Galactic Adventures

ISSUE 15 | FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Camper Vans gathered at a campfire at sunset

Hello, STORYTELLERS! Welcome to the 15th issue of Galactic Adventures -- our community-focused, community-informed newsletter. We so appreciate your sharing your stories with us and of course, letting us be a part of your story. Like STO Founder, Jeffrey Hunter says, "It's not that the people do the magic, it's that the people are the magic." ✨

The next major event on our calendar is Overland Expo SoCal, March 15-16 in Costa Mesa, CA. This will be an excellent opportunity to see the 2025 Storyteller GXV HILT and Storyteller CREW MODE in person.

This issue's featured photo comes to us from STO GXV HILT owner, Scott Orr.

🚐 Behind the Scenes with Beyond the Pavement-Backland Adventures

Craig Arant, 2023 STEALTH MODE owner

We just returned from Anza-Borrego, and wow—what an incredible adventure! With 12 vans, 18 participants, and an 8-person support crew, we explored the stunning desert landscape, tackling a mix of rocky trails, sandy washes, and technical obstacles. Folks learned off-road driving and recovery skills and then put them to the test.

The first day greeted us with strong winds, but they gave way to clear skies and breathtaking, star-filled nights that made every evening around the campfire unforgettable. From hands-on learning to camaraderie on the trail, this trip was everything we hoped for—and more. We can’t wait to do it again!

What makes Beyond The Pavement (BTP) special isn't just the trails we explore-it's the people behind the scenes who dedicate their time, passion, and expertise to make it all happen. This experience isn't just about taking you down a dirt road; it's about giving you the tools and confidence to venture beyond the pavement on your own.

Jeremy, Sarah, Ken, Pam, Summer, and I (Craig) are committed to more than just leading a trip-we're here to share knowledge, build community, and make sure you walk away with skills that will serve you well beyond the weekend. Long before you arrive, we're out there pre-running routes, checking clearances, scouting the best campsites, and ensuring that every mile is not just safe, but rewarding. Every turn, hill climb, and rocky section has been tested to make sure our vans can handle it without unnecessary worries. We believe that off-road travel should be an adventure, not a stress test.

Safety & Learning Go Hand in Hand

Off-road driving can seem intimidating, especially if you're new to it. That's why BTP is designed as a controlled learning environment where you can challenge yourself while knowing you're in good hands. We guide you through real-world situations— airing down tires, choosing the right line, recovering a stuck vehicle-so that when you're out on your own, you won't have to second-guess your abilities.

Our Light Shines When You Can DIY

My greatest joy is sharing what l've learned over the years, and l'm fortunate to work alongside a team that feels the same way. Each of us brings something unique to the experience, whether it's technical know-how, navigation skills, or simply the ability to encourage and inspire. But at the heart of it all is a desire to empower you with knowledge. The more you understand about your vehicle and the terrain, the more confident you become, and that's what truly fuels us.

More Than Just a Trip—It's a Community

BTP isn't just about driving—it's about connection. There's something special about gathering around a campfire after a day on the trail, sharing stories, troubleshooting problems together, and forming friendships that last well beyond the trip. You can learn more about our events at backlandadventures.com and on the the events page on storytelleroverland.com

We all know how easy it is to read about off-road techniques on a screen, but nothing compares to hands-on experience. So bring your van, bring your camera, and bring a smile-we'll bring the rest.

See you on the trail!

🐬 “I still can’t believe this is real”

Merissa Petersen, 2024 CLASSIC MODE owner

Emily and I just hit our third winter in Baja—three years of pulling up to the same beaches, opening the van doors, and knowing we’re exactly where we’re meant to be. Sun, salt, tacos, and dolphins at sunrise—it never gets old.

A few days ago, I woke up, slid open the van door, and saw dolphins in the bay. I stared at them for a second, still wrapped in my blanket, and then Emily looked over at me from her van like, ‘Are we doing this?’ Obviously, we were because duh, dolphins. We grabbed our paddleboards and ran straight to the water.

