I said I don't make, I don't want to see myself

 

Well, in the beginning, the license was based on knowledge and a written test. After a few years on the water I probably wouldn’t frown on it too much. But I still have a lot to learn. Now, if I had a preference, I’d rather be called Senior Chief, based on my 21 years in the Navy.

 

You don’t make them for sale. but come on, don’t hold out.

 

I need to up grade my s5 is getting old

 

Dude, go look at s8 prices. They're dirt cheap right now. Or at least they were 2-3 weeks ago.