Photo: Linda Jacobson | The 74
Jon and Sam Bastianelli's oldest son was examining old farming tools in a blacksmith shop at the Coachella Valley History Museum while younger siblings crushed pumpkin seeds in an exhibit honoring the Cahuilla tribe, the region's first inhabitants. The Bastianellis are among a growing number of families living in RVs whose kids are learning on the road, with help from the Republic of Nomads. Cofounded by Christian Axness and Stephanie Simpson, who have a combined 18 years as 'fulltimers' living out of their vehicles, the Republic plans group outings, such as trips to the Black Hills of South Dakota to study Native American culture and to Bend, Oregon, to hike around the cinder cone of an ancient volcano. Miley, an Iowa ninth-grader, marvels at how much of the country she's seen in four years. "Until fifth grade," she said, "I didn't know there was any other state than Iowa."
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