Out in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona was a meeting of mostly nomadic people, living and traveling (mostly) in converted buses. If you came in a van, tent, overland vehicle, or anything else, you were welcomed just the same. It was Skooliepalooza; the ungathering of 2023.
Why We Came
We had waited two years to have the opportunity to see this many buses/ skoolies all in one place and we were so excited to see other peoples rigs. Not everyone who has a skoolie has all the know how on how to convert one. Some have bought there’s already converted. Some may have paid someone else to build it out for them. And then there are the ones who do have skills and can do the whole thing themselves. No matter which way, it comes down to us wanting to see and tour peoples creations. We wanted to see how they were able to transform their space.
Tours
Shawn built out his and his wife’s bus beautifully! The space is so well utilized and actually looks bigger on the inside than the outside. I don’t think I did it justice by filming it on the phone; a GoPro would have worked better. You can find this kind and down to earth couple over on Instagram oldschooladventurevan.
Josh and Emily with Aurora the Adventure Bus come in with a very big conversion. Big on size and big on details. Thank you to this lovely couple for giving us a tour of their beautiful home.
Why We Will Return
If you have had the chance to read any of our other blogs then you might have noticed a theme; that we’re blown away with people’s kindness. The people we are encountering out there on the road as a family has been nothing short of wonderful. Skooliepalooza has been the same. We came for the buses but it’s the people that made the most impact on us!
Peoples smiles, their willingness to share information, their creativity and knowledge , and their kindness are bringing us back. If we met you, if we talked to you, then for sure the above sentence pertains to you!
Other Fun Things:
If you don’t think you can travel with pets, think again. We travel with our rabbit, Bob. At Skooliepalooza we met people traveling with a horse. A lady had chickens, and two other people had goats. There were cats and dogs as well.
Meggan showed us how the desert illuminates at night. She showed us glowing rocks and a spider that bio illuminates! You can find her and here cool rig Amber @amber.the.ambulance on Instagram.