The Original Overlanders

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Correus

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Here are a few links all y'all might like.




 

rtexpeditions

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The term overlander has been used in Australia for a couple of hundred years and referred to the teams of men who herded cattle across vast distances on horseback.
The shortened word "drover" is also used. Somewhat similar to cowboys although that also refers to horsemen who remain working on a property.

They capture the spirit and resourcefulness that carries over to modern overlanders.
As for the gear they carry items like a bedourie oven and a plough blade hotplate would be familiar items.
 

Correus

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The term overlander has been used in Australia for a couple of hundred years and referred to the teams of men who herded cattle across vast distances on horseback.
The shortened word "drover" is also used. Somewhat similar to cowboys although that also refers to horsemen who remain working on a property.

They capture the spirit and resourcefulness that carries over to modern overlanders.
As for the gear they carry items like a bedourie oven and a plough blade hotplate would be familiar items.
Yup, the term definitely came out of Australia, just like 'trek' was coined by the South African Dutch and Afrikaans.

Here in the States and Canada the massive Conestoga wagons developed - massive beasts! Definitely bigger than the wagons seen in western movies! First mention of them was here in the States in 1717. As a kid, back in 1976, there was a group crossing the US in the smaller versions of the Conestoga. When they passed through our area my Cub Scout troop got to ride in one. We had to use a ladder just to get inside it!

8EB783A0-C035-138A-F0D704BF7338F545.jpg
 

Correus

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Belle Plaine, Kansas, 67013
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Following is a link to one of my favorite early pioneers of overlanding via a motor vehicle - John Weston and family.


IMHO the 1910s - 1930s is the 'Golden Age' of vehicle assisted adventure overlanding, expeditions and safaris. A side hobby is collecting books, mags, adverts in re overlanding from that time. I also collect gear and equipment from the period.

If you do an internet search for "vintage vehicle camping 1910s 1920s 1930s" you'll get all sorts of cool info, and the pics are great! They actually give ideas that are as relevant today as it was then.

There are even vintage camping/overlanding groups out there. There's even one out there you could somewhat call a vintage camping/overlanding reenactment goup, the Acorn Patrol. It is a classic camping team that demonstrates and interprets camping as it was in the years between 1880 and 1930.

As to 'vehicle dependent travel', following is a link to a video showcasing a modified, 1915 Model-T Ford Roadster that some consider the first RV.

 

Anak

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[Laughs in horse speak]
View attachment 242898
Yep.

See Genghis Khan in Europe.

Of course you also have to ask about the folks who first crossed over the arctic to populate North and South America. They probably dragged along more of their household than did the Mongols, and without the aid of horses.

The first Overlanders are long forgotten.
 

Silver Rover

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[Laughs in horse speak]
View attachment 242898
Yep.

See Genghis Khan in Europe.

Of course you also have to ask about the folks who first crossed over the arctic to populate North and South America. They probably dragged along more of their household than did the Mongols, and without the aid of horses.

The first Overlanders are long forgotten.
May have been round long ago & died long ago, BUT.
They are not forgotten.