Six years ago, I pointed a little 25-foot Class C motorhome named Bessie west and headed out with more enthusiasm than experience. I had no idea how much that decision would change my life.

As I drive Bertie Bea from Douglas to Cheyenne, Wyoming, I reflect on the lessons learned from six years on the road. Some came from friendships, some came from failures, and some came from the miles between destinations.

In this episode, I share stories about:

• Starting the RV journey in 2020 with Bessie

• The friendships that have shaped my life

• Why mistakes and setbacks often become our greatest teachers

• Lessons learned from roof leaks, repairs, and RV ownership

• Fishing the Bighorn River with Rowdy and Brian

• The Rolling Smooth mindset and how it was developed

• Faith, gratitude, and the people who helped along the way

• Chasing dreams, embracing failure, and continuing forward

This isn't a technical RV episode. It's a windshield conversation about life, reflection, and what six years of RV travel have taught me about resilience, friendship, faith, and purpose.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to chase a dream, start a new chapter, or take a chance on something you've always wanted to do, this episode is for you.

Resources & Links

🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life:

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series:

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth

🤠 Cowboys & Cowgirls Rolling Smooth:

https://beyondthechutes.show

📶 TechnoRV:

https://technorv.com?Click=12127

☕ Support the Journey:

https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife

Until next time, keep your rig rolling smooth, keep your coffee hot, and remember: sometimes the best repair isn't the one that fixes your RV. It's the one that quiets your mind.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, Stan sits down with Pete and Tyson D’Acosta of Capri Campers for a conversation about one of the most recognizable truck camper brands in the rodeo world.

The episode opens with Tilden Hooper sharing what Capri Campers meant to him growing up around rodeo, and why getting his own Capri felt like a sign that he had made it.

Pete and Tyson share how they came to own Capri Campers, the company’s roots going back to 1969, and how they have worked to preserve the classic look, Western feel, and simple road-tested design that made Capri a trusted name among cowboys, cowgirls, and Western travelers.

They also talk about the difference between the cabover and non-cabover models, why rodeo contestants value sleeping space and showers, what systems are available in the campers, and why Capri has intentionally kept things simple by avoiding unnecessary complexity.

This conversation covers rodeo travel, truck campers, RV systems, 30-amp power, solar, generators, freshwater tanks, portable toilets, customer stories, the Yellowstone connection, and why simplicity can be one of the most valuable features on the road.

Learn more about Capri Campers at: https://capricamper.com

Visit Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

Check out the Rolling Smooth RV Book Series: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

For RV gear that helps you adventure more and worry less, visit TechnoRV through Stan’s affiliate link: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

Listen to Beyond the Chutes: https://beyondthechutes.show

Support the journey: https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, Stan visits with Meagan Butler, Marketing Manager for Family RV Association, for a real-world conversation about solo RV travel, safety, confidence, long travel days, campground instincts, and the RV community.

Meagan shares stories from her own RV journey, including solo travel with teardrop campers, an Airstream Basecamp, and a Winnebago Solis van. She and Stan talk about the difference between towing and driving, why travel days can wear you down, the value of trusting your gut, and why every RVer has to build a travel style that fits their own life.

They also discuss Family RV Association rallies, first-timer experiences, RV education, community, roadside assistance, medical and travel assist benefits, and why the word “family” in FRVA really does apply to every kind of RVer.

Whether you are a solo traveler, a weekend camper, a full-time RVer, or someone still thinking about getting started, this episode is full of practical encouragement and road-tested wisdom.

Learn more at https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

Check out the Rolling Smooth RV Book Series: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

TechnoRV affiliate link: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

Beyond the Chutes: https://beyondthechutes.show

Support Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife

#RVLife #SoloRVTravel #FRVA #FamilyRVAssociation #WanderingGypsyRVLife #RollingSmooth #RVPodcast #RVSafety #RVCommunity

10-time NFR qualifier and 2-time The American champion Tilden Hooper joins me for a conversation straight from the rodeo road.

We talk Capri Campers, Cowboy Christmas routing, family travel, campgrounds, tire blowouts, bent axles, TPMS systems, tools, faith, and the mindset it takes to stay steady when life and the road throw you sideways.

Tilden shares stories from years of traveling rodeo country, hauling his family in a travel trailer, running hard between rodeos, and learning RV lessons the expensive way. From sketchy small planes and all-night drives to campground life and roadside repairs, this episode rides right down the centerline between rodeo life and RV life.

We also talk about the new Cowboys and Cowgirls Rolling Smooth series with Doug Simcox from Beyond the Chutes, where rodeo travel, RV systems, resilience, and real-world problem solving all come together.

And somehow… this marks Episode 50 of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast. Appreciate every single person who’s ridden along on this journey so far.

