Owner Feature: From Solo Trips to Shared Adventures
Meet Chuck & Kari: A Partnership Ready for Adventure
For nearly 29 years, Chuck and Kari McGregor have been partners in life. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with two grown kids and two dogs, this adventurous couple has always shared a love for exploration. Chuck, a retired Marine and corporate recruiter, has spent years truck camping, often heading west for solo, off-grid backcountry ski and work trips. While the stories were great, the setup was small. "In the truck camper configurations we've had in the past, there is really only room for one of us," Chuck explains. He knew he wanted his wife Kari, a successful real estate agent, to experience the overlanding lifestyle alongside him. The challenge was finding a rig that could handle the rugged paths while providing enough comfort for two.
Why the Scout Kenai? Capability, Convenience, and Coziness
The search for the perfect camper led them to the Scout. For the McGregors, it offered the "perfect combination of capability, convenience, and coziness." Their goal was to get off the beaten path without sacrificing comfort, and the Scout Kenai delivered. It was the key to transforming Chuck's solo missions into shared adventures. "The Scout allows us to get off the paved roads and back into areas where we can enjoy nature and solitude," says Chuck. "Logistically, our Kenai has everything we need - so we can enjoy being with each other as we try to find the roads less traveled."
This newfound freedom has completely changed how they travel. Paired with their truck, the camper makes them feel "expeditious, independent, and capable." They have the confidence to go wherever they want, knowing they don't have to rely on modern infrastructure and can handle almost anything the road throws at them.
An Unforgettable Maiden Voyage
The McGregors didn't waste any time putting their new setup to the test. Their first major trip in the Scout was an epic, nearly two-month journey through the American West. They traveled, skied, and camped their way through the stunning landscapes of Big Horn National Forest, Big Sky, Yellowstone, Wasatch-Uintah National Forest, and the MOAB region, including Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point. "It will be a tough trip to beat!" Chuck exclaims.
And their adventure calendar is already filling up. They have trips planned to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains, and winter excursions to ski in the Northeast, Banff, and, of course, their annual pilgrimage back to the Rockies.
The Feature That Makes All the Difference
When asked what they love most about their Scout, one feature stands out for transforming their experience: the diesel heater. "Comfort is important to us. We like our luxuries," Chuck admits. He vividly remembers the discomfort of camping in his old topper in -20°F weather. While it made for a good story later, it wasn't enjoyable at the moment. The Scout's heater changed everything. "With the thermostat, temp control, and stellar fuel efficiency, the heater allows us to stay out longer in tough winter conditions."
The Lark Overland Experience
"We were so excited to get to Yellow Springs and meet the Mortells (and Granger) after so much research, AND binge-watching their YouTube escapades in the Beast," Chuck shares. "We loved the new shop and wish we had more time to visit!"
We are so honored to have been a part of the McGregors' story and can't wait to see where their adventures take them next!