Kristin Spencer and her husband are on a mission, one dictated by a ‘higher power’. Wherever they go – so go the ‘sprouts’ (aka their 2 young children). In fact, they are missionaries who’s serves having them traveling the world and it’s a family endeavor. Enjoy the entries of their adventures and the tips on how to make to make it all work.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Sprouts en Route | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, Europe, family travel, living abroad, Missionary work, parenting, tips and tricks, travel with kids

Geri and her husband consider themselves vagabonds who are traveling around the world on a shoestring budget. Oh, let’s not forget – with their three young children right there with them. The website is a mix of home life and travel experiences rolled into one big package with little peanut butter fingerprints all over the outside.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Snaps & Blabs | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, budget travel, cultural experiences, family travel, photography, Round the world, saving money, travel with kids

Anne-Sophie Redisch has been writing and traveling most of her life. She hasn’t always written about travel but she’s always been going somewhere – the more obscure, the better – but not always alone either. In her words, “I’ve travelled as a single mum for many years. In my experience, children and travel are easily combinable.” There are many who would agree wholeheartedly.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Sophie’s World | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Asia, cultural experiences, Europe, female travellers, parenting, Single Parenting, travel with kids, travel writer, USA

Road to Nowhere in Particular, Photo by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

What do you say when someone contacts you, plies you with flattering comments and asks you to be part of something quite unique?

My response was ‘I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it more. I’ll think about it a lot more. I’ll ask very key questions and then – -you got it – I’ll think about it even more’. Ultimately, the answer became obvious and I answered with a ‘yes’. Granted, flattery rarely hurts but it also rarely plays into my final decisions about participating in any particular project. As I just mentioned to someone else recently, give me a good reason to do something and you win. Give me bullshit and you lose. With that said…

Image Courtesy of Vagabond Explorer

Wade Shepard of Vagabond Journey has just unleashed Vagabond Explorer Magazine.

Yes, he used flattery in his request but also gave me several very good reasons why I should become a contributor, reviewing travel blogs I consider worthy of recognition. My real life job is reading travel blogs daily and there are an amazing number out there just ripe for the choosing. Just so you know, the magazine will be available on a quarterly basis as a PDF download. (FYI, four to five blogs/sites will be reviewed in each release.) It also comes with a very small price tag of $5.00 USD per issue.

Vagabond Explorer is a mix of articles, photography, commentary, tips/tricks and a whole plethora of other travel information. The concept: Be the explorer – whether it’s from your armchair or while you are on the road. Each contributor hails from their own original location and their own ‘space in time’. But, each has chosen to venture out and explore the world around them one way or another. (Okay, I’m the only one with 2-3 weeks vacation time while the rest live their lives moving across borders regularly. I believe in vicarious travel though only out of current necessity. I’m also very jealous.) Regardless, Vagabond Explorer will rival any other travel magazine available and will spur you to become your own navigator to places unknown. Again, with all that said, let me introduce you to the contributors who have already been coined as VE’s Posse:

Wade Shepard

Wade Shepard

Vagabond Journey: Editor and the man behind the concept curtain – handing out hearts, brains, courage and a way home. Okay, make that a way to travel. He is the Wizard of VE’s Oz. (Sorry Toto, it’s doggy daycare for you while everyone travels.) Only time will tell what is really in that ‘bag of special things’.

Craig Heinburger

Travelvice: The artistically creative man behind the visuals. We thank him for his designs, graphics and cover work. (I think he had something to do with the ‘horse of many colors’ and suggested using the powdered Jello™ for those scenes. If you don’t get the reference, check out your movie history about the Emerald City.)

Dave

Dave

The Longest Way Home: The ‘Tin Man’ who expresses his opinions through his startling photography and poignant commentaries. He may be ‘stuck’ in his travels once in awhile, but someone always comes along with an oilcan to set him free. Just ignore the squeaking. I know the oilcan is here somewhere…

Jasmine Stephenson

Jasmine Wanders: Jasmine, to me, is Vagabond Explorer’s Glinda. Having worked with her in the past, I picture her helping all the ‘Munchkins’ and making the world a much better place. (I, by no means, use Munchkins in a negative way. Jasmine works diligently to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate than us. We must get her a wand.)

