After Hotdogger Challenge week, Troy and I headed to Charlotte, NC. I don’t know if you have noticed, but every single time Troy and I go to Charlotte the Wienermobile breaks down. So naturally, when I saw Charlotte on the schedule I was worried. In addition to being on the schedule, I also had three off days there. I don’t like Charlotte (because of all the breakdowns), so I wanted to leave. Therefore, I bought a plane ticket to Phoenix, AZ to go visit Luke during his week in Tucson.
Well, as luck would have it, the Wienermobile broke down in Charlotte an hour and a half away from the airport and so I missed my flight. Just ruin my life some more please Charlotte. However, the airline (after some teary eyes) got my butt a seat on the next flight out for free. So I found myself in Arizona.
Because of the flight time change, Luke had to rent a car and come get me from Phoenix (rather than just picking me on on his way to Tucson in the Wienermobile). I got lucky and realized a team of nuts was residing in Phoenix, so I spent the evening hanging out with them and exploring this light festival thing. Then Luke retrieved me and we headed to Tucson.
Tucson was filled with lots of fun adventures. Luke and I signed up for a mini astronomy class at Kitt Peak National Observatory. IT WAS SO COOL. We drove the Wienermobile (yes, the Wienermobile) way up on this mountain with all these observatories and research facilities. We were able to use the telescopes as well as take a lesson on star gazing. The views, the sunset, and the stars were pretty incredible.
Luke and I also went on a hike up Tumamoc Hill. It was steep and hot and I was horribly out of shape and Luke was not and the whole thing was a sad look for me. But it was awesome and had great views…. so, worth it.
The rest of the time was filled with good food, exploration, and quality Luke Pitzo time 🙂 It was a trip for the books.
Once I was back in Charlotte, very little happened. We did “meat up” with the parents of our Nutmobile friend and go to dinner. Troy and her parents all wore panthers jerseys and I proudly sported by Falcons jersey (Falcons had beaten the panthers that day IN CHARLOTTE). No one at the dinner place liked me, but thats okay.
The week after Charlotte was pretty wonky. So, there are two Wienermobiles in the southeast: WNRMBLE and OHIWISH. OHIWISH is a reserve vehicle. Our boss wanted the reserve vehicle back up in Wisconsin, so Troy and I were asked to drive it back up. However, once we dropped it off we would still need another vehicle to keep driving around in. Therefore, we were asked to drive both vehicles up from Charlotte, NC to Madison, WI.
Driving from Charlotte to Madison (using the route we were supposed to take) takes about 16 hours. Thats with no traffic, no stops, and no people asking questions about your giant hot dog. The whole trip ended up taking about twenty hours split up into two days, and Troy and I were each driving a Wienermobile alone.
It was a lot, but we are always down for an adventure. I was able to stop by my friend Jake’s house along the way too, which definitely made the drive worth it! But Troy and I were both pretty relieved when we got to Madison and were back in the Wiene together.
Sadly, WNRMBLE did not survive the journey… we had to leave her, rather than the reserve Wiene, at the shop and say our final goodbyes to our sweet wiene. I’m not going to lie, I cried. We just have so many good memories with her and she is family. But she needed a long trip to the spa, and who am I to deny her that. We wrote our final message to her in the closet wall and kissed her goodbye. WNRMBLE, you’re in my heart forever.
Our next destination was Milwaukee! My best friend and college roommate, Paris, was actually in Milwaukee while I was there. I was so excited, because as you know, its always great to see best friends on the road. Troy left for our off days, so we had a bunch of quality girl time. Paris showed me around Milwaukee, took me to a Christmas market, fed me home cooked meals, introduced me to her friends, and provided lots of hugs. It was heaven ❤
I LOVE PARIS
At the Christmas market, I discovered my new favorite brand: POOK. I bought myself a sock hat from them and its still my favorite item of clothing. I’ve since purchased a sweatshirt, pants, sock monkeys, and presents for family.
Paris and I were also able to stop by Luke’s house for a home cooked meal with his mom and dad. This was of course, fantastic, and a great way to end our time together in Milwaukee. Before we left, however, we had one more stop.
The folk fair in Milwaukee….ahhh the folk fair. A fantastic time. Truly. Until the 16 bus loads of kids unloaded all at once while Troy was on his lunch break. I struggled, but came out on top after showing a few kids firm no messing around Dot. It was a relief of the greatest sort when I saw Troy sprinting down the street with his lunch in a to go box. God bless that boy.
Oh, another fun tid bit about Milwaukee. The day I left they had found a body in the house next to the inn where I was staying. Forensic investigations was there and everything. Pretty crazy. ANYWAY, ONTO CHICAGO!
Chicago was brief, but crazy. Troy and I got to go for the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (Chi-Tag if you’re cool…. we are). It was a two day crazy fair where all sorts of game and toy venders showed up: Medieval Times, Bicycle, Yoyo, etc…. the basics you know? If your kid came dressed as a Frozen character, they got in for free. That kind of vibe. So fun, very long hours, but worth it.
Troy and I also got the honor of participating in a Kraft Heinz Podcast. So Kraft Heinz is coming out with a podcast highlighting some of the super cool jobs people do in their company. Each episode will be about one of those jobs. Well, guess who they picked to interview for the first episode? You got it! Me and Troy! It won’t be out for a while, but I’m sure everyone will listen when the release day arrives 😉 Some of the other stories they will tell are pretty cool too. Example? The guy who designs and makes the noodle shapes for the Kraft Mac N Cheese. Oh baby, you know that one will be exciting. I’m going to be enthralled when it comes out. Not being sarcastic. Not joking. I’m pumped. How would you like to be the noodle master?
Other good parts of Chicago? I got to meet and eat dinner with Troy’s family. I LOVED them. Such great people, and they were very patient when Troy ruined the front lawn by driving the Wienermobile through it. I also got to meet Luke’s sister and best friend when the 3 of us when out for drinks! Also a pleasure.
Oh, did I also mention that Troy and I got to sleep on the top floor of the corn cob buildings that overlook the city/river in Chicago? Well, we did. Here was our view:
Not too shabby, huh? And to think, I was just sleeping next to a dead body in Milwaukee. Well, shout out to Jake Campbell for letting us sleep in his family’s apartment. You’re the bomb.
After Chicago, I flew back home for “Franksgiving”. Luke also came with me back to Atlanta! We headed straight for the lake went the rents and spent a relaxing day there. We played with all the animals, went for boat rides, went to the range, and even made some pizzas (#pizzapitzo). Then we came back to Atlanta to meet up with some high school friends and see the botanical gardens. When Luke left (sad), Genevieve came (happy!) with Liza!!! We spent the next few days celebrating and being thankful as a family for all that we have and boy do we have a lot! A healthy baby, a dream job, and lots of love. Not much more you could want. Of course this time was also spent visiting extended family and close friends. We also decorated the Christmas tree. It passed quickly, but I can’t stay away from the Wienermobile for too long. You know that.
Luke and me at the lake 
Luke and Mouse 
Botanical gardens 
Me and G
So I headed back to work Where did I head to next? Check the next recap to find out!
As always, “franks” for coming to “ketchup” with me,
Hot Diggity Dot
Hot Dog Dot and the Wienermobile! 