Computer Operations at Outreach Locations is still a faint headline on the side of my Bluebird Blue Bus. Indeed, it once was a mobile computer lab for the Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana. The front simply says COOL Bus.
This is the “Cliff Notes” version of the story, but you can trust me when I say the bus is cool and I like hanging out in it. Although sometimes it is simply a handy storage unit, ultimately it is my traveling creative studio and happy place.
My Bob helped me buy it sometime around 2005. In it, I’ve made art and written poems; I’ve taught art classes to some of the gifted students at the Missoula County Public schools and so many Missoula preschoolers; I’ve hosted birthday parties for young ones; I’ve even used it for the Hellgate High School Football team parent tailgate party bus.
And I’ve taken it on a few epic trips including to the top of a ridge overlooking Missoula. I tend to compose my best work from the top of that spot. This picture doesn’t show the big view, but the passenger side of the bus overlooks the whole valley. Maybe one day the bus will rest in peace on that ridge but until then, it lives behind the garage. Sometimes I drive it around town just to see who will smile and wave.
I plan to update the paint job and make it so COOL = Creative Opportunities On Location and use it as part of my Missoula MiniGolf project.