2016 No Highways Tour Book Trip
Donation protected
[Update] Due to a less than anticipated number of preorders I have put into a place a contingency plan to run the first porition of the trip. It's still rather ambitious on it's own, but with the lower funding goal it puts it on par with last year's trip. I will still do a book, of course, it will just feature more of the NW rather than a coast-to-coast trip.
I'll leave the initital pitch below, but understand that as of today (2016-03-19) I'm only commiting to WA through CO over 40 days with the reduction in funding requested.
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First of all let me thank all of the supporters from last year's trip. Every one of you helped turn a dream into a reality. The interest in last years trip has snowballed and I can't thank all of you enough.
1 Jeep... 20 States... 75 Days... 9,000 miles...
NO HIGHWAYS!!!
This year I've decided to up things a notch or two by doing a cross country trip. More states; almost double the distance; almost triple the time; the terrain is almost all new to me; and still NO HIGHWAYS!
See this year's promotional packet here.
For returning supporters this year's book trip is an opportunity to be apart of another great adventure. Many of you have told stories about how inspiring my trip was. Many of you also asked me for advice and ideas for your own trips whether they be family vacations or overland adventures. Many of you enjoyed the photos I shared last year's trip. Nothing will change... well, going be a lot more photos I'm sure.
For new supporters for this year's trip, get ready for one heck of an adventure. The No Highways Tour is born out of a desire to see many of the off-the-beaten-path places only accessible by back roads and inspire others to do likewise. My distain for the interstate highway system is not out of hatred, it does have a purpose after all, but I feel we as a society have become too dependent upon it at the expense of all of the things we miss along the way.
Just like last year I'll be doing live updates for you to follow along as the trip happens. I'll make use of the No Highways Tour Facebook page as the main portal along with an Instagram feed. Updates will range from the "picture of the moment" with a brief caption, to more exhaustive galleries and detailed narrative of the day. Proximity to power and internet usually dictate the types and frequency of updates.
So, what do you get if you support this trip:
Support tiers range from being a member of the "No Highways Tour Sticker Club" which gets you rare limited edition trip stickers. This is just a way to show your support for the idea and what I'm trying to accomplish. You can also preorder copies of the book in print form or digital. Those that preorder print versions will receive exclusive hardcover versions of the book. Any books sales made after the trip will be softcover. There will also be an option this year to preorder a bundle of 10 high quality photos from the trip. The best part is you'll get to pick the ten photos! This supporter-exclusive option will be 50% off the usual retail price of my photos.
The other thing you get from supporting this trip is being a part of something unique. Throughout the year I teach workshops and guide small trips helping education and inspire other adventurers. I also author an overland adventure lifestyle blog called East Coast Overland Adventures. Supporting the No Highways Tour means you also support the bigger picture of what I have going on.
Who am I?
Before you support this trip take some time and explore the No Highways Tour Facebook page and the updates from last year's trip (jump back to Memorial Day 2015 for my departure). Also check out East Coast Overland Adventures on Facebook and on the blog . Make sure to check out my bio , my Jeep , and my mission statement for a look at who I am and why I do what I do. Additionally, if you want, check out my off road photography page 4Low Digital Labs . As you'll see I am passionate about the outdoors, traveling, 4x4's, and of course photography.
Final thoughts:
Let me finish by saying thank you for your time in checking out this GoFundMe page. Last year I requested $3,000 and exceeded that goal. This year I am requesting $7,000. I know that seems like a lot but remember, this years trip is twice the distance and three times as long in time comparied to last year's trip. All money raised here through GoFundMe will be used for food, fuel, and fees associated with the trip and the production of the book.
No money raised through GoFundMe will be used for parts on the Jeep or for personal gear unless specified by the supporter - and then only that supporters money will be used for that purpose.
As with last year's book, all supporters of this year's trip will be recognized and immortalized in the book and on the Facebook according to their support level.
Acknowledgements:
At this time I would also like to take the following corporate partners who are also helping to make the 2016 No Highways Tour Book Trip possible.
AtoZ Fabrication * - Bumpers and rocker guards
ViAir Corporation - On Board Air
Rigid Industries - LED lighting
DeLorme GPS - InReach navigation device and mapping
JKS Manufacturing - Suspension
* Denotes returning partner from the 2015 book trip.
