I find myself in conversations with new friends on the road referring to The Trucker (Paul) or The Kid (Tyler) and often get asked what they call me.  Which I don’t really know so I’m instituting The Girl myself.  When I explain that we all travel together in the cab of the semi for 7.5 months solid with no vacations, they exclaim “this should be a reality show!”

Since camera’s are not following our every move (thank goodness) I thought on this week’s post I would give you a little better idea of what our day to day looks like.

I must say that the three of us individually are more different than we are the same, contrary to popular belief, this results in very little drama. Not to say it’s not interesting, it is but drama not so much. For instance we all represent different generations The Kid is in his 20′s, I am 30 and The Trucker is in his 40′s. Since I am in the middle I often act as a translator bridging the gap when there is confusion with slang terms and pop culture between The Kid & The Trucker, which proves quite entertaining.

We usually travel half the week which is spread across several days. After two months on the road we have kinda established a routine. The kid will never be a minute early to our take off time, he values every ounce of sleep. We load up our luggage in the potato, try to get the permits situated and then he climbs on to the top bunk to continue his slumber.  Since I already have been up for a few hours I will sit shotgun for a couple more until I’m ready to take the bottom bunk and listen to a book. The trucker then promptly changes the radio station from country to rock and not only sings every song like he is in a packed arena but also plays the drums on the dash and air guitar solos.

Getting food on the road presents a challenge in itself.  Since there are not a lot of options and the difference in our food preferences vary from fried to fresh.  I am definitely the most particular when it comes to food, I more often than not decide to hold off until we arrive at our destination.

When we arrive at our hotel we are usually greeted by dozens of folks that have followed us off the freeway hoping to get a better picture.  As well as people from nearby businesses that abandon their post to awe at the spectacle that is our vehicle and grab a postcard that we keep handy exactly for these situations.

While one person grabs their luggage the others will snap photos for people and vise versa. Once we get checked in to our hotel room we all do our own thing most of the time. The Kid likes to relax by watching Sportscenter and various reality shows. He takes advantage of the hotel gym and if it’s a Sunday he will look for a local church to attend. The Trucker watches a fair amount of Law & Order and is in awe that he never sees a rerun. He also practices his guitar and catches up with his fiance and son back home. I set off on foot exploring every city big or small without an agenda and just see where it takes me.

While it may or may not be TV worthy one thing’s for sure; that we are having the time of our lives together on this truly unique adventure

While at the commissary on Eglin Air Force Base over the Memorial Day weekend, it was our honor and privilege to bring the Big Idaho Potato to the families that are currently protecting our freedom and brighten the veterans who have sacrificed so much for this great country. I stopped a took a moment during this event and realized that the veterans and active duty service men and women we were meeting directly contributed the the very principals that allow the tater team to travel the country. In many, many countries the use of social media is prohibited and advertising of any sort is non-existent. It is because of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, that we have the ability to make this tour possible and this event was truly special because we were putting the smiles of the faces of the service people and their families you do so much more than the tater team ever  good. To everyone who has served or currently serving in our military, thank you!

We were grateful in a different way as we rolled into Tampa to visit Datz Deli. The instant you arrived the energy displayed by the staff of Datz Deli was fantastic! They welcomed us with wide open arms and provided a great few hours while with them. Datz Deli uses over 3,000 lbs of Idaho Potatoes a WEEK just to make their potato chips (which are literally the BEST chips I have ever had). The owners, Roger and Suzanne, treated us to lunch and we were very impressed with both the food and the service at Datz. It was truly an amazing event, with a great group of people!

Keep following along on our journey, we love to hear where you see us!

Facebook: Big Idaho Potato Tour

Twitter: @BigIdahoPotato

Tyler

The Great Big Idaho® Potato Truck, well into its second cross-country tour, stopped in Mentone today forcing police to control traffic as hundreds came out to admire the massive spud.

The World’s Largest Potato on Wheels is traveling more than 22,000 miles on a 7-month journey to raise funds and awareness for Meals on Wheels. In Mentone today, school children flocked to see the 28-foot long, 12-foot wide and 11.5-foot tall Idaho potato and pose for photos. Even passersby stopped to admire the sight.

Kristie Wolfe and Tyler Pagel travel with the semi. Pagel says the 7-month job is “one of the most unique jobs, I get a paycheck and I get to travel the country. For a first job out of college it’s pretty cool.”

