One Third-Life Crisis Road Travel Poker Extravaganza

[trias_e]

So I'm done with university.  I lack much holding me to my current location.  Not great ties with my family and friendships have slowly grown farther apart as people grow older.  Standard stuff really.  Except I play online poker for a living, so I don't have the whole job-social thing going on.  And the cool thing is, I could do that anywhere, that is unless the government decided to fuck me.  Thus, I need to get good at live play, and that means casinos.  Combine this with a general feeling that I'm just filling space in my life and ticking off the years without really improving as a person or doing much interesting.  25 in a month, which I know those here will laugh at, but I've done pretty much nothing with these 25 years worth a damn.  So, in general, filled with ennui and a sense of emptiness in life, I have come up with this.

The plan.  Hear the angels singing?

I will travel in my trusty honda accord with an acoustic guitar, clothes, cooler, small tent, sleeping bag, laptop, and random essentials.  I will listen to more music and audiobooks on the road than is healthy, but I'm actually looking forward to that part.   Stopping at casinos along the way and gambling to keep afloat money-wise.  Cities and towns could be stayed at for as short as a day and as long as weeks.  Who knows.  My bankroll is insufficient for this trip technically speaking, but I'm willing to take the risks of coming home penniless. 

I need tips, advice, suggestions, out of the way places to go, cool small towns to stop at, and even a bit of company if anyone wants to grab a beer if I drive near your place of residence. 

Timeline:  Going to Vegas for the end of the WSOP from June 30th-whenever July, so leaving on this trip in the beginning of August.  Will chronicle this all at http://wanderinggambler.blogspot.com/  :  Will become more of a chronical than random bullshit of course once I leave.

[Musashi]

A wise plan.

[Hawkbit]

Passports are now required for traveling through Canada. 

Looks like fun.

[SnakeCharmer]

Should be fun.  Bring 3 times the money you think you need, then have some in reserve (as well as a credit card).  A camera is essential, but I'm sure you've already thought of that one.  A laptop and a broadband card would be a bonus - though I don't know how reliable they are countrywide and what kind of roaming fees you'll be hit with.  These days, I wouldn't endeavor such a trip without a pistol (make sure your state's CCW / permit is accepted in the states you're travelling in).  I'd suggest a Rossi 38 special or 357 or a Glock subcompact. 

I imagine it would be a bit hard to stray off the beaten path without some local state knowledge.  And interstate driving would SUCK.  Beware of road hypnosis.  If it were me, I'd ditch the car and get a bike.  But that would be one hell of a back breaking ride, and would increase your risk factor by a bazillion if you're not an experienced rider.

Before heading out, take your car to dealer or reputable shop and have them go over it with a fine tooth comb.  If you're coming up on any maintanence milestones, get those done.  Tires, brakes, etc all need to be in perfect working condition.  Stock your trunk up with at least good 5 gals of water (both to drink and fill your radiator if need be).  Cheap, healthy food that you can fix on the fly?  Oatmeal, prepackaged grits, canned beans, breakfast bars, etc.

[Yegolev]

Bring lots of condoms.

[rattran]

Taking a pistol across the border or into Chicago is a bad plan.

Otherwise, have fun. And double your gas budget.

[trias_e]

Yeah, I'm gonna need some thoughts on weapons now I suppose.  I haven't owned a handgun and I'm not going to start now simply because I would not be comfortable with it, and also I don't know much about the inter-state legality of it.  That said, some means of protection would be nice.  Right now I plan on studying the shit out of every big city I go into and avoiding all bad areas.  But yeah, I'm not a strong guy by any means and being alone for so long could be dangerous.

Bring lots of condoms.

 Heh.  

Before heading out, take your car to dealer or reputable shop and have them go over it with a fine tooth comb.  If you're coming up on any maintanence milestones, get those done.  Tires, brakes, etc all need to be in perfect working condition.  Stock your trunk up with at least good 5 gals of water (both to drink and fill your radiator if need be).  Cheap, healthy food that you can fix on the fly?  Oatmeal, prepackaged grits, canned beans, breakfast bars, etc.

TY for the advice.  One nice thing is my car only has 48k miles on it.  02 accord.  Should do pretty well but I do need to do exactly as you say regardless.  Getting AAA but I suppose that won't be always available, so I should probably learn at least the basics of car repair.  I don't know anything about it.

One nice thing is I grabbed an electric cooler.  So I can have all sorts of food on the road.  But I'll definitely keep a good stock of nonperishables as well.  And whisky.  That counts as food right?

I imagine it would be a bit hard to stray off the beaten path without some local state knowledge.  And interstate driving would SUCK.

