Craig Gordinier’s story is one of resilience and creativity.
At 28, he found himself at a pivotal moment in life: the choice between returning to the familiarity of his parents’ home or embarking on a unique path.
Craig, embracing the spirit of adventure, opted for the road less traveled and purchased a school bus to call home.
This remarkable journey began in the early days of 2020.
Craig, having experienced a setback with a business deal, found himself in a position of reflection and reevaluation.
He candidly shared his experience with Rachel Ray on Yahoo! News, saying, “After a failed business deal at the very beginning of COVID last year, I ended up, at 27 years old, home on my parent’s couch starting fresh again.”
This moment of introspection was the catalyst for what was to come.
Faced with the prospect of waiting decades to fulfill his dream of traveling the country in an RV, Craig questioned the logic of delaying his aspirations.
Why should he wait until retirement to live out his dream?
This realization sparked a decisive move to embrace his dream sooner rather than later.
Craig’s quest for the perfect mobile home led him to explore various options, from sprinter vans to tiny homes.
Eventually, he found his ideal match: a bus located in South Dakota.
“I started looking at sprinter vans and trailers and tiny homes and buses, and I finally found the perfect bus that was in South Dakota. I flew out there, and I bought the bus,” he explains.
The journey back to Massachusetts in his 1991 Blue Bird school bus was a 28-hour testament to his commitment to this new life.
Upon arrival, the real work began.
Transforming a school bus into a livable space was no small feat.
With the support of his family and friends, Craig embarked on a comprehensive renovation project.
The bus was stripped to its bones, insulated, and then meticulously rebuilt with custom features.
It now features a residential door, a security pad, and a raised roof in the living area, enhancing the sense of space.
Additionally, Craig added lower storage boxes and a deck for transporting his motorcycle, showcasing his attention to detail and practicality.
The bus is not just a means of transport; it’s a fully-fledged home on wheels.
Craig has equipped it with modern amenities like a roof deck, solar panels, and skylights, ensuring comfort and sustainability.
He has also preserved the original driver’s seat area, honoring the bus’s history. “I wanted to keep this history alive. And it’s just such a beautiful thing,” he reflects on his decision to maintain this piece of the bus’s past.
Inside, the bus is a marvel of efficiency and style.
The kitchen is a standout feature, boasting recycled cabinets, convenient slide-out storage, and a custom-built three-burner propane cooktop.
The stainless steel sink, a large freshwater tank, and a fridge and freezer combo cater to all of Craig’s culinary needs.
The espresso bar and a fold-out table he crafted in high school add a personal touch to the space, making it not just functional but also deeply personal.
The bathroom and bedroom are no less impressive.
The bathroom features elegant blue glass tiles and a luxurious rainfall showerhead, with ingeniously hidden storage solutions.
The bedroom, situated at the back of the bus, offers a tranquil escape, complete with a skylight that bathes the space in natural light.
Craig’s philosophy about his unique home is insightful: “Just because houses have rooms does not mean that a bus needs to have rooms,” he told Insider.
“It feels like a mansion on wheels.”
Craig’s transformation of a simple school bus into a cozy, stylish, and functional home is a testament to his vision and craftsmanship.
The bus is not just a place to live; it’s a symbol of Craig’s determination to live life on his terms.
It’s a visual journey through Craig’s dedication, creativity, and the realization of a dream that many only dare to imagine.
To fully appreciate the extent of this incredible transformation, one must see the video below.
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