Family loses house, hits the road for bike trip across America

[Trek420]

I wish them the best and safe and happy trails. I'll be watching this blog.

I have a 30 year fixed, not dealing with the ARM disaster but it impacts me still because I want to, need to sell when this remodel is done. The state of the economy has me very sad sometimes. To see how this hurts families is sad.

Owning a home is the "great American Dream" but it's also the biggest investment most will ever do and for many a large part of ones retirement. This spot we're in will have ramifications for decades I think.

My hat's off to the parents for using this time to bond as a family, provide an experience they will never forget. With thinking like that I know they will land on their feet.

[Crankin]

While I think this is a great experience, I think it's a bit irresponsible. I can't believe that those words just came out of my usually progressive mouth, but those parents are responsible for the lives of 7 children. It sounds like they have no plans as to how they are going to support them when the trip is done. I have no problem with the kids being out of school, because what they are doing is educational in itself, but it doesn't sound like they have any idea except to rely on the generosity of others. I agree that it's terrible that this happened to the family, but don't people read their mortgages?
Don't flame me, please. I guess I have just seen too many kids who get messed up because their parents don't think about the consequences of their actions on the kids. It's not that the trip is bad or harmful, it just makes me uncomfortable that these kids have no place to live and maybe no food or clothes in the future...

[BikeDutchess]

Now that I've had a chance to read their blog, there is nothing in there about them losing their house or job. That is only mentioned in the newspaper article. It would be nice if they expressed some more reflective thoughts in their blog about why they're doing this, whether they are starting to plan for life after the tour, etc., rather than just the ride itself and the (admittedly nice and sometimes interesting) people they've met along the way.

[Geonz]

Somethign tells me the news article didn't capture the family and whether or not this was a "functional" decision or not. Of course, the article said he wasn't going to "retire to the classroom as a teacher" in the fall... but th ey could have had a trip already planned and this just kinda shifted it.
I also hope there's something for them in Maine... and, indeed, that the kiddos are feeling, somehow, secure amidst all this.

[Brandy]

While I think this is a great experience, I think it's a bit irresponsible. I can't believe that those words just came out of my usually progressive mouth, but those parents are responsible for the lives of 7 children. It sounds like they have no plans as to how they are going to support them when the trip is done. I have no problem with the kids being out of school, because what they are doing is educational in itself, but it doesn't sound like they have any idea except to rely on the generosity of others. I agree that it's terrible that this happened to the family, but don't people read their mortgages?
Don't flame me, please. I guess I have just seen too many kids who get messed up because their parents don't think about the consequences of their actions on the kids. It's not that the trip is bad or harmful, it just makes me uncomfortable that these kids have no place to live and maybe no food or clothes in the future...

I don't think it's irresponsible. They probably saw this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to do this kind of thing while he is in between jobs. While he may not have a plan in place yet, I doubt when the trip is over, that he is not going to look for work of some sort. If he was a teacher, I'm sure it's in his plan to look for employment at a school. Maybe they will find a place on their journey that they will fall in love with and decide to move to. Who knows. I just can't help to think what an amazing experience those kids will have memories of for the rest of their lives.


Edited to add...we hosted a father and son who were riding from Canada to Texas. He decided to take this trip after he lost his job as well. Once in a lifetime opportunity!