🚐 From Moses Lake to Walcott: Our Epic RV Adventure Begins to Purchase Big Bad Wolf!
For most people, buying an RV might mean visiting a local dealership. For us? It meant driving 1,700+ miles across the country from Moses Lake, Washington to Walcott, Iowa—and every single mile was worth it.
The Wait That Felt Like Forever…
Back in February, we had our eye on the perfect travel trailer: the Forest River Grey Wolf 27BHKS. This is the perfect model for us with the bunks and bathroom in the back with an open central area and a bedroom at the front. It was the perfect model at a price we could pay cash for a brand new trailer. The problem? The model had been discontinued two months before. Bummer, we’d researched it for a long time and this was the best trailer for the best price.
The price was important because we wanted to pay cash for the trailer so that we would not have any bills during our travel adventures. We’ve worked hard to get out of debt so we could have fun for a few years. Here’s our hiccup though. After leaving my job at WASAO, a mix-up delayed the payout of a closed account we needed for the purchase. What was supposed to be a quick transaction turned into a three-month wait because the paperwork I turned in got set aside while someone was off for a few days, and by the time it was filed, it was 2 days late. Anyways, the payout went from 30 days to 90 and the wait seemed like forever. But, I suppose we were supposed to stick around another few months.
While we waited, we thought we should look for a new RV model that we wanted.
A Lucky Discovery in the Oil Fields (Sort Of)
While researching (and praying) for a miracle, we discovered that a batch of RV’s had been built for the South Dakota oil fields. The batch had 2 RV’s built of the exact model we wanted. Then—plot twist—the order was canceled, and Cheyenne Camping Center in Walcott, Iowa stepped in and bought the trailers to resell. Even better? They were selling them at cost plus a small margin. What a blessing! Rhett made the call and found out one was already spoken for, but they would sell the other to us. AND, they agreed to hold it for us until June when our payout check would come and we could drive to Iowa and pick it up. That kind of service is rare. These folks are the absolute best in the industry. If you need an RV check them out.
Here’s the layout of the RV we want. It’s not huge, but it’s perfect for what we have planned for the next few years. In case you want to know, though it won’t matter in the future, this model is the Forest River Grey Wolf 27BKHS.
Big. Bold. Beautiful. Big Bad Wolf.
Here she is—the majestic Grey Wolf. Standing beside it made everything real. This wasn’t just a trailer. It was freedom, family memories, and future adventures on wheels. It’s our plan to go on some adventures for the next few years. We are not sure how long exactly, but the initial plan is four years.
The Front with the Iconic Wolf Decal
We call her the “Big Bad Wolf” (in the most affectionate way possible). Remember, we have the red cargo trailer that we call “Little Red”. The kids think it is great that we have Little Red and The Big Bad Wolf — adorable right. That mural of wolves running through snow sealed the deal for us—bold, wild, and ready for the road. We love that there are four wolves and there are four of us in our family. It must be fate.
All Hooked Up and Ready to Go
Seeing her hitched to the truck for the first time was surreal. The side view gives you a taste of her roomy interior. That awning? It’s going to shade so many camping meals and late-night marshmallow roasts. Rhett did the walk around making sure all was well, and then we were off.
Why We Had to Go to Iowa for Big Bad Wolf
One thing we didn’t know? In 2012, Forest River didn’t have sales agreements for Grey Wolf trailers west of the Rockies. That’s why we couldn’t find this RV make and model anywhere on the West Coast! It made our cross-country trek totally worth it—and helped us understand why this particular model was so rare out here.
The Tiny RV Kitchen — Not Exactly The Kitchen of My Dreams, But Not Half Bad
Small space, big heart. I couldn’t believe how much storage this kitchen offers. You wouldn’t think it to look at that tiny area, but behind this is a built in kitchen pantry larger than most 5th wheel pantry’s. Between the dinette and that little couch there are plenty places to sit.
View from the Dinette
Look at that cozy setup! Plenty of room for games, hot cocoa, or watching a movie when the rain rolls in. I like that the TV was mounted and storage below for the kids homeschool books.
From the Kitchen to the Back Bunks
You can see all the way to the bunk beds in the back. With seating for meals, room to lounge, and a TV right where it counts—it’s everything we hoped for. The finishes? Warm, rustic, and surprisingly spacious for 250 sq ft. It’s going to be cramped compared to our big house, but we are determined it will be great.
Even the Bathroom Is Beautiful
You don’t usually hear someone gush over an RV bathroom, but seriously—check it out. Functional, stylish, and well-lit. The tub-and-shower combo is perfect for the kids. They are still young and love baths. A little tub was a must for me when it come to finding an RV.
Worth Every Mile
From Moses Lake to Walcott, we passed through breathtaking landscapes, road-weary pit stops, and more than a few fast-food drive-thrus. But with each mile, we got closer to finally owning the trailer we had been dreaming about for months.
Now she’s ours and we are on our way home. And she’s everything we hoped for.
Thank you to Cheyenne Camping Center for being the kind of place that treats customers like family. And thank you to Forest River for building such a beautiful, functional, and hard-to-find trailer.
The adventures are just beginning. Stay tuned—we’ve got big plans, and the Big Bad Wolf is ready to roam. 🐺
✨ I’m Being Sentimental:
A little fun fact: We picked up our dream RV today, and it also happens to be my 34th birthday. I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate. Let the adventures begin.
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