Being a Texas native, words such as “winter” or “snow” are completely foreign concepts to me.  I’ve seen the white, powdery dust a few times in my life.  Namely, when I watch the Winter Olympics or the occasional Christmas movie.

Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I saw mountains, trees and rooftops blanketed in sparkling, white snow when MmmK and I visited Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon.  Known for its clarity and deep blue color, Crater Lake is one of the nation’s most breathtaking attractions.

This incredible snow-covered view of Crater Lake gave us the chills, literally and figuratively!

Two chilly dogs shivering in their buns!

I give two enthusiastic numb thumbs up to Crater Lake National Park.  That place is pretty cool.  Ha!

It’s not easy keeping in touch with other Hotdoggers.  The bonds of friendship that adhere us are strong and steadfast, but living in different regions and time zones makes ketchin’ up tricky.  Today, Atta-Dog Adam and I found an unconventional way of spending time together in spite of the sizeable distance between us.

Though separated by over a thousand miles, Atta-Dog Adam and I were faced with a similar dilemma. Equally excited about watching the Mizzou vs. Texas football game on Saturday evening, we were equally crushed when we discovered that the west coast wasn’t broadcasting the game in either Santa Barbara, California or Yakima, Washington (our respective locations).

But when there’s a will, there’s a way! Being the resourceful individuals that we are, we found a way to watch the game online.  Furthermore, we found a way to watch it together!  Even better!

Atta-Dog and I video chatted online while simultaneously watching our college teams duke it out.  Here’s a screen shot of the two of us, wearing our school colors in the privacy of our different hotel rooms.  What a fun way to ketchup with friends!  Even when they’re far away.

Mizzou Tiger Atta-Dog Adam and UT Longhorn A-Dog Alison simultaneously watching the Mizzou vs. Texas football game from two different locations. The image is kind of blurry, but you can see the score perfectly.

Occasions like this just prove that distance can’t come between the most franktastic of friends.  Secondly, Missouri and Texas should be proud to have such devoted alumni representing their alma mater in such remote, far away locations.

Typically, one would think that most people dress their dogs with condiments and toppings.  On the contrary, many people literally dress their dogs in sweater vests, Snuggies and even elaborate costumes. Check out this snazzy little chihuahua I spotted in Seattle!

Hot dog! It's a doggone pirate!

This silly dog gave me a great idea for my own Halloweenie costume…

A Hotdogger disguised as a menacing pirate for Halloweenie

After eating hot dogs smothered in sauerkraut and diced onions, it is only sensible to chew on a refreshing piece of peppermint gum.

I had never seen anything quite like this Wall of Gum in Seattle, Washington.

Thousands of pieces of previously chewed gum. Not your typical outdoor decor.

This colorful and impressive display of previously chewed gum is over 10 years in the making.  Contributors from across the globe have added to this unconventional tourist attraction.

MmmK and I were understandably grossed-out by this spectacle, but at the same time, slightly intrigued, which is why we made our own contributions to this odd phenomenon.

Having some eleFUN with Babar!

Monkeying around with Curious George!

Bob and Larry, two friendly fellows from VeggieTales. They look too good to eat.

Clifford, another big dog. Just like WEENR!

Storming the fairgrounds with the Star Wars Storm Troopers.

Super Why! A champion of literacy, knows how to correctly spell B-O-L-O-G-N-A!

There you are Scooby Dooby Doo!

Penguins from Madagascar sweltering in the California sun.

The Care Bears were so popular that they had a body guard. I couldn't quite mustard up the courage to approach them.

In addition to all of these fun, furry friends, the Wienermobile was still a hit among kids of all ages.  But oh I wish the Power Rangers were there too…

However, driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile comes with a fair share of perks as well.  Namely, gaining access into NFL games like we did when the San Francisco 49ers took on the Atlanta Falcons.

MmmK and I witnessed all of the pre-game activities prior to kickoff.  We interacted with thousands of fans as they got their faces painted and checked out the Wienermobile before the game.

Two Hotdoggers huddled into a 49ers helmet. WEENR is way more commodious.

An aerial view (from the bun roof) of the fun, pre-game festivities. Can you spot MmmK amidst the sea of 49ers fans wearing ketchup-colored regalia?

After the pre-game fun and fanfare, the Hotdoggers were granted access into Candlestick park to watch the big game!

MmmK and A-Dog Alison kickin' back right before kick-off

I had never been to an NFL game before, and the 49ers game was buns of fun!  We had pretty decent seats too.  Furthermore, did you know that Falcons Quarterback, Matt Ryan is considered the Handsomest Quarterback in the NFL according to the Wall Street Journal?  I agree with that assessment.

NFL's Most Handsome Quarterback about to make a game-changing play

But ’twas a glorious week in October when all twelve Hotdoggers reunited for a brief staff meeting in Madison, Wisconsin!  We got to ketchup with our long-lost friends who we hadn’t seen since we separated earlier this summer.

One night during staff meeting, Atta-Dog Adam and I revisited Madison’s own Nitty Gritty restaurant, a charming establishment we were introduced to during Hot Dog High.  And hot dog!  We stumbled upon a framed photo of Hotdogger Class XXII that was proudly displayed on the wall alongside other photos of Wienermobile drivers throughout the ages.

After a few months on the road, my fellow colleagues and I have grown older and wiser from our cross-country travels.  We even developed healthy, sun-kissed tans from our moderate sun exposure.  But don’t worry, we all use sunscreen to avoid toasting our buns.

Class XXII in front of the Nitty Gritty, so young, naive and pale.

It was fun and refreshing to ketchup with the rest of Class XXII again; I miss my fellow Hotdoggers already, but it won’t be long before we reunite again.  I guess we can use our cell phones, facebook and hotdoggerblog to keep in touch for now.

The Wienermobile demonstrating its tight turn radius during Hot Dog High drivers' training

Despite this fact, MmmK and I decided to take alternate transportation upon visiting the legendary Lombard Street in San Francisco, CA.  The Wienermobile has conquered a handful of mountains and hills, but we deemed it wise for WEENR to sit this one out.

Complete with eight sharp hairpin turns, Lombard Street is famous for being the crookedest street in the world.  I’m inclined to think that the Wienermobile would be in quite a pickle if it attempted to tackle this steep, zig-zagging road.

Lombard Street. Kind of resembles a squiggle of mustard.

It is unfortunate that we couldn’t bring WEENR with us to Lombard Street, but he still relished in some great views of San Francisco when he drove across the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.  Lucky dog.

MmmK and I relishing a relic of our past.

An old school Wiener Whistle, my have they evolved!

Regardless of the age discrepancy, Wienermobile vehicles, both young and old, still bring smiles and laughter from kids of all ages.  For instance, MmmK and I have been touring the country for about three months discovering how people top their hot dogs – ketchup, mustard, even mayonnaise!  But upon visiting the 1952 Wienermobile, we had the opportunity to top ourselves and feel like real wieners!  (Hot dog! That pun actually works in the literal sense!)

Hotdoggers topped with ketchup and mustard in a life-size bun of fun! We felt like wieners!

North Plains, OR – Professional golfers were not the only people driving on the golf course at the Safeway Classic LPGA Tournament.  The Hotdoggers drove the Wienermobile right onto the green at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club so WEENR could witness all the action.

WEENR had a front row seat for the 9th hole. Lucky dog.

The Oscar Mayer team served free hot dogs to spectators as they watched hot shots like Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis compete in the golf tournament.  We even fed some hungry athletes in dire need of carbs and protein.

A group of dapper golf enthusiasts quietly watching their sport of choice.

I had never been to a golf tournament before, so going to the Safeway Classic was another new thing I experienced as a Hotdogger.  Hearing people whisper in excitement upon seeing the Wienermobile is quite odd; it’s also safe to say that there were no Wiener Whistles that day – another anomaly in the world of Hotdoggers.

Maybe after my Hotdoggin’ days are over, I’ll take up golf.  It seems like a relaxing enough past time like yoga or riding tandem bicycles. Plus, I found another cool Wienermobile I can drive upon retirement.

This Wienermobile is smiling for the camera, and look - it has dimples!