Family On 50-State Trek Stops In Las Cruces

A Florida family stopped by the borderland on their cross-country trip to grow closer. The Belchers have decided to travel through all 50 states, and some of Canada, in their RV, not only to discover the U.S., but also to grow their family ties.

John and Kathy took their four young children out of school make the trip. Kathy Belcher home schools the children, with some of John Belcher’s help, as they drive cross-country, stopping in cities to explore.

Children Hannah, Olivia, Max and Aiden range in ages from 4 to 10. Fifth-grader Hannah isn’t quite used to the home-schooling yet, though when the family stopped by Las Cruces they were on day 139 of their trip. “I’m having a lot of fun with my family and the cool places we go, but I still miss my friends. I like being in a classroom, with like a teacher”, she said.

“In another seven or eight years, they’ll be off to school, to college, and we just wanted to spend some quality time with them before that,” John Belcher said.

While in the area, the family discovered White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns. “I didn’t even know there was sand dunes and other stuff like caves”, said 9-year old Olivia.

The Belchers are traveling in a spacious, new-model RV, pulling a minivan behind them. Kathy Belcher said she hoped for the best but “went in with low expectations so that I wouldn’t be disappointed and I thought we’d be on each other and crazy, you know ‘Get me out of here, I need some space,’ when really, it’s been great.”

Even Hannah, who admits to missing her life in Florida, values the experience. “If I was at home reading about White Sands in a textbook, I wouldn’t be able to go and see it, and feel it, and sled down them,” she said.

“I just think we’ll be closer as a family,” John Belcher said.

To follow the Belchers’ journey, click here: clickabletext here. http://www.hoamteam.com/Hoamteam/Welcome.html