That journal is from seven years ago.
That journal is from seven years ago.
I love the smell of esbit in the morning!
I KNOW that the journal is from 7 years ago. Did you read it? My question was could the woman with children referred to in that post be the same one that is being referred to in this thread. Other then adding to the size of her brood, it seems to strike a familiar note somehow.
Dyslexics Untie!
It's plausible.Originally Posted by generoll:1321224
Are Chicken Ankles really what it's all about?
He may still be with them? One thing you have to admire about Red Dog is that he saw a need and then went and helped. But I suspect it is going to be an expensive project for him. I truly hope that this woman appreciates it and doesn't con him.
While I would never send a donation to this family for fear that it would not be used for food, etc., I do think the kindest thing hikers could do would be to have Hiker Feeds along the trail for them. At least the kids would be fed!
I'm totally fine with giving them something to eat if you happened to run across them while hiking, but IMO the kindest thing that hikers could do is NOT encourage her in any way or provide any incentive to this woman to stay on the trail. I don't see any good that would come out of reinforcing her expectation that someone is going to continuously be there to pick up her slack. This could lead to even more irresponsible decisions on her part. As someone else posted earlier, the situation is more complicated and she needs a lot more help than the hiking community is able to provide. Someone needs to take her aside and somehow, talk her into postponing this hike until she can figure out a way to control the kids and provide for their needs better than she's done so far. I know you may think this sounds cold and uncaring, but enabling her poor decision making is not going to help this family survive out there in the long run. At least that's what my head says. My heart is so troubled at the thought of kids going hungry.Difficult situation no matter how you look at it.
Train Wreck: After reading your post, you are right. I was wrong. This would be enabling. If this had been a family dream for them all and they had planned and simply run out of money 1/2 way, I would be the first to help. But from what we are hearing, at least several of the kids really don't want to do this and they have run out of food, etc., right from the start. The mom now wants rides to various states and they aren't doing a thru anyway. So we help this family and next year - 5 families and the following year 50 families. Where would it stop? But I do feel badly for the kids. I hope that Red Dog can talk her into taking them home. Or at least take the kids that don't want to be there home. Thanks for your post.
Hikers are usually self sufficient and honest (usually), at least in all of my experiences. I think that is why this story is hard to hear in this community. Trouble is, this happens EVERY day in every town in America. Not that the mother upends the family to take the kids on a ld hike, but the kids being left to fend for themselves, the hunger, the dishonesty. We all live in a roses and sunshine world... what kind of computer or smart phone are you typing from? Do you want to help this family? Then donate to your local food bank. All these families have similar stories. It should break your heart, not make you angry.
If a youth is wandering around the trail lost it seems like the law should call social services to at least inquire which route to go in protecting the children. It seems the mother could be charged with some sort of child abandonment or neglect. Maybe I'm wrong on all accounts but the law should be highly encouraged by citizens/hikers to get involved until a resolution is reached.
ho hum.........
"Hiking is as close to God as you can get without going to Church." - BobbyJo Sargent aka milkman (CLICK IT) ALL WE ARE
perhaps you shouldn't have started this thread. you, me others here are/were just tryin' to help. we observed certain things. all the time. at the hostel. i hope her and the kids are alright. we're just jammin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvFxG...eature=related
It's difficult to discuss a situation involving kids without having first hand knowledge of how they are really doing. From statements of those who have been in contact with some of the family members it doesn't look too good. I hope for the kids sake they will come out of this ok. Meanwhile, I've tossed my 2-cents worth of recommendations in and that's all I can do. I still think social services, within the proper jurisdiction, should check in on them.
They may be moving just fast enough to stay off the social services radar. Most are run at the county level and once they are out of the county they don't exist.Originally Posted by SassyWindsor:1321916
Are Chicken Ankles really what it's all about?
Interesting thread....
There is a home. The mother writes about going home in her journal. And the father is at home with another child.
Some people take the straight and narrow. Others the road less traveled. I just cut through the woods.