we bought a bus!
A step in what direction?
We were getting frustrated with setbacks in the real estate market. After several attempts, we were unable to purchase land for a homestead in Wisconsin. With prices, interest rates and buyer competition going up, we decided to look in another direction for progress. John's sisters booked a bus for lodging on vacation, and our own wheels started turning.
We looked at prices and considered our finances into RVs vs Skoolies. We decided we could buy and build a bus now, and use it to transition to our future plans. So the dream took a detour to bus shopping. After a series of auctions and negotiations, we eventually purchased 38 feet of diesel-driven steel, and over the winter started the arduous process of converting it into a home on wheels. When the bus is done, and when the Coast Guard is done with us in Wisconsin, we'll hit the road in our rolling house and live in it until we find our little piece of God's green earth. We plan to live in the bus until the homestead is up and running, and then the bus will become a vacation rental for an additional source of income.
Times and dreams change. We are adapting and overcoming the curve balls this life is throwing at us.
Follow the Build - detailed blogs coming soon!
Seat Removal
First Layer of Paint
Seat Removal
The first part of demo for the bus was removing seats! We had some help with friends from Church and cleared most of the seats in one day!
Click the photo to read!!
Notification
First Layer of Paint
Seat Removal
We got notified from the city that we couldn't keep a commercial vehicle in our driveway... especially not one over 10,000lbs.
Click the photo to read!!
First Layer of Paint
First Layer of Paint
First Layer of Paint
To better hide this bus from the city and to not get out friends in trouble we threw on the first layer of paint - yeah for primer!
Winter Home
Side Panels and Roof Demo
First Layer of Paint
We moved our newly painted bus out of our driveway from Nov. - April. Amazing friends from church allowed us to park and work on it in their driveway. It lead to our first tow!!
Floor Demo
Side Panels and Roof Demo
Side Panels and Roof Demo
This process took a lot longer than expected with John being underway and dealing with Winter weather - but we did it!
Side Panels and Roof Demo
Side Panels and Roof Demo
Side Panels and Roof Demo
This process took a lot longer than expected with John being underway and dealing with Winter weather - but we did it!
Floor
Framing
Framing
So many HOLES! We became a pro at using Steel Stick! We now have a clean floor to build!
Framing
Framing
Framing
Its so exciting to getting to place to actual build something. We are in the planning stages and are excited to get moving!
Windows
Framing
Windows
To really get this bus looking good We did a little experiment on the windows - so far we are liking it!