Chasing dreams

Are you on the road?

I read a great book this week called 'The Pilgrimage' by Paul Coelho ...

This is one book that has challenged me and inspired me. It made me realize some of the things that have led me and my family to hit the road in our little home on wheels. As you can read about many families who have decided to change their lives and hit the road, there is one overwhelming common denominator, we want to live a life more fulfilled.

That isn't to say, you cannot have a fulfilled life living, and working as 'normal' people do. Often you will read about families who have lived on the road, and then came to a conclusion that it was time to leave the road and live more conventionally. For reasons all their own, they decided that it was best for them to stop the nomad lifestyle. They experienced what they needed from life on the road, and now they can return to normality with a sense of accomplishment. I applaud those who have achieved this and feel that they have found what they are looking for, and settle down to a normal paced life so that they can apply the experiences and knowledge they gained on the road.

finding a geocache

The experiences achieved is like our own pilgrimage. We 'knew' that the conventional life had changed us somewhat. The idea of the open road, living on less, and experiencing more became a rallying point for our ideals of 'freedom.' This can be deceptive too.

The ideals of freedom are just that, an ideal situation. Little do they realize that cramped spaces, inconveniences of living on the road, can and will set you back. My brand new camper was all shiny when I picked it up in July. It didn't take too long before perfection revealed its flaws. So you really have two responses when such things happens. One is to learn and adapt, and use it as part of the experience. The other is to let it get you down, frustrate you, and diffuse your dreams of an ideal perfect experience on the road.

We really dig home schooling

Learning to adapt to change is part of the process. Like in the book, the author had an intellectual ideal of his purpose of the pilgrimage. He had a purpose which was to find his sword, a symbol of mastery in his walk in life. Little did he know of the pains, the suffering, and the battles that awaited him. What was intellectual became experiential. What was an ideal, became a hindrance, yet molded him to achieve mastery in a way he never imagined. We too, who chose a life much different will face many challenges. It will question our very choices to live on the road. How we respond and answer these challenges will mold us and change us, for our own benefit if we allow it.

For my family, we have had things broken. We experienced inconveniences to normal things we thought were a necessity. We had to be creative and adjust our well thought out plans. In the end, we have grown in this short time. By no means have we mastered this life on the road, however we have grown stronger as a family. We have had experiences that will last a lifetime. We put wheels and feet to our dreams in hopes to experience more. Ultimately these experiences will teach us that our dreams are possible, tangible, and we are worthy to pursue them.

Come along for the ride...

I truly thing that is why people do what we do, to experience something extraordinary such as climb mountains. We want a life more fulfilled. We just needed to get out of our normal day to day life in order to define it. Why we go on the road is less important than what the road leads us to discover. The challenges, the experiences, and what we learn form us, change us, and teach us what is truly our own prize.

The other response is to let it agitate us, conflict us, and defeat us. There are some who have chose to leave the road due to hardships. They leave the road because the idea of freedom felt overwhelming, unattainable. That is part of the human condition, simply to allow life to get us down. To allow others or situations to define us. Little by little, we give up our dreams and 'settle.' Of course, we all have the freedom to make our own choices, to determine our own happiness and far be it from me to condemn those who 'settle' down and find contentment. I only challenge those who give up, to find another dream, another purpose, because it was what led them to the road in the first place.

A road less traveled...

So, we continue on the road a few more months before the harshness of winter sets in. We will winter at home for a time to connect with family and friends, and for the practicality of it. However, it will not keep the road from our hearts and inspire us to dream.

The Ever-Creative Evie

Duct Tape Purse Perfection

As I  walked through the door, I was tackled by Evie. She was excited to see me and have her daddy home. She was overwhelming excited to show me her knew art/craft project. A purse made from duct tape. I have seen a lot of things and I have to say that I am very impressed. 

She had made it for her friend back home she is planning to visit with today. Evie is like that. She often gives of herself and time to her friends. She like to make them happy. Making things, either drawing or using her 'other creative' forces to conjure up something fills her day.

School had gone by so much better today. Kids were up, happy, and much more focused today. Jen had several projects around Arrakis to finish before she heads back home to take care of some personal business, visit family, and check on the house. I for one will fend for myself for the next couple of days. I think I can manage.

