I once had a teacher who challenged my brain with that song. Took maaaaany hours to realize that there was an "extra" card in the computer that stopped it from booting. She is still pushing kids, and me when she can get a hold of me to do more and better. Thanks Jill.

Here is the bus sticking out like a sore thumb, yet desperately trying to be like it's big brothers in the Manassass, VA Wal-Mart. They have an extra lot on the side of the Garden Center just for truck and RV parking.

Sunset on Rt 66 in Northern Virginia can be very pretty if you catch it at the right time. It was very nice of the world to coincide the right time with when I was driving through.

Dad was yesterday's crutch considering his expertise in the workings of a large diesel contraption. Today was my sister, her boyfriend and an aunt and uncle. After being kicked out of the Front Royal RV Park, I spent the day in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Manassass, va. This was my first honest experience just 'living' in a wal-mart parking lot, although it was only for 6hrs. The amusement that I felt while making my PB&J sammich, and goin on about my day while looking out at a parking lot of people living their lives was like that of a child waiting to goto sleep before a big day. All while waiting for a phone call from an uncle in Richmond about a place to store my big blue bus for 2 weeks (I have to take care of my sisters business while they are on vaca). Out of pure serendipity, my sisters' boyfriend stopped at a lot that usually stores RV's 5 miles from their house to inquire about rates. After explaining my saga, and being told they TOTALLY UNDERSTOOD about the campground (They knew of them and their shiesty ways), the woman agreed to let me park the bus for 2 weeks at no charge. She doesn't know it yet, but any computer this woman needs fixed, it shall be done. So, for the next 2 weeks, I live in a house, with a running shower, and do not have my bus within eyesight....that feels weird.

I had made plans to re-design the website for Front Royal RV Park, and told them I would be there in the afternoon...8:30 is a little late in the afternoon. So, if you like hills (& BIG ones) this place is for you. I'm talking like 30% grades up AND down for 2miles to get there. Then UP a ridiculous skateboard ramp driveway, down a ONE-LANE driveway through private family farms, then into the campground. The place seems deserted...there are only like 6 RV's in the camp. The manager camp up, and politely said..."That's NOT an RV." to which I replied, the State of MA views it as such, as do I. Apparently, the 'owner' has a NO BUS policy. WTF am I to do. this used to be KOA rule, and since they lost KOA status years ago, I really do not see the problem. I'm a single person with a dog & cat, I don't drink, no drugs, I'm quieter than a mouse, and my bus is not an eyeore. They let me stay in a site for the night, and will discuss my fate in the morning. I'm sooo scared that I will TRUELLY be without a place to stay. How long can I stay at a wal-Mart before they consider me a vagrant and kick me out?? ;)

Driving an old skoolie is emmensely fun, and I suggest that everyone try it at least once. As I hit Connecticut the mood of other drivers changed instantly. I started getting smiles and waves, and peace signs... trucks waved, they talked to me on the radio...it seemed like I was popular. New York and New Jersey were totally different stories; but it was compensated when I hit Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia...the welcoming fanfare started right back up, almost on cue. As the fuel filter is on it's way out, the bus only chugs along at a max of 55, and 65 if I can get it going down hill. 8-10MPG...not toooo bad. Things would have been a lot worse had the jeep been following us. i had to jettison the jeep at my best friends' house, as the tow hitch, etc...just couldnt be put on before I left...either I go back and get it in a month (my mom is driving to VA and back) or it gets sold, and I have some funds. All in all, a normal 9hr drive took 14 hours...I watched the TomTom arrival time go from 6pm to 8:30 throughout the day. Slow and steady wins the race.

As usual, my procrastination got the best of me. An 8pm leave time turned into 4am, and came to actuality at 7am. After packing the last bits of my life & the aminals into the bus, we were off. 10 miles from my house I switched on the veggie fuel, and the bus started chugging. Forgot to turn on the booster pump...back to diesel, then back to veg. with the pump operating. BAD NEWS!! something goofed up, and I sat on the side of the highway, 10 mins from my house with a bus that wouldnt start. AAA was more than happy to help, as was my father who drives a truk for a living. AAA's suggestion was to get it towed for $500. Needless to say, in my totally freaking out state, I called my sister, who I HAD to be at her house in VA by 5pm, to say.,.."I just can't do it...I've tried 3X already." As she says 'Hello', I give the bus ignition another go....vrooOOOM!! We were off to hit the pavement. The fuel filter seems to be bad. 55gallons of diesl later, we were in Virginia. It was really upsetting to not be running veggie oil, but I couldnt take the chance of being on the side of the highway again.