RV Out West

In the summer of 2022 we had a grand family trip planned, one for the memory banks of a lifetime. We hadn’t seen our East Coast family since before the pandemic and so we decided to drag our trailer across America from sea to shining sea. We learned a few lessons from the road on this trip, and I learned a few more about myself.  Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our Newsletter Please follow the show s...

In 2035 all new vehicles sold in Washington State, California and now Oregon will need to be Zero Emission Vehicles in order to be legally registered. As RVers we typically drive full size pick-ups that can meet the demands for our towing needs. Or as those with Motorhomes have a need for diesel fuel while also perhaps pulling a toad or dinghy to have for their adventures once they get to a locati...

As 2022 winds down, Brooks, your podcast host, is excited to share some news & updates about the show. He has big plans for 2023 for RV Out West and they just may involve you the listener. You will want to give this quick episode a listen to find out what is in store for the show in the new year.  Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our Newsletter Please follow the show so you never miss an episode....

From the fun, to the naughty, to the something handy we’ve got you covered with the best ideas for your next White Elephant Gift Exchange. White Elephant gift exchanges are fun, competitive and sometimes you can end up receiving a real treasure of a gift. The old expression that it is more fun to give than to receive I think rings especially true with this fun game & gift exchange. In this epi...

From Blackhawk missions in Afghanistan and Iraq to summiting mountains in Africa, Caleb, better known as Captain VD sits down with us at a campground picnic table and shares what he has learned about RVing in his first 6 camp set ups, what RV he now calls home to what his travel plans are for the next year or so. Captain VD now finds himself on the precipice of a great journey through the lower 48...

Avoiding common safety check(s) can result in some frustrating travel days by leaving you stranded on the side of the road or worse it could even have the potential to be life threatening. In this episode, we chat with Tony Peterson of Outdoor Adventure Products , and we learn how to protect yourself and your family from these types of scenarios. This simple safety solution is easy to use and prov...

Everett, Washington has never really been seen as a travel destination with Seattle just 25 miles to the south and the San Juan Islands or Vancouver, British Columbia a few hours to the north, this city gets passed by a lot. There are so many great things to see, outdoor activities to do, places to eat & drink, it’s worthy of its own stop. Find out all the Good Things that Happen Here. Joining...

October is National Energy Awareness Month, and in this episode we chat with a renewable fuel expert out of Oregon, who shares the details with us about this great sustainable solution. The best part about this fuel is that it is pour and go, so you don’t need to make any modifications to your engine to use it.  Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our Newsletter Please follow the show so you never miss a...

If you are considering getting into the RV Life, and thinking of making the leap into a purchase of an RV, then this episode is for you. We discuss what you should consider when looking for an RV that is right for you.  Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our Newsletter Please follow the show so you never miss an episode. We ask that you also kindly give the show a rating and a review as well. Learn more...

If you are interested in RVing in the Pacific Northwest, this show is for you. Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our Newsletter Please follow the show so you never miss an episode. We ask that you also kindly give the show a rating and a review as well. Learn more about RV Out West over on our website at www.rvoutwest.com Join in on the conversation via social media: Instagram Facebook SUPPORT THE SHOW...

The Oregon landscape showcases beautiful ecodiversity and is a pretty special place to RV. Joining us today is Kathy Belge of Solo Women RV. She spends her time solo traveling around the state for months at a time. While she is not full-time and does maintain a home in Portland, Oregon, she has found a balance of RV’ing and living in the city. In this episode she shares with us tips on solo travel...

Inspired by a scenic location under the trees and surrounded by the Oregon high desert, the Northwest Nomad’s gathering encourages attendees to disconnect from the outside world and experience an unforgettable weekend. This family friends event of like-minded road travelers inspires artists, musicians and encourages the sharing of information. In this episode, we interview Ashley and Jordan, the t...

The ongoing quest for boondocking spots in the Cascade Mountains is continued. With a pocket full of GPS coordinates, we put some boots on the ground and investigated these locations. Follow along on the journey as we experience, in real-time, this boondock scouting trip.  Send us Fan Mail Sign up for our Newsletter Please follow the show so you never miss an episode. We ask that you also kindly g...