If anyone knows cool highways along any parts of this route to take, let me know.  I don't plan on being on the interstate all the time, I just plugged it in to google and it gave me the fastest route.  I'll take the scenic route any day.  Of course, I also am trying to hit all the casinos I can along the way, so these two things needs to be taken into account together.  Right now I plan on taking the coastal highway up California and Oregon, but that's all I've really got so far as specific road plans.

Oh, finally, I'm thinking of just a basic pushup/situp/jog workout routine while on the road because it's easy and I can do it anywhere.  And playing basketball wherever I can.  Any easy travel-friendly exercises to add to that?

[Abagadro]

If you are going to stop and play in Bendover let me know when you will be there. I will meet you out there if I can and buy you dinner.

[Viin]

You should head to Wisconsin for the airshow July 27 - Aug 2.  http://www.airventure.org/

There's camp grounds there (most people camp), plus lots of foods and people.

[Lantyssa]

And whisky.  That counts as food right?

It's an essential medical supply.

[gryeyes]

How much do you rake in with gambling? And do you claim it as taxable income?

Wandering around having random adventures is something everyone should do while they are young. Hit up western Washington and go hiking/camping in the Olympic national Forrest. Everyone should see the rainforest's of the US at least once.

[Sheepherder]

Passports are now required for traveling through Canada.

You need a passport to return to the U.S.  you might not need it to enter Canada.

[SnakeCharmer]

Yeah, I'm gonna need some thoughts on weapons now I suppose.  I haven't owned a handgun and I'm not going to start now simply because I would not be comfortable with it, and also I don't know much about the inter-state legality of it.  That said, some means of protection would be nice.  Right now I plan on studying the shit out of every big city I go into and avoiding all bad areas.  But yeah, I'm not a strong guy by any means and being alone for so long could be dangerous.

Check to see who your issuing state has reciprocal permit agreements with.  I suggested a Rossi because they're dirt cheap and dead reliable.  And if all else fails, they're heavy enough to beat someone to a pulp with if you miss them 5 times.  Check at a pawn shop.  That way if something happens to it, you're not out a whole bunch of money, whereas a Glock or something is going to run your 500+.

Alternatively, Kel Tech makes a freaking awesome little handgun that you can litterally put anywhere:
Find the pistol?
Size comparison

Getting AAA but I suppose that won't be always available, so I should probably learn at least the basics of car repair.  I don't know anything about it.

Your cel phone provider and your car insurer likely has roadside assistance programs for pennies on the dollar.  Cheaper than AAA and just as reliable.

As far as roadside repair, about the only thing you'll be able to do is change the serpentine/drive-accessory belt and a flat tire.  Both easily done with tools they provide with the jack and crowbar.  There's a diagram on the radiator frame under the hood that shows you how to install the serpentine belt.  Just to note, if it breaks, you're going to lose power steering and power brakes.  Go ahead and have it changed at your next oil change for about 20 bucks, and pick up a spare to toss in the trunk.  Otherwise, have your brakes, tires, and fluids checked before you hit the road.  You can check the fluilds yourself:
Tranny fluid should be reddish.  Almost like cherry cough syrup.  Any discoloration and/or odor (particularly a burnt smell) is a sign of an underlying problem and should be looked at ASAP.  Ideally, should be changed every 30K miles.  
Brake fluid should be yellow color.  If it's brown or black, moisture has invaded the lines/resevoir and should be bleed out with new fluid.  Realistically should be changed out every 30K miles, but no one ever does.
Power steering fluid should be gold/amber/yellowish color.  It's rare there's a problem here, so I really wouldnt worry about it.  It's designed to last the life of the vehicle.
Engine oil should be almost clear and light in color, with no real odor to it.  Anything else means its been too long between oil changes or other issues.  Shouldnt be an issue with your car given the age and miles.

Oh, finally, I'm thinking of just a basic pushup/situp/jog workout routine while on the road because it's easy and I can do it anywhere.  And playing basketball wherever I can.  Any easy travel-friendly exercises to add to that?

Stretch often, about ever 2-3 hrs of driving.  Buy a good pair of sunglasses.  Change your focal point to things near (dash) and far (horizon) as you drive to reduce eyestrain/fatigue/road hypnosis.  Move them around.  Make sure you're in a safe, proper seating position.  Don't eat anything heavy, keep powerbars/fruit and water to snack on while driving, etc.

Keep a couple rolls of toilet paper for those..uh...roadside emergencies when the truck stop burrito decides to make its presence known.

