Well, here we are. First post. First trail marker.
If you’ve found yourself here, chances are you’ve got a little of the same itch I do—that need to get out there, to explore, to get your boots dusty and your tires dirty. Maybe you’re a seasoned overlander, or maybe you’re just realizing that weekends don’t have to mean Netflix and yardwork. Either way, welcome.
The Spirit Behind Gladiator Up
Gladiator Up started as a personal outlet—part trip log, part gear journal, part soapbox. I’ve always had a foot in two worlds: one planted in the real world of work and responsibility, the other chasing adventure, solitude, and big sky country whenever I can grab a few days and a full tank.
I’m not a full-time RV’er I’m not here to sell you the fantasy of quitting your job to live in a rooftop tent. What I am is a Jeep Gladiator owner (mostly stock 2021 Mojave), a lifelong creative, and someone who believes that meaningful adventure doesn’t require a six-figure build or a sabbatical. Sometimes it’s just one solid weekend, a good campfire, and the right road less traveled.
Before I turned my focus to trails and gear, I spent years as a touring musician—writing songs, playing shows, and living life in motion. That rhythm still fuels me. The road has always been where I find clarity and creativity. This site is just the next evolution of that journey.
What You’ll Find Here
GladiatorUp.com is built for fellow weekend warriors, Jeep lovers, and backroad dreamers. Here’s what you can expect as the site grows:
- Trip & Gear Reviews – Honest, tested, and field-written. No fluff.
- Travel Guides – Focused on the Southern U.S., where red clay, rocky ledges, and hidden creeks define the terrain.
- Trail Reports & Camp Logs – Because half the fun is swapping stories.
- Personal Essays & Musings – The stuff that surfaces when you’re watching smoke drift from a fire and the world gets quiet.
- The Southern Expedition Portal – A state-by-state planning hub for overlanding routes, public lands, campsites, and local gems across the Southeastern U.S. (Think of it as a growing map to your next great trip.)
This isn’t just a blog. It’s a place to share what I’m learning, loving, and occasionally failing at in the pursuit of building a rig and a life that gets outside the lines.
If that sounds like your kind of thing—stick around.
Here’s to the road unpaved,
Doug