If at any time you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this trip - or ideas for fun places to stop and see along the way, please reach out to me. Also, if you live along my route and would like to meet while I'm on my trip, or at any of the events I will be attending, also reach out to me.
I'll leave the initital pitch below, but understand that as of today (2016-03-19) I'm only commiting to WA through CO over 40 days with the reduction in funding requested.
-----
First of all let me thank all of the supporters from last year's trip. Every one of you helped turn a dream into a reality. The interest in last years trip has snowballed and I can't thank all of you enough.
1 Jeep... 20 States... 75 Days... 9,000 miles...
NO HIGHWAYS!!!
This year I've decided to up things a notch or two by doing a cross country trip. More states; almost double the distance; almost triple the time; the terrain is almost all new to me; and still NO HIGHWAYS!
See this year's promotional packet here.
For returning supporters this year's book trip is an opportunity to be apart of another great adventure. Many of you have told stories about how inspiring my trip was. Many of you also asked me for advice and ideas for your own trips whether they be family vacations or overland adventures. Many of you enjoyed the photos I shared last year's trip. Nothing will change... well, going be a lot more photos I'm sure.
For new supporters for this year's trip, get ready for one heck of an adventure. The No Highways Tour is born out of a desire to see many of the off-the-beaten-path places only accessible by back roads and inspire others to do likewise. My distain for the interstate highway system is not out of hatred, it does have a purpose after all, but I feel we as a society have become too dependent upon it at the expense of all of the things we miss along the way.
Just like last year I'll be doing live updates for you to follow along as the trip happens. I'll make use of the No Highways Tour Facebook page as the main portal along with an Instagram feed. Updates will range from the "picture of the moment" with a brief caption, to more exhaustive galleries and detailed narrative of the day. Proximity to power and internet usually dictate the types and frequency of updates.
So, what do you get if you support this trip:
Support tiers range from being a member of the "No Highways Tour Sticker Club" which gets you rare limited edition trip stickers. This is just a way to show your support for the idea and what I'm trying to accomplish. You can also preorder copies of the book in print form or digital. Those that preorder print versions will receive exclusive hardcover versions of the book. Any books sales made after the trip will be softcover. There will also be an option this year to preorder a bundle of 10 high quality photos from the trip. The best part is you'll get to pick the ten photos! This supporter-exclusive option will be 50% off the usual retail price of my photos.
The other thing you get from supporting this trip is being a part of something unique. Throughout the year I teach workshops and guide small trips helping education and inspire other adventurers. I also author an overland adventure lifestyle blog called East Coast Overland Adventures. Supporting the No Highways Tour means you also support the bigger picture of what I have going on.
Who am I?
Before you support this trip take some time and explore the No Highways Tour Facebook page and the updates from last year's trip (jump back to Memorial Day 2015 for my departure). Also check out East Coast Overland Adventures on Facebook and on the blog . Make sure to check out my bio , my Jeep , and my mission statement for a look at who I am and why I do what I do. Additionally, if you want, check out my off road photography page 4Low Digital Labs . As you'll see I am passionate about the outdoors, traveling, 4x4's, and of course photography.
Final thoughts:
Let me finish by saying thank you for your time in checking out this GoFundMe page. Last year I requested $3,000 and exceeded that goal. This year I am requesting $7,000. I know that seems like a lot but remember, this years trip is twice the distance and three times as long in time comparied to last year's trip. All money raised here through GoFundMe will be used for food, fuel, and fees associated with the trip and the production of the book.
No money raised through GoFundMe will be used for parts on the Jeep or for personal gear unless specified by the supporter - and then only that supporters money will be used for that purpose.
As with last year's book, all supporters of this year's trip will be recognized and immortalized in the book and on the Facebook according to their support level.
Acknowledgements:
At this time I would also like to take the following corporate partners who are also helping to make the 2016 No Highways Tour Book Trip possible.
AtoZ Fabrication * - Bumpers and rocker guards
ViAir Corporation - On Board Air
Rigid Industries - LED lighting
DeLorme GPS - InReach navigation device and mapping
JKS Manufacturing - Suspension
* Denotes returning partner from the 2015 book trip.
If at any time you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this trip - or ideas for fun places to stop and see along the way, please reach out to me. Also, if you live along my route and would like to meet while I'm on my trip, or at any of the events I will be attending, also reach out to me.
Organizer
Dean Shirley
Organizer
Shippensburg, PA