Sam Langley

Cubicle Ditcher: Sorry Sam, I was just introduced to you recently via Vagabond Explorer. But, from what I have read on Sam’s site, I believe people should check it out, as it’s great stuff! Anyone able to leave the 9-5 daily grind for travel has my support. If you have no objections, I will say you are the Scarecrow who left the corporate cornfields for much greener pastures.

Michael Robert Powell

The Candy Trail: Michael is Vagabond Explorer’s lion who received the gift of courage somewhere around 1988. Through his nomadic travels, he has encountered some very unusual situations and has lived to tell the (true) tales to us all. Some of his writings may come with an ‘age appropriate’ warning at times, but don’t shy away from them as they are well worth the read.

Ani St. Amand

Ani St. Amand

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Ani’s yellow brick road is paved with wood and steel. In other words, she follows the path of the iron horses as she rides the rails all around the world. She has been described as a modern day hobo who has a love of trains and hopping those freighters while they make their scheduled stops. So, wave at the next train that passes by because Ani may just wave back.

Steven Mendoza

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Steven is definitely not in Kansas anymore. (I’m not sure if Steven has ever been in Kansas but he does hail from the Untied States.) I do know he has spent many years in Japan and most recently survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Though he has now returned to his home country, Steven’s (first) article is a reminder to us all that the earth and its inhabitants don’t always play fair.

Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

TravelBlogs: I guess I’m Dorothy when it comes to this project. Yes, Dorothy did travel from Kansas to Oz and back. (Been to Kansas.) But, her journey was also just a dream. While the above-mentioned contributors write about their own experiences, I will be telling you about other travelers and their experiences. I’ll be the one performing Toto’s doggy daycare while seeking out the emeralds hidden within the city of travel blogs.

Vagabond Explorer is available as a PDF download for the small price of $5.00 USD per issue FREE! (Yes, it’s really FREE!)

Click Here and Download Now!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Vagabond Explorer Magazine Unleashed! | 4 comments |
Post categories: Site news
Post tags: cultural experiences, living abroad, long-term travel, solo travel, travel advise, travel magazine, travel with kids, travel writing

‘Turning kids into travelers, one experience at a time.’ is a great lead-in for Anne Patrone’s site. Finding Frommer’s 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up (first edition) on a bookstore shelf set the wheels in motion and the explorations began in earnest. She and her husband, destination lists in hand, are now checking them off as they expand their children’s travel horizons.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | 500 Places With Kids | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Canada, family travel, Hawaii, Mexico, road trip, travel with kids, United States

Big snowball 3 by Karen Huang-Windhager

The Road of Life: Interviews with Lainie & Miro – Part One ended with a discussion about their favorite places (so far) and how they go about choosing their next destination.

Part Two delves into their expectations of each other, their commitment to activism, creative endeavors and snowballs – the white frozen rain kind. Again, there are Miro’s remaining “Bonus Questions”. He even comments to something about his Mother’s quirky remarks… Enjoy the read!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Miro: Thus far your travels have been to relatively warm countries. Are you looking forward to seeing cold and snow? (More than that found in the mountains of California, that is.)

Yeah. Can’t wait to hit my mom with a snowball!

Yeah. Can’t wait to hit my mom with a snowball!

Lainie: Same question – cold and snow?

I’m not so much a cold weather kind of person, but Miro wants to hit me with a snowball, so…. gotta do it!

Miro: All parents can be a little difficult at times – have there been occasions when you really had to motivate your mom to do something you thought was important?

Everything I think she needs to do is not important. So ,to answer that question, “no”. Things I’d like for her to do are: 1.) Play monopoly with me, because she always refuses. 2.) Play video games (RPG’s) with me. 3.) Stop cheating at fooseball.

Lainie: All children can be a little difficult at times – have there been occasions when you really had to motivate Miro to do something you thought was important?

I know that’s a revolutionary thing for parent to say, but I have so much respect for this human being called my “son”.

