Trip Features (Scroll down for updates)

Getting Around- This trip is truly about building community. Therefore, people we meet in our first city (randomly chosen from a list of twenty at Kickoff, see Kickoff post for more info) will decide where our next destination will be. The place will have to be within reasonable driving distance and in a new state we have not yet visited on the Campaign. We will follow similar procedure in each subsequent city. Eating- There is nothing like the experience one has at an authentic, local diner. Therefore, the stallions will turn their backs to the giants of Fast Food America. Chain restaurants will be completely banned on their journey. Even grocery purchases will need to be made at the Ma & Pop Shops. Driving- How can one build community when isolated in a car, you ask? By not allowing the use of any maps, atlases, or globes, these boys will be forced to trust their instincts and the guidance of others as they move from town to town. T-shirts & Hats- Armed with 40 bright yellow t-shirts and multiple funky hats, the stallions will make their presence known everywhere they go. Excess t-shirts will be exchanged for t-shirts of people we meet that represent something about where they come from. Bigger or Better- For those unfamiliar with this game, the objective is to start with a small, insignificant object and trade it for something bigger or better with complete strangers. You continuously do this with your new object until you have an amazing item. The stallions will be playing with the ultimate goal of receiving a van for everybody's favorite nonprofit, STLF. Souveigners- The boys realize the importance of documenting their trip for the generations to follow. Therefore, at every stop a bumper sticker or decal of some kind will be purchased to remember that stop. These will be added to the STLF Van once acquired.

The Kickoff [Dec 30, 2006]

As the rain pattered down outside on the soggy ground, people from near and far gathered in the 1309 8th St. Residence of the Marcy Homes Neighborhood of Minneapolis for a very special night in the history of community. Stories would be told, ridiculously large 'safe travels' cards would be exchanged, Guitar Hero would be played, and, most importantly, the initial destination of the fellas would be determined in this night of Mayhem.

Months before the trip, it was determined that the stallions would launch their Campaign from a small yet compelling town in one of the four neighboring states of Minnesota. This place was sure to be obscure so that people would be crazy enough to help the stallions and small so that story would soon become legend in the local folklore. One very well-researched man, a scholar and a gentleman some say, put many long hours into assembling a list of places from which the first stop on the Campaign would be picked. There were twenty towns in total, a non-partisan five from each of the four neighboring states. These places and an interesting tidbit about each is included below:

Rugby, ND - Geographic Center of North America
Blanchard, ND - World's Tallest Structure
Strasburg, ND - Lawrence Welk Birthplace
New Salem, ND - Cow on a Hill
Fort Ransom, ND - Little Yellowstone Park

Sisseton, SD - N/S Continental Divide
De Smet, SD - Laura Ingalls Wilder
Garretson, SD - Devil's Gulch
Marty, SD - Yankton Treaty Monument
Roslyn, SD - International Vinegar Museum

LeMars, IA - Blue Bunny Ice Cream Factory
Dyersville, IA - Field of Dreams
Allendorf, IA - Tallest Point in IA
Indianola, IA - National Balloon Museum
Winterset, IA - Covered Bridges

Spring Green, WI - House on the Rock
Mosinee, WI - Drew's Hometown
Egg Harbour, WI - Door County
Ogema, WI - Timms Hill, Tallest Point in WI
Friendship, WI - Why Not?

Expressions of excitement, nervousness, and even boredom filled the room...

Excitement



Nervousness



Boredom

In a hat blessed by the signature of the late Buck O'Neil were placed three copies of each of these destinations. The chosen place would be the first in which all three copies of its name were drawn. In semi-dramatic fashion, the fellas learned their first stop on this epic journey would be...

Roslyn, South Dakota, Home of the International Vinegar Museum


After some intense research, the stallions learned the Vinegar Museum is closed during the winter, however Jimmy Jays Bar & Grill is up and running at full capacity. Who knows what is bound to happen in a town of 225 on New Year's Eve. Stay tuned.

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