How Fortunate We Are!

One of the greatest benefits of being involved in the jeep industry is the ability to interact with all of the awesome people that are a part of it, and by this, I mean the folks that organize your local jeep club meetings, the local shops that help you build your dream and the all the guys and gals that we meet on and off the trail that we share the passion of the outdoors with.

How many other industries do you know of where the community is large enough to support multiple large events all across the country, maintain literally hundreds of forums and online resources, all while allowing us to interact with each other, even one on one, when we need help or have a question? This community of people all share a common interest and for the most part its about enjoying life with family and friends…it also happens to contain some of the best people I have ever known…we are truly fortunate.

This year has been challenging to say the least! In a typical year we travel about 45,000 miles criss crossing the country seeing all of our beloved Modern Jeepers, and after 6+ years, I continue to be blown away by each and every person I meet along the way. At every shop, every club and each event, I get to learn something about that area, its people, what they enjoy and how they enjoy it. This community of people is willing to share, help and involve themselves in whatever way they can to help create an even better community. Its amazing. The outdoor enthusiasts’ main goal remains unchanged from coast to coast, and that is to enjoy activities in nature and wilderness areas…it does not matter if the “nature” is on a beach or in the mountains. As long as we all continue to respect and take care of “nature”, we get to continue to enjoy being enthusiasts.

This last road trip to South Carolina and back was challenging, yet not once was I concerned that I was too far from support should I need it. Things can and do go wrong, even with the best maintenance and planning. Lucky? Maybe, but I feel I was fortunate. The trip was completed without any mechanical failures or issues and in each location the local folks made sure to offer anything that I might need. In a way, the places we go are timeless…but people are not. We just need to remember how fortunate we are and never take ANY day for granted.

I’m constantly reminded of past trips and experiences because of the way I organize all of the images over the years. Some folks may think that it’s a time waster or “unhealthy” because it almost forces me to live in the past…but I don’t see it either way. For me, it’s reflection. It’s meditation. It’s remembering and reliving some of the best memories I have…which as I get older, I need a reminder some times 🙂

I guess what I’m trying to say is that we need to be taking advantage of every opportunity we have to do what we love and are passionate about…because you never know when we will get another chance…

2014 Fines Double Racing – First in Class Baja 1000

2015 – Mercedes Benz Maybach Media Launch, Santa Barbara

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