Headed for the Pacific Northwest with your rig? In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I sit down with Brooks Smothers, host of the RV Out West Podcast, to talk about what makes Washington, Oregon, and the greater PNW such a legendary place to explore on wheels.

We roll through Brooks’ origin story—from tent camping and a borrowed tent trailer that instantly converted his “city girl” wife, to their current Jayco bunkhouse that’s hauled the family more than 10,000 miles. We dig into how the pandemic sparked his podcast (now closing in on episode 200… and yes, he’s planning a tattoo), and how podcasting changes the way you notice campgrounds, meals, and little details you wish you’d filmed.

You’ll also get practical road wisdom: favorite PNW spots like Cape Disappointment, a hidden gem near Lake Curlew, must-have apps and alerts for snagging campsites, and real-world “learn it before you need it” lessons like finding your manual slide override before your slide goes crooked on departure day. We wrap with Brooks’ best advice on timing a PNW trip, plus where to find his show—and what he’s teaching at the Kansas City RV Show (January 2026).

More from me at wanderinggypsyrvlife.com. Bonus content and behind-the-scenes over on Patreon. If you’re upgrading your rig for safety and peace of mind, check out TechnoRV via my affiliate link: https://technorv.com?Click=12127. Also, give my buddy Doug Simcox a listen on Beyond the Chutes.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Welcome + Show Intro

01:31 Meet Brooks Smothers (RV Out West)

02:50 From Tents to Trailers (How It Started)

07:21 Upgrading the Rig + Big Miles

08:14 Why RV Out West Podcast Exists

11:54 Content vs Living the Moment

14:01 Campground Fun & Family Traditions

16:30 Apps, Planning & Travel Tech

19:37 Safety Gear + Must-Have Tools

23:29 Favorite PNW Spots (Cape Disappointment)

28:52 Winterizing + Cold-Weather Lessons

33:32 Best Time to Visit the PNW

35:16 Where to Find Brooks + KC RV Show

41:34 Outro + Sponsors

43:50 “Brother Highway” Outro

RVers and cowboys may look like they’re living in completely different worlds—but spend enough time around both, and the similarities start to stand out.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, host Stan Cromlish reflects on time spent around RVers and the rodeo community and discovers that, despite different traditions and mindsets, both groups are solving the same challenges on the road.

From living quarters, horse trailers, to motorhomes, the fundamentals don’t change: tires, weight, clearance, power, water, weather, and the responsibility that comes with hauling what matters most. RVers often learn through hard-earned trial and error, while cowboys grow up trusting experience and tradition—but both approaches aim for the same goal: getting there safely and coming home with good stories.

This episode is about shared roads, shared risks, and the respect that grows when different traveling cultures start learning from one another instead of staying in their own lanes.

No matter what you’re hauling—horses, memories, or your entire life—the road treats us all the same.

🔗 Find more stories, photos, and videos at:

👉 https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

🔥 Join the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Campfire Circle on Patreon for behind-the-scenes content, bonus stories, and exclusive videos—including the episode with Ned LeDoux.

👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/WanderingGypsyRVLife

🛠 A quick thank-you to TechnoRV, my longtime go-to for RV gear that helps travelers prepare for the road ahead. If you’re looking to adventure more and worry less, you can find their products here:

👉 https://technorv.com?Click=12127

🎙 Also check out Beyond the Chutes with Doug Simcox for rodeo history, cowboy storytelling, and the legends behind the arena.

👉 https://beyondthechutes.show

Until next time—keep your rig rolling smooth, keep your coffee hot, and remember: sometimes the best lessons on the road come from listening to travelers who look nothing like you.

Not all who wander are lost.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life, Stan reflects on the two essential members of his traveling family: Bertie Bea, his 36-foot Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34PA, and Rosie, his dependable Chevrolet Equinox. A recent repair story brought attention to one rig — and made him realize how much the other deserved recognition, too.

Stan shares how each vehicle shapes his life on the road, from long-haul comfort to small-town maneuvering, from mountain passes to grocery runs. Along the way, he talks about the deeper truth of RV life: the rigs and gear we depend on become part of our story — trusted companions who carry us through every mile, memory, and mishap.

Join him for a heartfelt look at life behind the wheel, what these two rigs mean to the Wandering Gypsy RV Life, and a quick preview of his upcoming trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

🔗Links Mentioned in This Episode

🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life Website:

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

🛠️ TechnoRV — RV Gear I Trust:

Use my affiliate link here: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

📚 Rolling Smooth (Books & RV Guides):

Available through the Wandering Gypsy RV Life website

🔥 Patreon – Join the Campfire Circle:

Get behind-the-scenes videos, bonus episodes, and extras

https://www.patreon.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife

🎙️ Beyond the Chutes Podcast (Doug Simcox):

https://beyondthechutes.show