Meet the Tarltons', who are  in search of our lost, stolen, and  distorted  history in the US.  The Tarltons' believe  our roots ...

The Tarlton Family~ From Vrginia to The Higways and Biways of the USA

Meet the Tarltons', who are in search of our lost, stolen, and distorted history in the US. The Tarltons' believe our roots stem from Africa but our stories have become an intricate part of Black History which is essentially "American History." They are on a journey to educate their children about who they are and what it means to be Black in America. This is their motivating story below! 




1. Where are you all living now and where did you move from? 
We are currently living in Georgia, USA. We left from Virginia.

2. How long have you been in Georgia?
We have been in Georgia for about two months. We travel the US and stay in different state parks. We started our travels in June of this year.

3. How many kids do you have and what are the ages? 
Between the two of us, we have nine children. Our three minors are traveling with us. We have a set of twin boys that are eight years old, and a daughter that’s nine years old.

4. What was the reason for the move? 
For years we have wanted to travel around the country to take the children to see the US.  We started going places during our summer break but then my husband had an accident at work, so traveling stopped. Now my husband is retired and this enables us to travel full time. Our move is a bit different. We rented out our home and we travel from state to state and stay in state parks. So we are not totally stationary. At times, we park our RV and spend a few days in another state and then come back. For example, we are currently staying in Georgia but we will also get in our RV and head to Florida in December for a week or so. By doing it this way, we will get to travel and see all the states.

We are also traveling in search of our lost, stolen, and distorted history in the US. Black history is not taught in the school system, so we took it upon ourselves to go find our history ourselves and teach our children.
We are so done with the slave narrative. Our history here in the US is so much more but we would never know it because no one teaches us. They show us only what they want us to know and that’s NOT our true history. 

Finally, I’m an author and I’m traveling sharing my children’s books. I do a giveaway in each state and I hope to do book signings and reach out to schools. I want our children to see positive books written about them, for them, by people that look like them. As an author, I’m also gathering information for my books. I plan to write additional books about traveling and more global focused books with my character.



5. How did you prepare for the move?
First we made the decision to do it. Afterwards, we decided how to do it. I sat down and wrote out everything I thought we needed to take care of, I love writing and making lists.

Next, we put our home up for rent. It was easier than trying to sell it. As soon as we made a definite decision, things fell into place. Four days after we put our home on the market to be rented, it was rented! We actually lived in our driveway will the family moved in. It was incredible!

I also need to mention that we sold almost everything we had. Everything else we gave away or put into our small storage shed at the house. I renewed my P O Box. I started packing up the things I knew we needed. We found homes for our pets.

As I usually do, I started reading books and blogs about family traveling, as well as searched YouTube. Of course, we discussed our plans with the children and alerted my school board about our travels and did my homeschool paperwork. We talked to family and friends. I tried to get most of my bills paperless so I could manage my accounts online. My husband lined up our first park to stay in; we loaded up our RV and car and headed out! Oh, we did have a big kick off/going away party!


6. Have you all had any bouts with homesickness?
I am thankful to say no. However, I do miss connecting with my friends. I think my husband misses his siblings. We both miss our grown children, and grandchildren back home. But to say homesick, not me!  

7. How did your extended family respond to the decision to travel the country?
For the most part our families have been excited and supportive. There was instance where a family member was not happy and felt abandoned. What I have learned, is this. There’s a fear greater than that of moving forward and that’s the fear of being left behind.

8. Did you all travel on a regular basis before starting this journey?
Not really. We did small scale things, but I would not equate them with traveling. Often, we let money hold us back.

9. Are your kids in traditional school or homeschooled?
They are actually “road-schooled!” We do school on the road! So, the road is our classroom.

10. How has the move affected your family (pros & cons
Oh boy, this is a good one… Good things come to those who travel! We learn so much and we meet so many new people. What has been most astonishing is how much we have learned about black people and their accomplishments right here in the USA. It has been incredible! 

We have also started doing things we would most likely would not have done, such as, kayaking, canoeing and just waking up to see the beautiful parks and water everywhere. 

Did I mention my clean up time is drastically cut! Each child has a few chores and then they’re out the door! They’re responsible for gathering and stacking wood, taking out the trash and collecting pine cones to put in the fire. This is positive because they feel a part of what we’re doing and they have fun with it! 

Maybe it’s something about living in the middle of the woods with all the fresh air that my children are doing very well, in terms of their health. My kids use to catch every cold, virus, infection, and flu. Since we started traveling seven months ago, they have been well and they sleep in late, thank God! 

One thing that means a lot to me is the fact that I get to determine what and how my children learn. They are not fed a bunch of stuff that does not relate to them or things that don’t build them up and encourage their natural abilities. I teach them because I care and love them. Our core values are not compromised but strengthened. My children see our people as teachers and builders of each other. We even came up with our own mission statement. I’ll include that at the end.

