The OFFICIAL Overland Expo EAST 2014 Thread!

[workerdrone]

Weather continues to be incredible, frosty last night but gorgeous sunrise and couldn't ask for a better Sunday. Super friendly folks, incredible rigs, stunning ranch surrounded by mountains. Battery on the community shower this am lasted just long enough for me to get one with some help on the outside controls from a stranger, then he got stranded mid soaping so ran up to the tent grabbed and fired up the deep cycle and inverter and got him through his too . Life is good

 

[xmadcowx]

We had an exceptional time this weekend. Classes were great, people in and out of the event were very welcoming, I can't say that enough. If expo east happens again here next year we will definatly add a few days onto the tail end of the trip, the little bit we saw of Asheville was great. Wish I could have thanked the staff in person, job well done on the entire event.

 

[100acrehuphalump]

Just saying if anyone has any mechanical issues and gets stuck in the Asheville area please feel free to call on me if you need an extended place to chill out. I've got a small farm just 20minutes north of Asheville and y'all would be welcome. Dan 828-808-7058

I'm the tall guy volunteer with Bayleaf the dog, Woof!

 

[Wise Old Jason]

Had a great time on Saturday, met some great folks and learned a lot. The only thing I think they could improve was the food vendors, it seemed that they weren't prepared for the demand and saw some long lines. Other than that, it was an amazing experience, and the venue was solid. Looking forward to the West expo next year, I'll hopefully will have moved back to Phoenix by then, and will probably do the full experience package. It looks to be WELL worth the money.

 

[zolo]

I agree, I was under the impression that there would be 6 food trucks/vendors and some food options for the weekend. I was there from Thursday till Sunday and got tired of BBQ.
As I was not in my own truck so I did not carry food and camp like I would have if I was in my own rig. I relied on the vendors for food. Next year will be bigger and better I'm sure.

Over all a great rally and a great experience. Looking forward to next year.

 

[Hilldweller]

Outstanding event.
So much drool-worthy stuff...

I agree, I was under the impression that there would be 6 food trucks/vendors and some food options for the weekend. I was there from Thursday till Sunday and got tired of BBQ.
As I was not in my own truck so I did not carry food and camp like I would have if I was in my own rig. I relied on the vendors for food. Next year will be bigger and better I'm sure.

Over all a great rally and a great experience. Looking forward to next year.

The pintos & cornbread was about the only healthy option on the trucks; we ate it twice and cooked the rest of the time.
You know you could've come by the trailer for some hot food and cold beer, Daniel.

I really dug The Shop's display, btw. That topper was pretty dang cool.

 

[zolo]

Outstanding event.
So much drool-worthy stuff...


The pintos & cornbread was about the only healthy option on the trucks; we ate it twice and cooked the rest of the time.
You know you could've come by the trailer for some hot food and cold beer, Daniel.

I really dug The Shop's display, btw. That topper was pretty dang cool.

Thanks man, I would have come by more but I ended up waking at 6 AM and working till about 630-7. Until the Vendor area was slow and all but closed down. I was worn out by the end of the Rally.
I came up the hill Saturday night but you were asleep by the time I made it up. Hung with Joe and some other folks. I had a great time though. Excellent Expo.

 

[Fritzoc]

My first Overland anything event or experience. Amazing. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. Made some great new friends. Classes were fantastic. Vendors were equally gracious. Agree with other comments about food. The BBQ was great, and more variety would have been great. Luckily, I planned to cook for myself the entire time. Can't wait to come back again next year to learn more and reconnect with folks. Now to put into practice what I learned and keep building out the Jeep and campsite.

 

[Hilldweller]

Speaking of cool kit, you gotta have a place to sit down and I think this guy makes some nice chairs:

 

[Roverchef]

Looks like everyone had a good ole time. Thanks to all y'all for posting up for those of us who couldn't make it!

 

[overover02]

This was my first Overland Experience too. Happy that I went for the total Experience as the classes were GREAT and I learned so much. So many highlights for me... Driving the Land Rover Experience with none other than Tom (TC) Collins (look him up if you don't know who he is), taking classes being taught by Jonathan Hanson, seeing the Lucky8 rolled vehicle demo and watching the trucks on Friday 'trying' to make it to the upper camping area after all the rains and the list goes on... I was in awe the entire 3 days while looking over all the cool gear & vehicle setups. It was just nice to be around so many people with like interests and making new friends too. I hope the Expo East turn-out was good enough for them to bring back again next year. Still, though, would love to make it out to Expo West next year. I'd definitely be interested if anyone is planning to caravan from the Atlanta area.

As others have mentioned, I was under the impression there would be more food vendors as the lines were quite long at times. And just would have been nice to have a few more options. But that's more on me as I didn't come prepared to cook. Also, would have been nice to have another coffee/hot drink vendor there. But other than that, for the size of the event,... think it went about as good as it could.

 

[ab1985]

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.

 

[Hilldweller]

...Still, though, would love to make it out to Expo West next year. I'd definitely be interested if anyone is planning to caravan from the Atlanta area. ....

I think we're going.
Gotta see how the job thing is by then though.

 

[SOAZ]

The 7th ExPo is in the books.
THANK YOU to all of the attendees, vendors, staff and fellow instructors! Anyone who attended the Manual Transmission or Failed Hill Start courses, THANK YOU for being so appreciative, patient and engaged in the classes. I was impressed by the effort and attentiveness in every single class. I hope you learned a lot and enjoyed them.

Now I need to hibernate for a week to recover. :sombrero:

Also... thank you for letting me borrow this beautiful umbrella for class. Darnit I look sharp!

It was a little wet Friday but the weather has been incredibly nice today! The community fire pits maintained by the Taylor Ranch staff were a lot of fun tonight ! I have been very impressed with the courtesy and warmth the staff here. We are having a great time!

 

[gravedgr]

Hey, there was someone there selling the Helinox Chair One and some nice microfiber towels. We meant to buy a towel to try out and forgot to get one before we left.

Can anyone remember the brand of towel or the company name of the guy who was selling them? I can't find it in the sourcebook.