15 Jul Our BIG Dream for 2026/27: A 50-State Family Homeschool Adventure (And Why I’m Sharing It!)
I have the most exciting news to share and Iām also so anxious about sharing because itās such a big dream that it feels both terrifying and Ā magical at exactly the same time.
The dream: taking our boys on a 50-state adventure in 2026/27.
Yes, you read that right. All. Fifty. States.
But here’s the thing… I know that dreams without action plans stay dreams forever. That’s exactly why I’m sharing this with you today, even though it feels scary and uncertain. What I am hoping is that by putting my dream out into the world, and by inviting people to witness this journeyā¦ the accountability will become my superpower.
And now I take some deep, meditative breaths. Ok, who am I kidding? I donāt meditate. But alas, I said it. The dream is out in the universe now, which means I’m committed to figuring out how to make this happen! šŗļøāØ
Why I’m Sharing This Dream (Before I Know How to Make It Happen)
You might be wondering why I’m telling you about this before I have all the answers, before I know for sure it’s possible, before I’ve figured out every detail?? Great question!
Because that’s exactly when dreams need the most support!
When you keep big dreams to yourself, it is so easy to let them fade. But, hear me out, when you share them, when you say them out loud, when you invite people to cheer you on and hold you accountable, suddenly those dreams have roots. They have witnesses. They have a chance to grow.
I’m sharing this dream because I am determined to make it a reality, and I know that I might need your support, your advice, your encouragement, your nudges when it seems like itās going to be too hard and I want to just give the whole thing upā¦ will help turn this wild idea into reality.
How This Crazy Dream Started
I have literally been thinking about this for years, ever since we committed to homeschooling.
You know how some dreams just live quietly in the back of your mind? They whisper to you when you’re driving past RVs on the highway, or when you’re looking at maps with the kids, or when you see other families posting about their epic adventures. This dream has been whispering to me for years.
But here’s the thing about that ticking clockā¦ it really just has a way of NOT slowing down and waiting for you to make things happen. The boys are 7 now. They won’t be little forever (as much as I donāt like to admit this, even to myself!) It feels like the perfect window of adventure, where my boys will be old enough to remember everything but young enough to think sleeping in an RV in close quarters with their (super cool) parents is the most amazing thing ever? The time is now!
This is the year I stop dreaming and start doing.
This is the year I make things happen! (Yes, I read a lot of self-help books, if that is not abundantly clear yet.)
Why Now? Why Us? Why This?
The boys will be the perfect age. Theyāll be 8 years old – old enough to remember all of the highlights of this adventure, but young enough to think sleeping in an RV and eating s’mores for dinner sounds like the best life ever, I mean, Iām 38 and I think it sounds like the best life ever!
We’re already homeschooling. The world is our classroom anyway, so why not make that classroom ALL of America?
If not now, when? Seriously, when?
This is our window. This is our time.
The Dream Plan (Because Dreams Need Structure and So Do I!)
I spent a good chunk of the past week turning this dream into something more concrete than just a thought (and by concrete, what I mean is that I built an entire organizational system in Notion because apparently that’s how I process big dreams!) Here’s what this adventure could look like:
š The Vehicle: Full RV life!
Why hotels when you can have your own bed, kitchen, bathroom, not to mention, classroom, everywhere you go?
š The Tentative Timeline: July 2026 – September 2027
The dream is to launch this adventure in July 2026. That gives us exactly one year to turn this into reality. Planning, saving, preparing, and building the foundation that will make this possible!
šŗļø The Route: Smart, seasonal, and efficient
We’ve mapped out a clockwise route that follows good weather:
- Summer 2026: Southeast to Southwest (Florida to California)
- Fall 2026: West Coast to Mountain West (Oregon to Utah)
- Winter 2026/27: Southern states (Oklahoma to West Virginia)
- Spring 2027: Southeast to Northeast (Virginia to Maine)
- Summer 2027: Great Lakes and Midwest (Pennsylvania to North Dakota)
Plus flights to Alaska (September 2026) and Hawaii (February 2027) because obviously we’re not driving there! š
š The Education: This IS school
Every state becomes a comprehensive unit study:
- Geography: I mean, this one is self-explanatory, right?! Real-world map skills, geographic formations, climate zones, etc.
- History: Standing where history actually happened, canāt get better visualization than that!
- Science: Endless possibilities.. national parks, geology, ecosystemsā¦
- Culture: I am a big proponent of talking to the locals! Learning all about regional foods, dialects, traditions, etc. from people who actually live there! Letās call them substitute teachers!
