Local family to embark on a year-long adventure
PLYMOUTH—AFTER spending 10 years developing Luna Hill Farm near Donaldson, the Boener family—john and amanda Jo with their kids, Lilly, Henry, Iris, and Violet—are set to leave on a yearlong adventure to travel across the nation. They will be having a meet and greet and Q&a at the Plymouth Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. 12 p.m. in Laramore a, complete with a tour of their school bus-turned home.
Over the last decade, this family has been actively working to build community and teach others about local natural resources. Their school for children, also at their farm, was focused on learning about wild edibles and medicines, forest gardening, nature journaling, lunar cycles, and how they affect the human body and nature, as well as intra- and inter-personal skills. “It’s not a common thing that you find in the area. Like, permaculture skills and mindfulness? These are all the skills that we had, and it’s hard to find that for kids. Which is why we originally opened the school, because we wanted that for our kids. Then we realized, ‘Well, who better to do it than us, so why not?’” amanda Jo said.
Through her work at Luna Hill Farm, amanda Jo became a certified National Geographic Certified Educator and she is also an advanced Purdue Master Gardener. “We were always full… We had people come from Chicago, Michigan, Indy, lots of South Bend, Mishawaka, Nappanee, Valpo, but we only ever had a few families from Plymouth come to the school,” amanda said.
after much consideration, the family decided that it was time for a change. “We only have one life and it’s served us, and we’ve served it well. Our farm has been
an amazing experience for our kids and other kids and taught us so much. But we want to see more, and we want more for our kids,” Amanda Jo said. “It was time to let go and move on.”
Part of the inspiration came from John’s background of taking trips around the country when he was a child and wanting to give their children an expanded version of that experience. “this was a really practical way to do that, actually. Like dollars and cents-wise. We could have a home on wheels. Yeah, it costs a little bit to get it around, because it’s so large, but we can go anywhere and immerse ourselves in a community or a landscape for however long we want. It’s a practical way to travel big, to really show our kids and ourselves this country,” John said.
As a homeschool family, they believe that this traveling lifestyle will only strengthen their children’s educational experience. Ultimately, that’s what we are always striving for is presence. Presence with the kids, with ourselves, with our little world, our community. We already lived that way; we were just so busy at the farm.”
When they were ready to make the jump, they purchased a retired 2008 school bus and began converting it into a 40-foot home on wheels for a family of six. After a three and a half months renovation process, their comely home is nothing short of warm and cozy. Small enough that simplicity is a necessity, but large enough that six people can live comfortably in it. However, it has all the amenities, including 125 fresh water storage, a composting toilet, air conditioning and heating, and wifi. “It’s cool. I have a drivable little house,” John said with a grin. “the plan worked so well. I think that is the really positive part: the way she planned most of it, the way our home turned out.”
Vocationally, Amanda Jo is a teacher, photographer, and writer and John is a highly skilled carpenter, something that lent itself to the remodeling process. However, when they sold their home, they made enough that finances won’t be a concern for at least a year. that will stretch if they decide to do anything on the side. Options include offering nature-centric classes in other communities or possibly vlogging on Youtube or other platforms. “Everybody tells us to do online content, and we’ve been apprehensive about it because we don’t want it to take away from presence. But what do people want to see?” Amanda Jo said. “If anybody wants to give feedback about what content they would actually watch on Youtube, Instagram, or Facebook… we would love to get some feedback about what our community would like to see.” She is also actively writing a memoir about her life experiences.
Now, three years after purchasing the bus, they are a few tweaks away from hitting the road for good at the end of November. As of last spring, the farm was sold to people who deeply appreciate it and plan on hosting community events. the Boeners’ first stop will be Florida for the Winter Solstice on Dec. 21, with Amanda Jo’s parents. After that, they will go wherever the wind takes them. “there’s a lot of things that I want the kids to see, just things I saw as a kid. It may sound silly, but the Grand Canyon and that kind of stuff,” said John. “the idea of being able to do those things and just stay there for like a month if we wanted to, or a few weeks, that just sounds amazing. take your time on something like that.” they also plan on going to national and state parks as well as public lands.
At present, they aren’t sure what all will take place after the year is complete. Will they continue to travel? Settle elsewhere? they aren’t sure at this point. But they do know that whatever the next chapter holds, they will continue to practice presence, and will live simply in nature.
through it all, the Boeners want to show their kids, and anyone else who is willing to learn, that life can be what you want it to be—as long as people are willing slow down and keep their priorities clear—whether that is finding fulfillment in the present course of action or doing something new altogether or even changing a small habit, like spending more time with loved ones or going out into the woods more often.
Although their primary goals center around family time and giving their kids a wider experience, they have a website and are considering their social media options— including vlogging—for those people who are interested in following their progress. “We are going to be sharing the journey while we’re on the way, just not every moment like a lot of people do,” said Amanda Jo. their website is awildfamily.com. their social media accounts can be found at facebook.com/ follow awildfamily and on Instagram at @a.wild. family. the public can reach out to them by emailing them at ajboener@gmail.com.