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Leaving Tucson early in the morning, we had every intention of making the push to our final destination of Reno, Nv that day. However, sometimes in life you need to roll with the changes. We could’ve driven the entire 13hrs it was gonna take due to the weather system moving through the area, or we could use this as a sign that maybe it was an omen of some sort to seek out another option. Who knew that option would be Sin City… Halfway between Tucson and Las Vegas, Jennifer and I had made the decision that because of the winter weather moving in along our route and the fact that we’d never been to Vegas, now would be a good time to stop and break this last leg of the trip up a little bit more. The girls were already excited because they knew we had to drive through or slightly around Vegas on our way north and they were hoping to catch a glimpse of the strip with all of its lights. Quietly, Jennifer and I discussed the surprise and located a suitable hotel not far from the strip. This was going to be a fun little surprise for the girls. Finally crossing the boarder into Nevada, we pulled off at an observation lot to checkout the massive Hoover Dam. My parents had been here years and years before and I remember seeing their photos and wishing that I could’ve gone too. Finally, even though we didn’t have time to do a tour, I was there. Taking in the moment with Jennifer and the girls I had that sense of “oh crap, this is for real. We really just drove across the United States and everything is changing” moment. Funny that this was where it finally hit me, but that’s where it chose to pop up. Looking at Jennifer and the girls pointing out a the dam and checking out the new suroundings, I knew everything was going to be ok. After all, it’s just another one of life’s adventures right? Leaving Hoover Dam we made our way into Sin City and settled in at our hotel. Well, we tossed our bags in and settled the dog in at the hotel. The kids were chomping at the bit to head down to the strip and take in the sights. First on their list was the welcome sign to Las Vegas. Thankfully we had both vehicles with and we were able to find a parking garage close to the strip to park Jennifer’s car in. We made our way down one side of the strip and back up the other, stopping in stores and checking out some of the more famous casinos along the way. Later that evening we had a splendid Italian dinner right on the strip at Giordano’s before making our way back to the hotel for some rest before our final push in the morning. View the full article

After a few days of traveling, it was nice to have a change of pace. Arriving at our friends home in Tucson we quickly transitioned from run, run, run to let’s take care of some life maintenance and take a little time to relax. After starting some laundry, we pulled everything out of the van to clean and do a reset. If you’ve traveled long enough you know that not everything ends up back where it belongs and sometimes it just feels good to clean and reset everything. It was a welcomed change of pace. Once the life maintenance things were mostly completed, we enjoyed our time with our friends hanging out in their beautiful oasis that they had created in their backyard. After a little relaxation we escaped the afternoon heat at one of their favorite restaurants and enjoyed some exquisite mexican cuisine and grandiose margaritas. The food and drinks were excellent as was the company. After making a loop around Tucson to take in the urban sights we retired to the backyard oasis and enjoyed one anothers company before calling it a night. The next morning we arose to the sounds of birds chirping and a beautiful Arizona sunrise. The early morning air was cool as we made our way to the Catalina Foot Hills and Finger Rock Trailhead. Here we were treated to a beautiful hike amongst the saguaro cacti and the rugged landscape. The views were breathtaking and it was our first up close experience with the massive yet beautiful saguaros. We were surprised to learn about how old each of them were. Did you know that a saguaro cactus can reach 40ft in height? Did you also know that they grow rather slowly, taking up to ten years to grow an inch, and 70 years to reach 6.5 ft tall? At that height, they supposedly can start to flower for the first time in their lives. Upon reaching the age of 95-100 years old, a saguaro cactus’ height may measure up to 15-16 ft. We were floored learning this information, especially given the fact that we were standing in a valley surrounded by giant saguaro cacti! Departing the trail, before the heat of the day really set in, we made our way to a quaint little farmers market in town before retiring back to the backyard oasis. Here we spent the rest of the day enjoying each other’s company with a little bit of tinkering on an old Landy Hi-Cap pick-up truck thrown in for good measure. The next morning we set off to explore the Mission of San Xavier del Bac. The missing was founded by Padre Kino in 1692 