The water was ridiculously calm, and as we paddled out, they circled around us, surfacing and diving, just doing their little dolphin thing. You could hear them breathing when they came up for air. We just sat there, losing our minds, completely surrounded, like some kind of ocean fever dream. There’s something about seeing dolphins first thing in the morning that makes you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Like a little cosmic thumbs up from the universe. They’ve always been a sign of protection and freedom—happy, joyous, free, playful little guardians of the sea.

February 6 - 10
VanFest in Melbourne, FL

February 14 - 17
STO Safari meetup in Lakeland, FL

February 27 - March 3
Southeast Adventure Vehicle Expo, Starke, FL

March 7 - 10
Peace, Love & Vans in Dade City, FL

And then—because Baja is just magic—they came back that evening. Right before sunset, when the whole ocean turns to gold. So obviously, we paddled back out again. The dolphins were jumping, the sky was on fire, and we just kept thinking: how is this real life?

A Van Brings You Here, But the People Keep You
I think that’s why we keep coming back. Not just for the dolphins or the perfect temperature or the fact that we get to live on a beach for months at a time—but because of who we share it with.

Over the last three years, we’ve built a little van family down here. What started as a random group of travelers crossing paths in Mexico has turned into something so much bigger. These aren’t just our Baja friends—they’re our everywhere friends. The ones we spend holidays with when we’re back in the U.S., the ones we call when we need a reality check, the ones who feel like home no matter where we are.

It’s wild how quickly strangers become your people out here. Maybe it’s because we all share this weird little lifestyle, or maybe it’s because something about Baja just makes you open up and let people in. Whatever it is, I can’t imagine spending winter any other way.

Grateful for this Life
Every year, when we start making the drive south, I get this feeling in my chest—like excitement and nostalgia and some kind of deep, overwhelming gratitude all rolled into one. Like, I know I’m about to step into a life that makes me feel so alive.

Because it’s not just about Baja. It’s about who we share it with. It’s about waking up to dolphins and watching the sunset with your best friends. It’s about knowing that no matter what, there’s always a beach down south waiting for us, with an open seat around the fire and people who feel like home.

But more than anything, it’s about knowing that even when we pack up and drive back north, we’re never really leaving this life behind—because home isn’t a place. It’s people.

Five years of living life on the road, and I still can’t believe this is real.

Happenings@HQ: Tyler Duke 40 Under 40

We are thrilled to announce that Tyler Duke, Storyteller Overland's Chief Technology Officer and CEO of GoCamp, has been named a 2024 Top 40 Under 40 honoree by the Birmingham Business Journal! This recognition celebrates young professionals who are making significant impacts on their industries and communities, and Tyler exemplifies this standard in every way.

Tyler's journey to this honor is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, innovative mindset and dedication to fostering technological advancement. A University of Alabama graduate with dual degrees in Computer Science and Biology, followed by an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Tyler has consistently navigated the intersection of technology, business and social responsibility.

Tyler's passion for innovation led him to co-found ListList, a socially-driven web and mobile application designed to empower users to build, share and collaborate on lists seamlessly. ListList was selected for the Velocity Accelerator Program at Innovation Depot, further validating Tyler’s vision and leadership in the startup space.

His entrepreneurial journey continued when he joined Storyteller Overland as CTO in 2022, establishing the technological foundation that has supported the company’s rapid growth. Under Tyler’s leadership, Storyteller has streamlined operations, enhanced data accessibility and driven data-informed decision-making processes.

Beyond the office, Tyler actively contributes to Birmingham’s tech ecosystem. He is a regular participant in Birmingham Tech Council meetings and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of tech leaders.

Tyler Duke's leadership and forward-thinking approach continue to shape the future of Storyteller Overland, GoCamp and Birmingham’s tech landscape. We are incredibly proud of Tyler’s well-deserved recognition as a Birmingham Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.

Congratulations, Tyler!