Idaho Overland Expedition 2012_1
July 4-8, 2012
We feel many have lost their sense of adventure and are now disconnected from nature and from each other. Visiting new places and sharing a meal with others produces a sense of connection for the traveler. This connection makes them better prepared to manage the world’s resources and relationships. After hearing Ted Simon speak at the 2012 Overland Expo, we decided we could help make a difference and promote The Ted Simon Foundation. The foundation was started in 2011 to pair adventure travelers with mentors to develop the traveler’s ‘observations and insights into something of value for the rest of the world to share, whatever their medium of expression might be.’ The goal is to equip travelers with the ability to effectively share their experiences traveling in different cultures and thus promote world understanding. This allows us all to better ‘understand the beauties, the mysteries, and the tragedies of our world. No traveler, in our experience, ever came home with a message of hate.’
 |
| Ted Simon speaking at the 2012 Overland Expo |
What we did:
On July 4, 2012 four adventure travelers set out to traverse the state of Idaho, from Wyoming to Oregon, on backcountry roads. We followed the Idaho Overland Route, which allowed us to traverse the state on as few paved roads as possible. The route took us from Wyoming across the Upper Snake River Plain, through Idaho’s Central Mountains, over the Owyhee Uplands, and finally into Oregon. We completed the journey in five days and covered roughly 725 total miles with over 600 miles on dirt/gravel roads. We had the opportunity to camp in some of Idaho’s most rugged places and see portions of the state few know about. Along the way we encountered road closures, mechanical failures, and flat tires. These obstacles only served to take four people, who barely knew each other, and turn them into lifelong friends who are now ready to tackle the next big expedition.
