Lost Girls of the Week: Molly Fergus and Selena Armendarez

TLGs: How could we NOT make the gals who drive the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile our Lost Girls of the Week?? Since we're rooted in NYC writing the book, we can't get out and actually travel as much as we used to. So, we're living vicariously through these girls, and have asked them to submit posts from the road as they hit up towns across the US. Here's hoping they accept our challenge and share their hot doggin' antics online!

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When I graduated from the University of Missouri in December, I knew I needed to skip the traditional diploma-to-fluorescent-lit-office track. As a journalism major, I had things to see, people to meet and places to go. Settling down just wasn't in my cards.

So in June I hit the road with my coworker Selena Armendarez...in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

As Hotdoggers – a catchy title that means we drive one of the world's seven Wienermobiles – Selena and I are lost girls in every way. We haul our lives around in suitcases. We repeat outfits way too often. We deal with culture shock (yes, in America!). And most importantly, we gleefully said hasta luego to the 9-to-5 routine.

Each year, Oscar Mayer selects 14 college grads from more than 1,200 applicants to man its iconic vehicles. Hotdoggers travel the U.S. in teams of two; we live out of suitcases, hop from state-to-state, and work as spokespersons for Oscar Mayer. Selena and I began our adventure June 15 in McAllen, TX (a city near the border of Mexico). We'll travel below the Mason-Dixon line until January, when we'll switch partners and trek around another region of America.

Although most Lost Girls choose the ex-pat route to fulfill (or feed!) wanderlust, Selena and I have found that vagabonding across the U.S. is just as satisfying. Eight weeks on the road, and we've already weathered a hurricane on the Gulf of Mexico, parked the Wienermobile in front of the Alamo, and driven to an archeological dig overlooking the Rio Grande.

The sights in the U.S. might not be as old as Rome's Colosseum or as exotic as Peru's Lake Titicaca, but our job is still an adventure. Like lost girls worldwide, we wake up each morning and thank the travel saints that we get to spend our days outside, meet new people and explore the world. Now that's something to relish! —Molly Fergus

Random Reader Question: The Best Travel Bras

Q. I came across your blog a few months ago as my husband and I were in the midst of planning our around the world travel (www.chrisandjodi.net ). We've pieced together most of our itinerary and what we're taking, but I'm still lost as to the best bras to bring. Just wondering if you guys had any opinions? Cheers—Jodi

A. Do you mean regular bras, or sports bras? We'd actually highly recommend the Victoria's Secret IPEX bra for regular everyday wear, as its smooth under t-shirts and comes in pretty colors for when those straps inevitably show under tanks. It's also perfect for gals who are a bit more "ample" on top, because it keeps everything in place, and minimizes. It can also stand up to several washings without losing its shape, so I'd take one black and one color.

You'll also need one convertible bra, something you can wear strapless or under halters and such. Again, I'd recommend VS: go with their Very Sexy 100 ways bra...which, as the name implies, has several hooks that allow you to wear it under several different tops and dresses.

Finally, you'll need at least two sports bras for hiking and days when you're sitting on buses going over some very bumpy roads (Costa Rica, Kenya, etc). Try the Champion Friction Free seamless sports bras...they're lightweight, don't bind against your ribcage and won't cause chafing.

Of course, you can always do as we did in a pinch, and use a bikini top! On that note, invest in at least a dozen pairs of quick dry microfiber undies. Not sure if the husband will love 'em, but they'll keep you very comfortable all trip long!

California Dreaming

HCC: I am in love. You know the feeling, that I’m-so-excited-to-be-alive/ butterflies-in-my-stomach/ nothing-can-get-me-down sensation. However, this high is not for a person, but a place. California’s Central Coast is better than being a single woman landing in Rome if you enjoy breath-taking scenery; outdoors activities such as surfing, biking, and hiking; and laid-back vibes. I came here to cure a case of writer’s block and to visit my sister, who is a nurse in the college town known as San Luis Obispo and who lives in nearby Shell Beach. SLO, as it’s called both for the obvious moniker and for the in-no-hurry mentality of the locals, is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. There’s so much stuff to do here that I was able to sample only a few of the highlights. Here's a virtual tour of a few of my favorite things:

Beach bars. Mr. Rick’s bar in Avila Beach has ocean views, pool tables, and karaoke. They even have a movie screen so you can watch music videos as you dance—or mimic them. Can you guess what my sister and our new friends are reenacting here? Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” of course!

Organic eats. The biggest social event around is the Farmer’s Market that happens everything Thursday on Higuera Street in downtown SLO. The entire street closes to traffic for a block party filled with fresh produce, barbecue, and live music.

Exploring coastal towns. Once an old whaling station, Cambria is a picturesque little city about an hour north of SLO and is an inspiring place to chill out and write—or shop. It’s filled with sidewalk cafes, art galleries, antiques, and historic buildings such as the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse.

Getting there on two wheels. My new way to get around town is on a bike. Luckily, Kate had an extra set of wheels for me, so we pedaled the 50-mile round-trip route to the fishing town known as Morro Bay. You can rent kayaks and dive here, but we only had enough energy to refuel with halibut fish tacos and a glass of chardonnay at Giovanni’s Fish Market and Galley.


Roadtripping. When my sister had to fly back to New York for a wedding, I stayed behind in her apartment to write by myself and watch her dog, Lulu. With the famous natural wonder, Big Sur less than a three-hour drive, I decided that Lulu and I could use a change of scenery. I had a hike planned for us on Ewoldsen Trail but the area was shut down due to the forest fires. Still, every (hairpin) curve along the way on Highway 101 revealed awe-inspiring views.

Wining and Dining. If you make it to the Central Coast, you have to eat at the Olde Port Inn. Seriously, I insist. Located at the end of the pier at Port San Luis, it was started by a fisherman who felt happiest sitting in that spot over the ocean and wanted other people to be able to experience it, too. When my sister and I arrived, we heard a sound strangely similar to barking dogs (about as harmonious as me attempting karaoke. Ha!). We quickly ran to the edge to discover these elephant seals who made their home on the wooden slabs. After that detour, we were seated inside the cozy eatery to watch the sunset over the harbor. Fresh seafood dishes such as classic clam chowder, crab quesadillas, and the Fisherman’s Plate (a combo of grilled fish, shrimp, scallops, and calamari) make it worth the trip—with or without the added bonus of seal sightings.