We have had our moments, but my greatest teacher has always been Miro since the moment he came into my life. He is an extraordinary human being, and all those that have met him, will tell you so. I do not know of other children so much, I know of this child, and even though I have been blessed with the honor of being his guardian and protector during his childhood, he is my equal. I know that’s a revolutionary thing for parent to say, but I have so much respect for this human being called my “son”.

Those that have known us before our travels often commented on the extraordinary bond we seem to have and it’s true. We have spent almost every single day of the last year and a half together and the strategy we use is complete transparency on every level. We talk about our feelings, frustrations, fears and joys. We also make sure we laugh a lot and have a lot of fun. This is the biggest gift a parent could have, cherishing the moments we have together, because I know sometime soon, he’ll be out in the world on his own, as an adult. For now, the greatest joy in all of this, is the knowing that Miro experiences the world as a safe place and that is my gift to him.

Human Rights Courtesy of Miro & Lainie

Miro: As the two of you have traveled, you’ve been activists on both the environmental and human rights levels. What have you gained from these involvements?

I see the world for what it is. I don’t like to see people or animals suffering and I know I can do things to help out and when I can, I do. I don’t like watching the news because I recognize all they show is negative stuff which is usually highlighting people suffering and that doesn’t make me feel good.

Lainie: Same question. (Activism, environmentalism and human rights.)

I have always been moved to act on the issues of peace, human rights, equality, and the environment. (My parents were hippies, after all.) Therefore, these passions have become a natural part of my parenting. Teaching Miro to be active and use his voice for the things he believes in, teaches accountability as well as compassion . I have seen Miro develop into a compassionate person who is ripe with empathy for other people and their “life situations”, and for that, I could not be more proud.

Miro: I hear you’re learning to play guitar – any favorite style of music so far? (Permission to be Creative article reference.)

Our friend, Julia, was visiting Guatemala, who had the guitar. She gave me a few lessons, but when she left, the guitar went with her. That’s ok, it was really a lot of work and my fingers hurt after my lesson. I do other creative things though, like draw, write stories, design virtual worlds and stories for RPGs (role playing games).

Lainie Sketches Courtesy of Miro & Lainie

Lainie: How is the artwork coming along? (Permission to be Creative article reference.)

I wish it was so romantic or mysterious or technologically smart. Our locations are determined by a few simple things – where we physically are at the point of the decision, how much money we have, and if I have work.

My artwork has been put on the back burner, once again.. for a little while at least. I work large, and with messy, messy charcoals, which is difficult while we are traveling. I am toting around a sketch book with me though, and have doodled on a few occasions since Guatemala. On a totally unrelated subject, I learned how to surf, tried for the first time at 44!

Bonus Q&As from Miro:

Bonus 5. What place are you really dying to see?

I would LOVE to see Japan. I just can’t wait to see the culture!

Bonus 6. How do you feel about not knowing where you’ll be next? Does that ever bother you?

Not really. Unless we heard about frightening things happening in that country, then I get a little nervous.

Bonus 7. What is the best part about traveling with your mom?

I would say the best part about traveling with my mom would is hearing her quirky remarks and how we interact together.

Bonus 8. How do you and your mom make decisions about where you are going and how long you will stay in a place?

We don’t, we just play it by ear.

Bonus 9. What have you learned about the world so far that you didn’t know before you left on your trip?

I have learned that the world is such a vast place. I have also learned a little Spanish and Central American geography.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | The Road of Life: Interviews with Lainie & Miro – Part Two | No comment |
Post categories: Interviews
Post tags: activism, Central America, cultural experiences, family travel, Perpetual Travel, travel with kids, Un-schooling, United States, volunteering, working on the road

Burning Man 2008 – night times by Rachel Smith

Being on the ‘Road of Life’ does keep people in a somewhat constant state of flux. There is bad (or non-existent) internet, dead computers, travel time and a host of other issues. I must confess, it also took me a bit of time to compose questions that weren’t in the “So, whatcha up to?” style too. But, between the revolving “I’m sorry.” “No, I’m sorry” e-mails we finally came together on this interview. Actually, it will be posted in two parts as ‘bonus’ Q&As were offered up by Miro and worthy of inclusion. (They will be split into two parts also.)