[rattran]

Or, just relax and drive. I've been back and forth across the country over and over. America is safe. If you're going to tent it, find a campground. Or get a cheap hotel. If you have to sleep in your car, do it at a truckstop under a light.  Don't carry a gun across state lines. Don't bring your lucky brass knuckles/weed/crack pipe. NO DEAD HOOKERS IN THE TRUNK! Stretch, walk around a bit, pee, and check your car's fluids when you get gas. Look for a gas station when you hit 1/4 tank. Don't eat at truckstops. Be polite to the officer. Have a good road atlas so when you hit (inevitable) construction you can plot a route around. Remember the electric cooler will drain your battery when the car is off. Buy a can of fix-a-flat, a bottle of antifreeze, a quart of oil, a set of jumper cables, and consider spending $80 or so on a jump starter.

That's pretty much it. Not like you have to worry about snow closures or anything, and you can take your time driving as you don't have a deadline to be there.

[Soln]

bring water and be safe

[FatuousTwat]

Don't eat at truckstops.

?

Is that just in general? Because I've eaten at some pretty damn good truck stops... Kruger's in Portland was fantastic, if hard to get to, before they closed.

[rattran]

Most of them are pretty bad. There are a few nice ones, but not worth the risk.

[Segoris]

if in Chicago Aug 7-9, there's always Lollapalooza, the Taste of Chi on June 26-July 5th, and shitloads of other things to see/do. A decent list found here

Or, just relax and drive. I've been back and forth across the country over and over. America is safe. If you're going to tent it, find a campground. Or get a cheap hotel. If you have to sleep in your car, do it at a truckstop under a light.  Don't carry a gun across state lines. Don't bring your lucky brass knuckles/weed/crack pipe. NO DEAD HOOKERS IN THE TRUNK! Stretch, walk around a bit, pee, and check your car's fluids when you get gas. Look for a gas station when you hit 1/4 tank. Don't eat at truckstops. Be polite to the officer. Have a good road atlas so when you hit (inevitable) construction you can plot a route around. Remember the electric cooler will drain your battery when the car is off. Buy a can of fix-a-flat, a bottle of antifreeze, a quart of oil, a set of jumper cables, and consider spending $80 or so on a jump starter.

That's pretty much it. Not like you have to worry about snow closures or anything, and you can take your time driving as you don't have a deadline to be there.

^This, minus the truck stop part. Don't eat at what are really really crappy truck stops have been my experience. If the place is run down and dirty as hell, that may be a good sign to buy prepackaged items. If it's well maintained and clean, I have yet to have a problem.

The AAA is a great idea, and I honestly won't go anywhere without that or All-State/Good Sam protection. AAA only towns a few miles worth, there are others for similar prices that tow up to $250 worth of a tow.

[Bunk]

The truck stop warning suprises me, as up here I've found our Husky Truck Stops to be amongst the more reliable places to get a decent meal at 1:00 AM.

If you do plan on visiting Canada along the trip, leave the gun you don't own at home. Vancouver has several nice Casinos, with the River Rock in Richmond being our primary poker room.

I'm envious of your plan. I'm also envious of anyone who feels confident enough in their poker game to fund a trip on it.

[Yegolev]

My wife found some polycarbonate knuckles that she likes.  She also has some consumer-grade taser-thing.  She also doesn't go places where she would need these items.

[trias_e]

It's an essential medical supply.

I always like to be prepared.

If you are going to stop and play in Bendover let me know when you will be there. I will meet you out there if I can and buy you dinner.

Awesome, I was planning on staying in Wendover for a bit.  Hopefully with a few friends as well as sort of a cast-away party thing, but maybe not.  Anyways, I'll let you know.

How much do you rake in with gambling? And do you claim it as taxable income?

Wandering around having random adventures is something everyone should do while they are young. Hit up western Washington and go hiking/camping in the Olympic national Forrest. Everyone should see the rainforest's of the US at least once.

I make about 20-40 bucks an hour online pre-tax over the last 1.5 years over a very large sample.  Live I'm in the red over a very small sample.  And yes, it is all claimed and taxed.  Olympic national forest sounds like a good stop to make, ty for the suggestion.


As far as the events and dates go...thank you for them, but they are running too early for me.  For instance I probably won't be in Wisconsin until September.  I plan on taking my time, especially along the west coast as I have friends there.

[trias_e]

As far as roadside repair...

You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.  Exactly what I was looking for, thanks.

NO DEAD HOOKERS IN THE TRUNK!

 

The truck stop warning suprises me, as up here I've found our Husky Truck Stops to be amongst the more reliable places to get a decent meal at 1:00 AM.

This looks like one of those things I'll just have to learn for myself.

