Whiskey 7 Backroads

Join Brent on overlanding, camping, and backroad adventures across America, Montana Ranch, EarthCruiser EXP, gear reviews and community rendezvous.

1. Why We Should Fly the American Flag Every Day, Not Just the Fourth of July

Brent Conklin

I am writing today on a topic that I have been saying for over 30 years. We should fly our flags every day, not just the 4th of July. I have 3 flags on flag poles and one flag wrap on the back of my truck. Hopefully, the info below will inspire you to fly a flag.

11 min read Jul 2, 2026

overland-expo public

Overland Expo PNW 2026 Starts Tomorrow — Why You Should Be in Redmond, Oregon (June 26-28)

Steven Marty

June 26-28, 2026 in Redmond, Oregon. 300+ exhibitors, 220+ classes, and show specials with $5,000 off a Sandy Van build and 20% off Rhino-Rack and MAXTRAX. Practical first-timer guide with travel routes, camping, ticket prices, and the booth numbers worth lining up for.

16 min read Jun 25, 2026

opinion public

The $68 Billion Problem: Why Overlanding's Explosive Growth Is Eating Itself Alive

Brent Conklin

28,500 people packed into one expo. $40B in 2026, headed to $68B by 2036. 14,000 acres outside Zion just closed. The industry is eating its own playground and most overlanders do not see it happening.

13 min read Jun 19, 2026

Camping public

The 7,163-Mile Subaru: Conquering the TransAmerica Trail in a Car Nobody Believed Could Do It

Brent Conklin

Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal drove a 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness 7,163 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific on the TransAmerica Trail — 3,184 unpaved miles, 29 days, 39 reroutes, zero mechanical failures. A proof-of-concept for soft-roaders on the country's most demanding amateur overland rou

16 min read Jun 12, 2026

Montana Ranch public

2026 Rendezvous

Brent Conklin

Hello everyone, this email is going out to all members (paid or not). It's time to start thinking about the 2026 Rendezvous at the ranch.

3 min read Apr 17, 2026

Montana Ranch public

Meet the New Workhorse of Whiskey 7 Ranch

Brent Conklin

The Search Begins In April of 2025, I started to research and design a new truck. I have been driving a 2021 Ram Powerwagon 75th Anniversary edition that I really like.

4 min read Nov 27, 2025

Montana Ranch public

2025 Rendezvous

Brent Conklin

Hello everyone, if you're getting this email, you are on the outside looking in!! In other words, you are not signed up for a paid membership.

3 min read May 28, 2025

Camping public

An Adventure in Family History

Gary Matos

In the last four years, my wife and I have visited Echo Park twice. Located in the northeast corner of Utah, at the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers, it has everything we enjoy in a park.

15 min read Jan 21, 2025

Montana Ranch public

2024 Rendezvous Recap

Brent Conklin

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving with their family and friends. I am writing this article the Saturday after Thanksgiving and realized I did not post the recap of the Rendezvous.

4 min read Nov 30, 2024

Camping public

Top Reasons to Use a Composting Toilet for Your Camper or RV

Brent Conklin

Composting toilet for a camper or RV: pros, cons, real-world costs, and the 3 mistakes that ruin them. How often you empty it, what to do with the waste, and whether it beats a cassette toilet on a 2-week trip.

9 min read Sep 28, 2024

Zoom public

Rendezvous 2024 Planning - Zoom Last Chance to RSVP

Brent Conklin

The Rendezvous at the Ranch is fast approaching. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this year.

2 min read Jul 13, 2024

Camping public

Campsite Sense

Gary Matos

Our return trip home from Southern California started in darkness. We wanted to outrun the traffic of Los Angeles and the atmospheric river of rain that was threatening to slow us down.

10 min read Jun 21, 2024

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