Event Report

I am no stranger to the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival in Butler, PA. I first went in 2013 and 2015 as day-trips to check out the show. In 2016 and 2017 I had a small booth there promoting ECOA, the NHT books, and teaching some classes. I wasn’t able to go in 2018 due to […]

Event Report

2025 Adventure X Fest

2025-09-29

There are a small handful of events I would bend over backwards to attend. At the top of that list, tied for first place with the Virginia Rooftop Tent Rally, is Adventure X Fest. For the sixth year in a row I managed to make it down for the event and, as usual, it did […]

Event Report

2025 Toledo Jeep Festival Overland Skills Area

2025-08-08

Each year I have the privilege of being invited by the Toledo Jeep Festival to set up an “Off-Road and Overland Skills Area” showcasing a mix of overland vehicles as well as a number of off-road and overland themed workshops. I usually end up on the main stage as well. This has been going on […]

Event Report

Tread Lightly

Behind Enemy Lines – Destination Defender, NY

2025-05-23

It’s no secret that I am, was, and shall always be a “Jeep Guy.” As outlined in Season 2, Episode 2 of the Echoes of Adventure podcast, the LS LJ is my 8th Jeep. Since then I’ve added the ’06 LJ “stock+” build, which is the 10th Jeep I’ve owned (so far). In the family […]

Event Report

WV Motorsports & Adventure Travel Day 2025

2025-04-04

There’s a particular musical number from the hit Broadway show Hamilton that always makes me chuckle. It’s when Aaron Burr laments he wishes he could, “be in the room where it happens.” In that moment he was on the outside looking in as Alexander Hamilton secured his position as Treasurer and negotiated for the nation’s […]

Event Report

Event Report: 2025 Southeast Adventure Vehicle Expo

2025-03-26

I have been to four out of the five years of the Southeast Adventure Vehicle Expo. It has become one of my top-three favorite events of the year. It’s also the event that kicks off each year for me since it’s one of the few spring events on the east coast. The best part is, […]

Event Report

Opinion/Educational/Humor

10 years, 100 events, 1 long adventure

2024-11-22

Milestones were first used by the Roman Empire on their empire spanning network of roads. As the saying goes, “All roads in Europe lead to Rome.” That’s not rhetoric or hyperbole. The vast majority of modern highways and core roads in Europe were first laid out more than 2,000 years ago. In modern times milestones […]

Event Report

Tread Lightly

2024 Adventure X Fest Tread Lightly! Project

2024-09-20

When the fall air rolls in and the leaves just start to fall it’s time for me to get excited. I get excited for a few reasons. First, let’s be honest, I am not built for summer. Second, fall is east coast event season. Adventure X Fest in West Virginia is the first event of […]

Event Report

2024 Toledo Jeep Festival

2024-08-09

Two overlanders walk into a Jeep show. There’s no punchline because it’s not a joke. Feel free to laugh though. For the last few years I have been going to the Toledo Jeep Festival to celebrate the history and legacy of the Jeep brand. My first time to Toledo for their annual Jeep show was […]

Event Report

Tread Lightly

Spring Cleaning at AOAA with TREAD Lightly!

2024-04-12

I’m to the point now where I’m less concerned with my own self-promotion and more interested in paying it forward. Some of that is due to the wisdom that comes with age. Now that I’m in my mid-40’s I just don’t see the point in playing the social-media game and trying to “keep up with […]

Event Report

Tread Lightly

Bald Mountain Tread Lightly! Cleanup

2023-05-04

Not going to lie. 2023 got off to a rough start. For those that don’t know I was the victim of a hit-and-run accident as a pedestrian in early January and have spent the better part of four months recovering from surgery. I was super bummed to miss out on a bunch of events earlier […]

Event Report

Tread Lightly

Tank Hollow Tread Lightly Cleanup

2022-12-05

Early December may not be prime weather for many outdoor activities but never the less a small team of volunteers headed down to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to spend some time cleaning up some illegally dumped trash. In an ideal world there would be no illegal dumping, however generational bad habits plus a […]

Event Report

2022 PA Jeeps All Breeds Jeep Show Recap

2022-08-05

This year at the PA Jeeps All Breeds Jeep Show in Carlisle, PA we took the Overland Demo area to a whole new level. In years prior I was only ever responsible for my own booth space. Some years were more humble (like in 2016) than others, but over the years I’ve slowly grown my […]

Event Report

Trip Report

A Rally, a Trail Ride, and a Video

2020-10-24

A Weekend on the Trail Earlier this month I set out on a two-day weekend adventure with some friends. We set off over the mountains from central Virginia with plans to snake our way into West Virginia via nothing but back roads and forest service roads. This end of Virginia is dominated by Jefferson and […]

Event Report

Five Years of Overland Expo

2019-10-04

With just under a week to go before Overland Expo East 2019 I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at all the Overland Expos I have attended over the last five years. In total I’ve been to seven so far and this fall marks my eighth total. I’ve been […]

Event Report

American Adventurist Appalachian Rendezvous

2019-09-19

There is one event every year that I go to that is for me. I know that might sound selfish, but it’s true. It is hands-down my favorite event for a number of reasons. I enjoy it so much I think you would to. Read on for why you should add an American Adventurist Rendezvous […]

Event Report

[Event Report] L.T. Wright Knives 2019 Pout House Campout [Raccoon Creek State Park, PA]

2019-05-03

Many people view “sponsorships” as either a sellout or a way to just get free stuff. However, when I arrange a Corporate Partnership with a company one of the things I always stress is that it’s a two-way street. This past weekend was an opportunity to work with longtime partner L.T. Wright Knives and assist […]

Event Report

[Event Report] 2019 Smoky Mountain Overland Rally (Cosby, TN)

2019-04-19

I was finally able to make it to Tennessee for the Smoky Mountain Overland Rally (SMOR). This is an event I have been wanting to make since it’s inaugural event but there always seemed to be a conflict. Home, for the weekend at least, just outside Great Smoky Mountain National Park.It’s good to be out […]

2019 Overland Skills Weekends

2019-02-11

From day one the mission of ECOA has been built on the cornerstone of education. This is a reflection of my own professional past working in academics as well as my personal desire to share my knowledge and experience with those around me. Over the last four years I have attended large events like Overland […]

Woolrich Factory Tour (MAOF 2017)

2017-08-18

As part of the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival this year the Henwoods organized a tour of the Woolrich Woolen Mill in nearby Woolrich, PA. Arriving at the Woolrich Woolen MillIt’s like living in an “How It’s Made” episode. This was by far the highlight of the trip since it combined a little overland adventure through […]