My first experience at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona was overwhelming and awesome! Sponsored by Subaru, I had no idea what I was getting into expect for camping in the woods at the Flagstaff Extreme campgrounds where I previously climbed around in the trees like an Ewok. With over 400 vendors and created by a woman, it’s “educating and inspiring through overland and adventure travel events” which means you will learn literally every camping thing, gadget, gear, RVs, trucks, off-roading and more at this massive moving outdoor convention. After this Overland Expo West 2025, it shifts across the USA to the Pacific Northwest June 27-29, Mountain West August 22-24 and East Coast October 3-5. Our own Camp Subaru was our home base and they really spoiled us with hot outdoor showers, private chefs for breakfast and dinner, a social happy hour, yoga each morning and a party with live music on the last night and more fun was had which will stay in the forest! Thank you to everyone who welcomed me with open arms even though I rolled in with my white Honda, which ironically I’m writing about this while working from Superstition Springs Honda in Mesa, Arizona while Pearl gets serviced for more adventures. Community means everything in this world!
The whole event started from May 15 to 17th but unofficially people were out camping and rooting into the woods that Wednesday night, excited to get grounded. The event officially kicked off with a breakfast in Sedona Thursday morning followed by a hike or Subaru crew drive. However, I was locked into the Ballet Arizona at Desert Botanical Gardens which is like the official marker for hot weather for the sizzling Phoenix summer weather with a stunning sunset background. So I planned on driving up after my Zoom meeting Friday however the traffic Gods had other plans for me and many others – closing I17 for construction and making me drive up and around through Payson, which made the drive 3.5 hours instead of an easy 1.5 hours from North Phoenix. So by the time I arrived, I was rammy, hungry and thirsty for beer!
Rolling up in my low riding Honda was actually pretty comical. One woman was like you’ll never make it down that dirt road which I took as a challenge, being from Pennsylvania, my mother taught me to drive on cliffside roads in a minivan… drive or die! I parked, text my contact, and got situated in a camping spot – after being told the space I originally chose was taken and they were leaving early. So I went into the pines which made for a soft landing for my tent and blowup mattress, so it all worked out. Funny enough, one of the Subaru campers had a girlfriend arriving in a Honda so they all greeted me as her, then when corrected were like are you sure you’re in the right area? Do you have an arm and car pass? Once the WhatsApp group messages hit to welcome me and I was in fact legit, they ran to help me set up my tent in record time. Fortunately, I had plenty of camping gear still in perfect condition from the Covid camping era through working with REICo-op. I was good to go in like 20 minutes with their help!
My legs and hips were so sick of sitting so I walked into the Expo to get an idea of where home base would be, the Subaru tent and also the lay of the land. And that’s where the story really begins… I am certainly in my FAFO era and this one has a very happy ending! First things first, pack walking shoes, lots of water, snacks, coffee and for my warm loving self, I brought three sleeping bags and a blowup mattress. I was like a piece of corn at night but at least I was warm! Most meals were provided which was awesome. Subaru spoiled our campsite by hiring Chef Chad White from TrailFeast, a culinary feast in the forest for the bold. Wild meals offered in epic places with cast iron camp cuisine by James Beard Foundation semifinalist Chef Jesse Houston with Switchback Supper Club these two mountain men were bringing everyone together to share in foodie frenzies each morning for breakfast and dinner. I wasn’t there for taco night but heard that the BBQ chicken and pitas were the best dinners hands down anyway with the fluffiest eggs in the morning. Thanks chefs for taking good care of our hunger and happy bellies. It’s a rad concept and I love a man who can cook, hands down – two is even better!
