Next weekend is the Toys For Rocks Ride in Mtn City TN, Its about a 2 hour ride for you but it would well worth it. This is going to be a great event for a great cause. There will be a ton of people there, so you will have a good chance of hooking up with someone to wheel with. We (Trail Jammers) will be there camping from Friday Morning to Sunday Morning. So your welcome to tag alone if you like.
Here is a link to event, there should an address so you can pull up directions. The event is Saturday the 7th.
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88772
Another option is the
4x4everyone group that has just formed. It is aimed toward helping people that getting started into wheeling and could use some advice. The group is made of new and old wheelers. What I mean is there is someone there to help with questions. There a great group of people.