Ok, so you probably have no idea who a Hotdogger is and what a Hotdogger does.
Well, it’s one of us, the guys and gals who drive the Wienermobile, criss-crossing the country, looking for bridges that are high enough to drive under so we don’t get stuck . We thought it was only fair that you get to see the inside of the Wienermobile – including the people driving it. So, that’s why we created this blog. We hope you enjoy reading our stories and experiencing what being a Hotdogger is all about. We appreciate every wave we receive on the road and are thrilled you’re reading and commenting here.
We’ll try to respond if we can… (after all, there’s a lot of ground to cover). – The Hotdoggers
For many, it might get exhausting constantly having your picture taken. OH I WISH and the other Wienermobile vehicles know exactly what that is like, but luckily our Wienermobiles are pros. They always look frankastic! Here are some examples of how OH I WISH takes bunbelievable photos.
OH I WISH along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, GA
OH I WISH at Sawgrass in Jacksonville, FL
OH I WISH overlooking the Appalachian Mountains
Even behind bars at the Ohio State Reformatory, OH I WISH looks good
BUN fact: These gates at the Ohio State Reformatory were used in the Harrison Ford film Air Force One.
As Hotdoggers we love playing “tourist” on off days as we travel the hot dog highways of America. Phila-dog-phia, Pennsylvania is a city of firsts (first American flag sewn there, home to the first computer [1946], first daily newspaper printed, first presidential mansion), and we enjoyed our first visit.
We took WNR MBLE to East State Penitentary, the first prision of its kind in the world! The building is now considered a “living ruin” and is surrounded by modern city. Ketchup Kylie and I enjoyed meandering through the spooky jail.
We decided to visit the famous Gino’s Steaks. I have to say, the sandwiches were dyl-icious.
We even got to spend some quality time with the Liberty Bell. It was franktastic to spend some time in Phila-dog-phia.
I had the joy of touring Arkansausage during my first six months of driving the Wienermobile, and I managed to see a good portion of the Natural State. Here are some photos from our stops:
Stopping at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, AR.
Fishing at Lobo Landing in Heber Springs, AR. What a catch!
Trying to single-handedly take on this giant Arkansas Razorback football player!
Schnitzel Itzel posing next to the River Market in Little Rock, AR.
Oscar Mayer has given me one of the greatest opportunities in the world. Besides being on a coast-to-coast wiener roast, I get to do things I would have never had the chance to do otherwise. Here are some of the highlights from the first half of the year.
I grilled my first hot dog over an open flame at the Wilmington, NC KOA.
Met a cool cat that shares the same name as this “Lucky” dog in Pittsboro, NC.
Saw seven states at once from Look Out Mountain outside Chattanooga, TN.
Had the chance to MEAT up with the Planter’s Peanut Mobile in Jacksonville, FL.
While cruising around the Blue Ridge Parkway Lucky Dog, OHIWISH, and I stopped in the small town of Little Switzerland, North Carolina. According to locals, the LTLLINK sized city boasts a population of about 50 bunderful people. The quaint town welcomed the Wienermobile with open arms… and about half the population! Bun fact: At its highest altitude, Little Switzerland reaches as high as 150 Wienermobile vehicles stacked bumper to bumper.
When Lucky Dog Lauren and I roll into a new city we think to ourselves “water we going to do while we’re here!?” We make it a point to go to local eateries, community events, and, when available, we go to national, state and local parks. Along our trip we’ve found a love for one of mother nature’s most awe-inducing features: waterfalls. We seek them out everywhere we go, disobeying American R&B group TLC every chance we can.
This waterfall (Raven Cliff Falls) drops about 15.5 Wienermobile vehicles(stacked bumper to bumper)and can be seen from a trail near Caesar’s Head State Park in the high country of South Carolina.
The photo above is of Rainbow Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, TN. This 82 foot falls resides on a trail that spans the distance of over 1263 Wienermobile vehicles.
