Hotdogger Blog

Blazing new trails and reveling in the the beauty around every corner, Joey Bologna and I have had the pioneering spirit while exploring the Northwest.  Since we are from Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively, we aren’t used to seeing mountains lurking at the edge of a parking lot or spotting cowboy hats everywhere we go.  Before we hang up our spurs, we wanted to make sure we paid tribute to the wild west.

Now those are some lunch-lasso-ing cowboys

Back in January, Joey and I saddled up and headed west, feeling like a Lewis and Clark duo.  We were ready to take on new territory.  To really get in the spirit, we had to make a stop at a hat shop in Darby, Montana.  You can tell we knew how to work this western fashion staple (I actually put mine on backwards at first, whoops!).

In Nevada, we explored old mining towns in our own precious gem.  We were looking for a good photo opportunity and struck gold when we found this prospector just outside of Reno.

This guy wanted to trade his silver for the Wienermobile. We wouldn’t give up our buns of gold for anything!

In Oregon, we rode right along the historic Oregon Trail and reminisced about playing the computer game that had elementary students try to guide a party of settlers west.  Frankfully, we didn’t have to try and forge the river and our plush seats are much more comfortable for the long journey.

As we ride off into the sunset, we pause, reflect, and tip our hats to the wild, wild west.

Here's a little cowboy kicking it at our event

To be a Hotdogger, you need mad driving skills.  Hauling around a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels is quite the experience, and you quickly come to gain respect for other massive transportation troopers.  You feel like you are in the same boat. Joey Bologna and I have a one track mind when it comes to big rigs:  We just want to go for a spin!  Some vehicles drive a hard bargain, but most are happy to let road warriors like us snap a photo.  Here are some of our favorites from this year.  At the end of the road, though, there is nothing like getting behind the Wienermobile.

Friends at home used to laugh at me when I would cross a state line and wave “Goodbye!” to one state and “Hello!” to another.  These same people will be happy to know I have carried the tradition on this year, and boy, do I get the chance to do a lot of greeting.  The number of states I have visited in the Wienermobile is already more than 20!  Here are some photos Joey Bologna and I have captured along the scenic krauts of the Northwest.

FUN FACTS:

Top Left: Idaho, the Gem State, produces 72 types of precious and semi-precious stones.

Top Right: The largest snowflake ever observed was found in Montana.  It was almost 15 inches wide!

Bottom Left: Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state!  Spooky!

Bottom Right: Wyoming was the first state to give women the right to vote.

When we aren’t working at official Wienermobile events, Joey Bologna and I aren’t couch potatoes!  We like to get out and see the sites of whichever town our buns are parked in for the week.  Idaho has one bragging right that is no small potatoes.  Their rich volcanic soil, warm days, cool nights and supply of clean water for irrigation make them the number one producer of terrific, tasty taters.  As fanatics of gigantic food look-alikes, we had to stop at the Idaho Potato Museum.

This super spud would make a perfect side dish to a hot dog

The museum was full of potato fun facts, including this little tidbit:  Thomas Jefferson got the credit for introducing “french fries” to America when he served them at a White House dinner in 1802.  The guests thought he was being a bit too fancy!  Imagine that!

Hot dogs also have quite a tradition with Presidential dinners.  President Franklin Roosevelt served King George VI of England hot dogs during a White House visit in 1939. Mrs. Jimmy Carter served hot dogs at a White House picnic in 1977.

Cinderella breezed into the ball in a pumpkin carriage.  Celebrities pull up to the red carpet in stretch limousines.  Kate Middleton arrived at the royal wedding in a Rolls Royce.  But they have nothing on one Fort Worth teen.

This weekend Ben and his girlfriend, Molly, made their grand entrance to the Prom in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

What is usually a bunforgettable event for most high school students was made even more special with a little help from a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels.  Prom is all about celebrating a milestone and we wanted to make that moment even more magical for this life-long Wienermobile fan.

Ben was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident just a few months ago and is currently undergoing physical therapy.  Oscar Mayer was touched by Ben’s story and his love of the Wienermobile so we wanted to take him and his date to Prom in style.

The Wienermobile was the perfect back drop for pictures.  Say Cheesy Weenies!

We even added some franktastic touches to their formal wear by giving the couple a corsage and boutonniere complete with Wiener Whistles!

There were mile-wide smiles all around and we hope we made a good mood memory to last a lifetime.

