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.

Twine Balls, Anchors, and Unanswered Questions [Dec. 31, 2006]

The rain was still falling as the boys made their way out of bed and prepared a hearty breakfast. They stuffed Rosie the Rav4 like a Thanksgiving turkey, all the while muddying their trousers and fumbling their sleeping bags in the muck. With a send-off from the lovely Steph, the stallions hit the beaten path for Roslyn, SD.














As the rain turned into snow, their spirits were slightly dampened. However, a stop in Darwin, MN at the World’s Largest Ball of Twine quickly turned those frowns into smiles. After a visit to the Twineball Antiques and a chat with co-owner Janice, the stallions were rejuvenated.

















The snow intensified and the stallions had to go to drastic measures to keep a clear view of the road.













When these methods didn’t succeed as they hoped, a pit stop was required at the Handi Stop in Litchfield, MN where they failed to find the proper wiper blades but did meet store clerks Danielle and Karlene.










As lunchtime came around, the stallions struggled to find a small-town diner that was open on a Sunday. An attempt at the Murdock Café in lonely Murdock, MN was ill-timed as the café was closed due to ‘lack of business.’ Go figure. Finally, in Benson, MN the fellas landed upon the fittingly named Jimmy’s Pizza where they engaged in an electrifying game of Ms. Pac Man and met delivery driver Brady. They were surprised to learn from the locals that in Benson, the railroad can block access from one side of town to another for hours on end!



Onward they pushed through the now subsiding snow to the MN/SD border and the town of Ortonville, MN. Low & behold, there the stallions stumbled upon the boat anchor of the great Paul Bunyan!


As they crossed the border, one of the stallions with a very keen ear thought he heard the gentle trickle of a stream. Unbelievably, this was no ordinary trickle, but the headwaters of the Minnesota River.


The stallions were now in South Dakota and they were freezing!


As the tank of Rosie approached ‘E,’ a fillup was needed. It just so happened that the next station was Beren’s in Milbank, SD. And no, this was not your typical pay-at-the-pump operation. The stallions were lucky enough to pay for their gas at the pay window with the help of Emily! To our amazement, she had been to Roslyn, however did not speak highly of it.



The stallions trudged on. Approaching Roslyn during a very beautiful sunset, it was safe to say the boys were nervous and pessimistic about what lay ahead of them. They asked themselves: Would there be a restaurant? Would it even be open? Where will we stay? Would the people be friendly? With darkness now looming overhead, only the snow & ice-packed road lied between them and these answers.

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