It is Fun, It is our Hobby

[Bill Pape]

For years, We had always traveled, camped, and toured
in a class B full size extended Van, while still employed.
These are great RV's for week-ends, two week trips, and an
occasional four week trip.
And most important very economical for a small motorhome.

Upon full retirement, we traveled for about 3 months,
"THAT'S IT", " This is the last trip in a mini motorhome".
When, it now becomes living on the road . This is quite different
than shorter trips. We travel between five and eight months per year.

Then the search was on. Class B's are well built, all steel, no
fiberglass shell, no leaky roofs, service readily available.
We were very disappointed with every brand of larger RV's. They were
mostly fiberglass, fiberboard and poorly constructed.

During my first year of retirement, Patty was still teaching 4th grade
for 9 more months, I decided to part-time drive for the neighboring
school district, I did not want Patty's co-workers and friends to
figure -out, I was having fun and delivering Kids to the wrong school.

This is where, I hung out at the School District Bus Garage.
Learning a lot about BlueBirds and their heavy construction, air systems etc.
This is when, I became aware of the Wanderlodge. Having never seen one,
I found these Wanderlodge Forums, and read hundreds of postings and thousands
of archive postings. Following all posts thru troubleshooting, repair,
and resolution. Not becoming intimidated, I decided, I could do this also.

Now the challenge was to seek, search, and find a BB in our price range,
and in the condition, that was up to our standards, especially particular Pattys'.
It still took over a year to find our 1988 FC.
The deciding factors were, factory support, documentation, Forums and Forum friends.
Secondly, it was the heavy bus chassis, safety, and the availability of bus/ truck parts.
The Wanderlodge has several back-up systems, it just keeps running even with minor issues
and the trip is still a pleasure.
Equally important was the classic , unique, high quality appearance.
What an eye catcher. As a BB owner, others always look, some ask questions,
most all give compliments and this makes us feel great.
Bird owners are special people.
Anyone with an SOB, motorhome or a truck and fifth wheel , can afford to own
and operate a BlueBird Wanderlodge, With some work there is a dependable vehicle
in everyone's price range and skill level.

[Randy Dupree]

how true!
you can buy a good FC bird for less money than a new pickup truck!
and if you keep it up it will be worth as much when you sell it as when you bought it!
as long as your in the $30,000 range.
Randy

[Bill Pape]

hey Randy ,

Can Ya, lease an FC ?????

[Randy Dupree]

sure,why not?
you can lease anything,all you need is a customer!
Randy

[Bill Pape]

I have been asked by several to post more pictures of our travels, So, here is a random bunch of pictures.
With all the technical reasons for owning a Wanderlodge, the bottom line it is, It's all about traveling this beautiful United States.
I decided to Post under the "Reasons I Bought My Bluebird"

http://picasaweb.google.com/papebill...sTripPictures1#

http://picasaweb.google.com/papebill...sTripPictures2#



Yes, GREAT PICTURES... great looking bus to, your that is. I hope to make a trip out west too. Post some more
__________________
Ryan and Michelle Saari

[Gene Mehr]

The wife and I started with sticks and staples. Then I discovedr the GMC motor home did everthing to it loved it, cool hotrod. Going south on I-5 in 1995, My daughter yelled look dad pointing at the north bound side.I see a flock of birds migrating towards canada. adout 6 units long.Then the resurch started. found out couldnt aford one forgot about the birds for about a year. One day my daughter said are u still reading about the birds ? I had forgot. Jumped on craigs list and there was on right down the road thats the one I have. and then had a gmc to sell oh such good times.