Seeing the Wienermobile always prompts many questions about the vehicle from visitors.  Where do you wash it?  What is the top speed?  Who does the shop work on it? Since we started our tour of the Northwest, Joey Bologna and have also been asked:  Do you have to put snow chains on that when you go over the mountains?

We learn everything you possibly need to know about the Wienermobile at our training, Hot Dog High.  We often take the vehicle to fire stations to borrow equipment to wash it. The Wienermobile can drive up to 65 miles per hour on the Interstate – It can really haul buns!  We take the vehicle for a monthly check-up at Penske to make sure our Top Dog is in tip-top shape.  And, on the rare occasion, the Wienermobile may need snow chains for extra traction.

While traveling over the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we encountered a portion of the highway that required chains.  So just like all of the other vehicles on the road, we pulled over to have an expert put them on for us.

We made Leo a special "I chained it" sticker

Leo had the biggest grin on his face when we pulled over to his spot off the side of the highway.  We weren’t yanking his chain, we needed his help! Safety is our number one priority!

Smiley Kylie waiting for the old "ball and chain" to be all chained up. Look how tall the snow banks are!

We did see quite a chain reaction from all of the other cars passing by.  A news crew even stopped to interview us about our Mercedes Buns.

This scenic-kraut was even more beautiful in the snow

When was the last time you picked up a box of crayons and colored?  I don’t mean you made a to-do list, doodled on the corner of a Power Point handout, or even highlighted an important sentence in an essay.  But honest-to-goodness, colored?

Let me tell you, it had been far too long since I delved into the brilliant art form that is often regarded as something for grammar school kids.  But when I finally dusted off that old box of Crayola crayons at our event in Seaside, OR, I was thrilled at the result!  What a fantastically soothing way to brighten up a rainy day!

Voilà! My Wienermobile Masterpiece!

Joey Bologna and I spent an afternoon coloring and reading our favorite books with kids at the Seaside Public Library.  A story that always made me laugh growing up was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  One of the greatest things about being a Hotdogger is that you get thousands of chances to turn frowns like Alexander’s upside down.

So, how about you?  Have you ever waved to the Wienermobile while stuck in traffic?  Have you broken out in a fit of giggles in a grocery store parking lot?  Did you catch a glimpse of that beaming beacon of orange and yellow and have the urge to break out in song?

Here’s to spreading miles of smiles with the Wienermobile, and the little things in life that make your day a little less terrible, horrible, no good, very bad after all!

IWSHIWR, YUMMY, WEENR, OH I WISH…

As you peruse through the Hotdogger Blog you will see the names of the vehicles that make up the Wienermobile fleet.  At first glance, the Wienermobile vehicles all look the same.  However, any Hotdogger will tell you, after driving a Wienermobile around for months at a time, you start to feel personally attached to your assigned Mercedes-Buns.  While all six vehicles spread miles of smiles, each has their own personality and quirks that make it special.  Like your first car, we all have a special place in our heart for a certain Wienermobile.  The name of the vehicle brings back memories, adventures, and moments to relish for a lifetime.

Knowing what pride we have in the name of the vehicles, I was so excited when I saw this boat docked in Newport, OR.  It was a thrill to see my name in big bold letters on the stern of this boat.  Smooth sailing, Kylie!

I brought the "smiley" to the Kylie

IWSHIWR all set up for some fun at Fred Meyer

Even on a blustry day in Warrenton, Oregon, fans came from far and wide to see the Wienermobile.  Visitors were able to warm up with a hot dog on this chili-dog day and celebrate spotting the vehicle with a Wiener Whistle.

Even the Fred Meyer mascot, Fred Bear, joined in the fun. Hotdogger sandwich!

Upon our arrival in Newport, Oregon, Joey Bologna and I went fishing for some fun and happened upon the Oregon Coast Aquarium.  Nestled in Yaquina Bay, the aquarium was once the home of Keiko, the orca who starred in the movie Free Willy.  With all of the indoor and outdoor exhibits, we knew we were in for a whale of a time.  From sea lions and sea otters, to star fish and sea horses, the world was our oyster!

What a catch! Upon seeing this giant fish at the entry we knew we would have a swimmingly good afternoon.

These guys got our seal of approval. They were our favorite animal at the aquarium!

Now that's a jaw dropper! We love to take a bite out of fun!