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25 SEPTEMBER 2015: Spending some quality time in a favorite city is always fun. A pleasant surprise has been the amazing spring-like weather, which is very unusual for this time of year. Even the one day there was rain turned out to be beautiful when the turbulent skies were touched by the early evening light just before dusk…
20 SEPTEMBER 2015: Back to Paris and beyond this weekend, with a “daytrip” outside the city to visit someone in a rural outpost near the town of Provins. While it may not seem like “exploration” to most folks, for us it is a radical departure from our comfort zone in the “region parisienne” and we were pleasantly surprised by the kindness of strangers there…
19 SEPTEMBER 2015: Together in Paris, we are taking some time to reconnect after a series of individual trips and projects. Feels great to be in the “old neighborhood” and looking forward to seeing many good friends over the next weeks…
6 SEPTEMBER 2015: Appreciating a relaxing break near home, and the chance to revisit some old favorite spots on Long Island. One little known trail that is always enjoyable takes us on a short loop through varied terrain and lets out onto the rugged rocky beach of the North Shore. Not the kind of place most people think of when they hear “beach” around here, but a wonderful spot for just taking a long walk on the waters edge and contemplating life…
THIS MONTH:
Back to Paris, the “city of light” and one of our favorite cities, for some time with friends rediscovering the familiar and laying out plans for some upcoming projects. A welcome pause at an international crossroads …
COMING UP SOON:
Joining up with 200 other overlanders to enjoy the fall colors of Vermont at the annual Vermont Overland Rally in Rockingham, VT. The event includes three days of workshops, independent trail navigation, bonfires and BBQs in the picture perfect setting of rural Vermont …
TEAM 171 PRESENTATION
USnomads, c’est l’histoire d’une amitié de plus de 20 ans, qui s’est construite à travers le temps, les cultures, les expériences de la vie et des voyages. Seule l’union de deux caractères forts et respectueux l’un de l’autre explique que nous soyons arrivées à nos fins dans chacun de nos défis.
Ceci est notre première participation au Rallye des gazelles et nous ne sommes pas des professionels, mais JoMarie a une certaine expérience de l’Afrique et des situations d’urgence. D’autre part, elle s’est totalement investie dans la préparation de cette course et Isabelle s’est récemment mise à la navigation.
Le Rallye des gazelles dans le désert marocain sera le théâtre d’une nouvelle épreuve pour nous : une Jeep, une boussole, une carte et tout le pouvoir de notre volonté d’y parvenir fera le reste.
Ce défi sportif s’inscrit dans un projet humain plus large, celui de traverser le désert du Sahara d’Ouest en Est dans l’espoir d’accompagner les équipes d’ONG dans leurs micro-projets d’aide aux peuplades nomades locales. JoMarie en produira un film documentaire qui donnera à mieux connaitre les hommes de cette partie du monde.
L’équipe 171 prendra fièrement son envol le 15 mars 2014 avec toutes les autres participantes ! Et que les meilleures gagnent !
Mais quelle valeur et quelle portée aurait cette leçon de vie, si nous n’étions pas soutenues par l’amour de nos proches, de nos amis et de tous ceux qui nous entourent. Merci !
CURRENT WEATHER
MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
August – Topless For Tatas
July – Rubicon Trail
June – Bantam Jeep Fest, PA roadtrip
May – Overland Expo, AZ roadtrip
April – Paris, Rausch Creek
March – Uwharrie
February – Back Home
January – Mauritania
15-31 December – Roadtrip
1-14 December – Southwest deserts
November – Paris and planning
October – Overland Expo and Workshops
September – Moab and more
The Gazelle Rally Recap
Archive
SPECIAL REPORT
SCOUTING THE SAHARA IN MAURITANIA: WAYPOINT NOUAKCHOTT
The first in a series of reports from our scouting trip in Mauritania takes and indepth look at the capital city of Nouakchott, and its fishing port… [read]
MORE INFO:
About Team 171 US Nomads
Team Training
Practical Matters
In Our Words
Team News
Contact Us
SPECIAL REPORT
ON BECOMING A GAZELLE: THE DESERT’S FIRST CHALLENGE
The second installment in a series of personal reflections on our experience in the Rallye Aiche des Gazelles–Putting our skills to the test in Morocco on the first day out in the desert, known as the “Prologue,” there are a few surprises… [read]
