Catching up with Traveling Robert
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Robert Morales is better known as “Traveling Robert” and travels the United States and elsewhere producing videos on YouTube and Facebook. His adventures began in 2014 in a small Winnebago Micro Mini 17-foot travel trailer and in 2020, Winnebago loaned him a new 17-foot unit so he could travel as a brand ambassador.
Traveling Robert’s posts include road footage, hikes, dining in or out of the trailer, visiting tourism destinations, state and federal parks, and other places of interest. The shows follow his daily ventures by way of his camera, cell phone, cameras in his truck, and on his trailer with images of campgrounds and roadside overnight stays. All the while Morales provides commentary, voice over and background music. Sometimes his wife, Ileana, travels with him.
His Tennessee visits have resulted in shows about Chattanooga, the Natchez Trace, Nashville and the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area.
The Traveling Robert shows have become an imaginary vacation for viewers. The Focus caught up with him and asked several questions.
How did you get involved with the show and what did you do before?
Videography has always been a hobby of mine, and even though I went to college for TV production I never actually worked in the field. I did have a job at several TV networks but in the traffic and commercial operations side of the business. YouTube became an outlet for my creative side, first as a hobby until eventually, people started to watch, and further down the road I was able to make a living doing it.
Do you cycle back to your Florida home between your travels? Tell us about your family.
I like to think of myself as a part-time traveler. We’ll spend 2-3 months on the road, and then a similar amount of time at home base in Miami, Florida, where I spent most of my time editing the videos of the previous few months. Home base is also where my 90-year-old mom and stepson live, so it is good to come back to home base once in a while, even though the road beckons.
How do your sponsors help fund your show and your travels?
They are important but not the main source of income. I make money in several ways. The main one is through YouTube, by their ad sense advertisement, YouTube premium, and channel memberships. Individual advertisers provide an extra source of income, as well as merchandise sales, music streaming, etc.
In your many travels, you have visited East Tennessee now and then. Can you share some highlights?
The Smoky Mountains and Appalachia in general are always a highlight. It is one of my favorite areas of the country. Also, since I am a musician, Nashville has a special place in my heart. Tennessee is a very diverse state, and to be honest I have barely scratched the surface. I should add it to the top of my 2025 travel list.
Are you planning to come back through the region this year?
You read my mind. The short answer is “yes.” There’s still a lot to be explored in the Volunteer State.
You were injured while on an adventure. Tell us about it.
I’m no stranger to illness on the road. When you travel as much as I do it is bound to happen. You will have the occasional health hiccup here and there, but nothing had impacted our travels as much as the bad fall I experienced while hiking in Arizona. I slipped, fell and sprained my ankle, cracked my fibula, and my wife Ileana had to get a crash course on driving cross country because it happened to be my driving leg. Luckily I didn’t need surgery and two years later I’m 90% recovered.
Do you have a TV or online show other than Traveling Robert?
For a short while, I was able to publish some of my shows on Amazon Prime, but they stopped allowing independent creators to publish there, so I decided to concentrate on YouTube and other social media instead. I don’t believe my content has even been on broadcast television.
What’s your favorite place in the U.S. to visit so far?
I love the mountains and the desert, so anywhere out there in Utah, Arizona and California, but if I have to pick only one, I’d say the Grand Canyon never gets old.
If someone wanted to contact you what’s the easiest way to reach you?
I am @travelingrobert in all the social networks. Also through my website, travelingrobert.com.