Seasons and change

Dos enjoying ice cream from Bubbles

Well our time up in Northern Indiana has come to a close. We will be transitioning to our next location in Indianapolis Indiana. The saddest part about this lifestyle is that you make acquaintances, meet lots of new people, and have fun experiences, and at some time, you just have to walk away. Much like leaving Disneyland without riding all the rides, it feels like you haven't yet begun to experience all there is to see and do.

We definitely feel like that with our church friends at Calvary Chapel Sunset Coast. What a great fellowship there. Sadly, we will have to be moving on. We pray that God continues to bless them and their ministry. Hopefully we will find a solid church with a heart of fellowship in our new location.

That said, I believe our experiment is not going to end with this month! Jen and the kids have agreed that an extended stay is in order. The kids are having a blast. They love the travel, the experiences, and the freedom to ride their bikes just about everywhere. I enjoy having my family with me while I travel. So as long as we can muster it, we will continue this little adventure and see where it takes us!

You see, I finally got it this morning! There is more freedom in my 300 square feet than your 3000 square foot McMansion! Here is why...

If I don't like my neighbors.... I can move
If I don't like the weather...... I can move
If I don't like how the sun hits my face the wrong way in the morning... I can move
If I don't like the homeowners association(we don't have any)............  I can move
If the drunk rednecks across the street decide to light fireworks at all hours in the night.... I can move

I have more freedom in my choices, in where I go, than being locked in on a mortgage, a home, or permanent place.

One of those rainy days...

You know it is one of those rainy days....

On those rainy days, sometimes camping out and
watching a movie is the best thing you can do

The kids are rambunctious and full of energy. Being trapped in the camper, our home, 'Arrakus' to us, tests the limits of controlled chaos. I fully expected Jen's hair to be completely white, and Dos bouncing off the walls from the sheer confinement.

I was greeted with none of that. Jen and Jr. were on the couch reading a book together. Tayla ("T-Rex") was playing with her naked barbies. Don't ask me why they are naked. Rest assured that if you buy this child a Barbie, it will inevitably end up naked. I think, clothes on these figures are just extra wrapping to her. Either way, she was having a great time playing with them.

Jen had stewed chicken on the stove cooking away while I sat and unwind. Uno and Dos were out making new friends and riding their bikes. The weather had been clear for just a short hour and they took full advantage of getting on the bikes and 'vamoosing' away.

Funny thing these kids. They were so worried about not having friends, or being able to make new friends. But not a week goes by and they have made numerous new friends and pen-pals. Is it still called pen-pals when they just email each other? I digress.

I remember the fears of family members that our kids were grow up awkward. They were afraid are children would turn into the 'social pariah' of weirdness. Rest assured, my kids are socially healthy, have tons of interests, and can make friends at a drop of the hat. I challenge the notion to say my kids are better at making friends that 'normal' kids. You see, my kids don't have a social ladder to climb. My kids don't have to have approval from others in order to fit in a specific pecking order. My kids are kids, and can be just that. My kids are not pressured to fit into a specified peer group. My kids are 'free range....'

Free range? Doesn't that sound ultra hip and veggie? Oh dear, does that mean I am a hippy? Well, so far I don't dress like one, I still like to hunt, shoot guns, and guns shows are second or third most important events to attend other than church and evening supper. But yes, I am a little free range I guess. I am happy my kids are home schooled, and I am happy my kids are free to explore the world instead of confined to a specific geographic location. Just this last month, you would be amazed if you could see what I see in my kids eyes. It is like a world is unlocked to them. They have explored, done things, and seen many new things that they would never had a chance to see without this opportunity to be with me on the road.

The Waze To Go

Waze is a life saver!

How can I count the Waze?

How would you like instant notification of police in the area (if you like to drive fast)? You get an audible letting you know that you should be looking out for them.

Need to know if there are hazards on the road? Waze will alert you of cars, or other items on the road that you need to watch for.

Is the weather bad? How about traffic (how fast, how heavy, standstill)? Waze will let you know of the hazardous conditions, speed of traffic if slowed down, and other conditions that make your daily commute more informed.

Would you like a turn by turn navigation for free? Waze provides that as well. I am very impressed with this app. You earn points, can build a social network, , edit maps, and make the experience shared by all much better!

