“What are you going to do about school?”
The number one most asked question of us by complete strangers. It just nudges out the money question for the top spot.
I guess in the same way that people assumed that having kids would be the end of our lifestyle, they now assume that school will be the end of it. We don’t.
We don’t believe in the American public school system. Ali and I are both products of it, and we both enjoyed it, but neither of us feel we became intelligent, well-rounded individuals because of it. Geography classes that focus solely on memorizing maps, Math classes that never mention real-world examples in which these things might be useful, Chemistry that was never made interesting, and the list goes on. Memorize, memorize, memorize, take test, forget. Eight hours sitting on our butts each day watching the clock—bored. A perfect introduction to adulthood for ninety percent of students—maybe more.
No, we’ll be homeschooling, or roadschooling, or unschooling, or something. We don’t know what yet, and we don’t worry about it at all. We know our kids are intelligent, and that our lifestyle promotes learning on a daily basis. We trust ourselves, we know that we can teach them what they need, and we accept the challenges that we will face in doing so.
Is this our final word on schooling? No. We reserve the right to change direction at any time, to do what’s best for the kids.
Anyway, back to La Paz.
We found this stroller wheel along the sidewalk. Lowe was already carrying the walking stick (which has actually been with us for many months now), and I of course had a few feet of string and a knife in my pocket (because I’m a dad). The end result was this toy which Lowe now calls his “tractor.”
La Paz is a funny place for us, being a town we have visited extensively both by bus and by boat. It seemed that every time we turned a corner we were greeted by, “Bumfuzzle!” or the kids’ favorite, “Bumfuzzle in the house!” Our kids still have no concept of bumfuzzle.com, so I sometimes wonder where they think all of these friends fit into our lives. Where do all these people come from?
We met quite a few Bum friends the past few days, as well as some old friends. One of the questions that came up over and over again was whether or not we get tired of meeting these random people. The answer is no, and there is one good reason why—because we always have something in common. We are like-minded people. We are all travelers at heart. Wanderers. And that inevitably leads to easygoing conversations full of life-stories and interesting dreams of the future.
I think most of you that read this site would have loved to have been at lunch with us the other day. An impromptu gathering with a young couple that had just bombed down in a van from Washington even though they needed to be back in twelve days, a couple who are sailing the Sea of Cortez on a 22-foot sailboat, and a couple who are just a couple months away from sailing across the Pacific on the start of their own circumnavigation. Stories and laughs aplenty.
The next day we met up with cruising friends we first met just days after Lowe was born. All the kids are getting bigger.
Departure day eventually rolled around. We arrived early, got through customs without incident, got weighed (11,200 pounds), and then sat in the sun amongst the trucks for two hours. When the time finally came to board we drove up to the ship and were asked for our tickets. I handed over our receipt—the only thing I’d been given two weeks earlier—and was told we needed tickets. We turned the bus around and zipped back to the office.
Before we could have our tickets we needed to be measured. Now, when I bought the tickets I told the girl that we were nine meters long, which is fairly accurate. But that put us in a gray zone—motorhomes under eight meters are charged about 7,000 pesos, while motorhomes from ten to twelve meters are charged over 15,000. The price list doesn’t name anything in between. I needed to make sure we didn’t get grouped in the over 10 meter range. So when the guy handed me one end of the tape measure I may or may not have let it slip forward just a few inches by accident. He had a short three meter tape measure, so I may have accidentally done that two or three times. I can’t be sure. But I can be sure that we were given the benefit of the doubt and made the eight meter price range despite being over twenty-eight feet long. (Total Cost $759.34 = motorhome, cabin for four, and port fees of $11.31)
We made it back to the ship where we were very nearly the last vehicle to board.
Later on we discovered that the last time we were on the ferry was seven years ago to the day.
Two sets of bunk-beds! This is like every kid’s dream. Also, you have to love the fact that kids don’t even care that they are laying on top of Mexican ferry-boat’s bed blankets.
Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico.
New Year’s Eve on the beach.
27 Comments on “Ferry to Mazatlan”
Looks like you’re in Mar Rosa RV Park. If you go out the gate and cross the street, then walk up about 2 blocks, you’ll see the little park we stayed at: San Fernando. Welcome back to the mainland. We’re still in PV. Decided to stay an extra week since we’ve barely scratched the surface of the place so far.
Love your adventures! I have never been past Ensanada in Baja so I have a question. Can you go up to Mazatlan on the mainland side or do you ways take the Baja side and then the ferry from La Paz? What is the difference? Is one side more scenic, easier to drive? Thanks for your info…
Sorry about my school question, I was more asking if Ouest ever brought it back up since she made so many good friends last year at school?
This definitely wasn’t directed at you, Terry. We honestly answer this question half a dozen times per day, every day. I just thought maybe it was finally time to address it. At least here on the blog.
I think what you guys are doing is super cool. I totally understand your desire to road-school, home-school, un-school or Bum-school! I have so many friends who have chosen different paths for their children’s education – Montessori, Waldorf, charter, public, parochial, home-school etc and I support them all. I do feel the need to say, however, that the public school education that our generation received is totally unrecognizable from the public school education my three kids are receiving today. There are so many innovative, 21st century, project-based, creative ways of learning going on in every day, neighborhood public schools, that though it may not be for you guys and/or your kids, realize that SO much has changed in the classroom over the past decade plus. There is a lot of good there too.
