Oregonian To Virginia - My Adventure Begins

PDX-Janel · 03-02-2018, 02:41 PM

I searched the nation to find the bus I wanted and this girl from Portland Oregon found her in Virginia.

Long story short.... I have an ailment called "Wonderlust." Not sure when I got it, but I'm pretty sure I was inflicted at a young age. 47 now and facing the empty nest this year. Yes, I know what you're thinking...midlife crisis. I'm so glad to have found this community as I see I'm not alone.

So - I found my bus in Virginia and flew there two weeks ago to see her. It was just what a wanted. I didn't want a huge bus as I'm doing the work myself and felt a big bus was overwhelming. Virginia, as I aptly named her, is a 2003 Thomas Saf-T-Liner. Once purchased I traveled to my daughter and Son-in-law's home in Jacksonville NC. They are converting a bus too and knew they would be a huge help to get started. In the 7 days I had there we did the following:

-got insurance and tags
-removed school safety equipment
-removed seats
-removed lift
-removed floor to metal
-removed two AC units
-removed floor heater
-reconnected heater lines
-removed all stickers and reflective tape
-treated all rust (grinding wheel, rust remover, rust inhibitor, and rust primer...that said rust was VERY minimal)
-removed caulk and recaulked roof
-filled floor holes from flooring nails
-sanded entire outside
-filled or patched with body filler
-primed and painted outside
-recycled all scrap metal and 2 dump runs
-finished floor plan

I'm too old for this. Lol. We had an amazing week. I laughed, cried, dreamt, drank Fireball, laughed some more, second guessed myself, but mostly had a ton of fun.

I'm traveling home now. Been on the road for 4 days and should be home on Sunday. The ride is slow as her max speed is 56. I'll get to work on fixing that soon. My goal is to take my first vacation in her in June.

The real reason for my first post is to show y'all my first built out project. I didn't intend on doing work while traveling, but it became necessary. Picture attached.

Thank you all for the amazing info you've shared on these boards. I enjoy all your stories.

Janel

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o1marc · 03-02-2018, 02:56 PM

Dang, that's one hell of a start for a weeks worth of work. What is their address, I'm showing up there next week.

PNW_Steve · 03-02-2018, 03:13 PM

Slow down Janel!!

You are making some of us look bad

Wow! that is impressive progress for a week. We would love to see more pictures!!

TrailLifeBill · 03-02-2018, 03:20 PM

I guess when my wife reads this, she'll have a case of Rockstar waiting for me, along with a build list and time schedule. Very impressive start!! I too look forward to seeing your build.

Good luck on the trip home.

Robin97396 · 03-02-2018, 03:37 PM

At the rate you're going I think you'll be ready by June.

Are you aware of the buses that just sold in Beaverton? Very energetic to buy on the other side of the country since we seem to have the favored rust free buses out here in Oregon and Washington.

I can only guess you had something very specific in mind, and it doesn't hurt that it was close to family.

I'm glad you know the importance of a cup holder in a bus.

PDX-Janel · 03-02-2018, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Dang, that's one hell of a start for a weeks worth of work. What is their address, I'm showing up there next week.[emoji3]

They were so kind. It was a mess, but they have a huge yard and the neighbors didn't seem phased. Hopefully my neighbors will be as understanding. Eek!

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TrailLifeBill · 03-02-2018, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDX-Janel

They were so kind. It was a mess, but they have a huge yard and the neighbors didn't seem phased. Hopefully my neighbors will be as understanding. Eek!

Hee-hee, just do what I did - slipped in at 10:30pm on a Friday night. At least you won't have a yard full of seats

. I do intend to run a wire from my backup alarm to a switch in the cockpit so I can spare them a little noise when I back in.

PDX-Janel · 03-02-2018, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Slow down Janel!!

You are making some of us look bad

Wow! that is impressive progress for a week. We would love to see more pictures!!

Thank you! I was beat, but really had fun! I'll post more pictures very soon.

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david.dgeorge07 · 03-02-2018, 07:17 PM

Wowwee! Busy! More pics please! Sounds like your bus is similar to mine.

PDX-Janel · 03-02-2018, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

At the rate you're going I think you'll be ready by June.

Are you aware of the buses that just sold in Beaverton? Very energetic to buy on the other side of the country since we seem to have the favored rust free buses out here in Oregon and Washington.

I can only guess you had something very specific in mind, and it doesn't hurt that it was close to family.

I'm glad you know the importance of a cup holder in a bus.

Can't wait for June!

I literally looked in every state. I knew what I wanted and found the perfect one at M and M Salvage Yard in Ruckersville Virginia. They were AMAZING to work with, negotiated on an already great price, and threw in a free tire "just in case."

Turns out the rust on my bus is very minor. Lucky me I guess.

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PDX-Janel · 03-02-2018, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrailLifeBill

I guess when my wife reads this, she'll have a case of Rockstar waiting for me, along with a build list and time schedule. Very impressive start!! I too look forward to seeing your build.

Good luck on the trip home.

Thank you so much... Rockstar and Fireball (not together...lol) have helped.

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PDX-Janel · 03-02-2018, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

Wowwee! Busy! More pics please! Sounds like your bus is similar to mine.

@david.dgeorge07 I found you on the Skoolie boards early on in my adventure. I love your style of writing, posting, thinking and working. You have been a real inspiration to me. Thank you so much.... And yes, I think our buses are very similar. Mine was made for wheelchair access so is not as long as yours. (I think)

Thanks again! I'll post pictures soon.

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david.dgeorge07 · 03-02-2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDX-Janel

@david.dgeorge07 I found you on the Skoolie boards early on in my adventure. I love your style of writing, posting, thinking and working. You have been a real inspiration to me. Thank you so much....

Wow! Thank you! Don’t know what to say. Very humbled. Glad my posts have been helpful. This forum is a great place for community since most of us are working in our own little corner of the world and it’s great to see more folks getting on here and being active!

brokedown · 03-03-2018, 10:15 AM

Duct tape is so versatile!

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PDX-Janel · 03-03-2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokedown

Duct tape is so versatile!

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That's awesome and a healthier choice than Rockstar.

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brokedown · 03-03-2018, 10:57 AM

The water is, the fish not so much!

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