Hotdogger pairs spend a lot of time together; after all, we travel the nation with only one other person.  We drive together, work together, eat our meals together – it’s safe to say we become closer than the best of friends.  We learn a lot of peculiar facts about our co-pilots too, things that don’t necessarily come up in standard conversations.

So here’s an interesting fact you should know about Lil’ Links Laura:

When Lil’ Links was a young girl growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, she really really liked Native Americans. Laura would spend hours reading about Pocahontas and Sacajawea and dream about some day becoming a Native American herself. In fact, Laura loved Native Americans so much – her parents even bought her a pair of moccasins and a bow and arrow! Notice Laura’s approval when we found this giant teepee in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Two thumbs up for a teepee

So, for her 23rd birthday, I thought it would only be appropriate to throw a Native-American themed surprise birthday gathering for my bunderful buddy, Lil’ Links. Hotdogger alumni, All-Beef Allison from Class 21 even paid us a visit in San Antonio to celebrate.  

The birthday girl wearing her hot dog headdress and touting her tomahawk

A proper Native American-theme party is never missing appropriate weaponry

To top off a franktastic evening painting the town ketchup, we decided to storm the Alamo for old time’s sake, even if this reenactment was extremely historically inaccurate.

An inaccurate historical reenactment

Happy Birthday, Lil’ Links Laura!  I bet you will always “Remember the Alamo!”

Voodoo Donuts is a Portland institution. So it was a matter of time before we ended up there while giving a couple of FRANKtastic ladies a ride of their lifetime around downtown Portland. We started the morning off right, showing up with the “Oh I Wish I Were…” Wienermobilehorn on and Wiener Whistles in hand. The ladies boarded the enormous dog, buckled their MEAT belts and we were off!

It was a warm and sunny day, perfect for sharing smiles and good moods. Our VIP shotbun rider for the afternoon hand BUNS of fun waving at pedestrians on the streets of Portland. We caused quite a stir. I doubt many of the people expected to see a 27-foot-long hot dog cruise by when they went out for thier lunch break. Before heading back, we made a stop for some sugary sweets. One of Voodoo’s signature donuts even has bacon on it!

The South Team made a brief stop in New Orleans, Louisiana to try some tasty cajun cuisine and admire the mighty Mississippi River.  The Wienermobile tour is quickly coming to an end for Class 22 so we truly relish our final days together.

The meaty, I mean Mighty Mississippi

While in New Orleans, we also stumbled across some festive accessories that represent where our fellow Hotdoggers went to college.

Some of the schools the Hotdoggers attended prior to Hot Dog High

Rumor has it that Class 23 is just as diverse, smart and hilarious as the current class of Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers.  I can’t wait for you to meat them!

Class 22, passing the torch soon.

At the same time, I have a feeling you’re really gonna miss us.

In Versailles, Kentucky there’s beautiful tall grasses and farms as far as the eye can see. But suddenly, as if almost out of thin air, there’s stone perched upon a tall hill surrounded by a wall determined to keep out the enemy (whomever that may be).

Of course, I had to examine it more closely. After all, castles aren’t something known to be built on American soil. I drove YUMMY up the long and winding road to the steep entrance where a gate sat. As it slowly opened, I saw the small engraved plaque that read, “Castle Post.”

What lies behind closed doors? See for yourself:

Welcome to Castle Post, a structure that was built in the late 1960’s after a couple had returned from Europe and wanted to keep the European fairy tale alive. Unfortunately, they divorced before the gigantic house had finished being built, and it sat as a beautiful tragedy until the early 2000’s, when a Floridian lawyer purchased the establishment and created it as a hotel and fundraising site. In the beginning, it contained seven bedrooms, fifteen bathrooms, a fountain in the driveway, and a tennis court. Now, in addition it has  twelve luxury suites, a library, game room, music room, dining hall, ball room, swimming pool, and formal garden.