The F lot at Stevens Pass ski area on Highway 2 in the Cascade Mountains is a mystery to me. We are a family of active skiers and snowboards who love to RV. The idea of ski-on-ski-out from our travel trailer is something that we want to try next season. Lot F is the only RV lot at Stevens Pass and it’s tricky to navigate getting into the lot and the process for securing an overnight pass is a bit...

When the United States unlocked consumer access to the satellites for GPS, a new outdoor recreational activity sprung up — Geocaching. Members of this community place caches at locations marked by GPS coordinates all over the world for other Geocachers to locate. In this episode, we interview Chris Ronan, Senior Public Relations Manager of the Seattle based company. Our family loves to Geocache an...

If you are an experienced hiker, new to hiking, or just planning a visit to Washington State and are in search of great hikes, THE reference to use is WTA.org. Joining us in this episode is Anna Roth, a hiking content manager for the WTA. Now, she researches hikes and works with a team of correspondents who help her improve Washington Trails Association's online hiking guide. If you are an av...

A. J. Forget is a chef, writer, photographer, traveler, and dilettante. He left a career as a wildland firefighter to pursue his lifelong passion of writing and his outlandish goal of a modern nomadic life. Currently, he is a carney and follows a circus around the United States. He lives in a converted school bus with his partner, a silversmith and dreamworker, and their eternally-sleepy dog, trav...

To the part timers, the some timers, the weekend warriors getting outdoors and maximizing your RV usage is paramount to happiness. Isn’t that why we all bought them? In this episode, I share successful tips on how we are able to spend 50+ nights in our travel trailer — most of them as weekend getaways. In the Pit stop I tackle the exciting topic of recreational vehicle tires and how to avoid rolli...

Cape Disappointment State Park is nestled between the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean in the southwest corner of Washington State. The name of this park is very deceiving, but I promise it does not disappoint. In this episode, I discuss the campground, the different sites, where I think some of the best sites are, and share about all the fun activities there are to do both in the...

Seattle is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest and there is something for everyone to do in the city. Rich with history, art & music events, museums to outdoor activities our family still enjoys heading into the City to play. In this episode, I share some of our favorite activities, places to eat and where we like to explore. If you are planning a trip to Seattle, be sure to give this epi...

Planning a Cross Country road trip can be maddening or can it be fun and exciting? Dreaming about all the wonderful sites and experiences I find thrilling. In this episode we discuss the details with route planning, campground reservations, ways to make travel days enjoyable, how to manage laundry & food along the way. Plus, it’s important to prepare your RV and tow vehicle to make the journey...

It takes about 27 seconds for a thief to steal your batteries. Our first tent trailer didn’t come with a battery when we bought it as it had been stolen and the previous owner’s sold the trailer before replacing the battery. Surprisingly battery theft is pretty common. In this episode, I chat with Jason Tracy, owner of RV Lock Box based out of Spokane, Wash. RV Lock Box are manufacturers, in Washi...

Camping in the Pacific Northwest provides many different outlets for many different types of campers. For RVers looking for a destination that provides family friendly amenities, great sites and full hookups, with a lot to explore in the surrounding area, then these two KOAs should not be missed. In this episode I chat with the general managers of both the Astoria Warrenton Seaside (OR) and the Le...

Tara of Tara’s Tiny Trailer is a born and raised Washingtonian who straddles the line between a life in sticks & bricks and wandering around the state as a nomad as many weekends as possible. Her bohemian spirit is strong and in this episode she shares with us what makes her tiny trailer work for her, and we dive into some of her favorite spots to camp in the Pacific Northwest. In the Pitstop,...

We continue our conversation with The Meyer’s family as they share in their cross country adventure. In this episode as we pick up where we left off as they were entering the American Southwest in Utah. From wheeling in a Hummer near Moab, spray painting on Cadillacs, bearing witness to where Dr King was assassinated and traveling the Trail of Tears this family created an American experience for t...