🔗 Links:

Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

Rolling Smooth RV Book Series: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

TechnoRV: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

Beyond the Chutes: https://beyondthechutes.show

#WanderingGypsyRVLife #RollingSmooth #RodeoRoad #TildenHooper #CapriCampers #RVLife #FullTimeRV #CowboysAndCowgirlsRollingSmooth #BeyondTheChutes #PRCA #Rodeo #RVTravel #CowboyLife #RVPodcast #BarebackRiding

This episode is a continuation of last week’s conversation with Doug Simcox of Beyond the Chutes.

We had so much great behind-the-scenes content from that recording that it deserved its own episode. So this week, we’re pulling back the curtain on podcasting, storytelling, AI tools, editing, audio quality, and the work that goes into preserving real voices.

Stan and Doug talk about where AI helps, where they draw the line, and why the story still belongs to the person who lived it. They also dig into long-form podcasting, rodeo history, Doug’s work with Beyond the Chutes, and the crossover between RV life, rodeo travel, living quarters horse trailers, toterhomes, and life on the road.

This episode also introduces the upcoming Cowboys & Cowgirls Rolling Smooth series, coming to Beyond the Chutes—built for the rodeo road with real stories, real problems, and real solutions.

Find Doug and Beyond the Chutes at: https://beyondthechutes.show

More from Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

Rolling Smooth RV Book Series: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

TechnoRV affiliate link: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to produce a podcast while living life on the road.

Recorded at Kick Back Ranch & Event Center in Ramer, Alabama, Stan Cromlish sits down with Doug Simcox of Beyond the Chutes for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the work most people never see.

From recording setups and audio challenges to editing workflows and the realities of adding video, this is a true behind-the-scenes look at podcasting in motion.

They also dive into:

• The real editing workflow using tools like Descript and Audacity
• Managing multiple microphones and sound levels
• The challenges of recording inside an RV
• Storage, backups, and handling video files on the road
• Why short-form content matters (and how it actually works)
• Sponsorships, integrity, and staying true to your voice

This episode also introduces a new collaboration: Cowboys and Cowgirls Rolling Smooth — a crossover series blending rodeo travel and RV life through shared systems, lessons, and real-world experience.

🔗 Resources & Links

• 🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com
• 📚 Rolling Smooth Book Series: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth
• 🛠 TechnoRV (affiliate): https://technorv.com?Click=12127
• 🎙 Beyond the Chutes: https://beyondthechutes.show

☕ Final Thought

Sometimes the most important work isn’t what people see… It’s what happens behind the scenes to keep everything rolling smooth.

#RVLife #Podcasting #BehindTheScenes #WanderingGypsyRVLife #RollingSmooth #ContentCreation #VanLife #RodeoLife #YouTubePodcast #DigitalNomad

After covering miles from the FRVA International Convention in Perry, Georgia, to the American East Regionals Rodeo in Lexington, Kentucky, one thing kept showing up over and over again…

The Rolling Smooth Mindset works.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I’m talking about what that really means when things don’t go according to plan. Not the polished version… the real one.

From dealing with a roof leak that wouldn’t leave my mind alone, to conversations around the arena with Doug Simcox of Beyond the Chutes, and insights from riders like Dawson Hay and Jayden Roy. This episode connects the dots between RV life, rodeo travel, and the way we handle problems when they show up uninvited.

Because sometimes the plan falls apart.

Sometimes something breaks.

And sometimes you do everything right… and it still goes wrong.

So what do you do then?

This isn’t about avoiding problems or pretending everything is fine. It’s about slowing down, evaluating what’s actually happening, determining your course, and resolving or mitigating the situation without letting panic take over.

That’s the Rolling Smooth Mindset.

Not perfect.

Not flashy.

But steady.

And when you’re steady… You can solve just about anything the road throws at you.

👉 Learn more about the Rolling Smooth RV Book Series:

https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

👉 More from Wandering Gypsy RV Life:

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

👉 Gear that helps you stay connected on the road (TechnoRV):

https://technorv.com?Click=12127

👉 Beyond the Chutes Podcast:

https://beyondthechutes.show

Wandering Gypsy RV Life is about the real RV lifestyle — the miles, the lessons, the breakdowns, and the stories that make this life worth living.

In this episode of Wandering Gypsy RV Life, I’m sharing a live seminar recorded at the FRVA Rally in Perry, Georgia, on how to stay connected on the road.

Internet on the road isn’t just about entertainment. It’s how many of us work, stay in touch with family, and handle day-to-day life while traveling.

In this session, I walk through what actually works based on real-world experience, including:

• Why campground Wi-Fi often falls short
• The role of Starlink and where it excels
• Cellular internet options and hybrid setups
• What it costs to stay connected
• Lessons learned from over 10,000 miles of travel

You’ll also hear live Q&A from RVers in the room, covering everything from budget setups to working remotely while traveling.

This is a practical, real-world look at RV internet… not theory.

🔗 Learn more:

Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

Rolling Smooth Book Series: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

TechnoRV: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

Beyond the Chutes Podcast: https://beyondthechutes.show

If you’ve ever dealt with the spinning wheel of death in an RV park… this one’s for you.