and is Arizona’s oldest European structure as well as a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture. The Mission was gorgeous as were the views outside. Truly a place to experience if you ever have the chance. Side note, it’s also the first place that we experienced a Roadrunner in the wild. Trivial for some I’m sure but for us, being from the east coast this was an exciting thing to see. After the mission we indulged in a local favorite known as BK Carne Asada and Hot Dogs. I know, I know… Those two things don’t seem like they go together but you’re totally wrong and so was I. It reminded me of a Chicago style hotdog with a Mexican twist and it was delicious! On our last night of visiting our friends, we loaded the vehicles in preparation for our early morning departure and settled in to an amazing dinner that they had prepared. Food, laughter, great company and sometimes a drink truly do wonders for the soul. View the full article

This week we’ve found some great deals on rooftop tents, a portable shower, traction pads, and more! Spring into action and grab these deals to celebrate the warming weather and longer days. While sales are not forever, this post is — so check back weekly for the latest and greatest in overlanding gear sales and savings. See you out there. Overlanding Deals of the Week Sea to Summit 4th of July Sale Sea to Summit is running its massive July 4th Sale, taking place from June 27th until July 7, 2025. Save 50 percent on tents — an unbeatable deal from one of the most trusted brands in the outdoors. Our editors are checking out the Telos Freestanding Ultralight Tent, which weighs in just over three pounds, and is ideal to bring along as a lightweight lodging solution. MSRP: $299.50 SHOP NOW Mammut 4th of July Sale Mammut is also having a giant sale of its own to celebrate the 4th of July: this year, the brand is offering a 25 percent discount site-wide. This is a great opportunity to save on your favorite Mammut gear, from technical outerwear to climbing gear, and everything in-between. Check out the Cargon, a spacious and durable duffel bag that will keep up with all of your adventures. Mammut’s sitewide sale will run from June 27th to July 4th. MSRP: $105 SHOP NOW Kelty Low Loveseat Like to cuddle up around the campfire? Then Kelty’s Low Loveseat is just what you need. There’s ample room in each seat, but things are close enough to get cozy as temperatures drop. MSRP: $97.39 SHOP NOW Nemo Helio LX Pressure Shower This backcountry shower uses a foot pump to maintain pressure, and the seven-foot hose will stretch as far as you need it to. When the shower is full, you’ll have a seven-to-ten minute shower, which is the epitome of backcountry luxury, if you ask us. Pair the Nemo Helio LX Pressure shower with the Heliopolis privacy shelter (sold separately) for hands-free showering. MSRP: $111.96 SHOP NOW REI Co-op Dining Table The heat-resistant top, roll-up construction and durable powder-coated steel frame on this table are all great, but we also love it for the fact that it’s a fun green color that will always stand out from the crowd, and it’s 30-percent off right now. Score! MSRP: $103.93 SHOP NOW READ MORE: 15 Items to Pack When Camping at Overland Expo West MSR Alpine Folding Utensils Set Storage whilst overlanding can be lacking, which is why anything that folds up into an even smaller package is warmly welcomed in most rigs. MSR’s folding utensil kit will allow you to bring the comforts of home on the road, and make meals that require a little more effort. Take 30 percent off now. Backcountry is hosting a 4th of July Sale, now through 7/6/2025. MSRP: $12.97 SHOP NOW Backcountry All Around 36L Gear Tote Lug around all your favorite gear in this hard-to-miss, totally capable gear hauler. Small zippered pockets, a large interior and compression straps make this as useful as totes can get. Backcountry is hosting a 4th of July Sale, now through 7/6/2025. MSRP: $48.30 SHOP NOW Solo Stove Mesa XL Fire Pit Fire is an essential part of overlanding, but if you’d like to make less of an impact (and stay safe) a fire pit is a fantastic investment. The Solo Stove Mesa XL Fire Pit is a tabletop firepit built with 304 stainless steel ceramic materials, and has a heat radius of 2-3 feet (and the capacity of roasting 4 marshmallows simultaneously!). It comes with a pellet adapter that lets you burn your choice of pellets or traditional firewood, and can fit either pieces of wood up to seven inches long, or up to 1000 grams of pellets. MSRP: $99.99 SHOP NOW Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge Chair Kit Lounging in the outdoors — is there anything more satisfying? Make your setup even comfier with the addition of the Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge Chair Kit, which ups the ante on comfy camp vibes. Convert your sleeping pad into a cozy chair: the Trekker utilizes either a 20-inch or 25-inch sleeping pad and transforms it into a chair, thanks to nylon/fiberglass poles. This setup is light, uses gear you already have on hand and has a minimal footprint. Backcountry is hosting a 4th of July Sale, now through 7/6/2025. MSRP: $51.96 SHOP NOW Barebones Double Blade Whittling Knife While there are not shortage of thrills while overlanding, there’s also a lot of downtime too — which is ideal for, I don’t know, practicing your whittling. If you’re looking for a new hobby that can pack up and go anywhere with you, grab one of these double-bladed knives from Barebones — they’re 35-percent off right now. Backcountry is hosting a 4th of July Sale, now through 7/6/2025. MSRP: $32.49 SHOP NOW View the full article

"We were at the border first thing and it was an easy crossing. First stop was the chaotic city of Panjakent for cook group shop, lunch and other standard new country errands." SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN TO GHAZZA VILLAGE, TAJIKISTAN: "It was a wild introduction to a country that never ceases to surprise! Our destination today was Ghazza Village, a very much off the beaten path place deep in the Fann Mountains and generally used as a base for hikers or people who want to visit Voru, a mountain village untouched by time. I had been here before, but not in a truck and holy shit was it a wild ride. Outrageously narrow rocky roads with rock faces jutting out always in place where the truck has an inch of wiggle room before plummeting off the side. There was a bridge that had zero margin for error, about a centimeter on each side. Al rocked it and it was not only an adrenaline drive, but absolutely stunning. Unlike last time, we stayed at a campsite on the river surrounded by mountains. While I loved our guesthouse, this was pretty special. On arrival we heading to Voru village and watched kids coming home from school on their donkey and fields being worked with ancient plows. We met a real blacksmith still using ancient techniques. It is a really unique and beautiful place. I wanted to do something different for dinner and I did a manti cooking class for everyone. Manti are traditional central Asian dumplings and to learn how to make them and then be fed them in this magical setting was pretty special. This place is well worth the effort and trauma of getting here!" GHAZZA VILLAGE TO ISKANDERKUL: "We started the day with a bread making demonstration and ate warm bread fresh from the tandoor! We did the adventure drive in return and encountered a serious traffic jam! So so many animals. Our destination was Iskanderkul, the largest of the mountain lakes in the Fann Mountains and it’s a beauty! We camped right on the banks of the lake, went on speed boat rides and made friends with locals for a brilliant day before heading to the capital." ISKANDERKUL TO DUSHANBE: "It is a short distance of stunning scenery to get to the capital, but first you have to cross THE TUNNEL OF DEATH! This 5km tunnel was built to cross the Anzob pass and it is a mostly pitch black and fume filled nightmare, but we made it! I took the group for lunch on arrival to try the national dish, Qurutob. This plate of food is very divisive, it is often called a “bread salad.” Pieces of fried bread are soaked in rehydrated kurut balls creating a type of yogurt sauce. It is then topped with fresh herbs, some salad and meat. It is a very heavy dish and not to everybody’s taste, but certainly worth a try. We hit a fancy pants gastropob for dinner and wandered the empty and deeply Ashgabaty streets on the way back. The next day was not only Eid Al Adha, but my day to do all the last minute preparations for the Pamir Highway!! This is one of the most epic and challenging road trips in the world. One week of high altitude, extreme driving across the Pamir Mountains. A lot of prep has gone into getting ready for it and today was about stocking the truck with food and water and crossing ever t and dotting every i before we hit the road on this brand new adventure." Let's here about The Pamir Highway! View the full article

"The day began with a visit to ancient Konye Urgench, once a great city and the center of the Islamic world." KONYE URGENCH, TURKMENISTAN TO MUYNAQ, UZBEKISTAN: "It is now more dusty backwater and the site itself was abandoned in the 18th century. We visited what is still standing and it was a fantastic taste of the great Silk Road cities to come. There was an issue with the border so I had to go ahead in a taxi with Michael to sweet talk officials but all was well and we made it through and into Uzbekistan very easily. I had yet to visit this part of Uzbekistan and it was awesome. We first stopped in Xojeli to visit the local bazaar and the friendliness and warmth was striking. We were around here for one main reason and that was to visit the Aral Sea disaster. Def some dark tourism happening here, but having now been I think contributing to the economy of that community is really important. I mean their entire livelihood and way of life was wiped out! The town of Muynaq really seems to be developing and hopefully that terrible luck is turning around. This used to be a thriving fishing village and