https://www.facebook.com/2691947370819724/

thelilypadbus, Blythe, CA (2026)

06/07/2023

Just finished episode 3 of Gutted. 😕 Kinda disappointed.

You turned the drama up WAY too high. Of course there will be hiccups, disagreements, and stress. 16 hour days for 5 days is brutal. You’re highlighting that stuff in the previews for episode 4 after the train wreck that was episode 3??

Holy Hades who did the casting?? Billie should never have been on this show. (Honestly I’m not sure about Makita either.) Unless the editors took a whole lot of creative license with Billie’s “on camera” persona, she was a spoiled, entitled brat. Yes that’s harsh but also true to what played out on screen. She talked about everyone on every team like she knew any damn thing. Not someone I want to watch on a show. All the drama at the beginning of this episode almost made me stop watching the series entirely.

I loved the idea of this show because I THOUGHT it would be creative, talented, hard working BUILDERS.

I mean the people in season 1 were amazing! Wes & Chris from Darkwolf Artisans & Offgrid Skoolie , Linnea who’s entire build series can still be watched on YouTube, DualEx who’s talent is backed up by his YouTube channel, Shane Dennis who’s done more builds than I can count. Those are just off the top of my head.

Season 2 you managed people like Stolp Solutions, Chuck Cassidy, Jess from The Painted Buffalo, and Regretlyss. There are more great people in this season but these are the ones I knew of before the show started.

So what in the name of all that is holy qualified Billie and Makita to join?? Unless it’s not really about “building” as much as it’s about followers?

Unless the editors did a hack job, these 2 did NOT belong on this show. They were not qualified for a build show. I can only speculate that Gutted recruited them for their social media following. It’s a little insulting for the people who are watching to see builders do what they do. Be creative, work hard, and turn out awesome works of art that you can live in.

I enjoy most of the people left on the show, so I’ll probably finish out the season. But take some notes IF you do season 3 guys, we don’t want unnecessary drama, we want to see creative people building rigs✌🏻

04/20/2023

Posted • Let’s make #420 a day we can all can celebrate. 💨 Learn more at the link in our bio and then tell your governor to grant clemency for cannabis-related offenses NOW! ✊🏿

04/05/2023

Miracles do happen! 💜

03/21/2023

Today is 1 month since a man in a crossover stopped and asked if I wanted a puppy. 💜
🐾
He’s at least twice the size he was on that day. Him and Finn are still working out their issues, but we can actually take walks altogether like a family should 😉
🐾
Him and Finn are my whole heart and I’m so grateful for the universe hand delivering me this addition to our Skoolie family. I feel unbelievably blessed. For Huck, for Finn, for friends that have become my family. ❤️ I really couldn’t ask for better.
💙

02/26/2023

Everyone meet Huckleberry, the newest addition to the Lilypad fam! He’s an 11 week old Australian Shepherd.
🐾
So on Tuesday, February 21st a man drove up to camp and asked if anyone wanted a puppy. He had just gotten him but for several reasons couldn’t keep him.
🐾
He gave me his crate, a big bag of puppy food, toys, blankets, and his list of current vaccinations. He’s a little behind so we have a vet appointment on March 1st. I’ve spoken to the breeder that Huck originated from and she’s been wonderful in helping me with any background info.
🐾
Finn is still working out his feelings about all this. 😂 But just 5 days in and he’s less mad it seems. Send patience and sanity. (And dog training tips/videos 😉) 🙏🏻 It’ll take a little time, but I know everything will settle down in time.
🐾
Huck is going on day 3 of no accidents inside! 🤞🏻 Tonight is night 3!
🐾
It genuinely feels like he was meant to be with me & Finn. Thanks mom ❤️ Thanks universe 🌎
❤️

02/19/2023

Almost dying was the best thing that ever happened to me. Wild right? Yet, It’s entirely true.
🔆
This month makes it 4 years since I almost died. My life looks nothing like it did back then. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and I’m looking forward to all the things coming my way in the future.
🔆
I’ve made so much peace with my past and found family I never knew were missing from my life, but now couldn’t live without them. I’ve been places I never thought I would go, and I’ve found “home” in more places than I thought possible.
🔆
When I decided to buy my bus and make this drastic life change I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but I never looked back. I never deviated from the path. There were a few times I didn’t think I could make it all happen, but I never doubted my course of action. Not once. I knew I wanted this so everything I did revolved around making the bus dream happen.
🔆
Now, 4 years later, it was all worth it. I wouldn’t change a thing. The only sadness I have at all is that my mom didn’t live long enough to see me find my people. Although I often wonder if she’s the one who sent them to me. ❤️
🔆
If this life is what you want, don’t let anything stop you from going for it. Sure it may not end up being for you, but what if it ends up being all you ever needed with none of the things you don’t. It’s worth the risk to try.

