This is a reanimation of the Vicaribus blog as lived by Miro Kazakoff and Ehren Foss in 2004 and 2005. The photos may be spotty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Huh?

A. This page is a web log and photo repository for material relating to a many-month-if-not-years-long trip around North America in a converted 1984 Blue Bird All American Schoolbus. The bus has been converted into a camper with two bedrooms, a kitchen, an office, and a full bathroom. Ehren and Miro converted the bus and are the prime occupants. Others have come along for parts of the journey as well.

Q. Where are you going? Can I come hang out on the bus?

A. E-mail us, we'll try to figure out where and when to meet you. We're totally serious. Look at this page to see where we'll be.

Q. Do you need a special license?

A. No. The bus is just under the 40 foot length and the 26,000 lbs weight license requirements. Also, we don't carry more than 15 people at a time (yet) and don't use it for commercial purposes. Admittedly, vehicles the size of the largest class of RVs (including us) are challenging enough that special training would help.

Q. What kind of mileage does it get?

A. 8-9 mpg under reasonable conditions. That may not sound efficient, but a gas (not diesel) engine would be in the 3-6 mpg range, and the bus weighs as much as 6 or 7 Geo metros. Plus, it's roomier.

Q. How can you afford it?

A. To complete the conversion, we worked in cubicleland and saved our pennies. The conversion project was close enough to cost projections that at the beginning of the trip, there was a little coasting. Ehren works as a freelance programmer, and expects to be able to fully fund his trip. Miro also does contract work.

Q. Have you had any major mechanical issues?

A. No. A small transmission fluid leak, and power steering fluid leak require us to periodically monitor both. We've changed the fluids and filters twice on the trip so far.

Q. How far have you gone?

A. It was around 8,000 miles by our route from Boston to San Francisco.