The Advantages of Homeschooling

CHESTER, IDAHO – We’re on the road again…

Two-and-a-half years ago, my family and I set off on the ultimate homeschool field trip…

We’ve seen the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramids, the Great Wall, the Great Lakes, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a Nazi concentration camp, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Washington, D.C., and hundreds of other educational sites…

This month, we rented an Airbnb for six months in the Teton Mountains and we’re going to spend the winter learning to ski and experiencing life in a small western town.

Today, our new neighbors Phil and Anne invited us over to their ranch for a fly fishing lesson, followed by a dinner party.

(Phil and Anne are Postcards readers. When they heard we were coming, they wrote to us and offered us their friendship.)

Tomorrow, we head to Yellowstone National Park…

The fun thing about our homeschool is we can do almost anything and call it “school.”

Do a jigsaw puzzle? School. Watch a TED Talk on YouTube? School. Get a lesson in rifle shooting? School. Play a new board game? School. Cook a meal for our family? School.

Today we got a lesson from Phil in fly fishing on a lake in Idaho…

“How do you socialize your kids?” people ask us. Here’s how…

As we travel around the world, we spend time with as many people as we can… and absorb everything they have to teach us.

Below, that’s Phil and Skip teaching the boys how to play dominos. And further down, there’s Penny (8), warming up by the fire…

– Tom Dyson

P.S. The area we’ve chosen to spend the winter in will get 500 of inches of snow. No sight of snow yet… but it’s definitely getting colder…

P.P.S. We didn’t catch any fish today…

Like what you’re reading? Send your thoughts to [email protected].

In the mailbag today, the bitcoin controversy continues… a reader wants to know the best way to buy gold without getting Uncle Sam too involved… and others give the Dyson family snow-survival tips…

Reader comment: Thanks for all you do for your readers. My question deals with the controversy on bitcoin. While I acknowledge that it may be a bunch of electrons, in order to own your own bunch, you have to purchase it with your local currency, whether it be American dollars, Japanese yen, or Chinese yuan. Devalued as those currencies are, they still have value for now. Doesn’t that give bitcoin at least a little bit of value in addition to the faith that one must have in it?

Tom’s response: Bitcoin is very valuable at the moment… more than $12,000 per bitcoin. My worry is that this value won’t last… as there’s no value behind it and it doesn’t solve any real-world problem…

Reader comment: I beg to disagree. Different governments have given bitcoin value. It is so easy to exchange bitcoin for dollars today through the banks. It is global and in this digital age, it is here to stay. Having traveled the world and seen firsthand how valueless most currencies are, I am surprised you hold this view. I hope you still hear from your mom though and that she is doing well. Praying that you fulfill your plan of relocating to London to be with her or to bring her to USA.

Tom’s response: We occasionally see bitcoin ATMs on our travels. But I’ve never seen anyone buy anything with bitcoin and I’ve never seen a business accept bitcoin. To me, it’s a pyramid scheme that’s masquerading as a solution for the monetary quagmire we currently find ourselves in…

Reader comment: Been following you for some time. What is your “best” way to purchase physical gold? As I live in Anchorage, Alaska, freight is a factor, but also privacy from the government. An earlier suggestion was local shops. But most the pawn shops are pretty well “gone through.” And buying direct from a dealer, they need to register. So how does one buy without all the government involvement?

Tom’s response: There are many online coin dealers offering competitive prices. They will ship the gold to your address. There’s no government involvement in this process, as far as I know, although your bank may file a form if the transaction is over $10,000….

Reader comment: Unless your van is front wheel drive, in deep snow, the snow tires will work about as well as socks on a rooster. If you are living in an area that receives on average 500 inches of snow each winter season, a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Reader comment: Welcome to Driggs! My wife and I are Marylanders who have been winter vacationing in Driggs for years. We’re building a house now. Driggs gets a lot of snow so you better have chains for that van!

Reader comment: I have been enjoying your postcards for quite some time. Wish you and your family all the best this winter and for all the years to come. I have a comment about your car. The readers who say four-wheel drive is best in the snow are correct. But if you keep your travels to plowed roads and streets and don’t drive in a snowstorm, you will be fine. Just don’t get caught in an actual snowstorm. Snow can fall incredibly fast and can be blinding to the driver when everything in all directions goes to all white. Also, about the car: Has anyone suggested full synthetic motor oil? It is a must when temperatures drop near or below zero. Conventional motor oil turns thick as molasses in that cold. Many cars won’t start. 100% Synthetic oil does not thicken, and your car will start easily.

Reader comment: A set of the new style, quick, tire chains will get you around fine. From an old ranch hand that grew up on the plains of South Dakota and went anywhere and everywhere with two-wheel drive. A little weight over the tires, some tire chains/new-tech quick grips, and you will get there.

Reader comment: We are Canadian and we have lived in northern and central British Columbia, driving in all winter conditions. We lived for three years at the foot of a ski hill and drove down the mountain to town and to work most every day, sometimes several times.

The best advice I ever received that saved us from going off the road, sometimes over a steep cliff, was when you know the hill you are going to go down is icy or has compact snow, stop, put the car into neutral and use steering, and tap the brakes to maintain a slow speed. If you are in gear and unexpectedly start to skid, put the car in neutral, tap the brakes on and off, and do not hit the brakes. You can now steer into the skid and you will regain control. Wishing you a safe and exciting winter.

Reader comment: I’m jealous of your trip. I think you’ve given your children an upbringing that precious few others can ever even think of having! I’ll miss the daily updates – yours was always a “must-open” e-mail among the hundreds that I delete without even reading.

I think you’re teaching the kids to ski at this age is another huge advantage – it is a sport that they (and you) can continue to enjoy as they grow up – as I have with my sons. There is of course the great divide… Will they grow up to be skiers or boarders?

I have a contemporary friend (we’re ah, let’s just say “full retirement age plus” for Social Security!) and he learned to board. But I don’t like the process of having to detach the boots when you get on the lift and then having to re-attach when you get off. Enjoy your stay in Driggs (and yes, I looked it up and the location is fabulous) and please keep us posted on your ski lessons!

Tom’s note: As always, thank you for your messages. Please keep them coming at [email protected]. We read every one you send in, even if we don’t respond right away.