So, without further ado, let’s see what Miro and Lainie have to say about their adventures in part one!!

Miro: How do you see the difference, if there is one, between a classroom setting with other students taught by many teachers versus the non-classroom setting taught by a few, or just one?

I think regular school sucks, frankly.

I think regular school sucks, frankly. It’s boring and most of the time, too easy. Now, I learn by researching online, watching videos, reading books and talking to others. Learning this way is more fun. I really don’t have a classroom setting now, learning on the road of life is what it’s about.

Lainie: How has the basic education process for Miro, i.e. reading, writing, arithmetic, changed or not changed your thoughts on a formal “classroom setting” for children?

Panama City by Shea Stone

I have always known that every child has their own learning style, and Miro is no exception. He’s brilliant, has a quick mind and stays engaged when he’s interested. He absorbs quickly and in regular classroom settings, the challenge is to keep him engaged. When he was in traditional school in the states, he would finish his school work in class then read a book, or write a story or draw, because he had time to kill. The teachers got wise to this and put him in charge of tutoring the other children in his class. However, he’d often return from school with complaining that he wasn’t learning anything in school and it was a waste of time. As we’ve been traveling, we’ve adapted the approach of “un-schooling”. Rather, I let Miro choose what interests him, from reading, to video games, research, writing and drawing. It’s self-guided, so he’s engaged in whatever he does. The only topic he does not naturally gravitate to is arithmetic, even though he was great at it school. So be it. If at some point he chooses to go to college, he will have to prep himself in the topics required in order to test into whatever system he’s applying for. He’s smart enough to catch up in any topic, since the American school system is about taking and passing tests and necessarily learning, I have no doubts he’ll be able to do just fine.

How has this process changed my thoughts about traditional classroom settings? It’s not for everyone, nor is our lifestyle for that matter.

Miro: Tell me about the Burning Man Festival! What was your favorite part of the experience?

Burning Man was awesome! Everyone referred to me as “Provolone” or “Cheddar”. Why? For I am “Lord of the Cheese”.

Burning Man was awesome! Even though we didn’t go this year, my mom promised me we’ll go next. My favorite part was the giant slide on the playa and the people at kidsville. Everyone came up with a playa name. Everyone referred to me as “Provolone” or “Cheddar”. Why? For I am “Lord of the Cheese”.

Lainie: The experience of many peoples in many cultures is a valuable teaching tool for a growing mind. How has this helped you in raising Miro?

I have always raised Miro with cultural, political, and spiritual sensitivity…. or at least I like to think I have. I have taught him compassion for people and animals. Our travels has allowed him to exercise that compassion, and those opportunities have helped me give to my son, the one thing I dreamt of giving him when he was born, a kinder and gentler world.

Miro: Your mom and you have been podcasting and blogging a lot in the last year. How do the two of you distribute the “work load” for both of these projects? (And, do you have a title like “Grand Podcaster” or “Miro the Magnificent Good At Card Tricks Too”?)

Um, (laughs a little)… my mom really does most of the work. Now, she threatens to make me start writing my own blog column, so I guess that is coming up soon. I do help her by proofing her articles and of course do the podcasts. Don’t forget though, I’m a vital part of this story!

*Editors Note: Miro has begun writing his own blog at Miro Unedited.

Lainie: Silly question, but… You’ve been traveling for over a year now – how have the REI hiking boots held up? (Inquiring hiking minds want to know!)

Both of our hiking boots have held up fine! Our backpacks have too for that matter. Some of the other valuable REI purchases we’ve not been able to live without include our travel towels, our sleeping bags and our Steripen water purifier.

Miro: Do you have a favorite place you’ve visited? If so, where and why?

Guatemala. Everything was so chill-ax. We had a great community of friends. The only bad part is, my mom made me go to school there and I had to wake up at 6:00 to catch the shuttle.

Lainie: It’s a great big world out there, how do you decide where to go next – throw a dart, GPS, use old pirate maps?