12/13/2022

Okie dokie folks! I’ve been carrying around and not using these things for a year plus! As we nomads know, space is a hot commodity. 😉 I need to free up some space so you’re getting a good deal! Blender was originally $179 I’m asking $75. It’s only been used a handful of times. Comes with everything seen and the book it comes with. You can make smoothies, smoothie bowls, mix bread or cookie dough, make pestos, etc. I believe it’s 1400 watts. The back up camera is a Haloview and I paid $200 for it asking $100. Is never been installed. It just keeps getting moved from storage spot to storage spot 😂 Comes with everything it originally did including the instructions. DM or comment for more info. I’m currently in the Ehrenberg/Blythe area. But Quartzsite isn’t too far of a trip. 🙃 Thanks for looking and feel free to share!

09/26/2022

**Please note that when I told my friend I would be making this post all she asked was that I make clear that until this incident she has very much enjoyed her time in Kansas. Aside from this unfortunate incident it's been a great state!**

On Sunday September 25th 2022 my friend was parked with her converted school bus in a day use area of Melvern Lake, KS. It is named Coeur d'Alene Park Picnic Gorund. All of the signs in the area state that the area is open from 6am to 10pm or sunrise to sunset depending on which sign you are looking at. At 11:30 AM 2 rangers approached her bus yelling the usual "hello anyone home" after several minutes of telling them to come to the drivers side, they informed her they were just "letting her know" there was no camping here. ...At 11:30 AM ...when it clearly doesn't close until MUCH later. She let them know she was aware and would be gone in time.

She left at around 6pm that night and stayed several miles away at the Travel Centers of America. She returned Monday morning around 6:30 am because the view and internet are better at the day use area. Not that she needs an excuse to be at a PUBLIC day use area! She was again approached by the same 2 rangers, Kyle and Hayden. They again told her that there is no camping. She replied that she did NOT camp there last night and they handed her some unverifiable story that possibly a "concerned citizen" reported her saying that there was a bus with a solar panel outside of it camped there all night. No one leaves their NOT SECURED solar panel outside OVERNIGHT in a public area. No other description except "bus with a solar panel outside". Mind you they started the accusation by saying first that it was a someone who works here, then shifted to a volunteer, then again shifted to someone else camped here.

**Continued in comments**

09/13/2022

Today is the last full day for Badge and Ell to be here in The Adirondacks. Tomorrow they head back to Canada. They’ve been here a month but it feels like only a minute.
🔸
Almost 3 years ago I got in my bus and drove myself, and Finnigan across the country to the west where all the nomads were for winter. Badge talked me through every break down along the way 😂 When I finally arrived, scattered and broken from the trip, but also from all the things life had thrown at me in 2019, Badge and Ell were there. When they hugged me it truly felt like some of my broken pieces were fusing back together.
🔸
Having them in my life these last few years, even though they were stuck all the way in Canada until this August, has been one of the highlights of my life. Not everyone will understand how you can meet some people and just know they’ll be with you forever, but as nomads it’s easier to understand.
🔸
Michael saved my life just by giving a tour of his bus for Tiny Home Tours. That led to watching Dean’s YouTube, which led me to learning who Eric and Robbyn of Wanderboom were, which also led to Badge and Ell. Which led to me driving to the desert and learning all the nomad ways from so many people including Lil who’s helped me grow so much in so many ways by just having conversations I didn’t know I should be having! All of these people are amazing and have led me to places and things I never knew were possible. These people are family to me. They are everything to me.
🔸
Badge and Ell have felt like (and treated me like) family from the very first hug and I’m going to miss them beyond measure! But I know I’ll see them again soon, after all I still haven’t gotten to visit Canada yet! That’s the best part of nomadic life, noting that your loved ones are only one trip away! I’m so grateful for every last one of you!
💜