Our children love the water and they get to live in the water most of the time. It boils down to freedom! Now, is there such thing as too much togetherness? I must admit, sometimes we need a break from each other. During these times, one of us, must make special effort to take the children and make sure the other has some alone time. 

Another thing, date night, is non-existent. Since we don’t live in a community where we have established connections, we do without dating. This could take its toll if we don’t at least carve out time to close the door and watch a movie, or watch a movie outside and talk, while the children stay inside the RV.  With these things in mind, we make the best of it all. Everything in life has challenges, even traveling. But the good, far outweighs the bad.



11. Have you experienced any racism during your stays at the RV parks?
So far, so good! We have not experienced racism so far, at least not that I could tell. Lots of people are just uptight; I don’t take some stuff personal. Most of us know, customer service is a thing of the past. Times when I felt customer service was lousy, I spoke up. An apology followed, with an invitation to come back. We won’t be going back though. With all that’s going on and the US climate, we are very prayerful these days, as we travel, that’s for sure.

12. Do you think it’s important for black families to travel and if so why?
Oh my word, yes! I’m not sure if there’s enough space to write about this. I do know that I won’t say anything new about this but here goes.

Traveling is important, in my opinion, because of exposure. To me exposure breeds education, not the four walls of a classroom. Exposure also gives experience. Families, in my opinion, need exposure, education and experiences to be well rounded and live well.

Now this next answer is simple and yet profound. FUN. Family fun. Everything doesn’t have to be deep and serious, all the time. Memories that are fun are the ones that will be remembered! Who doesn’t like to have plain old fashioned fun?! Traveling, in my opinion, helps to develop more of a world/global view of life. Seeing how others live and make a life is very eye opening. 

Also, traveling represents freedom. Often enough, we are enslaved to a system, to one way of thinking about things. Traveling gives the freedom to explore and see how much life is out there. It provides an opportunity to experience new things, to see new places. By traveling you’re giving yourself freedom to build the kind of life you want, not what someone else has plotted out for you. 

For so long society has dictated how everyone should live. They (those who don’t pay any bills) tell us to get a job, working for them. Get a house, paying them three times the price you purchase it for. They tell us how many years to work and then they pay us scraps for our life work. 

They teach our children their ways to enslave them and then we confirm this by living the way we are dictated to live. In my opinion, true freedom comes when we release the lies and life of those who seek to control us and free ourselves to experience what else is out there. 

There’s no American dream really, it’s more of a nightmare, and we need to awaken from. To dream is to be free. Traveling is a way to free yourself from the rat race that’s been set up for us. Traveling and freedom go hand in hand. Travel when you want, settle down when you want, and then when you feel like it, get up and go again. Now that’s freedom!



13. How do you finance your journey?
Very important question! Our situation works for us because my husband has retired and I work as a free-lance writer and speaker. The money issue is no joke and not to be taken lightly. Between the two of us, we can swing this because we rented out our home.

14. How long do you all plant to travel the USA?
The plan is to continue traveling until we want to stop. We want to see all the US, afterwards we plan to get our passports and travel and explore Africa. Both of my older children have traveled there and had great experiences. We have talked about one day relocating to Africa and building a business there.

15. Any advice for black families interesting in raising their children on the road?
Go for it! Really, plan, plan, plan, and then plan some more. Wherever you are, immerse your family in the culture through books, videos, reading blogs, and reaching out to those who are doing what you want to do or living where you want to live.

Be sure to investigate your education options, in terms of your children. We road-school, but we still had to have a base or a place to file our paperwork. Here in the US, there’s accountability in terms of your child’s education. Be sure to secure your health/dental insurance and see who provides care where you plan to go. Understand your deductibles or out of care costs. These can add up.  

If you work via your computer, make sure to check on how you’ll have internet access. This can be a challenge because we don’t have cell phones. Remember all your technology needs and plan accordingly. 

Make sure to talk to your children about your move and more importantly, listen to them. They have feelings too. My children went along with the program but still they miss their friends. There’s no way around that. We try to make sure we take them out and connect when we can to other children. We try our best to make this experience one they’ll cherish. Always listen and hear them and consider their feelings.

Your children need to be a part of your plans. Include them when you talk, pick a place, make arrangements, etc. Make sure they are not just being pulled along but made to feel important. Remember, all decisions will affect them one way or the other. Our children should feel like a family unit not an outsider looking in. Find a way they can still stay connected to other family and friends, through letter writing, Skype, email, or whatever technology is available for them.

I would also say get out of as much debt as you can. The more you free yourself financially, the better off you’ll be. Unplug from this system of debt and despair. When you make up your mind to move forward, remember, everyone can’t see what you see. Be prepared for those who may not support you, and carry on. Understand that your journey is just that, your journey. For all the explaining you do, some still won’t get it. 

Remember, freedom is not free. You may pay by the loss of friends, family, even support. However, ultimately, you’ll be free to live the life you were created to live.

To sum it up, plan, prepare, and then persevere.



