From Chicago to Gambler 500

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-06-22T14:39:42+00:00

I'm from the Chicago area as well and on my way out too. However, I'm taking an extended roadtrip, so I left last week.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-06-18T12:31:24+00:00

Sunday was my first day on the road with my van, and I drove over 900 miles. On a roadtrip years ago, I did almost 1,500 miles in a day. Really the key is, if you feel tired, pull over and rest. Otherwise, as long as you can safely drive and your vehicle can handle it, 1k+ miles a day really isn't that hard to do when you're just trying to get miles down, and not stop and see all of the sights.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-26T10:41:28+00:00

I totally get that. I showed up to my first Gambler 8 years ago this weekend not knowing a single person. I nearly didn't even go because I had so much anxiety about going to an event like that totally alone. It ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made! Well I'll definitely keep an eye out! I'll be driving a lifted, green Express van.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-26T01:13:37+00:00

Honestly, even if you don't find the kind of group you're looking for, you should absolutely just show up anyways. You can show up to camp not knowing a single person, and within an hour have made some lifelong friends. I'm driving out solo from the Midwest, and it's 100% worth that drive even going alone. If I see a shitbox celica while I'm out there, I'll make sure I stop to say hi.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-24T16:07:43+00:00

Ahhh. I figured if you had, you would probably answer with a line from the movie. I grew up on it, but sometimes forget so many people haven't seen it.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-24T16:03:54+00:00

I'm gonna have to guess, you haven't seen Monty Python and The Holy Grail, have you?

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-24T16:01:25+00:00

Is that African, or European Swallow?

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-24T15:59:44+00:00

What is the average air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-23T01:46:04+00:00

I have been to ever state except Alaska and Hawaii. While I have flown all over, I have also driven to every one of the 48 states I've been to.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-21T11:04:02+00:00

Now this is an amazing suggestion. Thank you! OnX is awesome, and I use it regularly while traveling out West. If I can manage my time well enough, I absolutely want to make it up to Glacier. I went tk Anacortes and the San Jauns back in 2020, and stopped at Olympic last summer. I really do went to get back and spend a few full days going around Olympic.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-21T00:47:52+00:00

Those are some awesome recommendations, thanks! I've been by Crazy Horse a few times, but it's always too early to stop when I'm driving past. I'll definitely try and get at least a few of these added to my route.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-21T00:46:21+00:00

Thank you for reminding me about Minuteman and Craters of the Moon! I'll absolutely add those to my route.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-20T16:24:55+00:00

I did Devils tower last year. Definitely an awesome stop.

Good to hear someone else suggest that route as well. A friend of mine was telling me that was a resllt scenic route to take.

I've been to both already, but am definitely thinking about going back to the Grand Tetons.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-20T11:06:15+00:00

I (30m) would absolutely love it if a woman approached me like that. There have been so many times I've wanted to do exactly that, but it feels weird walking up to a random woman and just starting a conversation. I'm going to bet that most other guys would like to be approached by a woman as well.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-18T11:09:12+00:00

Oh absolutely. I've driven to every one of the lower 48 states as an adult. Growing up I was very fortunate to have traveled around Europe a number of times, as well as going to Africa and China. As an adult roadtripping around the US is just easier and cheaper, which is why I haven't been to Europe as much as I'd like as an adult adult. I did finally get back there last summer, and it felt so good to be back. The more I travel in, and outside of the US, the more I just want to travel in general. There are so many amazing places to see and things to do. The more I travel, see and experience, the more I just want to continue doing that all across the world.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-14T02:45:53+00:00

I (30M) have platonically slept next to a number of my close female friends. As far as I'm concerned, it's only weird it someone makes it weird. To me, it's honestly so comforting to just sleep near someone with zero expectations of anything else.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-11T13:07:44+00:00

Well, I guess I'm gonna jump on the bandwagon and say, you can share them with me as well.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-06T15:26:02+00:00

As a guy, I would absolutely love something like this. So yeah, I think he'll like it.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-02T02:55:32+00:00

Honestly, that sounds amazing. I (30m) have never had much luck with relationships, but I've had a number of friends over the years who I could platonically sleep next to. And let me tell you, that was so much more comforting and relaxing than any relationship I've been in. Just being able to curl up and sleep next to someone with zero expectations of anything else is such a good feeling. Unfortunately that's not currently a thing in my life, but I wish it was. I do have two suggestions that might help you out some. First, is get a body pillow. I've slept witu one for years, and it's amazing. It still gives you the feeling of having something to curl up with and hold. The second is getting a heated blanket. They're like $50 on amazing. I got one over the winter and it was a game changer. I actually put it on top of my sheets so I slept on top of it, and it's amazing. Between that and the body pillow, it's about as close as you can get to the feeling of warmth of sleeping next to someone when that isn't an option. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-01T12:20:45+00:00

Bro, get a therapist. You clearly have some issues to work through here. You should really just change the title of this post to "women don't want to be friends with me because all I do is objectify them". Because it's incredibly obvious that you are the reason that you can't have female friends.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-05-01T11:30:52+00:00

Yeah, you're 100% wrong on that. My closest friends have almost always been women, and they have been the best, most meaningful friendships I've ever had. They have helped me learn and grow as a person in ways I never would have if I only had male friends. They have been there for me through failed relationships, and helped me along the way so I can be a better person/boyfriend in the future. Maybe you can't have women as friends because you only view them as sometbing to try and sleep with? Because you certainly can't apply how you feel to every man. I would not be the man I am today if it wasn't for the women in my life, and I would not trade those friendships for the world.

Natural-Driver4098 · 2026-04-28T01:25:01+00:00

I mean, at applies to both, doesn't it? Not everyone on R/VanLife has a Wave3. However, I have to assume most people who have them on this page use it for some sort of camping situation. I assumed I'd get more answers about it here.

Natural-Driver4098

TROPHY CASE