Tiny House Living in Small Bus

Remember my friend Emily Swift who hiked the AT last year?  (click on the link to read about it).  Well, here she is with Chris (her boyfriend that she met on the trail:) and they are ready to launch into a whole new nomadic adventure-Living large in a tiny bus while traveling the states.

Chris bought the bus at a school auction and converted it to run on used cooking oil.  This is not a cheap endeavor, but the reward is once it's done you can pretty much run for free.  If cooking oil is not available they also can switch over to run on diesel fuel.   Most small restaurants have to pay to have this waste product hauled away, so it's a win, win situation most of the time, and it's recycling!  They live to support small local business and hope to make some great connections in their journey.  We met for a crafted brew at the Crooked Ewe and everyone knew them there.  They let them fill up the bus while I filmed.

As a Union electrician Chris can go just about anywhere and find a job that pays a decent salary as  temporary help.  His job at IUSB just ended so they are headed to Memphis, TN his hometown to finish up the interior of the bus in a warmer climate.  They are making some custom cabinets to house  the already purchased appliances.  Will be adding solar panels, and a compostable toilet.

Emily will just go with the flow, take care of the dog and bus and work when needed.  She's thinking about something that she might be able to do out of the bus, like a handicraft, she's a creative gal and I'm sure she'll figure something out.

I'm hoping that they start blogging so that we will all be able to go on this fun journey with them!

Here's a personal tour of the bus and how it works.  Hang on tho,  I'm not that great with a hand held camera!

Day 3 Kona

Today we went to Kailua-Kona (my home 30 years ago for a spell.  I had never experience the museum Hulihe'e. The summer home of Hawaiian Royallty.  It's a simply home with beautiful Koa wood furnishings, and a magnificent view.  We did the tourist thing in Kona then ended on the beach to watch the sunset.

Ed wearing an UMT shirt❤️

The royal gate

Summer Palace

Queens bath

Happy hour at the Kona Inn

Rubber band fans

The desert of Hawaii

The small tide pools JD would swim in as a child.

LIfe Before UMT

Before this endeavor I started a business with some friends called junk Evolution.  We have a brick and mortar historical building in South Bend, Indian in the East Bank Village Arts district.   I've always had a passion for finding new life in things that others would have thought to be beyond repair.  

I've had this special project since July waiting until I had time.  That didn't happen until I left!  A mother with 5 kids (and a husband who spills coffee on everything) wanted their favorite desk chair done in oil cloth for durability.  The back of the chair used to be caned but as you can see it's gone, replaced with a comfortable foam cushion.   It takes a little imagination and some hard work but I do love the challenge of giving something a new life or purpose. 

My friends Linda and Bernie Sherck are still in the business but I left to pursue new dreams of working with my kids and on my own home.  If you get to South Bend please check them out.  There's a whole corner of fun shops and a great cafe in the Purple Porch.