Pirate Map Courtesy of Enchanted Images Art

I wish it was so romantic or mysterious or technologically smart. Our locations are determined by a few simple things – where we physically are at the point of decision, how much money we have, and if I have work.

To the first point, we are slow traveling and traveling over land, as much as possible. We are trying to travel as light as possible, with both our carbon footprint, our ownership of stuff and our overall consumption. Our “next” location is usually determined by our last location and so on. However after we complete our travels in South America, we will either need to take a boat to Africa or fly somewhere, but we never know until we know…

…we know our podcasts have been inspiring people to live their own inspiration and let go of the fear preventing many women and single mothers living their life to the fullest.

To the second point, money determines our travels as well. We have exhausted our savings after one year of traveling and to continue to live, not just travel, work is required. I work where I can, sometimes remotely for freelance clients in the United States (my former career as a marketer, brander and designer). Other times I take on small jobs locally. We have been totally penniless on the road twice, but alas, the universe always takes care of us. In both cases, I had either received payment from client who had not paid for months or signed on a new project in just the nick of time. I know it sounds risky and a lot of people are not comfortable living without security, (especially in a foreign country) but frankly, if we were back in the states, the stakes would be a lot higher with today’s economy and we would not be having the adventure we are having. Today, Miro and I try to live on a combined budget of $1,000 a month and without receiving child support of any kind, I simply need to make it work and always seem to be able to. Without fail, we always end up having exactly what we need and have no doubts we will continue to.

Along the same lines, we are actively trying to attract the right sponsors to RaisingMiro.com as a way to support our continued journey. From the feedback we receive on a daily basis, we know our podcasts have been inspiring people to live their own inspiration and let go of the fear preventing many women and single mothers living their life to the fullest. That is one of the greatest achievements thus far.

Thank You Monsters by Miro

Bonus Q&As from Miro:

Bonus 1. When you are not traveling, what do you do most of your time?

I am usually playing video games, researching on the internet, or sleeping…

Bonus 2. Which do you prefer? Traveling or staying in one place for a period of time?

I like both actually, although I would prefer traveling.

Bonus 3. What is the hardest thing about your lifestyle?

Probably getting up from bed!

Bonus 4. On your web site, it says you and your mom will be traveling until you are 18. That seems like an awfully long time. Do you ever get tired of traveling?

I haven’t gotten tired of it yet, but I think it may happen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can follow Lainie and Miro at Raising Miro on the Road of Life. Also, don’t forget there will be a part two of this interview to be published soon.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | The Road of Life: Interviews with Lainie & Miro – Part One | No comment |
Post categories: Interviews
Post tags: activism, Central America, cultural experiences, family travel, Perpetual Travel, travel with kids, Un-schooling, United States, volunteering, working on the road

Traci Suppa and her family may live in a ‘small’ town (no Starbucks coffee shop) but that does not stop them from thinking BIG. BIG as in road trips and the attractions found off those all-too-often-traveled beaten paths. Have you been to the “World’s Largest Dairy Store” or seen the “World’s Second Largest Garden Gnome”? Traci’s family has and there are more BIG things in their road-trippin’ future.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Go Big or Go Home | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Canada, cultural experiences, family travel, North America, road trip, roadside Attractions, travel with kids, United States

Any website which includes a section on free toilets in Europe is worth it’s weight in gold – especially if you are traveling with children. Having been taken to Europe at age 3 by her mother, Sonja Key chose to follow suit. Though, she waited until her children were 6 and 9 years of age. Her blog is designed to help families find the fun, unusual and kid-friendly destinations, including those ever necessary free toilets.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | To Europe With Kids | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, Europe, family travel, travel with kids

It’s been a year since Lainie and her son, Miro (then age 10), began their quest to live more simply on the road of life. Career burn-out, long hours, a failing economy and dwindling mother-son time aided in the decision to embark on this journey. Their website is a combination of blogs and podcasts that are truly inspirational.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Raising Miro on the Road of Life | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: activism, Central America, cultural experiences, expat life, family travel, long-term travel, parenting, South America, travel with kids