The OFFICIAL Overland Expo EAST 2014 Thread!

[Hilldweller]

Rovertown

Want

Want

Good Country Fried shelter

Neat creation from The Shop

Found the elk

Tell me what you really think...

and the obligatory trailer shot

 

[pugslyyy]

I had a great time. My only complaint was the camping situation. We arrived at noon on Thursday with the intention of beating the crowd and getting to choose a camp site. Upon entering the camping area, staff packed us into a little area between the toilets/showers and the driving path right up front like it was a parking lot. This was right at the top of what turned into the mud hill, so most of my stay was spent watching & listening to traffic (how many times can I watch the same exact Land Rovers drive by before becoming annoyed). Not to say there wasn't some good eye candy, but traffic is traffic when you're trying to relax around camp.

Either way, I had a great time and would probably attend again next year. Hat's off to the OE team for an awesome event.

We had a great time as well. I wonder if the parking staff was used to efficiently parking vehicles for events, not helping people figure out the right spot to camp. Seemed like it worked better later in the day - maybe it took them a while to figure out the right approach.

I hope that the success of the event will encourage the organizers to continue to have events in the Asheville area.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Regarding the food truck situation: We had a large pizza-making truck on site Thursday morning in addition to the ones already there. Sadly the owner received word that his wife and daughter had been severely injured in a traffic accident, and he of course had to leave. By that time the other food trucks Taylor Ranch knew of were engaged for the weekend. The remaining businesses did a wonderful job of filling in the gap as best as possible.

 

[pugslyyy]

Regarding the food truck situation: We had a large pizza-making truck on site Thursday morning in addition to the ones already there. Sadly the owner received word that his wife and daughter had been severely injured in a traffic accident, and he of course had to leave. By that time the other food trucks Taylor Ranch knew of were engaged for the weekend. The remaining businesses did a wonderful job of filling in the gap as best as possible.

I thought the food truck situation in Asheville was much better than Mormon Lake! I liked having food trucks with a place to eat near by (other than bleachers). I liked that they had enough food. I liked that they stayed open. I liked that they didn't close for a "private event" all the time (catering Land Rover)

 

[GaFJC]

Regarding the food truck situation: We had a large pizza-making truck on site Thursday morning in addition to the ones already there. Sadly the owner received word that his wife and daughter had been severely injured in a traffic accident, and he of course had to leave. By that time the other food trucks Taylor Ranch knew of were engaged for the weekend. The remaining businesses did a wonderful job of filling in the gap as best as possible.

I liked the fact the BBQ tent had fresh fruit. Not an intuitive selection with BBQ but was a great option versus a bag of chips. The prices were also a pleasant surprise given the captive audience.

 

[GaFJC]

This was my first Overland Expo experience, my family and I very sincerely enjoyed it.

The small quirks (poor vendor signage and the presentation of the ridiculous $25K to $30K! family self-drive safari - Tanzania) were more than offset by the positives. It was an absolute pleasure meeting Paul May, Clay and Rachelle (and Toby) and many of the other folks. Wish I had the opportunity to meet Jonathan! The “Life by bike” and “The seven wonders of Peru” presentations were wonderful. Regretfully I missed the “Continental Divide” and “Rubicon Trail” presentations. The Taylor Ranch was also as great setting (in my opinion).

I look forward to Expo East 2015!

 

[ab1985]

We had a great time as well. I wonder if the parking staff was used to efficiently parking vehicles for events, not helping people figure out the right spot to camp. Seemed like it worked better later in the day - maybe it took them a while to figure out the right approach.

I think your assessment is spot on. I felt like I was being herded into a field parking lot at a kids soccer tournament. Once they let everybody go free to do their own thing people spread out and it started to feel more like camp.

Given the fact this was the first of these events in the area coupled with the crazy weather, I think both the OE and Taylor Ranch staff did a great job. I'm also a big fan of the Asheville area and hope to attend more events in the future.

I also really dug the pink Max Trax. Good job with the Fuso

 

[tabraha]

and the obligatory trailer shot

I should've stopped in to introduce myself. If that's your teardrop I'm the guy that had a toddler in a backpack and someone in your camp yelled, " You've got something on your back!" lol. (I told "something" to wave but he got shy on me) Here's a few pics from my photobucket:

Me and the 2yo that was on my back:


Both of our kids:


Our setup (of course I put the freshly purchased solar kit to use lol):


To whoever was asking about the Helinox vendor I should be able to check a receipt and get you the vendor. We bought a couple of those little chairs after seeing how small they packed.


ETA: Helinox vendor I bought from was Gregg's A-List

 

[gravedgr]

ETA: Helinox vendor I bought from was Gregg's A-List

Thanks for checking. I looked at his site and didn't see the Helinox or any microfiber towels (or any OR stuff except a ball cap, although he had a number of OR hats in his booth). Strange.

 

[workerdrone]

@gravedigr, I did buy one of those microfiber towels and I'll get the info for you.

I put a ton of photos up at my site here if anyone wants to see more:

http://www.classglassphotography.com/Other/Overland-Expo-East-2014

 

[bpfamily]

I had a good time. I journeyed down with new friends from central Ohio. Did the numbers work out to have one next year?

 

[ab1985]

I put a ton of photos up at my site here if anyone wants to see more:

http://www.classglassphotography.com/Other/Overland-Expo-East-2014

Wow :Wow1: Great job, workerdrone!

 

[tabraha]

Thanks for checking. I looked at his site and didn't see the Helinox or any microfiber towels (or any OR stuff except a ball cap, although he had a number of OR hats in his booth). Strange.

I noticed that too. I went to his FB page and confirmed it though. Definitely him... Facebook

Great pics @workerdrone!

 

[60Dan]

http://www.classglassphotography.com/Other/Overland-Expo-East-2014

Great shots!
Had a great time looking at all the eye candy, and wishing my bank account was bigger!
Was surprised that there weren't more nick nacks for people to buy like shirts, mugs etc ...
Shame that they messed up the shirt design by putting "Overland Expo West" instead of "Overland Expo East" -- I'm sure they could have sold a ton!

Overall great event, looking forward to next year

 

[GaFJC]

Wow :Wow1: Great job, workerdrone!

I agree, great photos!