Frey’s on The Side

So how did it all start? In recent years (2018), we have found a new found love for the outdoors and particularly found interest in the growing “Overland” community. As we entered the new year of 2019, we traded our 2006 Jeep Wrangler - Golden Eagle (TJ) in to purchased a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. Our family was growing and this was Matt’s idea of family car, since it had four doors. Later that February, we purchased a 2018 NuCamp T@G XL Boondock Edition and couldn’t wait to spend our first night out camping. In the Spring of 2019, we hit the ground running camping every chance we had. That summer we headed out west, camping along the way, visiting many great sites, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Black Hills, but quickly realized the journey was the most exciting part of the trip. We loved how our family could spend quality time together away from all the “noise” of the world around us.

As we packed the camper away late in the 2019 season, with no idea the world as we know it was going to take a dramatic change. As we entered into the Spring of 2020 we looked forward to the camping season with our hearts set on visiting Yellowstone National Park and witnessing all of its marvels.

Where did Frey’s On The Side start, you ask? In summer of 2020, we navigated the “new world” and embarked on an epic trip out west with our eyes set on Yellowstone National Park. A couple sites down from our camp in Yellowstone, was a well known family in the “Overlanding” community. We had great conversations and enjoyed their company. In conversation they ask what was our instagram account, which was followed by “we don’t have one” and recommended we start and share our story. 

On our journey home, we thought of several options for our “handle.” Our last name is often mispronounced as “fray” and we correct those with, “It’s Frey, like french fry”, combined with weekend adventures “on the side.” There you have it… 

So how about this “Overland” stuff? After we returned from our Trip to Yellowstone we started sharing our story on Facebook and Instagram, but soon started filming our adventures and sharing them on YouTube. Shortly after we created Frey’s On The Side, the connections to the Overland World grew quickly and we fell in love with the community. In fact, at one our weekend camping trips we met a couple in a Global Expedition Vehicle and they put on to an event called KOAR - Keweenaw Overland Adventure Retreat. Through a content on Instagram, we were able to score last minute tickets to the event. The KOAR event was the first taste of the Overland world for Matt and is what “lit the fire” to learn more.

We moved to a TC Teardrop? As 2021 camping season approached, our camping and overland style was evolving and a TC Teardrop was the perfect fit. By early July we moved to a 2021 TC Teardrop ORE 5’x10’, which gives the ability to have creature comforts in more remote locations than ever before. Our shake down run with the trailer was a couple nights in the backyard, then off to Glacier National Park for a 2 week adventure (our third year out west).

What next? Starts with an “A” and end with “dventure”Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to find out more.