rusted ships remain in the dried up seabed. A eerie vision of what once was. I can title this part of the trip a tour of Soviet disasters! We stopped above the ship graveyard for an explore and to cook dinner and found out we were just in time for a giant freaking rave. I mean what is life. I’m finding myself dancing wildly at a rave overlooking the Aral Sea in a sea of locals in the middle of nowhere Uzbekistan. We were meant to bush camp which isn’t really ideal in that spot, next to a full scale dance party and with a storm brewing, so I decided to boost morale with a bit of a treat and booked some rooms in a local hotel (even if several had to sleep on the floor). It was a real cultural experience all around today!! I will choose to forget the part where I was told the wrong location of the hotel and then they had given half my rooms away but everyone was happy and clean and especially thrilled about their beds and floor when the rain bucketed down shortly thereafter." MUYNAQ TO AYAZ KALA BUSH CAMP: "First stop today was Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, an autonomous region within Uzbekistan with its own rich history and culture. The city is famous for the Savitsky Museum - the second largest collection of Russian Avant Garde art in the world outside of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. It was legitimately remarkable. Stunning art and artifacts thanks to the efforts of Igor Savitsky. I could have spent half the day here but alas there was a huge bazaar to explore! On the way I asked a woman where I could get a sim card and she walked Al and I there and then took us deep into the market to have lunch at the buzziest spot. The samsas here were the best I’ve ever had. We also had a delicious meatball soup and left very very happy. Nukus really left me content snd surprised. I also found an impeccable flat white here! Then it was on to our bush camp directly under Ayaz Kala - the largest of the desert fortresses of ancient Khorezm. My last experience visiting this fortress was extremely memorable, but for all the wrong reasons! Maniacal drivers, murderous heat, the world’s worst music! But this time it was pure magic to camp there and watch the sunset over this incredible fortress." AYAZ KALA BUSH CAMP TO KHIVA: "We visited a couple more castles this morning and had our first bogging! Everybody did a great job pitching in and we were back on the road in no time! Khiva is a magical place to be. Another instance of feeling you’ve stepped back in time to a living, breathing Silk Road city. It has been a couple of years since I’ve been to this part of the world and these places hold such big memories for me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel to be here and am very happy to say it feels good. I truly love this part of the world. Bonus: unlike last time, the temperatures in Khiva were manageable making it extremely pleasant. We had our last new person join us here so of course that meant a group dinner at the restaurant with the best view in town. We will leave with 23, an almost full truck as we continue traveling through the larger than life Uzbek cities of the ancient Silk Road." KHIVA TO BUKHARA: "Unfortunately a cold hit derailing my plans, but that still couldn’t take away from Bukhara. A stroke of luck brought mild temperatures as we explored the most complete medieval city in Central Asia with our guide Aziz. Sunset over Kalon Tower and a walk back through streets alive with lights and people ended the stay and made me forget how terrible I was feeling! Absolute bonus was finding a shirt I had been on the hunt for since my last visit. I don’t understand why this isn’t the most popular shirt here!! All you need is plov indeed." BUKHARA TO SAMARKAND: "We started this drive off the beaten path and visited a local market in a small town. Obsessed with central Asian markets and ones like these are especially fantastic because everybody is so friendly and welcoming. It isn’t everyday a giant yellow truck of foreigners rocks up here! Samarkand, of course, is the jewel of Uzbekistan. The most famous of the ancient Silk Road cities and for good reason! It is exactly what you picture in your mind and much more. Registan is the most iconic site and we started our visit with a light show there. It was cheesy as hell but there is no circumstance where Registan is not breathtaking. Samarkand is littered with amazing sites and we visited a few on our city tour, such as the Tamerlane’s mausoleum. You can’t be around here and not hear that name a million times. Almost as much as you hear about Genghis Khan. Both destroyed all they touched. Speaking of destruction, I took some of the group to a blues bar I had loved last time. They no longer played blues?! But they still made the ridiculous flaming cocktail I remembered. Karaoke followed for an extremely well rounded time in Samarkand." Tajikistan next! View the full article

Southwick Entry Lists and InformationView the full article

Southwick Entry Lists and InformationView the full article