If you do plan on visiting Canada along the trip, leave the gun you don't own at home. Vancouver has several nice Casinos, with the River Rock in Richmond being our primary poker room.

I'm envious of your plan. I'm also envious of anyone who feels confident enough in their poker game to fund a trip on it.

I've heard great things about River Rock.  And I do plan on going to Vancouver and Toronto, very excited about both.  I actually bummed it for a summer in Vancouver in my friends basement a few years back.  Were it not for the retardedly depressive state I was in at the time I would have loved it.  Cool place.  Fuck.  I also want to go to Vancouver Island and get drunk with old people in Victoria and maybe go camping up there as well.  Oh man, now I'm excited to get the hell out of here.

[Grimwell]

Have fun, do not take weapons. That's just inviting them to need to be used. On the very long odds that you are the subject of violent crime in the U.S. or Canada (very long odds) the presence of a weapon might make a difference. On the higher odds that you are going to interact with an officer of the law on such a long road trip, the weapons won't help and could likely cause more harm and havoc.

Why bring that on?

Mind you, I'm a gun nut and love my weapons... but that's not a trip I'd bring the heat to.

[WayAbvPar]

If you get to Western Washington, let me know and I will come sit with you @ Muckelshoot for an evening.

[NiX]

If you plan on stopping in Toronto, there are a few Casinos with Niagara being the most popular because it's on the border and in Niagara. There's no real good ones in Toronto, but there's Casino Rama and a few others spread out just outside the city. You should swing by and hang out with Lesion .

Seriously, if you let me know when you're around, I'm sure I can spare a few beers. Plus, I'm part of the young crew that Signe loves to pick on.

[trias_e]

I've heard the Niagra casino is a gold mine.  Or, um a fish farm? 

 

Who knows when I'll make it up there, but I definitely plan on it.  I'll let ya know!  Toronto is high on my list of places to visit.  And perhaps Montreal. 

Right now I'm in Vegas, staying at the south point hotel/casino.  Brief review on blog thing.  It's far from the strip and it's hot outside and I don't want to get in my car until like 11 pm.  I should have seen this problem coming.

The poker is small stakes but juicy at least.  So I can occupy myself pretty well here.  Plus they have 100% return jacks or better!  It's only 25 cents stakes, but still better than nothing.

[Abagadro]

They have full pay, quarter Jacks or better machines there?  That's my dream machine and they are hard to find. I have to go up to a dollar to get full pay in Bendover.

[trias_e]

Yep.  And they even advertise them for you so you don't have to search for them.  There's a big sign hanging overhead the 8 machines touting their awesomeness.  They are usually occupied evenings, but in the afternoon on a weekday there was no one using them.  Full Pay Jacks or Better+Player's Card+1 dollar drinks is made of win.

As far as Bendover goes, I'm not sure how long I'm going to be in Vegas.  But after this I'm coming back up to SLC and then heading west as planned.  I'll let you know if you're still down for heading out there some weekend.

[Abagadro]

I've been toying with just going down to Vegas this weekend but can't really bring myself to mention it to the wife. I've had a shitty week and just want to get out for a bit.  I feel like playing poker for two days and then hitting Lee's Discount Liquor for a major bootleg run.

A Trip Advisor review I read a while back about South Point made it sound like the place turns into The Outsiders on weekends will all sorts of young kids trying to score beers, so you will have to let us know if that is true or just some old bastard crabbing about the "dern kids!"

[IainC]

I stayed at the South Point last time I was in Vegas. It was right at the end of the national rodeo championships so the casino was filled with cowboys who desperately wanted to lose money at poker - I won enough money to cover the entire cost of the trip plus all the Christmas shopping we did while there.

I'll be back in Vegas in about a fortnight but we're bunking down at the Venetian this time - first time I've ever stayed on the strip, we've always gone Downtown or to the South Point before.

[Hoax]

Fucking somehow just got my post eaten.

If your coming to the Bay Area give some advance warning and I can show you around and grab a beer.  No poker for me anymore though.  Make sure you hit Cache Creek since its a pretty good Vegas approximation for your casino training.

Bay Area card room warning, though I'm sure this is most card rooms in general:

At places like Lucky Chances (pinoy) and other spots (Vietnamese, Chinese, etc) you are going to find hostile tables.  Basically the big stacks at the table and the dealer and some other guys are "cousins" or whatever and will speak something that isn't English to each other which is hella unnerving since the dealer is cracking a joke you can't understand to guys who are out for your money in a language you can't understand while he deals your cards.  Ignore that.  Always be on the look out though for the table, esp the big stacks, ID'ing you as a mark.  If you are any good you should be able to notice it pretty quickly, you can use it to your advantage if you want to make a quick buck and move on and you're really good.