09/09/2022

Bus for sale! 🏷Dog not included 😂 It’s a scary day for me, listing the bus that’s been home to me & Finn for almost 3 years now. But, here it is! DM for more info!
Bus Deets
——————
2003 GMC 3500 cutaway
6.5 turbo Diesel engine
Mileage 186,946
Registered in VT as motor home (transferable registration)
2 new batteries November 2021
New starter November 2021
New fuel pump January 2022
New front tires April 2022
New alternator August 2022
New glow plugs August 2022
New relay August 2022

Build Deets
——————
1” isopoly foam board insulation in walls and floors
Henry’s Tropicool on roof
Vinyl flooring
Fantastic Fan
Sirocco II Fan
15”x17” sink 9” deep
Extendable faucet with 2 spray settings
12 volt shureflo water pump
16 gallon fresh water tank
15 gallon gray water tank
Black out curtains for every window
20 lb propane tank
Dometic 2 burner cooktop
Whynter 62 quart fridge/freezer dual zone
250 watt solar panel mounted on roof
200 amp hour AGM battery
EDECOA Pure sine inverter 3500/7000
Renogy Rover 40 amp MPPT solar charger
Renogy Bluetooth module
30 amp shore power plug in
Brand new diesel heater installed September 2022
Diesel heater fuel mounted outside
L shaped couch with cushions
Couch transforms to 46”x75” bed
Under couch storage
💸
💲35,000 or best offer.

09/07/2022

Read the entire caption, the end will surprise you!
🚌
This bus saved my life. It gave me a life I never knew I needed or wanted.
🛟
When I bought this bus I had just had a heart attack that almost killed me 3 months prior. I almost died and all I really knew was I wanted to live! Truly live. I wanted more, I wanted to be happy.
🫶🏻
A month after I bought this bus, after she helped me remove all the seats and part of the wheelchair lift, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable cancer. They gave her 6-18 months, she only got 5.
💔
More than ever I was determined to get to live the life I had been dreaming of. My mom was my biggest supporter throughout the process even though she knew she wouldn’t be here to see it all. She did get to see me move in to the bus. She passed 6 days later.
❤️
I left everything and everyone I knew 3 weeks later. For 2 & 1/2 years I traveled and met people I could never have imagined even existed! I’ve made friends who’ve become closer than family and I’ve found myself in the process. I’m so grateful for every single second, even the breakdowns and frustrations!
🛠
In the next week or so I’ll be officially listing the bus for sale. Finnigan and I aren’t done traveling. We still have so many places to see and friends to make! Stay tuned for what comes next! Thanks for following along thus far and we hope you’ll continue to follow along as we change it up a bit!

09/01/2022

✳️❗️Appreciation post❗️✳️
A lot of you already know whom this post is about, for those who do not, meet Badge, Everybody needs one!!
🛠
For 2&1/2 years I’ve had quite a few mechanical problems with my bus. A lot of that stems from me not knowing anything mechanical whatsoever and a few mechanic’s who most likely took advantage of that.
🛠
Well now they’ve FINALLY let Badge out of Canada and he has spent the last few weeks completely going through this bus mechanically. He’s fixed EVERYTHING!
🛠
He’s fixed things I didn’t even know were wrong because I had already paid to them fixed by someone else. 🤬 As frustrating as that is, it’s a moot point because now everything works as it should!! It starts, the glow plugs work, the heat works, the battery charger worked correctly, installed a brand new alternator, the diesel heater works again, he rerouted the wires giving me trouble with the starter so I’ll no longer have any issues, and a million more little things I can’t even remember.
🛠
I’m so grateful to have so many amazing humans in my life who genuinely just want to see me happy and thriving. People that have become family in so many ways. There are no words for how much Badge and Ell mean to me and I’m so happy I’ve gotten to spend this time with them. 💜
❤️

thelilypadbus

06/07/2023

04/20/2023

04/05/2023

03/21/2023

02/26/2023

02/19/2023

12/13/2022

09/26/2022

09/13/2022

09/09/2022

09/07/2022

09/01/2022

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