Making It Up as We Go Along

We had a plan. We always have 'a plan'. We also have learned that 50 percent of the time our plans change. 

So, the plan was to go to Blythe, California and stay for a week(ish). We had to take care of some responsibilities and it was on the way to where we were going to meet up with friends (a couple of weeks later). 

We pulled into Mayflower Park and immediately knew we did not want to be there for the week. It was an RV park style camp area (not our thing) and there wasn't anything to do. Since we hadn't made any commitments we decided to just stay for the night. 

We did get to stick our toes in the Colorado River, and we had somewhat functioning wifi for the first time in ages. 

The new plan~ the Grand Canyon. 

So, the next day we left Cali and stopped  in Nevada. It was, hands down, the WORST driving conditions we'd  had so far. While the scenery was gorgeous no one could appreciate it because it was super windy, dry, rough, and the rolly roads left us all with a little motion sickness.  

We stayed the night at Big Bend on the Colorado Park. Because we knew the camping at the Grand Canyon was dry camping, we had to fill up our water tanks and dump out our holding tanks. Also, after such a shit drive we needed the reprieve. 

The Lone Star State Part 2

San Angelo State Park in San Angelo, Texas was our home for a little longer than we had originally planned.  The weather went from mid 70's to freezing within a day.  So, while we weren't really stoked to be at a stand still, we were grateful to plug in RV Airabess for a few extra days.  Bonus~ there was semi-decent wifi (a novelty on this trip). 

Our first couple of days there we biked around the park, which is massive.  Lots of desert terrain, and open space.  

Coco and Hubs took to the trails, which they both LOVED.  But, thanks to so many cactus needles there where 5 tire repairs.  

Then... it snowed.  Not a lot. But just enough so that Coco got to make her first snowball.  
Plus a pretty cool book exchange.  
Oh, and there were bison..... um not really.  Actually the park is host to THE Texas Longhorn Herd.  We saw where they should have been, but missed seeing them in person.  As for the bison.  Supposedly they are in the park too. The only ones we got to see where these.

We finally left San Angelo after a week and went to Monahans Sandhills State Park for a couple of days (and put our shorts back on).   Probably one more day than we needed.  It's name is pretty self-explanatory.... sand dunes everywhere.  Which for this Florida family was surreal.  First, we kept expecting to see the ocean on the other side (just more dunes).  Second, you are actually allowed to play, slide, roll, jump down them... a novelty.  Where we are from the dunes are off limits.  
So we played on the dunes.  And got sand EVERYWHERE.  

The place is in the middle of no where and the only reason we chose it was because it was a halfway point to the Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks.  That being said, it was a good time and cool experience.  
The drive there however.... looooonggg and boring through oil fields and dust. 

Now onto Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

School Daze

This year Coco is a student of The Florida Virtual School (and has been since kindergarten). When we were still at home, on land, it was the best fit for her and our family. Flexible, but still traditional. 

Now... Not so much. For several reason:

1- We have to have an Internet connection on a pretty regular basis. This usually isn't a problem, but in the event that it is, it effects what and how Coco gets her info. 

2- Because of #1 we aren't able to move around the way we would like. Every Monday we have to be still and connected. 

3- The curriculum is designed in much the same way as a brick and mortar classroom. For some that works , for us, not really. There have been so many times this school year, especially now living aboard, that actual real life learning opportunities have presented themselves... But we had to log in, or it wouldn't fit into our day because of what was required. 

4- The above requirements don't always really apply.  For example, Coco is an avid reader... More so than most adults. So, when I'm testing her on 2nd grade phonics, we both get a little frustrated. It's a total waste of time. 

Other times~ its not enough. This mostly occurs in Science and Social Studies. The unit is over before it even gets started and its time to move on. 

The curriculum is a one size fits all, but it no longer fits us. 

(Coco doing an online presentation... Monday requirements)

Next year I am going to approach it a lot differently. There are some subjects we will purchase (math) and others we won't (probably science and social studies). There are so many opportunities for real, practical, life-experience learning that is completely applicable with 'school standards'. 

I'm super excited about it too. The possibilities are endless.