if only she could talk...

...her stories would undoubtedly be captivating!

her scroll reads, "N.Y. World Trade Center, East Side Terminal" indicating one of the stops she made in a past life full of public service.  among her scheduled routes, this one must've been a great source of chaotic chatter to take in.  she has first hand experience with a piece of american history that's now close to all of our hearts.

maybe, with a bit of sweet talking, she'll pass on a tale or two.

backing up on the timeline, Joe and i had ourselves a fine sunday drive out to Muskegon to meet this beauty a week ago.  her owners, Micah and kelly, gave us as warm a welcome as she did.  born in 1979 as a working girl, she now sits and waits for someone to take her into a life of retirement.  a well earned retirement, i'd say.  they had plans to give her such a break, but with 2 jobs, 5 kids and a new Harley .. it seems out of their reach.  so, up for sale she went.  (much to our delight!)

most of her seats have been pulled.  her paint is faded.  she has cracks in her glass and an airbag that has seen better days.  but yet, she is beautiful!  she purrs like a kitten, convinced that she's still in her prime.  (who are we to disagree?!)  after a bit of juice in her batteries, she fired right up.  that 8v71 detroit diesel is as strong as it ever was, and ready to see the world.

we spent a good deal of time checking her over, inside and out.  Micah and Joe poking around underneath for the most part, while i nosed around inside.  her bathroom is still intact, which is rumored to be a bear of a removal process.  "you can do it!" i swear i heard her whisper.  she tried and tried to pump up the air system for the guys, but the failing airbag was too much of a draw on her.  nothing a little elbow grease can't help out with.

a flip of a switch here, her interior lights fire up .. a flip of a switch there, exterior lights burn bright.  the old monster of a steering wheel replaced with a sporty new grant is just a hint to the race car attitude she's holding inside.  -rawr-

all in all, in was an absolute pleasure to get acquainted with this lovely lady, and we look forward to seeing her again.

Wake up and smell the bus lights.

Wait! Don't really, I was kidding, and get off my bus lights!

So we decided that we would hit up some auctions this Saturday in the hopes of getting some good deals to make loot with, or possibly recruit some hardware for the upcoming bus project.  I still find it strange that we were motivated enough to go adventuring outdoors on such a drab day.  It was all cold, rainy, overcast, and slightly breezy.  Really?  Looking back on it I can't believe we were out and about either.

Scored some items, although not thoroughly tested as of yet.  A washer and dryer combo which is one unit (I didn't know they made them this way either).  Also an RV gas range and oven which will clean up nice.  Both acquired for a steal (as long as they work).  We didn't realize how much stuff we had brought home until we had to unload it all.  Several boxes of misc. electrical treasures, wire, outlet boxes, some PEX plumbing, and some new Pioneer speakers.  Sorry I was envisioning digging through those boxes again, it's kinda like a treasure hunt.

Near the end of the bidding on boxed lots (You know the crap you don't really want but you have to take cause it's in the same lot as the stuff you do want?) we discovered some very stylish rear lights for some unknown beauty?  I was thinking the whole time "These look very similar to a transit bus, maybe 60's era? or possibly a Silverside!" (one of my favorites from the late 40's & 50's!) 

Who knows, someone else bought the whole lot with them in it. We packed up our purchases and offered a fellow bidder a hand loading some heavy items into his van.  Both of us famished, we decided to stop for a bite to eat.  While driving down the road but half a mile from our destination we see a 50's or 60's era transit bus, and what do you think was ON the back of this bus? Hmm, got an idea?  Well you can imagine our reaction; disbelief, and frustration being awestruck like that not half an hour after HOLDING THOSE SAME LIGHTS IN OUR HANDS!!  It was like karma slapping us in the face, saying "Wake up and smell the bus lights!"