Amazing sights await you when you venture far off the beaten path. Spectacular mountains, rivers, secluded lakes and animal viewing opportunities are all just outside your window. Finding that remote campsite far away from our chaotic life is an awesome way to decompress and regenerate your soul. All this is available to anyone with a disability, but you are on your own and must be prepared for all the good and the bad that may come.

"Expect the best and plan for the worst" is a great motto for this section. Nothing ever goes as planned, but you must be prepared. Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere sucks, but it doesn't have to be life threatening. Below you will find suggestion that will not only make your adventure safe, but more enjoyable.

KNOW THY SELF

Before deciding where to go it's very important to honestly evaluate your off road driving skills and you tolerance for rough conditions. Off road trails are rated just like hiking trails. If you have very little experience driving on difficult terrain stick to the easier trails. This may seem obvious, but sometime we overestimate our skills and then trouble awaits. It's always best to travel with someone with more experience in another vehicle who can guide you and get you out of trouble if necessary.

Since the best roads are not maintained you must understand your tolerance for being on a very rough road. Sometimes it will seem that your vehicle is being shook apart by the rutted and rocking road you are traveling on. Even with the best suspension this can be very jarring. This adventure may not be for you if this is too uncomfortable. Understand that you will generally be traveling at speeds under twenty miles an hour, so even a short road will take a seemingly very long time before you to reach your destination.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?

Being spontaneous sometimes is great. You see a dirt road and want to see where it goes. The reality is that you could be headed for trouble. It is best to do your research.There are ample online resources about off road trails. They will tell you what to expect and what to avoid. The Forest Service is a great place to get free maps of the area you're interested to and they can also inform you about the current road conditions. Look for online forums, they are a great place to find those hidden gems that are hard to find through other resources. One of our favorite forums is Overland Bound. They have a great deal of information about equipment, driving tips and awesome destinations. You can become a member for a one time fee.

WEATHER

Start checking the weather at least two weeks before your departure. The weather predictions can and will change as the days go by. When you are traveling at high elevations the weather can change almost by the hour. Also check the historical weather for the area you will be traveling through. This will give you a better idea of what might happen. Once you have a good idea of what you might expect you can bring the appropriate clothing and camping gear. It's always best to have a pack with your extreme weather gear in your vehicle at all times.

GROUP SIZE

It's always best to travel in a group when overlanding, especially if you use a wheelchair. No matter how adept you are with your wheelchair skills certain conditions will present themselves where you can't maneuver sufficiently. Always carrying enough water for every member of your group. It is recommended to carry at least a gallon per day per person and if you will be camping you should carry at least two gallons per day per person. If you will be camping you should plan out your meals for each person per day. Take your time with this, it's very easy to take too much or too little. In addition, if you are camping make sure there are enough tents and sleeping bags. We know that all of this seems obvious, but you would be surprised by the things you will forget in the pre-trip excitement.

VEHICLE PREPARATION

Pamper your vehicle when your not on the trail. Don't miss any scheduled maintenance. Check your oil and other fluids often. This vehicle will literally be your life line when you go off road. Get to know your vehicle listen for any unusual sounds that might be an indication of eminent trouble. Establish a relationship with a local mechanic that you can trust. They will know your vehicle and can spot problems quicker.

GET YOUR OCD ON

Create a checklist and check it and then check again. Take your time when you can. Last minute rushing around will lead to forgetfulness. Adventures are supposed to be fun, be prepared.

BUDGET

Try to determine a reasonable budget for your adventure, but be flexible. Always have cash on hand. Sometimes we rely to much on our debt card or credit card. Several times we have needed to get gas and the card machines are down. This could spell disaster for your trip.

BE FREE

Now that you know exactly where you are going and you have prepared for anything, let it all go. Don't be so focused on the goal that you miss an opportunity for something unexpected. Checkout things along your way. A short side trip can lead to an amazing site or experience. On one trip we where on our way to a certain campground deep in the mountains. We came to a fork in the road, one way lead to our campground and the other to an overlook. We decided to take a quick peak. On our way we came to an old decommissioned campsite. We stopped to take a drink of water and relax briefly. A few seconds after we turned off the engine, hundreds of hummingbirds rose up from the bushes. They flew around us with no fear. This was the most amazing experience that I have ever had in my life.

LIVE AND LEARN

In the beginning you will probably make mistakes. You will pack too much or maybe not enough. You will develop an intimate knowledge of your vehicle and discover that it might need a certain modification to meet your goals. Everyone is different, so your individual needs will be unique to you. Please don't give up. It maybe frustrating at first, but like life, it's a process. You will find your equilibrium over time. Now just get out there and explore!