MIDLAND GOES TO TOP OF OZARKS JEEP JAMBOREE

Midland Radio traveled to Seymour, Missouri for the Top of the Ozarks Jeep Jamboree.

ABOUT THE TRAILS

The 14th Annual Top of the Ozarks Jeep Jamboree took place throughout the Ozark Mountains at the Southern Missouri Off-Road Ranch. Jeepers enjoyed 943 wooded acres of trails for off-roading. Those in attendance even had the opportunity to earn their Jeep Badge Of Honor on "Pee Wee's Crossing," one of the most popular trails at the park. Jeepers descended into the valley and worked their way up the streambed before taking on obstacles.

"The people here in the Midwest are just the best in my opinion as far as being about to show everyone a good time. Everyone is very friendly," Brandon Powell, Owner and Operator of Southern Missouri Off-Road Ranch said.

GETTING INTO OFF-ROADING

Cheryl Briggs bought her Jeep in August of 2020. She has always had one, but used it for racing because she likes to go fast.

After traveling to Colorado to visit a friend where they took a Jeep trip through the mountains, she decided to take up off-roading.

"I love the outdoors, I love nature, and I love meeting people that enjoy having fun and travel," Briggs said.

She bought a new Jeep in August of 2020 before making several upgrades to it in order to hit the trails.

Briggs decided to honor her late husband, a neurosurgeon by naming the Jeep, "Skullcracker." He used to make his own beer and trademarked the name. She wanted to honor him while exploring the outdoors in her new vehicle.

USING TWO-WAY RADIOS IN THE JEEP

Briggs served as the event's medic, ready to respond in case of any emergency.

"I have two radios. One that I can keep to stay with my group and another to keep track of all the groups. While I'm out on the trails, if something were to happen, I'm a little closer to getting to that person."

GMRS radios were required so many of the jeepers opted for Midland's update MXT115 and MXT275 MicroMobile Two-Way Radio. The MicroMobiles gave drivers and navigators the ability to communicate with one another while charging their USB-C compatible devices at a rapid rate.

"There's a big importance out here for radios especially for safety. Secondly, there is an importance for communication. Those roll together. When you're out there on the trails, we do our best to make sure you're able to communicate with the office and other folks in the park," Powell said.

"You would be lost out here if you didn't have your radio," Briggs added.