found: school bus in need of my attention

here, an introduction to my new endeavor. a project, adventure, learning experience all in one.
"the open road, the open sky, the open sea" has been my motto for quite some time now. it has happened on several occasions that just as i'm about to hit that wild blue yonder i change course and jump on another boat heading for different waters. but the desire to aimlessly wander, dogs and cat in tow, still lays within. this year is very important to me for many reasons. this post is about one of the most important of them all. without this element, everything changes.

for months i've been researching all sorts of portable homes from light weight trailers and rvs to yurts. the type of home-on-wheels i fell in love with from the time of conception is a converted school bus. this fancies me for many reasons. one, it's a school bus. two, the process of conversion lends creativity with interior design to suit my needs. three, these babies are made of steel and have proven high safety standards above any old or new rv on the market, including airstreams. four, the rows of windows are glorious!!

i've been searching high and low for the right one...partially converted, completely converted, gutted...and all so far have either been out of my price range, too big, or too far away.
so here is what i came across the other day, thanks to my dear jorge for keeping an eye out, sitting on a hill top at La Linda over looking the Rio, and a mere one hour from where i live.

1989 River Road ISD #40

454 Chevy engine

98K

just look at those big beautiful eyes staring back at me!

7 windows long equates to a mid-size bus. perfect. anything bigger than this and i'll need a captain's license to navigate this boat

on my bus wish list, and only a wish, not a necessity, is a handicap lift. why, you might ask...well, these come in handy for a 1980s-something Honda Passport Scooter.

that's Fred. he's cool. he's showing me the 55 gallon gas tank.

inside: what's appears to be partially removed seats is actually not the case. being a handicap bus, half the bus is equipped with wheel chair clamps and only half the regular seats. less work for me! besides all the junk Fred will probably "give" me.

bird's eye view

i love the bi-fold door and driver's seat crank to open and close it.

she's happy !!!

bye, bye! see you again soon to check out your innards!

caught. dreaming those dreams.

so, in the upcoming week i have to go back with clean gasoline in hand, drain out all the old watery gas, put the new in, start her up and see what happens. so many things point to yes, and the price can't be beat.
i'll be posting news as things progress.