While I continued to sweat in the Aruba boatyard parking lot, Ali and the kids were having as much Minnesota fun as they could find. They took off on a quick daytrip to Duluth to hike around a bit with Aunt Katy.
Lake Superior really does look like an ocean. Temps aren’t quite the same as back home on the boat, though.
A shortage of boot stripe paint, of all things, ground work to a halt. Hull is polished and shiny again.
The past couple of months we’ve been trying to decide what to do with ourselves this cruising season. The plan for a while was to head over to Colombia, then take off and do a South America road trip for a few months. Come back to the boat, head to Panama, and from there decide what to do next. But… Covid isn’t releasing its grip on the world. Panama has closed its border with Colombia, making a trip to Colombia a bit of a risky proposition. From there, without being able to go to Panama, the only option is to head straight north across the Caribbean back up to Honduras. We can’t go east against the trade winds, we can’t go west to Panama, and we aren’t exactly thrilled with the northern option. In addition, a road trip across South America during a pandemic doesn’t sound very appealing, either. For the record, we’ve been fully vaccinated for six months already. Our concern isn’t so much with Covid as it is with life just generally not going on as normal. It’s not very fun, or interesting, to travel when everything is closed up. Museums closed, restaurants not open normally, every border crossing requiring Covid tests—the whole thing sounds like a slog right now.
We toyed with the idea of buying an RV and cruising around the States and Mexico again, like the old days. Find our quiet out of the way spots and just enjoy spending our time together. We did some internet searching, but couldn’t find a motorhome that was striking us as very appealing. Sure, we could buy a white plastic box to drive around in, but our sense of adventure, and aesthetics, would hardly allow for such comfortable blandness.
We eventually resigned ourselves to just skipping Colombia, and heading straight to Panama. We figured we could spend a few months in the Bocas del Toro area, surf a bit, and just wait to see how things shape up with Covid. We gave up on the motorhome idea, and I flew back to Aruba to prepare.
About a week later Ali stumbled on this. A 1965 Bluebird Wanderlodge. Thirty-one feet of Americana. Since none of us were super excited by this season’s cruising plan it was a pretty easy decision. We sent the money that day, sight unseen, as usual, and I booked a flight to tropical Toledo, Ohio. Bumfuzzle will get her paint, and then wait patiently for us in the storage yard in Aruba until we get back.
About four days later I landed in Toledo at 1 am, found a comfortable airport lounge chair to sleep in, and settled in to wait for morning. The sellers picked me up as the sun came up a few short hours later, and before long I was standing in front of “the bus.” Typically, every inch of it was in rougher shape than the pictures had indicated, but I had just flown from Aruba and didn’t really care at this point. I managed to get them to knock off the cost of new tires from the price since they were in rough shape, old and cracked, but aside from that it wasn’t really worth complaining about details. We signed the title and I drove off an hour after arriving.
I was twenty minutes away before I remembered my luggage was still in their truck. Doh!
The bus ran good, stalling occasionally if I stopped for too long in one spot, but other than that it hummed along pretty well. I stopped in some small town nearby to fill up the tank. They gave me the bus with five gallons of gas in it. Then I hit UPS to send the title overnight to Ali so she could get the bus registered before flying down to meet me. Next stop was Home Depot for about $300 worth of tools. I wasn’t about to hit the highway without a bag full of screwdrivers, wrenches, and vice grips. Last stop Walmart for a wide array of cleaning supplies, oil, a pillow, and a blanket. Ready to hit the road.
In 1963 Bluebird made their first two motorhomes, the next year they made six of them, and in 1965 they made seven, including ours. Still going strong today, they now make hundreds a year. They eventually changed the name to Bluebird Wanderlodge, but the name in 1965 was actually Bluebird Transit Home. Descriptive, but not very catchy. We just call it The Wanderlodge.
I spent the next couple of days driving south, working in the mornings, and driving in the afternoons. It was a pretty peaceful little trip. The only issue was looking around the whole time thinking, “What have I gotten myself into this time?” It’s vintage, and fun to look at from a distance, but up close it’s clear that a lot of work is going to have to be done for our family to be comfortable and do the things we want to do in this bus. Not at all unlike the Travco a few years ago.
Yes, that is in fact 56 year-old carpet.
Ali went in to register the bus and they wanted to know how much it weighed. I had no idea so I guessed. Later she told me they charged us like $500 based on the weight. Well, that led to a quick google search while I was at the gas station, which conveniently showed me that right around the backside of the gas station I could drive right on to a CAT scale. Download the app, drive on, click pay now, and immediately get a number—19,280 pounds. Ali was able to take that in and get about half our money back from the DMV.
Nice that the original owner was good at keeping all his paperwork. I love digging through the old papers, and especially having original manuals.
She’s not great on the mileage, but I’m hoping I can up it a bit with some tuning. Running a bit rich right now.
Lovely to see that under that filthy old carpet was a very clean, smooth, rot free floor.