- Life skills: Budgeting, planning, problem-solving, adaptabilityā¦
The Honest Truth: This Feels Impossible (And That’s Exactly Why I’m Sharing It)
I know what you’re thinking: “This sounds amazing, but how are you actually going to make this happen?”
Honestly? I don’t know yet.
But here’s what I’ve learned about dreams: they don’t become reality because you will them to. They become reality because you take the first step, then the next one, then the next one, and you keep going even when you can’t see all the steps from the beginning.
Here’s what I do know:
š° The Financial Reality: It’s a significant investment
Yes, this will cost real money. But when I started breaking it down, I realized this adventure might actually equal what it costs to stay home, when you factor in creative income strategies.
šŖ The Commitment: Starting today, not someday
I literally set up our Adventure Fund yesterday. Because dreams need action, and action starts with commitment. It feels ambitious, but that’s what this dream is going to require, ambitious action taking!
Why I Need You in This Journey
I’m not sharing this dream because I have it all figured out. I’m sharing it because I believe in the power of community, accountability, and collective dreaming.
When you follow along on this journey, you become part of making it happen. Your encouragement, your advice, your celebrationā¦ all of that matters more than you know!
Plus, let’s be honest – if I announce this publicly and then don’t follow through, I’ll have some explaining to do!And that’s exactly the kind of loving accountability I need.
How You’ll Be Part of This Dream
From planning to adventure, you’re invited to every step:
š Blog Series: “Road to 50 States”
Honest updates on our progress, the wins, the setbacks, the reality checks, the moments of doubt, and the hopeful breakthroughs that keep us pressing forward.
šø Social Media: The behind-the-scenes
Instagram stories of RV shopping adventures, Pinterest boards of educational activities by state, YouTube videos of our preparation journey. The messy, honest, sometimes-failing-but-still-trying reality of chasing a big dream.
š§ Newsletter: Where the real talk happens
If you’re not on our email list yet, NOW is the time! This is where I’ll share the most honest updates, all the moments, good and bad, and where you can really help shape this journey.
š„ The Adventure Documentation: If we make this happen…
Imagine the content once we’re actually on the road! Daily vlogs, state study guides, real-time homeschooling, RV life reality, and all of it, unfiltered and honest.
The Fears (Because All Dreams Come With Fear, Right?!)
Am I scared that I wonāt be able to make this happen? Terrified.
What if we can’t save enough money? What if RV life is a disaster? What if this is all just an impossible dream? What if I’m setting us up for disappointment?
But honestly you know what I’m more afraid of?
Not even trying, and the regret that will come with that.
Looking back in however many years and wishing we had at least tried to chase this dream when we had the chance.
The apprehension is real, but so is the determination and certainly the excitement! And I donāt think dreams require the absence of fear, just a little bit of courage.
How You Can Be Part of This
First: Tell me I’m not completely crazy! (Or tell me I am – I can handle it and itās nothing I havenāt heard before!)
Second: Follow along!
Third: Share your wisdom! Have you done RV travel with kids? Been to amazing places in the US we should add to our list? Have tips for family travel? I want ALL your advice!
Fourth: If you’re local to South Florida and want to help us practice with the RV before we go, you’re my new best friend! š
The Bottom Line
This is a dream. A big, scary, beautiful dream.
But one I’m determined to make reality.
And I’m sharing it with you because I believe that dreams shared become dreams supported, and dreams supported have the best chance of becoming dreams achieved.
We’re going to choose adventure, experiences, and courage!
If this works out, we’re going to show our boys that the world is full of possibilities when you’re brave enough to chase them.
The Adventure Fund is open. The planning has begun. The dream is declared.
352-ish days to turn this dream into reality.
Will you follow along? Will you cheer us on? Will you help hold us accountable to this beautiful, terrifying, amazing dream?
Because ready or not, here we go! ššØ
What do you think? Are we absolutely insane for dreaming this big, or absolutely right to chase something amazing? Tell me in the comments – I need to know there are other dreamers out there who believe big things are possible!
P.S. – If you want exclusive updates on our planning process, behind-the-scenes content, and maybe even some input on our adventure decisions, make sure you’re on our email list! I have a feeling this is going to be quite the ride…
P.P.S. – Yes, I’m already researching RVs. Yes, I’ve already started a Pinterest board. Yes, I might be slightly obsessed. Don’t judge! š
Want to follow our 50-state adventure planning? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates, follow us on Instagram @messylittlehomeschool for daily behind-the-scenes content, and check out our YouTube channel for planning vlogs!
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