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.

Dingus Sprinting with the Flattery's: Knoxville, IA [Jan 1 - 2, 2007]

The road to Knoxville was long and uneventful, but the stallions found exciting ways to pass the time.





There were only two stops made along the way, plus a drive thru the dinky casino capital of the world in North Sioux City, SD.



Eric's Casino fittingly looms in the background

The stallions knocked out their 3rd state of the Campaign with friendly Iowa.




A stop at a De Soto Kum & Go later that evening brought the boys from Minnesota head to head with a Texas Tech alumnus, who couldn’t help but show off his guns after Tech’s 31 point comeback in the Insight Bowl against the Gophers.




A couple from Provo, UT was also filling up that evening. Ironically, they were familiar with Robert Putnam’s books on community.




Now pulling into Knoxville, the world-famous Raceway and Sprint Racing Hall of Fame and Museum towered overhead like Knoxville’s own majestic sky scraper. As the stallions rolled up on the Flattery residence, they were welcomed with genuine Iowan hospitality and an amazing tater tot casserole. Not only were the boys impressed by the cooking skills of Dawn, they were wowed by her t-shirt making abilities and were grateful to receive these classics.




The stallions thoroughly enjoyed their time with John & Dawn, daughters Amanda & Ashley, and Ashley’s boyfriend Greg.






Unfortunately, their basement was undergoing construction and their 5am jobs at Pella made it impossible for the boys to stay the night. Much to their surprise, Dawn had planned ahead and used her bartering skills to get them a room at the world-famous Red Carpet Hotel where such legends as Kasey Kahne & Tony Stewart had previously stayed. John & Dawn had also lined up a 9 am tour or the Museum and Hall of Fame in town with the Executive Director, Tom. This would be one hour before the museum actually opened to the public.

Over at the hotel, the stallions were greeted by charismatic manager Vicki with her Australia (actually, New Zealand) and her fluffy dog.




She already had the room all heated up, and mentioned the Dingus Lounge as the ideal hangout spot for the evening. After a much needed check of Facebook with the free wireless internet, they headed down the road to the Lounge located directly across from the Raceway. Appearing to be a hole-in-the-wall from the outside, the boys soon learned the Dingus carried a reputation much larger than its size. Warmly greeted by bar owner AJ (who, for the record, looked much younger than his actual age), Justin (aka Smirf, Jackhammer, and Spark Plug), and Matt, among others, the boys talked everything from racing and the Mayhem of the Knoxville Nationals in August to Hawkeye and Gopher football. So hospitable was AJ and his gang that they took care of the boys that night with drinks and t-shirts on the house.





AJ and the Dingus gang will not be soon forgotten by the stallions.




After a short-lived night’s rest and a wonderful continental breakfast and a farewell to Vicki, the boys were anxious to meet the man of the town. Tom knew his sprint car racing history for a man who had only ridden in such a car once. The stallions had no idea how thrilling and fascinating this sport was until spending some time with Tom, viewing the famed raceway, and touring the museum.




Tom gave them the history of sprint car racing in Iowa, which involved 14 track fatalities until the unique wings were installed on cars. These wings improved both safety and performance for the cars and revolutionized the sport.




During the tour, the boys learned that one member of the Hall of Fame, Jerry Richert, Sr. hails from Forest Lake, MN, hometown of two Campaign members! With over 150 tracks in the U.S., sprint car racing is a pretty big dilla. However, before the campaign members could leave Knoxville, they needed Tom to send them to their next destination. Fortunately, Tom knew a fellow museum owner in St. Louis who managed the International Bowling Hall of Fame! The deal was done. With another gracious t-shirt exchange, the stallions had the complete Knoxville Raceway experience.






Knoxville had been good to them, but now the road to St. Loui was calling.


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