Five hundred miles of blacktop later, I rolled into Nashville. Not a single issue. Aside from adding a little oil I didn’t even look at the engine. I’ll give that a full tune-up soon, but it was a somewhat surprisingly sturdy workhorse. For those that care about engines, it’s a Ford 391A pulling this big thing around. Max highway speed is about 64, with medium hills slowing that to 55, and it climbs the bigger hills at a steady 45. Just flick on the hazard lights and climb.
And finally, together again. It’s been a long, crazy couple of weeks.
Despite the trepidation on their faces in this picture, the kids are really excited to be off camping again. They love being able to open the door and run off. When I called them from the boat last week so we could tell them about the bus, Lowe immediately said, “Bring my machete, and my hatchet, and my knife.” So long as he can run off into the woods and chop stuff down, he’s happy. Can we get bikes? Dirt bikes? Electric scooters?
Off for a while on another new adventure.
65 Comments on “From Aruba to Nashville”
Cannot. Wait. To see what you guys will do to that vehicle! Whenever you get a new ride, it’s like watching an HGTV show only WAY more interesting.
I agree! They definitely need their own show on the Travel Channel. 🙂
Love this! Enjoy!
Quite the find. I’m sure you will make it “yours” in no time.
Wanderlodge actually made their last motorhome in 2009, after having undergone change of ownership and the financial difficulties of 2008!
Check out wanderlodgeownersgroup.com (WOG) for a wealth of info on anything Wanderlodge. Lots of knowledgeable folks that are more than willing to help out. I have a 1994 40′ Wanderlodge, although slightly newer, the same heritage, and I find the WOG invaluable!
We also have a 1986 Defever 53 POC in Ventura, Ca, that we lived aboard for 6 years.
Enjoy the Bird!
Yes, have registered on WOG and the FB Bird Groups as well. Lots of help for sure. Sure seems like buses and boats go together pretty good.
We just joked yesterday that we now have 2 “vacation homes” – as we were busy painting and fixing things. 🙂
You and the Keep Your Daydream vloggers are riding in old busses. I’m looking forward to the further adventures.
Awesome! I’m down in Huntsville during the week (live in Bradenton, FL otherwise). Give a shout if end up passing through!
Hope to see you Bums in Mexico…We will be in Mezcales….soon..Happy for you that you have a ‘new’ adventure on the way…always something great going on for you guys….Love the hat and thanks so much again…Take care!!!
Ahhh MeXicO! We are missing it there big time. Have a great trip! And happy you like your hat.
Love it!
There’s no stopping you folks, my favorite blog for the last 10 years. Variety is certainly the spice of life. “May the Force be with you”.
Thanks, Oliver!
The bus looks great. At some point we all look better by candlelight. Enjoy!
You made out better than I did buying a 1997 Tiffin over the internet. It blew up on me 1 state away from the purchase. All went well though after a tow & a few days in a small town repair shop. It’s all an adventure!
Whenever I think of “a few days in a small town repair shop” I remember our “few days…” in Pisco Peru repairing our VW gearbox. We joked that we were never going to leave that place, as we knew everybody in town when we were done. https://www.bumfuzzle.com/bumfuzzle-february-2009/
After reading all that again, I have to wonder: What happened to the green beer box?
As usual, your family’s greatest strength is your willingness to pivot based on circumstances. I came to your blog as part of a discussion group…a Salon…I was part of. In the news at the time was an semi-infamous family facing near disaster at sea. Why could some people successfully live these unconventional lives and for others it played into every stereotype the naysayers have? Flexibility in all things seemed to be the answer. The willingness to shift the “ dreams” for reality but still live life the way you wanted. This is yet another example. Can’t wait to follow the new adventure.
Your conventional admirer.
Annie
Hi Annie, funny how this unconventional life was never our grand plan, and how much I (we) have changed over the years. I too am thankful that Pat and I are on the same page – could not imagine, being dragged along on some of these adventures.
That semi-infamous family are friends of ours. Always thought they would get back on the water, as it seemed they loved it more than we did, but they are mountain lovers (for) now.
Always fun to see what you come up with for your next adventure. The bus looks pretty damn cool.
My dad describes it as a Rock Star bus. I agree. 😉
You guys continue to amaze me.
Thanks, Dave.
“Oh the places you will go!” Goodonyas! AND the Adventure continues!
Thanks, Scotth!
Yes. Get ebikes. So much fun. Love our aventons.
Yeah those look awesome. Biggest problem with these vintage buses, not enough outside bay storage…
Congratulations on a new adventure! I’m sure there is going to be a lot of fixin up activity in that old girl during the next couple months. Have fun!
Congratulations on a new adventure! I’m sure there is going to be a lot of fixin up activity in that old girl during the next couple months. Have fun! (Oh, and it looks weird to see you guys in pants). LOL
This will be our only home, where we will be remodeling while on the move. Not sure how that is going to go. 🙂
And yes, we are losing our tans quickly — even in the Sunshine State.
I love y’all. Looking forward to following this leg along.
Aww thanks, Pawley.
Giddy for your next adventures! So cool.
Thanks!
Cool! Looks like a terrific home for some road voyaging. Do you bring a moped or something to use for short trips wile you’re camped out?
Will you spend several weeks whipping it into shape before you take off?
