Over Labor Day Weekend (September 1-4) we had the privilege to attend Appalachian Toyota Round-UP (ATR) 2022. We were able to teach 3 different classes while there.  Thursday, we packed up the boys and everything we needed and headed to Windrock in Oliver Springs, TN. Once arriving there we checked in and found our camp site for the weekend. Unless you pay for an actual campsite or rent a cabin everyone parks in a field or along the wood line.  Mike found us a nice area at the back of the field to set up camp for the weekend.  We were able to unload our 100 series, pop the tent on that for the boys and then get our tent on the Ram up and ready for the night. 

We headed up to the pavilion for our first class of the weekend: “Expedient Field Repair Class.” Since folks were just coming in or not arriving until Friday the class was small. But lots of questions were asked and the ones that attend that first night made a point to attend our other 2 classes that weekend. We ended up calling it an early night but only after we played a couple of games of UNO with the boys using flashlights as we sat on our trail in our camping chairs!!! 

Friday morning, we got up and headed into town to get a couple of items we needed for the weekend.  Our classes are in the afternoon/evening, so we had plenty of time.  We decided we didn’t want to run a trail we just wanted to have a day to relax (those seem hard to come by sometimes).  It was a much-needed day of R&R until the class that afternoon.  Mike and I headed up early to get everything ready for the class.  Friday afternoon we had our “Winch Your Way to Freedom Class.”  We had an AWESOME turn out!!!  The class lasted about an hour.  Mike covered the gear we use and then walked the students through the proper way to hook up a winch line and then we demonstrated the winch working.  We had lots of questions, and everyone was excited and thankful for the knowledge Mike gave them. Friday evening there was a raffle and then we headed to bed after that.

Saturday morning, Mike got up and went for a trail ride with AVO, Rhino Rack and Gathr Outdoors. It was pouring rain, so the boys and I stayed back at camp.  I took advantage of the rainy day worked some, read some, relaxed some and then chatted a friend once he arrived.  Once Mike got back, we had to get ready for our third and last class of the weekend: “Driving Tactics Class.” That class was earlier, and I think some people were not off the trails yet, but nonetheless it was another great class!

That night they had their BIG raffle!! After the raffle ended, we went to the top of trail 15 to watch some people try to get up it.  I think this was the boys’ favorite part of the weekend.  Being outside, watching the lights of the vehicles and watching the vehicles try the obstacles made the perfect ending for the weekend!!

Sunday morning, we broke camp down and headed back to our camper.  The night ended with me doing laundry and reflecting on the weekend! We look forward to attending ATR next year!  It’s always nice to make new friends and be able to share our knowledge with others!