OHIWISH was starting to feel left out, so we managed to track down a stunning waterfall that didn’t require a lot of hiking, which is the one thing our Lamborgweenie has trouble with. Minnehaha falls in Minneapolis Minnesota was what we found. With the help of the coleslAWESOME employees at the nearby Sea Salt Eatery we managed to get this bunderful picture of OHIWISH.
Dijon know? Minnehaha Falls is the subject of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha.”
Many people often wonder what it would be like to ride on top of the Wienermobile in parade. Well, I consider myself a pretty lucky dog to be able to say that I have. The seat is comfortable, the ride is smooth, and the view is bunderful. It’s nice to see the world from a new perspective, and this is one scene I’ll never get tired of.
Do you want to dazzle your friends with some frank-tasticWienermobile knowledge? Well, here are some bun-facts that will leave them in awe, and maybe even help you win a special prize if you see us playing “Wienermobile Trivia” at one of our events.
TRUE of FALSE?
There are currently 6 Wienermobile vehicles on the road. (TRUE)
The Wienermobile has been around for 62 years. (FALSE- 2011 marked the vehicle’s 75th anniversary)
The Wienermobile has a horn that plays the Wiener Jingle. (TRUE)
Hotdoggers go through a two week training called Hot Dog University. (FALSE- Hot Dog High)
Oscar Mayer’s son thought up the concept of the Wienermobile. (FALSE- Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer)
The Wienermobile has clouds painted on the ceiling. (TRUE)
The 2004 and 2009 models on the road today are much smaller than the Wienermobile of the 1950s. (FALSE- Standing at 27 feet long, 8 feet wide and 11 feet tall, the newer models are the largest yet)
By Sara Haines, Correspondent, NBC’s TODAY Show @sarahaines
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to ride around with some real life “Hotdoggers” in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Aside from the instant smile and giggles bubbling over when you see the automotive, I had no idea the depth of the experience in its entirety.
Yes, the hot dog on wheels gets a reaction from everyone everywhere it goes. BUT, just like in life, if you are too busy pointing fingers and laughing, you may never get to the layers inside the bun (Sorry, I had to…these puns rubbed off on me instantly.) Each year, over 1500 people apply to be the lucky recipient of the Hotdogger title and only 12, yes that’s right, ONLY 12 people ultimately become Hotdoggers. My ride in the Wienermobile experienced plenty of laughs, but once I learned what an amazing opportunity this Hotdogger program is and JUST how competitive it is, my giggles and laughter crept out with a new reverence. I was truly honored to share the road with two of these amazingly talented, intelligent, and self-deprecating brand ambassadors, Dyl-icious Dylan and Ketchup Kylie.
My day started out with Hot Dog High. I tried to pay attention, but once I got my hands on that Wiener Whistle, there was no coming back. I vaguely remember taking notes, but if you had to pick them out of a line up, you may want to think more “doodles.” Then, we jumped in the “party bus” (aka Wienermobile)…well, that is what I was calling it. I got the best job in the bun (yep, another one) because I got to play on the microphone. And “play” I did. After a few rounds of “I say Oscar, you say Mayer…OSCAR Mayer, OSCAR Mayer!” We decided that I needed a name in order to make me official. The birthing of my name may have been the funniest part of the entire day. It was word games galore with a couple of “phone-a-friend” moments to other Hotdogger teams. Final answer – “Sizzling Sara!”
By the time we got to the event, my stomach hurt from laughing. I loved seeing the kids and their faces when they got the whistles (they were ALMOST as excited as I was to get one.) It was also special to see these military women/men sending off post cards to friends and loved ones.
After riding in the Wienermobile AND getting my official name, I found my groove. As I claimed “shot bun” on our way out, and declared a corner of the back closet mine, Dyl-icious Dylan and Ketchup Kylie reminded me that I couldn’t stayL Although I got a glimpse inside the bun of this brand ambassador-ship, my time had come to an end. This amazing program was MUCH more than I ever could have imagined. The old adage’ is true; you should never judge a hot dog by its bun : )
Now watch Sara from NBC’s TODAY Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda experience as an honorary Hotdogger below:
