Hello! My name is Lexis. I’m 21 years old and I love to travel and see new places. After high school, I knew I didn’t want to go straight to college. I’ve never been much for books or sitting in a classroom, and I wasn’t sure what career I wanted.
I thought there might be other ways to enjoy life besides school, and I could always decide about college later. During and after high school, I traveled a lot with my mom. We went to islands and different places in the states. It was always exciting to explore, meet new people, and see new things.
I worked five days a week and saved my money, which gave me time to think about what I really wanted to do. When I was 18, after an outdoor trip with my mom, I discovered how much I loved being outside, camping, and enjoying peaceful places.
We used to camp in our 1965 Serro Scotty Hilander travel trailer. It was fun to take it to campsites and set up camp. My mom didn’t want to tow anything, so she decided to convert a bus into a home. Watching her work on her bus made me want a mobile home too.
I followed others on Instagram who traveled the world in vans and buses. I wasn’t sure if I should get a van or a bus because of the changing weather in my state. We have long, cold winters, so I thought a bus would be better.
It has more space, which is good since I’d be inside a lot during the winter months. On February 6, 2017, when I was 18, I finally found the perfect little pale blue short bus after months of searching online and in local ads. I had been saving my money and was really hopeful.
I quickly contacted the seller and crossed my fingers, hoping it was still for sale. After waiting for what felt like forever, I got a message saying the bus was available and I could see it that night. My mom and I drove out, took the bus for a test drive, and then I went home to think it over.
The next day, we went back and I bought the bus with my own money. It was a 1989 short bus and now it was mine. My mom had already converted her own bus into a tiny home, so she knew exactly what to do.
I didn’t know how to redo floors, build cabinets, set up solar panels, inverters, and batteries, or wire anything.
But my mom taught me all of that. She was patient and knew so much, and I was grateful to learn from her. My dream was to be able to drive my bus anywhere, anytime. I wanted to stop wherever I wanted and feel comfortable in my little home on wheels.
When I was 18, I saw a great chance to really enjoy life by traveling in my converted bus, which I call “Lola.” It’s even more fun because I get to travel all over the US with my mom and her converted bus.
I started an Instagram page to share photos of my bus, the changes I make, travel stories, and tips. It’s amazing to see how much I’ve learned and how many people I’ve met in such a short time. I never thought I’d inspire so many people from around the world or have so many followers.
I also started an online business on Etsy to help pay for my travels and work while I’m on the road. When I got Lola, the inside was empty, so I designed it to fit my lifestyle in the small space available.
I placed the bed in the middle, which let me add a bathroom in the back left corner and a storage table in the back right corner. I chose the bed’s location carefully so it wouldn’t block the back door. I like being able to use the back door to step out and enjoy the views wherever I park.
The bathroom has a toilet and a shower in one area. It has a portable shower head, a drain in the floor, and a shower curtain that I can tuck away when not in use to save space.
The shower in my bus works both when I’m parked at campsites (on-grid) and when I’m traveling in remote areas (off-grid). When I’m on-grid, I can connect to a campsite’s water. Off-grid, I use a portable, pressurized shower called a “Rinse Kit.”
I chose a small bathroom because I don’t spend much time there compared to the rest of the bus. Since my home is tiny, a big bathroom isn’t necessary. During the day, I set up my space with two couches to make the most of my floor area. At night, these couches turn into a full-size bed.
The dining area is simple and nice, with two chairs and a round, slate-tiled table. The curtains in the dining area are split in two, so I can enjoy the outdoor view while eating. In the kitchen, I have appliances that work both on-grid and off-grid.
I have a microwave, a small Keurig, a Gas-one Dual burner butane stove top, an electric frying pan, pots and pans, a Camp Chef Camp Oven, and a mini fridge at the back of the bus. This setup lets me cook comfortably whether I’m parked or on the move.
I decorated my bus, “Lola,” with my own ideas, which made her very special and unique. I wanted my space to show who I am and what I love. I’m really happy with how it all turned out. Choosing the decorations for my tiny mobile home was all about what would make me happy.
Now, I’m 21 years old and I love everything about my travels. My bus conversion is finished, and my plan is to keep exploring and visiting new places. I also enjoy sharing these adventures with my mom and her own converted bus.
I’ll be going to Tiny House Festivals, Craft Fairs, and other events across the US. I share my travels with my followers to inspire more people to live their dreams. Hope to see you on the road!
Follow Lexis on Instagram and Facebook.