Basically if they think your some white kid who saw poker on ESPN and got too excited they will give you a big pot or two early on to get you fired up.  Then they will start trying to rape you.  The problem is if they are playing you like that the table will sort of gang up on you to get at your money.  So watch for that.  If you play up the ESPN white kid angle though and play it right you might be able to pull in $100-200 and then play conservative and frustrate them.  Remember though, you can't just take their money and run right away, that would be a big sign of disrespect and might get you into some trouble.  So give them some opportunity to get it back, then cut out.

Bay 101 is supposedly the best card room according what I remember hearing though I never went (fuck San Jose).  If I see my friend who plays online poker for a living I'll ask him.  Ofc if you met my friend who plays online poker for a living you might reconsider playing online poker for a living.  At least it sounds like you got a degree first though.

[Broughden]

So I'm done with university.  I lack much holding me to my current location.  Not great ties with my family and friendships have slowly grown farther apart as people grow older.  Standard stuff really.  Except I play online poker for a living, so I don't have the whole job-social thing going on.  And the cool thing is, I could do that anywhere, that is unless the government decided to fuck me.  Thus, I need to get good at live play, and that means casinos.  Combine this with a general feeling that I'm just filling space in my life and ticking off the years without really improving as a person or doing much interesting.  25 in a month, which I know those here will laugh at, but I've done pretty much nothing with these 25 years worth a damn.  So, in general, filled with ennui and a sense of emptiness in life, I have come up with this.

The plan.  Hear the angels singing?

I will travel in my trusty honda accord with an acoustic guitar, clothes, cooler, small tent, sleeping bag, laptop, and random essentials.  I will listen to more music and audiobooks on the road than is healthy, but I'm actually looking forward to that part.   Stopping at casinos along the way and gambling to keep afloat money-wise.  Cities and towns could be stayed at for as short as a day and as long as weeks.  Who knows.  My bankroll is insufficient for this trip technically speaking, but I'm willing to take the risks of coming home penniless. 

I need tips, advice, suggestions, out of the way places to go, cool small towns to stop at, and even a bit of company if anyone wants to grab a beer if I drive near your place of residence. 

Timeline:  Going to Vegas for the end of the WSOP from June 30th-whenever July, so leaving on this trip in the beginning of August.  Will chronicle this all at http://wanderinggambler.blogspot.com/  :  Will become more of a chronical than random bullshit of course once I leave.

Cool places:
Bar Harbor, ME (once the richest 2 square miles in the world...it used to be the summer play place for the robber barons)
Hot Springs, NC
Gunnison, CO
Havasupai Indian Reservation near the Grand Canyon (includes Havasu Falls...google it)
Hoh River Trail in Olympic National Park (most beautiful northern temperate rain forest)
Shi Shi Beach, WA
Crater Lake, Oregon
Glacier National Park (see them now they will all be gone inside of 10 years)
Half Dome in Yosemite N.P. (climb it!)
Nantahala Outdoor Center in N.C. rooms are cheap and you can learn to white water kayak


If you need advice on any outdoor gear or actually need outdoor gear let me know. Advice is free. Gear....I will see what kind of discount I can get for you or point you in a better direction if I cant get my hands on it.

You asked about protection....get a canister of bear spray. It works on people to. (Or just buy a pocket size pepper spray container so you dont look so conspicuous in the cities).

[trias_e]

I'm finally embarking on this trip.  Tomorrow!  I have no money! .... so I will be eating potatoes and fish that I caught most of the time. 

 Schedule for the first week should go something like...Saturday:  Wendover  Sun-Mon:  Great Basin National Park, Tues:  Loneliest road in america/Reno  Wed:  Reno/Tahoe, Thurs:  San Fran.

Wish me luck.

[Abagadro]

I'm finally embarking on this trip.  Tomorrow!  I have no money! .... so I will be eating potatoes and fish that I caught most of the time. 

 Schedule for the first week should go something like...Saturday:  Wendover  Sun-Mon:  Great Basin National Park, Tues:  Loneliest road in america/Reno  Wed:  Reno/Tahoe, Thurs:  San Fran.

Wish me luck.

Good luck man. I'd seriously come out and buy you dinner in Wendover tomorrow, but I have to be up in Park City for a stupid party with my in-laws.

[Salamok]

In my experience live poker in indian reservation casinos is pretty fun but the live poker tables i've played in Vegas and Reno semed to be taken over by the tight fisted local retired types who fold any hand that isn't an insta winner right after they ante up (milking the free drinks I guess).  Maybe the tables I was playing were too low end but it sure made for some boring ass poker sessions.