We would love to get a moped or something – storage issue thing. Maybe next hurricane season, if we decide to really stay put in an area for an extended time – we will.
3 weeks getting the kids room and galley nearly sorted, then off to explore some more before we decide to work on another area. I’m not good with messes though…
Another adventure…..Enjoy this journey…If your travels ever bring you to W.Pa.We would love for you to join us where we dock our Grand Illussions for the summer…The Carousel Marina, in the little riverside hamlet of Bunola,Pa. MM 27.5 Monongahela River….Been following your adventures since the beginning.
When I read your thoughts about which way to go I had to share them with my hubby, as it sounded just like us! We’ve been living in an RV here in the states since fall 2019, just before Covid hit-it seems the best option for travel during these crazy cooties times! No border crossings to deal with & plenty of gorgeous landscapes to explore-adventures galore!
The nomadic life definitely instills flexibility as we never know what’s next, not for folks who need regular routines for sure! Great experience for your kids-best life lesson!
Have fun! Maybe we’ll see you along the way?
Hi Gail, yes we are good at changing things up and COVID shook it up for us. Kids are definitely enjoying the camping outdoorsiness again, but I’m sure they will be ready to get diving off the boat when it is time.
Definitely! Be great to share a fire together.
Pat, if your travels find you out west in Reno, and need a place to park, you and our family are more than welcome to tie up at my place. Love the wanderbus… my wife would have never gone for that, instead she opted for a big white bread box…
anyway, great read. God speed on your travels.
Hi Fred, Thanks for the offer – I love when we use sailing terms, like tie up at my place, instead of land words. Our kids say the funniest things when they are trying to explain something. Cracks me up.
Sorry about the wife not having any style. I joke! 😉
Way to go guys! What a fun adventure. If you make it down the Baja at any point we will be in Puerto Escondido on M/V Slow Dance. Come say hi!
Awesome! that would be fun. You know we are almost always heading that direction.
PS I wanted to share this with you as it may also help your readers….be sure to get the maximum PIP coverage allowed for your bus. Why? LONG story short, I was hit by a car in Utah while crossing the road-green light too! My health insurance does not cover pedestrian “accidents” & Utah is a “no fault” state-more like no responsibility to me. I have to rely on the driver’s car insurance which covers a paltry $3,000 in medical expenses-this wouldn’t even pay the cost of stepping into an ER.
IF my PIP kicks in, the Florida limit is $10,000. Just FYI, in 2011 my husband went to the ER for a kidney stone attack-no treatment given. Just a CT scan & pain meds. The bill? A whopping $15,000! Crazy system here, not to lecture but just a cautionary tale….
Thanks, Gail. I called our insurance right after reading this. And I should have remembered as I just dealt with all of this after my accident in AZ. 4 hours in the ER with nothing broken, no meds given, $28k…plus a totaled SUV. Learned a lot about insurance during all this.
Love the bus. We own a 2001. As someone mentioned there is a wealth of Info and knowledge at
https://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/forums/
Also the largest annual gathering of bluebirds is next week 10/13-10/17 in Pine Mountain Georgia if you are in the area.
Thanks, Mark. Yes that WOG forum is huge. I prefer the FB Group over the forum but when really stuck I head there. And yes, we were only a week into our bus when we saw that gathering. Would have been fun!
Way cool and suits your family vibe perfectly. Just another unique vehicle in the stable, eh? Can’t wait to watch the changes and adventures!
Thanks, Emily. If anyone can make the changes, it is Pat. Most of the projects I think he truly enjoys, it’s finding the time…
I’m so excited to see you guys in an RV again!
Thanks, Mary!
Looking forward to adventures ahead. Are you selling the boat?
Thanks, Franci! No not selling the boat. She is a good one for us, and a bit of a break is good sometimes. Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
Cool new adventure! If you get out to sour area, let us know!
That would be fun!
Another adventure. Can’t wait for it.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with your new toy. You’ll have to update your header image now.
Thanks, squeakytiki. Already working on the header. 😉
It’s a bit scarey (in terms of old age creeping up) but I can envision Ouest and Lowe sharing the driving in future blogs. What a marvellous life!
Oh wow, Oliver, that will be coming up quick. I think they would enjoy the Porsche driving more.
Love it! You guys never do things conventionally…..and that’s why I adore following you all. Enjoy the new rig – and holler if you head down to Baja this winter in those wheels! We’ll be down there in our truck camper and would love to see you all again.
That would be soooo fun! Would love Baja we will see what comes after Christmas in AZ.
I love how the road trip coincided with Raising Arizona coming back to Prime Video.
Are the fire extinguishers on the bus at least silver or will you have to repaint then gray?
You’ve been with us a long time, RayG, love it! And probably no coincidence with the Raising Arizona. 🙂
have followed you from the start- in Minn for Thanksgiving- live in Melbourne fl- remember when you boated through town on the intercoastal- had RV for 5 years stay safe steve
Hiya Steven! Oh wow, MN for Thanksgiving, I’m hearing it is getting cold up there right now. I’m sitting here freezing in Texas this morning. Have a great time and stay in touch!