Pioneer I
- 3,605
- First Name
- DALE
- Last Name
- FOLLETTE
- Member #
-
23055
- Ham Callsign
- KJ7JDA
Share how it all started - Homage to the beginnings - Your story is welcome here!
- Thread starter IronPercheron
- Start date
Pathfinder II
I started out doing this overland thing at the age of 11 or 12 solo on a bicycle. But I grew up camping and 4wheeling as part of life out here in the NW.
I have been car camping, fishing, shooting, hiking, exploring, dirt biking and dune bugging all my life. Here is a picture of us Camping\Dirtbiking\Dune Bugging near Ensenada Mexico in the 60s. Back then we we had a Ford Station wagon and a BMW Dune Buggy. The 2nd pic is my 1982 Toyota Truck I bought new in 81 at the age of 20 and did tons of exploring in it. I daily drove that Toyota from Dec 28 1981 to Dec 31st 1999 when the transmission let go on the way to work. I also used the canvas Coleman pop tent seen in both pictures until it was about 30 years old and the fabric started falling apart. I replaced the 82 with an 85 4Runner I purchased in 2000 and sold it in July 2020 and have a 99 4runner I purchased in 2007 which is my current overlanding vehicle.
Me driving the Dune Buggy for the 1st time at Gorman - Now known as Hungry Valley - the rule was, as soon as your feet could safely touch the pedals, you got to drive the dunebuggy. Picture taken in early 70s
Me driving the Dune Buggy for the 1st time at Gorman - Now known as Hungry Valley - the rule was, as soon as your feet could safely touch the pedals, you got to drive the dunebuggy. Picture taken in early 70s
Pioneer I
- 3,605
- First Name
- DALE
- Last Name
- FOLLETTE
- Member #
-
23055
- Ham Callsign
- KJ7JDA
Member III
My first overland experience was the summer of 1952, 69 years ago. I was 6 weeks old and my parents struck out from Texas in a Woody wagon and went all the way through Colorado and up to the Tetons and Yellowstone. I have a pix somewhere of me on that trip. I guess it has always been in my blood.
Pioneer I
- 3,605
- First Name
- DALE
- Last Name
- FOLLETTE
- Member #
-
23055
- Ham Callsign
- KJ7JDA
Some serious history in here!!
I really like that, and I am favoring the older things. I have a 2016 4runner that my wife drives, I just love my old Bronco, Canvas tent, Cast Iron, and my lanterns. I built a rocket stove in a 30mm ammo can and I use all wood to heat, and light my area (aside from lanterns). The only fuel burned, and the only advanced tech, is the cell phone in my pocket and the EFI under the hood of the bronco (factory...)
Maybe I am weird but I tried the "new" stuff and decided it wasn't for me. Sold the RTT after only a few uses, now the 4runner is a grocery getter with a refrigerator and a winch. (it really is a fantastic car, and an unparalleled family vehicle. I go to work with confidence my wife will make it to her destination, safely, regardless of her obstacles.
I really like that, and I am favoring the older things. I have a 2016 4runner that my wife drives, I just love my old Bronco, Canvas tent, Cast Iron, and my lanterns. I built a rocket stove in a 30mm ammo can and I use all wood to heat, and light my area (aside from lanterns). The only fuel burned, and the only advanced tech, is the cell phone in my pocket and the EFI under the hood of the bronco (factory...)
Maybe I am weird but I tried the "new" stuff and decided it wasn't for me. Sold the RTT after only a few uses, now the 4runner is a grocery getter with a refrigerator and a winch. (it really is a fantastic car, and an unparalleled family vehicle. I go to work with confidence my wife will make it to her destination, safely, regardless of her obstacles.