Welcome to the beauty that is Flagstaff, Arizona! My legs were happy to walk miles after that crazy commute.I got lost as I often do and found this which my mom would find darling at Overland Expo.Soon I meandered over to the Subaru home base at Overland Expo where you could have your polaroid taken.I began taking photos for random people are usual at Overland Expo. Hey guys hope you had fun!I scoped out the closest food court which also served as a happy hour for those with neck lanyards and classes at Overland Expo.Drawn to shiny things, I found out Bowlus was the OG style before Airstream when copyrights did not exist…This cracked me up and was the laugh out loud I needed at Overland Expo. When you gotta go, you gotta go!Boho Vans were a woman’s dream ride and apparently half their clients from Tempe, Arizona. See the video below!With over 400 vendors, it felt more like 4,000 when you’re running around Overland Expo. Quite the lineup!There are day passes, weekend and camping all weekend options at Overland Expo.Feeling stretched out and getting hungry, it was back to camp at Overland Expo. There were golf carts that can give you a ride too!My contact dropped a pin so it was easy to drive in to our site at Overland Expo.One of the selling points for me were the hot showers by Kakadu every morning and night at Overland Expo. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t have gone… ladies have more parts to clean fellas!Tent etiquette is to put your entrance away from others unless you’re part of the group for everyone’s comfort at Overland Expo.This setup you can stand in, literally why I chose this tent as I have that darn scoliosis fusion at Overland Expo.Our host hooked us up with an array of boozy beverages which seemed to unite the camp and of course, we were all stalking the food at Overland Expo.My meaty BBQ chicken sandwich and the best beans ever with a refreshing beer at Overland Expo.I tried to go to bed early at nightfall however heard men’s voices and immediately went into flight or fight mode which took me a while to get back to sleep at Overland Expo. But this breakfast woke me up after a nippy shower and lots of coffee!Then we had a group yoga class to get our bodies loosened up and moving at Overland Expo. It was not terribly intense which was great!Once I got my zoomies back, it was off to run around for 6 hours at Overland Expo starting with Tops Knives doing free sharpening.I started seeing these camp setups so decided to find a sign with a map at Overland Expo.This was the map, available in paper or an app at Overland Expo. Overwhelming to say the least!Back to the crapper guy at Overland Expo, he served as a marker for me haha!Subaru had a puppy adoption event and these cuties hopefully found a home at Overland Expo.Look at that little face at Overland Expo!On my to-do list was the Women Who Wander series at Overland Expo with muffins and mimosas.If I had to be labeled, I guess this would be it at Overland Expo.Usually I love champs but knew I would slow down so just had OJ instead at Overland Expo.All the women at my table were immediately welcoming and we were sharing stories at Overland Expo. There was a Bingo game afterwards which I passed on having a Honda and all.It was this moment I learned the creator or Overland Expo is a woman which I spread the word far and wide! Many inspiring stories were told however all of these women were married for many years and have a built in backup. Not all of us women who wander do!I pulled creator of Overland Expo Roseann Hanson aside for a photo and loved her safari style before her next event. Her lore and stories were quite fascinating however always included her husband… a lot of ladies are not opting to marriage so I was hoping to hear some solo female travel stories but guess I’m leading the way in that front!Subaru had these rad electric bikes that came in handy at Overland Expo.Some details on the electric bikes at Overland Expo. If you don’t know how to ride a motorcycle, take it easy on these.Arizona has a lot of fire restrictions so a gas fire pit comes in clutch at Overland Expo.Another woman owned brand, this Ember solar powered RV appealed to me at Overland Expo.This is exactly what women want at Overland Expo! A bed that rolls up into a backpack weighing 15 pounds from Born Outdoor.My kind of camping style with a bad back at Born Outdoor! I tried the floor model and did not want to get up.A composting toilet from AirHead at Overland Expo with the turd on top made me giggle but also a great idea.If you’re not camping with private chefs, these meals come in clutch – just add water at Overland Expo.Dressing rooms and or/restrooms with the bucket – and toilet seat at Overland Expo. Not ideal but hey, it’s better than nothing!There were a lot of huge monster trucks which reminded me of when I was 13 years old and my dad took me to show at Overland Expo.Solar panels for the win at Overland Expo, I need huge ones for my yard! Not a bad price either. A lot of people waited until Sunday to try to score a deal last minute.I love innovative, lightweight designs at Overland Expo and this was rad!For the Subaru crew, these would come in handy at Overland Expo.A pretty rad and solar powered mini from Boho Vans brand at Overland Expo is good for the shorties.This guy was the only person who also loved The Goonies at Overland Expo! Never say die is on the back window.Happy to see a first aid tent at Overland Expo which I needed a band-aid on the last day as I sliced my finger somehow at Overland Expo!I stumbled my way over to the creator area which I didn’t really get at Overland Expo.But popped out next to the bigger food court area at Overland Expo. All the carnival food you can dream of and then some!A picnic table area flanked the creator area at Overland Expo.I got excited about this “tiny” house until I found out it’s a resort community in Flagstaff with like a $700 HOA at Overland Expo. Nope!Just when I thought I found the cutest dog, a Golden Lab puppy was nearby at Overland Expo.They also taught dog and cat first aid at Overland Expo.I learned all about Om Digital formerly Olympus Cameras which are much more rugged – like me at Overland Expo.I found