Hitting The Road.

[rightkindofme]

Starting in June I'm taking off with my kids. I'm running away from my life. I feel very weird about this, but I've been talking about it for years. No spontaneity here. We are starting in northern California and turning east first. I have a friend in Salt Lake City; he was my best friend in junior high. From there we go on north through Oregon and Washington visiting friends and relatives. I have a mini-van and a camp trailer I will be pulling. 13,000 miles at 55 mph. Oh joy. We are crossing east through the northern route in time to go to the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. Seeing home schooling friends all the way up in New Hampshire. We will spend over three weeks at Disney World. We will be trick or treating with their cousin in Texas before driving back to California.

I'm scared and elated. I'm scared because that is a long time to be basically alone with my kids managing everything. That's a lot of driving and I really hate driving. I'm scared about transporting my medical marijuana across state lines but I can't see this working out if I don't have pot at night so I can sleep. I have decided to skip Canada because crossing an international border with drugs and small children seems.... even too stupid for me. Ha.

Traveling like this is part of why I want so badly to unschool my kids. This is the life path I have wanted. I've been more or less planning this for 18 years. Now I need to put up or shut up. Am I really as brave as I've been claiming all these years?

I want my kids to meet people all across the country. I want my kids to really and truly SEE how differently people live. The friends we will be visiting across the country range from being really poor to being exceptionally rich. They represent a rainbow of skin colors. A full range of religions.

I have been blessed in meeting a lot of diverse, interesting people. I want my kids to meet my friends. This is the only way I can make it work. Over the five months we will be seeing dozens of people. I won't actually be "alone" for five months, I just won't have support which is crucial and different.

I'm thinking about consciously looking for the 24 Fitnesses across the country (my gym membership) so I can get two hours of childcare for cheap on a regular basis.

I want this so bad. I don't even know why.

 

[seedling]

Absolutely awesome. You will know why as you go, or years later, or both.

Let your kids help you by doing as much as they are capable of. Kids love to be truly needed, give them real responsibilities.

I traveled with my kids when they were younger homeschoolers. It was great. They saw so much that was real, not out of a book or on TV.

The fitness centers sound like a good resource. Will you be able to get online? You may be able to find a kind of support that is different from what you are used to staying at home.

My biggest advice (if it's needed lol) is to take your time when you and the kids get tired, or you get nervous about driving. Don't get hooked into having to do something if things change. Feel it out as you go. When you are visiting where there are other children you may get many breaks as your kids make friends and play with others.
My experience with being around my kids a lot - you learn to live together.

 

[KwanYingirl]

My parents loaded us into the station wagon every summer for a month. It's the only happy memories I have of my life. Your children are blessed to have you devoting this time for them. When I get wiggy while driving, I just get into the slow lane and take my time. In the 70's I dropped out of society for a year and traveled through Europe.i met many women who were traveling in vans with their kiddos. What a gift you're giving them, especially reaching out to all socioeconomic groups.will you have Internet? I think that is an awesome trip. Good luck with your pot. I smuggled hash out of Morocco. I was a nervous wreck but did it anyway. Fortunately, I didn't get caught. Do you have a medical card for it to take with you? And more importantly, do you have enough to last your whole trip?

 

[Changing4Best]

Try to always be sure that your car's lights are in order as a police officer can stop you and search your car for a blacked out brake light. Crossing state lines with weed, medical or not, is not wise. You are endangering your children by doing this. Really think about it. Do you need the weed that much? Is there something else that can be prescribed to you instead? This is just my opinion, but I think you are not being wise.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN ANOTHER STATE WITH IT, AND THAT STATE OUTLAWS IT, YOU COULD END UP IN JAIL AND YOUR KIDS COULD END UP IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM!

 

[shandemonium]

Wow we have some similar plans!!! I don't have any kids, but I'm trying to leave the Bay Area too and go on a long road trip.

I am planning to sell my house and whatever money I make find a safe calm place to live. I am converting my van into camper inside and I've had 24hr fitness membership for 7 years for access to showers (during homeless periods). Maybe we should PM about this! I lived in rv's too and if you need any help with repair tips, let me know!

I have the same issue with medical marijuana. It's the only medicine I take that helps.

