So much fun, good memories with the offroad group I fell in with during the Forum era of the internet, some of us still keep in touch.

The group had people from around the US, and even though I lived in a place like you are now there were opportunities for road trips to meet up with & go with waaaay more experienced people.

I was NOT mechanically inclined but made Incredible meals camping (sushi, smoked pulled pork, bbq tri tip beef, etc.) so I traded that for help installing mods & fixing broken shit.

The group also went to the national meet up, but we never went on "official" runs, just went on our own and to make shenanigans & meet up.

Check out (your vehicle) 4x4 groups and start there!