Driving a bus for the first time ever

Today marks one year since the FIRST time I've driven a school bus, ever. October 1st, 2020.

Here's the story.

It was in a small town I decided to visit one day. I saw something on Google/Apple Maps of a bus charter I wanted to see but was not expecting to find, and that was it. That bus charter was no where to be found at the location it was marked. The phone number also didn't work (I called it out of curiosity).

So then, I went into a nearby grocery store where I asked a guy about it, and he told me to pretty much drive past the side of the store to some backroad... and so I did. I was confused as to where this road was leading to. As I got further down, there was a curve... I take that curve, and moments later I see this full size bus that was painted green, and it didn't take long for me to notice the "FOR SALE" sign. 

I was hooked. I wasn't going to buy it because I have no room to store a bus (nor do I have the money t0 get a storage area for it). If I did have room, maybe I would've bought it that day, but I was hooked to at least get a tour/more info, and maybe drive it (not on the roads). One of my big childhood dreams was that I wanted to get my hands on the steering wheel of a bus. Actually, I used to play a game called "Bus Driver" from SCS Software, so that added on to it.

So, while nervous, I call the phone number written on the sign... and the seller picks up. I ask him about the bus and he tells me more about it... then I tell him my story of always wanting to see and maybe drive a bus. He tells me he can come over and talk to me more about it, and I say let's do it. Not long after, he arrives with his wife.

The bus is a 1996 and from International... I think was an International Carpenter. (I'm not sure.) The (diesel) engine was a DT360, also from International.

We talk about the bus and related things, and after that, I wanted to hear how it sounded, so he gets the keys and turns it over... it fires up almost instantly, and sounds good.

Not longer after talking more about it, I ask if I could drive it around the lot, and to my surprise, he said yes. He taught me how everything works and how to shift into gear, which was already kind of obvious. I put it into gear, release a parking brake... and we're off... slowly, in the parking lot it sat.

It was adrenaline rushing, and it was hard to believe I actually got a chance to do this. The sound from the engine, the feeling on the steering wheel, and being able to steer a large vehicle... I loved it. The seller continued to teach and direct me and all. Not long after, I got to put it into reverse, and turn it around to go park it. Once I get in front of the parking space, I prepare to reverse again... and not long after, I put it in park, and parked it just fine for my first time. Actually, the picture was taken after I parked the bus. The seller shows me how to shut off the bus (there was a little shut off switch I needed to pull to actually shut off the engine).

"You have operated your first bus," says the seller.

It was an amazing experience and a dream come true. Awesome day. It is an experience I don't think I'll ever forget. It may have even been the best day of 2020, after COVID-19 revenged through most the year at that point.

Maybe in the future, I'll have the space to store a bus... and the money to convert one? Hopefully... we'll see.