King Atta-Dog and Queen Toppings? I think it could work…

Rachel, Chris, Guadalupe, David, Alison, Laura, Torey, Adam, John, Victoria, and Crystal: WE DID IT! For the past twelve months, we have worked together, along with our Wienermobile vehicles, to spread miles of smiles across America. We have visited small towns in big states, big cities in small states, driven on major highways and back roads, over mountains and through tunnels, creating lasting memories both for ourselves and the people we have met. We’ve slept in countless hotels, sat in hundreds of restaurants, and talked to many reporters.

To Class 23: Enjoy the journey. We are passing the torch onto you!

All smiles from Class 22!

When visiting Logan Street Hot Dogs in Gaffney, South Carolina, a group of middle schoolers came to visit us and see their first Wienermobile. One lovely young lady told me a joke that her grandfather had told her. It goes a little something like this:

“One day, a man was walking along the beach when he stumbled upon a lamp. While he was dusting off the stand that stuck to it, it began to shake and swirl. Suddenly, a genie appeared. The genie said, ‘I will grant you three wishes.’ The man first said, “I wish I was in love.’ POOF! He was suddenly in love with a fabulous woman that appeared next to him. The man then said, ‘I wish I had the biggest TV in the world.’ POOF! A 50 ft. television appeared in front of him. He told the genie he was going to flip through channels while pondering what his last desire would be. When he turned it on, he heard a familiar tune and a Wienermobile driving on a commercial. Without realizing what he was doing, he started to sing, ‘Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener…’ POOF!”

Look at all of those hot dogs!

Whenever we’re in a place that allows us to draw on the wall or hang art, we’re quick to grab markers and start sketching out rhomboids (the shape of the Oscar Mayer logo) and hot dogs. At one restaurant Atta-Dog Adam and I chowed down at in Columbia, South Carolina, we left behind a mark to show that the Class 22 Hotdoggers had stopped by in YUMMY!

While I take pride in my driving skills, I unfortunately cannot claim credit for the beautiful paper bag picture. That would be the work of one Atta-Dog. But have no fear! I suggested he draw the road, trees, and bird

Here’s another one we created at an ice cream store in Miami, Florida:

Each year, the Kraft Food truck drivers from the Northeast region compete in a precision course in Frederick, Maryland. Driving their massive machines, they must stop within 15 feet of a line, weeve between cones, reverse carefully, etc. With their families cheering them on and bragging rights for a year at stake, the pressure was definitely on.

Dijon John and I had the chance to get behind the wheel of one of these massive rigs. I look like I fit right in, right?

One of the best perks of traveling the country is meeting so many individuals. You hear their dreams, their life’s pleasures, their love for their family. We’re impacted by their stories and their love of all things Oscar Mayer. One unassuming young boy made all of the difference for me one fateful day while Atta-Dog Adam and I were packing up after our event had ended.

Nicholas, a bright-eyed, brilliant smiling, 8-year-old was watching as we were folding out table, quietly giggling. His mother came up and told us that he has loved the Wienermobile ever since he had first saw it when he was a toddler. Nicholas is suffering from an autoimmune disorder when his immune system is attacking his healthy organs. But, could you ever guess based on Nick’s mood? Never in a million years. I pulled Atta-Dog aside and together we told Nick’s family that we’d love to take him for a ride and have him experience what it’s like being a Hotdogger.

I think Nicholas was a bigger celebrity than the Wienermobile! As we stopped in a gas station to refuel, he was signing autographs!

This young man had more strength and kindness in his heart than I could ever have imagined. After being dubbed “Nacho Dog Nicholas,” he is a permanent member of my Hotdogger family. A true inspiration. Miss you, Nacho Dog!

In Dayton, Ohio, Sam’s Club not only loves Oscar Mayer hot dogs, but they encourage adopting dogs in need as well! While BOLOGNA was in the parking lot during a Saturday this spring, the Wienermobile shared the spotlight with a few adorable dogs who were looking for a home. Local volunteers were grilling up a storm and handing out cookies, with proceeds going to the Children’s Miracle Network. We were so thrilled we could pair up with a few great organizations to help the local community!

Thanks to all of the folks working the event with us.

Everyone was excited to get their Oscar Mayer hot dogs!