16. What do you love the most about living in state parks?
What I love the most about living state to state in state parks, is the view I wake up to. Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that mean so much. Back at my house, I did have a great view of land and pretty houses. But in the parks, we wake up to big tall trees, lakes everywhere and fresh air from the pines.
Most importantly, I love visiting so many places and meeting so many people who share rich history with our family. We have met historians that are out of this world. They have imparted so much knowledge until I thought my mind would explode in ecstasy!   

There is so much untapped history right here in the states about our people, it’s unreal. The things they were accomplishing, with so little, are mind blowing. We have been told stories, and read about and visited a beach owned by a black man named William Ward Pinkett, Sr. Not only did he own a beach but acres of land and was very wealthy. This was way back in the early 1900’s. We have learned about James Fields, who escaped slavery and went on to become an attorney and later built the first hospital in Newport News Virginia for black people. 
So learning black history is one of the best things about living state to state!



17. Easiest things to adjust to?
The easiest things to adjust to was living in the middle of the woods. Lots of people, (especially from the city like myself) think it may be creepy, but really, you get used to it. We also adjusted to being the only black families in the parks. Everywhere we go, we look for families that look like us, but they are nowhere to be found!

18. Hardest things to adjust to?
One of the hardest things to adjust to when you’re living on the road is missing your connections at home. You can’t just call your friends and get together for brunch, you know how girls like to get together and talk! So, in a way, you lose your network on the road. 

Since we are traveling and not in one place all the time, we don’t establish long connections and friendships. But the ones I make I do cherish. Living in an RV, always in close proximity, can be very challenging. Growing up as an only child, I always had lots of “me” time! Not so, in the RV life. It seems we are always on top of each other. Let’s put it this way, the children spend lots of time outdoors!  In addition to living in the RV full time, I road-school, so we are always together all the time, everyday. But, eventually, you adjust and keep it moving. 

When times really get rough and we need a break, we check into a hotel. The criteria, it must have an indoor pool and continental breakfast! 



19. What is your family’s social life like on the road?
I don’t know if we have a social life. I’ll say this. When we’re not out making discoveries, we live in the library. It’s close, free, has internet access, and tons of books, it has become our social hang out. They know us at the library! They keep us informed of all the programs in the county. We love the library! 

Since we live in state parks, we are always making fires, hiking, swimming, tubing, biking, and kayaking. We are very close to nature. When I get to a state, I always look up homeschool co-ops. I was very successful here in Georgia and found a great co-op, called Heritage Homeschoolers. We have had playdates, pot luck and other field trips that mean a lot to the children’s growth, development, and fun. Not to mention mine!  

20. Can you share a few details on the costs related to living life on the road?
When you live in a state park in an RV, the price per night can vary. If you need the full hook of water and electricity it can run anywhere from thirty to forty-five dollars per night. If you want to rough it with just electric and no water, it can be around fifteen dollars per night. 

On the days, we stay in hotels, we spend anywhere from ninety to one hundred twenty dollars, plus taxes per night. Money well spent to spread out a bit! Of course, we have the basic grocery stores in the area. I think we spend on average around four hundred dollars per month. I have yet to find a local farmers market to support or get fresh food from.



21. What would you say to other black families to encourage them to travel more and even move abroad?
Go ahead, move, travel, you have nothing to lose and ALL to gain! Make a plan and make it happen! It’s been one of the best decisions we made. There’s so much to learn and grow from. It’s an education, that can’t take place in a classroom. Instead of reading about mountains, butterflies, plant life, animals, and other cultures, go there, see, touch and experience them for yourself. That’s a real education!

Traveling has opened so many doors and we have met so many fabulous people I would have never met, tucked away in my home in Virginia.

22. What has living on the road taught you?
Living on the road has taught me to be free and almost fearless. It has taught me that you must choose the way you live your life or life will make the choice for you. I have also learned that security does not have to cost your freedom. Living on the road, has taught me to value life experiences over things. When you live in an RV, you learn that less really is best.

23. Favorite family memory thus far?
My children would most likely say anything that involves seeing and touching animals would be their favorite memory. Days at the beach with new friends, swimming, cooking out and then settling in for a movie outside.

24. How can we continue follow your family’s journey?
Yes, one of the things I love doing, is blogging and sharing our family adventures to encourage others to live the travel life and sharing all the black historic sites and people we learn about! Our website is:  




This is our family mission statement:

Live simply with gratitude
Raise children to be resourceful, respectful, and reliable
To boldly and fully embrace our African Heritage
To live well and not just exist
To experience traveling to different places, meeting different people, and see the world as our classroom.
Live out our God given purpose, without limits, boundaries, or fear





2 comments:

  1. I so want this for my family! We have 5 kids, but they are very young. Lots of planning to do.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ana! Sorry for the late response, I did not see this comment. Planning is the first part of accomplishing anything.. My children are 8 and 9 yrs old. Reach out to me if you have any questions.

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