We used it to help find dinner yesterday. I wanted chicken wings. Something called out to my soul... 'Buffalo Wild Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings.' I said to my soul, 'It's not on my diet.' My soul could not be abated. I found myself traveling, with family in tow, and the Waze app running on my phone, delivering me to the promised land of wings.

What a great place, Sports, kid friendly food, chicken wings, buzz time trivia. I asked the manager if we could take up residence. He shook his head no, he said something like 'policy' and 'strange request' and 'you are freaking me out.' So we parted ways, I with full belly and the kids in tow. Even little T-Rex ate her Mac-N-Cheese, so that was a plus.

We were able to leave our table with only one spill. Dos, though drenched, had enjoyed herself too. We finished the evening with some kid movie that was interesting, a little over acted, and well... boring. I left to my comfy bed with book in tow. It was a great evening.

Art and History Night

The Board Game of Se-net

Tonight turned into Art History night...

We started the evening with chili on the stove and an evening of sharing. Kids were in rare form for sure. We had a stressful day. Tonight we planned a simple evening filled with quiet times of reading, or other less involved activities.

Jen had to deal with our 'black pyramid' and had to flush the tank again. I had a brutal day answering the phone and fixing user issues. I think the quiet time was much needed as I really didn't want to have a lot of noise in the background. Spend a day in a cramped room surrounded by unhappy folks and dealing with critical issues does that to you.

I started the book 'Midnight in the garden of good and evil' and Momma-San went to bed early leaving me with a disquieted and rambunctious group of minions. No problem I thought. My book will have to wait. Uno asked for a game of Se-net. She is enthralled with everything Egyptian. She got this really cool book with fold outs and activities that she bought from her trip to the Museum in Chicago.

She told me the rules, we played. It was surprisingly fun. Much like a mix of chess, Othello, and 'Sorry!' all rolled into one. I like playing board games, the problem with two person games is that everyone else wants to play. Trying to keep T-Rex, the most annoyed minion who wanted to play, occupied was a tough job.

I haven't sketched in years, this was my result

That is when we turned to art. T-Rex was satisfied coloring in her new coloring book. Uno and Dos wanted me to teach them how to draw. We spent the next hour and a half working on drawing the human head and how to sketch things so that they eventually come out the way they wanted to.
In the end, all off to bed. I settled the minions down with a little struggle, and I am off to bed.

I was skeptical, but I was desperate...

I was skeptical, but I was desperate as to whether or not I could ever get any satisfactory wireless internet at the RV. Often times in the evening, I am logging in to make sure there are not problems and to prepare for the next day. Having a decent wireless connection speed saves me tons of time. Instead of fighting to connect, hopefully not getting dropped or suspended for an indefinite time, I want to log on, do my stuff and log off so that I can do something more meaningful like playing with the kids, fishing, or just about anything else.


As for road schooling, we don't have the extra room to store books and lots of 'paper' materials. A lot of the work has to be done online or using products such as Google docs to get the work done. Each of our children have a Amazon Kindle Fire we bought when they were selling refurbished ones for $149. This allows us to use them in conjunction with one laptop computer instead of having a laptop for each child. As you can imagine, for road-schooling like we are, connectivity is a must. Nothing like having a toddler upset that she cannot watch her PBS kids on her Kindle Fire! With the Kindle Fire's loaded down with books, and materials for homeschooling, it is just a matter of having connectivity to the Internet to allow us to facilitate and guide them through the process.


Over the last couple of years, I have tried several products from wireless tethering on my phone to buying a separate service such as Clear.com (don't get me started on them), paying for a data plan on my iPad, and just being frustrated all the time.


However, from a good suggestion I found perusing forums to find a way to amplify or extend an existing wireless network that would work well in an RV setting, I came across the NETGEAR Universal Wi-Fi Range Extender. The price was $67 and available at the local Walmart.  I have spent far more to try and get connected only to feel like I have utterly wasted my time and money. Often times products are so hard or complicated to setup or worse, they just don't work as described.


However, I did try this product after some glowing reviews in the forums along with great reviews on Walmart's own website. I was surprised at how easy it was to setup. I don't own the wireless at the campground but I was easily able to connect to, extend, and fully use it with this extender. As you can see, it takes up very little room and makes a world of difference.