another place for Women Who Wander events as well at Overland Expo with a full schedule, it’s hard to keep up!A bunch of small pop ups but with my height and robot spine, it’s an issue at Overland Expo. Think of a turtle on its back haha!This is a whole VW vibe which I could see all the 70s hippies loving at Overland Expo.Rafael Ruiz from Subie and You Podcast with fellow North Phoenix friend Maria post for a photo in the Subaru booth at Overland Expo.By this point I had burned off all my breakfast and was craving carbs and veggies at Overland Expo.Small but mighty, Island Noodles filled the fuel tank to keep me going at Overland Expo.Saturday was the best day at Overland Expo until that crazy wind started some wicked witch style dust storms. The camp was a good place to duck away from it.So many cute dogs dressed in their sporty finest at Overland Expo.I did check out the Airstreams and even though they are costly, they do hold their value very well at Overland Expo.This setup was kind of rad for those with bendable spines at Overland Expo.Loving those 70s style colors at Overland Expo.These sleek style campers were also amazing and had pimped out solar panel charged interiors at Overland Expo.Another option was to ride your bike to Overland Expo which honestly is probably your best bet.Back to the Subaru Camp to escape the wind storm and have some fun at Overland Expo. This was the view from my tent.In the weirdest coincidence ever, my high school friend told me about Chef Chad White and I said he is our camp’s chef at Overland Expo. It’s really a small world, they were in the Navy together!We then began cracking jokes and sharing tales of time at Overland Expo while I watched them cook and prep.Chef Jesse Houston comes over to join the fun at Overland Expo.Everyone started huddling around the fire pit from the wind at Overland Expo including Phoenix the doggo.Follow your nose to the sizzling meat at Overland Expo.That night was Pita night not PITA as it was delicious at Overland Expo.Chefs cooking at the Subaru Camp at Overland Expo, almost ready for the foodie frenzy.Camp Subaru and then some at Overland Expo! Not pictured, me haha. But these fine folks were warm and welcoming. Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds) was our camp daughter and so sweet.Then it was back to dinner with grilled pita bread at Overland Expo.They made me go first as some campers didn’t know how to plate it at Overland Expo. Just like a taco!After dinner it was back to Camp Subaru for live music, drinks and even more food at Overland Expo!The boozy lineup at Overland Expo, I went with the House Wine but those beers were pretty tasty and great for tubing the Salt River!Then the furries came out! Just kidding, lots of onesies to keep warm at night and I rounded some up at Overland Expo. The two cows were part of our crew!Wishing I saved more room for this spread, we were snacking in style at Overland Expo.Hummus on cucumber at Overland Expo was refreshing.Mini quesadillas at Overland Expo which I didn’t have room for sadly.The night time party vibe was very chill at Overland Expo and cold!Once the party stopped at 9 p.m. sharp, we waddled back to camp telling some funny tales along the way at Overland Expo. Some of us may have stayed up until midnight by the campfire.I slept like a baby that night probably because of the red wine but it also rained and the wind made amazing background noise at Overland Expo. These fluffy goat cheese eggs brought me life!Some of our crew was packing up to leave that morning and these two had such a great setup at Overland Expo.Back to Overland Expo for the slimmer Sunday edition! Yeti is always a winning idea and solid brand.Remember ladies this is your new mantra… we don’t chase, we attract at Overland Expo!I do like the idea of being able to run over large rocks at Overland Expo but my height would be a problem here without a bendable spine.Happy to see that inflatable kayaks have evolved at Overland Expo! Kokopelli offers sturdy kayaks that only weigh 15 pounds, now we’re talking. Flashbacks to the Sea Eagle tandem kayak in the Florida Everglades with alligators and crocs, which I don’t recommend.They also offer SUP boards at Overland Expo, which I am currently debating between. Oh, to have a normal back!In case you were wondering about ways to get outside without the cost at Overland Expo…Back over to the booth for a sit down, I was dragging on Sunday at Overland Expo.I saw another woman friendly spot after a rest at Overland Expo, the Ladies Off Road network.This booth was buzzing at Overland Expo, perhaps a last minute Sunday sale at Kuhl.I found our showers tent at Overland Expo with a demonstration tent.So you can see how the water is heated up at Overland Expo, don’t drink it though I did brush my teeth in there.The Mercedes Benz of travel which is always rugged luxury at Overland Expo.I stumbled upon the Women Who Wander tutorial about changing tires at Overland Expo. I don’t think I would do that honestly!A waterproof speaker at Overland Expo was a great idea.New to me OM System (formerly Olympic) is the rugged camera brand at Overland Expo.My next goal it to be able to take photos like this at Overland Expo. Those cameras are also purse sized which is ideal!Learning how to fix a broken pay at Overland Expo was never so cute – and popular.Someone was raving about this place for lunch so I had to try it at Overland Expo.Pretty darn good but it did give me heartburn later at Overland Expo… or maybe it was the drink? Or all the things haha!Saying goodbye to the dream team at Subaru at Overland Expo. Such great people with huge hearts!
Back at camp, it was time to teardown and my long neighbors helped me pull the stakes from the ground at Overland Expo. We found a fuzzy little caterpilar living in the lining and set him in a safe space. I was beyond beat at this point and decided I didn’t want to brave the 30 degree temps that night so headed home – with decent time made. Would I return? Yes! But I would probably limit camping to one night only… the rest would be in a comfy hotel room bed with a bathtub. I guess I’ve gotten a little less granola nowadays but still love the woods and nature!
