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Published: October 17th 2011
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Loaded Down.
All packed up and everywhere to go! If you had the time, money, ability, and support of your spouse, family and friends, would you take one of your children on a take-your-time, no deadline, cross-country trip and homeschool along the way? Your answer is either an enthusiastic, “YES!” Or a bewildered, “What, are you crazy?”
Sherry and I have four kids, Cameron 22 living at home, working on his bachelor’s degree while part timing it as a Starbucks barista. Cheyenne is 20, attending community college and working as a cashier in a department store while she too lives at home. Carina is 17, a senior in High school and star varsity water polo player and swimmer. Sherry is working as a Registered Nurse and not yet able to retire. I, however, retired in June from public service with the criminal justice system after nearly 25 years.
It was in March of this year that I was trying to come up with a solution for Conner’s difficulty in public school. His teachers’ great efforts to help him succeed were not helping him succeed. Conner finds it impossible to focus on a specific subject for very long if it something that he is just not interested in. That’s
Saguaro Suburban
Perspective of Saguaro cactus needles and giant Saguaro with Conner in the middle. pretty common among adults and children alike in our society. But as Conner’s father and mother, we knew something more could and must be done. With the cooperation of his teachers, we enrolled him in a charter school (public school curriculum taught by parents or tutors under the oversight of a credentialed professional teacher). I finally realized I should do it. Then, I had an epiphany! Why not take Conner on a trip across America in a travel trailer, camp, and/or stay with friends and family if possible, and home school along the way? Sherry and I talked it over and we agreed that it was something we needed to do.
In twenty-five years of marriage, we’ve only been apart for at the most 30 days, and that was a rare occasion. But if we didn’t do it now, who knew when we would ever have the opportunity to do it again. Conner wanted to do it. I wanted to do it. Sherry may not have “wanted” me to do it, but she supported the idea and encouraged me to make it happen. Carpe Diem (seize the day)!
Conner is now thirteen. We did a lot of cross
Saguaro Suburgan
Saguaro Cactus and Suburban enroute from Phoenix to Flagstaff on I-17. country travel with our three older kids, but Conner missed out. As the other three got older, we began doing other things revolving around their activities. Spending our money and time on things like boating at local lakes, skiing, horses and equestrian events, soccer, Taekwondo, 4H, FFA, music lessons, motorcycles and many other things. Conner wasn't born when we did an 18 state, 8,000 mile cross country trip from Northern California to Georgia and back. Not only that, but with all the other kids and their activities, he has always been kinda just tagging along. Not only would we get to make up for lost time, but perhaps he will come home from this adventure caught up in school with the fundamentals he missed in Math, Science, English and History and ready to enter high school.
On top of his education in those subjects, I hope to give Conner some life skills that I haven't been able to pass on to him fully yet. We'll put an emphasis on his character, but also things like becoming a contributing member of society, learning about survival, cooking, cleaning, mechanical and electrical stuff, problem solving, even sewing and baking...you name it. If
Albquerque Skyline
View from the base of Sandia Peak, north Albuquerque. I know it, I'll try and teach him. If I don't, we'll both learn together. This trip is a "calling out" of Conner into manhood.
Sherry and I purposely had children and committed to raising them to become men and women of good character who'll love and obey God and love others above themselves. Since he's 13, I'm also going to teach him how to be a good man, who loves God, his wife and children, and his country more than he loves himself. Sacrifice and service to others. I think you'll agree that our society today is failing to properly train our boys to become good, responsible, hardworking, service-to-others oriented men. Men that are like true cowboys of yesterday (there’s still a few around today, but they’re hard to find). Men like John Wayne was in "The Cowboys", or Robert Duvall as Boss Spearman in Open Range. Men that are brave, courageous, strong, confident, honest, kind, gentle, loving, and capable. Men that know what chivalry and manners are and how to treat women with respect and are gentleman. Men that protect children and innocent or helpless victims. Men that respect their elders and civil authorities and honor our
Sky City Night Lights
View of Albuquerque city lights from the base of Sandia Peak. service men and women. Men that love justice and mercy. Men whose word is their bond and seal it with a handshake. Men that have a strong work ethic and accept responsibility for their actions. Men that lovingly care for animals. Men that love God’s creation and respect it while using resources but not wasting them. Just like Jesus Christ demonstrated!
Examples abound of men that are selfish, dishonest, lazy, and mean. Men that are either wimps or bullies. Men that don’t respect women and men that harm little children. Cowards who prey on the weak.
It is not going to be an easy task...but, unlike Jebediah Nightlinger in the classic western "The Cowboys" with John Wayne, who said, "I have the inclination, the maturity, and the wherewithal... but unfortunately, I don't have the time." Well, I DO have the time.
Although it is not easy being apart from your best friend and spouse, we decided we could sacrifice our time together for the benefit of our son having this experience. And, if it becomes too difficult for us to be apart, I'll just head home. It took a lot of preparation to make this trek happen.
New Mexico Sunset
As seen from the top of Sandia Mountain at the Tram. But with much support from my wife, family, friends, and with God guiding us and providing us wisdom, protection both for us and our family at home, and the financial means, here we go! We'll try and post pictures and videos weekly if we can. We hope you'll follow along and keep up with us on our COCCCC (Calling Out Conner Cross-Country Campaign) 2011-12.
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Mike McCool
non-member comment
God Speed
God bless you both and your family while your on you adventure. It should be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!