A few suggestions (not guarantees):

1. Edibles... buy hella butter from the club and make your own cookies. Or rice crispy treats, they'll keep longer.
2. Watch the video on youtube called "never get busted". Also check out their website.
Made by a former Texas cop who explains how drug dogs are trained and will give you the best tips out there.
3. Bring a cat. Drug dogs are dogs with high prey drive and a cat will pretty much throw off any drug search (this is a tip from the ex-cop).
4. Norml.org will give you a nice map of which states have which laws in great detail. You can minimize your risk this way.

@SheilaKathy I understand your point but you must understand that America is changing a lot in its attitudes and even in redneck states a marijuana possession charge would not take your kids away permanently (although it wouldn't be a picnic and could mean some months in jail). Also, many prescription medicines have harmful side effects and she would have to deal with finding the right one after spending time and money she might not have

I don't mean this in a rude way, but imagine if you were only allowed to worship Jesus in certain states and went to jail for it in others. Then someone tells you "is it really worth it? I mean, can't you just worship another god in those states?" How would that make you feel?

These laws are just as unjust.

Plenty of people have their stash with them and you are not smuggling pounds. Plus you've got two kids, a minivan and a trailer. Not high profile material. but some cops can be evil dicks to anyone so be careful and feel free to PM me!!!

ROAD TRIP!!! :)

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Much respect rightkindofme, for following your heart and teaching your kids about the world. I think @seedling had some wise words.
Just take it easy. I take it you're not in a hurry so you can do this in your own pace which is kind of neat, right?

These kind of decisions take courage but it will totally pay off I believe :tup:
If you have time maybe check in sometime during your journey, I'd love to hear how it goes.

 

[rightkindofme]

(I'm sorry! I didn't see the social forum... I looked. Eek.)

Thanks @seedling --my girls are definitely helpful. My older kid is having a lot of fun learning how to put the tent together. I definitely put them to work setting up and breaking down camp. I think we are going to have a wonderful experience together.

@KwanYingirl I absolutely have official "medical" documentation and I take pills I don't really smoke. So my pot doesn't look particularly entertaining when people see it. Whoo. Sleeping pills. Good for me.

@shandemonium Yay! Totally we can talk about this. It is going to be super rad. Thank you for your explanation about meds. No, there aren't "better" drugs I could take. It took many years of determining that this is THE drug I can take without having my life melt down because of all the side effects. I'm not jumping quite as far into the deep end as you because I'm keeping my husband here in the house and we are coming back. I planted trees! I want to eat from them! :) I will definitely watch the videos and check out the supporting material you are recommending. I appreciate you so much!!

@Radise Thanks! I'm sure I'll check in. I'm trying to keep our interneting to a bare minimum for a variety of reasons but I'm sure I'll check in. I will also be keeping up on my regular blog. :) I'll cheerfully give my blog link to anyone who PMs me but I think it is spamming if I post it here.

IF YOU ARE CAUGHT IN ANOTHER STATE WITH IT, AND THAT STATE OUTLAWS IT, YOU COULD END UP IN JAIL AND YOUR KIDS COULD END UP IN THE FOSTER SYSTEM!

If you want me to listen to your opinion, try not shouting at me.

 

[Seagreen]

Rightkindofme, I am so inspired to read your post. I honestly think the world would be a better place if every child were to have an opportunity like this. You are teaching your children that different is not something to be feared but to be explored whole heartedly. Kids need opportunities to truly connect with the world while they are young. This is becoming harder as with technology dominating the way we interact with the world and one another.

I hope that you can hook up to some wireless internet and update us along the way. I'll be cheering you on!

Bon voyage!

 

[Changing4Best]

@rightkindofme I put that is caps not in shouting, but for emphasis. I really wanted you to see that, if you saw nothing else was all. Sorry it seemed like shouting, it was not. I often use caps for emphasis.

 

[rightkindofme]

May I kindly and with great affection suggest using bold or italics or underlining to draw that kind of attention. It is a pretty standard internet convention that ALL CAPS MEANS YELLING.

I promise you that I am reading your words even if I do not share your opinions or reach the same conclusions. Thank you for taking the time to share your point of view with me.

 

[Sighs]

@rightkindofme and @SheilaKathy - thank you for a wonderful example of being polite and respectful and appreciative of others on the forum even when holding opposing views.

 

[Friday]

Awesome! I homeschooled my son for 5 years. Part of it was travel-schooling. Cheers!