Really enjoyed the post today guys!! GREAT, GREAT answer on the schooling question. So many different ways to educate our kids than sitting in rows!!!!!
I had no doubt that you guys would do something other than public school. There are so many online options now days. My kids are not much younger than you guys and if I were to do it over again I would not put them in public school, and that’s coming from a public school secretary. I’ve seen a lot!
You are totally right when you say that you are giving them an excellent education!
Could you adopt me pleeeeease! I know it would be strange for you guys to have a 62 years old daughter, but on the upside you wouldn’t have to school me too much.
It’s so much fun to follow your blog. You’re the coolest parents
Take care
Love
Nicole
Interesting take on education.
I tend to make bold, sometimes unorthodox, and occasionally high-risk decisions, and I’m comfortable making them for myself and living with the consequences (which are usually surprisingly good). But when my decisions are going to affect others, like my kids, I’m not so confident my choices will lead to the best results for them. I’m not sure I could have come to the same conclusion you did. Good luck with it!
Funny, I was just wondering a day or two ago if Ouest and Lowe knew about the blog. I had also been thinking about what a treasure you are making for them, not only the life you are creating for them but so beautifully captured in photo and journal. I’m sure Lowe is just going to love that picture of him with his finger way up his nose one day :). Any ideas when you are going reveal this tidbit of your lives with them? One thing is for sure, these two will never have a doubt about how much they are loved. Your family makes me smile.
Deborah
S/V Wrightaway
Hey, wannabe slacker here and we will be in Sayulita touristing around next week. If ya’ll happen to be down that way it would be great to grab a beer.
Bummer, not going to be that far south yet. Next time.
I don’t see why people would even ask – there are TONS of good home schooling programs out there! And lots of fun, non-curriculum stuff to throw in too, like Dover’s books http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-thrift-editions.html and Nasa’s astronomy pictures http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html or math games http://www.coolmath-games.com/ and of course there are as many opinions as there are people on schooling kids… http://education.penelopetrunk.com/2012/08/16/5-reasons-why-you-dont-need-to-teach-math/ Seems to me they are learning plenty as they go.
Thanks for reminding me of Penelopetrunk. I’d found that site once upon a time, but had forgotten it.
I feel guilty about asking the same question… But for me it is interesting, from the point, if we ever have kids. What would we do and how other approach traveling + kids at school question. 🙂
I took my kids around the world a couple of years ago. We had a great time. I’m offered to continue traveling, but it is my kids (now 13 and 10) who want a “normal” life. Sort of a bummer for me 🙂
Even if your kids are in public schools, you’re crazy if you’re actually depending on them for an education. Education is always a parent’s responsibility, no matter how you mix and match it. Keep rollin’ Bumfuzzle!
I was a public school teacher and can tell you that, without a doubt, you are making the right decision concerning home schooling. You two have done a great job up until now, and I see no reason for that to change. We may be down there in Mexico next winter and hope to run into you if that’s where the wind takes us all. We really appreciate when you share info about RV parks and parking. Happy New Year!
Such a good picture of you with the Robertsons, our former across-the-street neighbors in DC. They’re how I found your blog in the first place. Can’t get over that long-legged Eleanor, even though I just saw her last summer. They grow so quickly! I can’t wait to read Michael (et al)’s book about cruising with kids…seems to me that’s something you might consider publishing on in the not-to-distant future.
We have been un-schooling / life-learning for 15 years now (since the day our son was born). Didn’t know it at first – but a couple of tries at other options including regular public school has convinced us that “teaching” children “all we know” only limits them (and us). The big beautiful world has so much more to offer. I feel my “job” as a parent is to provide as much opportunity as I can and nurture the curiosity (the root of all true learning) in myself along side my son. I see you doing that – but be careful – mechanical engineering (building tractors) leads to bridge building I see ;)!
You inspire me.
Thank you, Hil. 🙂
Frankly, it is surprising to me so many are concerned about this given the evidence that – like the respondent above – you have Already been schooling for years now and very effectively.
Industrial schooling is for the making of industrial minions.
Why do that?
Clearly other possibilities abound for these young ones. And very likely, to the benefit of the many in the long run.
Shine on.
Check out A.S. Neill’s SUMMERHILL. He was one of the leaders in the ‘free school movement’ in the 60’s. I believe he would highly approve of your teaching style.
Heys Bum’s,
There is only one reason I can think of to ever consider placing your wonderful children in a public school system, and that would be, to give them the oportunity to see how fortunate they are to have the lerning experience they have and how far advanced they are to their peers.
Roll-on.
Certainly at a young age there is no better teacher then a very engaged parent/s, even within a structured school environment the best students are typically those very active in the child’s school work, so yea this is a no brainer. I think the area starts graying when they get older and start learning about relationships, teamwork and other social skills. I don’t have an answer to this, just something to ponder whilst living in Mexico.
My two favourite sailing/blogging families in one place! Great to see you back south of the border!