Wolfe said the most common question the crew hears on their cross-country travels is, “Is it real? Hands down, that’s the most popular question. And usually we just say, ‘It’s really awesome!’”

“Sometimes I don’t have the will to break their heart,” added Pagel, saying even people with Ph.D.’s have asked how the potato was grown so big. The world’s largest real potato, on record, is 24.9 pounds and was grown in Tyre, Lebanon, in 2008.

In 2012, the Idaho Potato Commission built the larger-than-life version of an Idaho potato in celebration of the IPC’s 75th anniversary. The trailer-mounted spud weighs in at 6 tons – or the equivalent of 32,346 medium-sized Idaho® potatoes – and certainly demands attention as it promotes the oldest and largest national organization dedicated to helping end senior hunger.

The giant potato in the Kroger parking lot off of Charlotte Pike could make 1.4 million fries.

Mashed potato lovers could get 30,000 pounds of their favorite food from the six-ton super spud.

There’s just one problem: it isn’t real. It’s a hollowed-out, blown-up potato replica that is crisscrossing the country on a seven-month tour that aims to raise awareness for Meals on Wheels and the 75th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission.

The three-person “tater team” leading the tour made an overnight pit stop in Nashville, and stretched across several spaces in the Kroger parking lot. Passersby lined up to snap a picture with the “potato” before it hits the road again today.

“You can’t miss it,” said Mt. Juliet resident Terri Kendall, who was drawn to the oversized starch substitute while getting gas nearby.

“I really am hungry for a baked potato, I want it loaded down,” she said. “Love baked potatoes, but I don’t think I could finish that by myself. It’d have to be a block party.”

A giggling Kendall did her best to wrap her arm around the potato as her husband commemorated the moment with his smart phone.

Not everyone was so happy to see the towering tater.

“Beware,” a man yelled out as he drove by. “Genetically modified foods. This is what’s going to happen.”

He can breathe easy, according to Tyler Pagel, one “tater team” member. The phony potato is a far stretch from the real thing. This one is filled with the team’s clothes, bicycles and smiling stuffed “spuddy buddies,” not sour cream and chives.

“The world’s largest potato is just over 11 pounds,” he said. “If we were carrying around an 11-pound potato on a tractor trailer it just wouldn’t be quite as exciting.”

Contact Star reporter Bill McCleery atbill.mccleery@indystar.com or (317) 444-6083. Follow him at twitter.com/BillMcCleery01.

We began the week with a visit to Richmond, Indiana where we caught up with Dave and Dawn McConkey. The citizens of Richmond helped us welcome the Petrified Potato Artist to the City Hall. We got to examine close up Dave’s potato carvings. After checking out his work we came outside to find most of the city of Richmond checking out our giant spud. Lots of new friends at this awesome event. On the way out of town we made a quick stop at an elementary school where we “blew” the minds of an entire school of “tots”

Our next stop was a  visit to the “Egg Basket” of the country in Mentone Indiana. No tour would be complete without a stop at the giant egg. We can’t thank the good people of Mentone enough. The enthusiasm was more immense than the egg, if that’s possible.

Next we bring the Big Idaho Potato to the windy city, Chicago. This was a special visit for me for several reasons. First, I grew up here, so I got the chance to hit my favorite hot spot for the best Italian beef, Chicago style hot dogs, and the moistest (is that a word? if not it should be) chocolate cake you’ll ever eat, Portillos. Second, we got to fill our tummies at the NRA show and help out at the Idaho Potato Commision booth, where we made some hilarious music “tater” videos. Third, we got to have dinner with Don Odiorne, and the rest of the commissioners and reps, as well as food writers. Seems my reasons for enjoying this leg of the tour revolves around food, but that’s not all…lol. This was my 43rd birthday and I got to celebrate it with my family and with my friends from the IPC. I’d like to thank everyone for the warm birthday wishes, the cake, cupcake and pie, as well as the singing!

We also got to help open the newest member of the Shop and Save family in Downers Grove Illinois. Brian Holzkopf, manager of the store honored our big spud, with a huge spud sale and Mickey having fun with the kids. We wish them the greatest success in the world, its a beautiful store and I hope if you’re ever in the neighborhood you give em a visit.

Anyway, that brings me to the end of this “guest” blog, I’ve probably gained 50 pounds here, but it’s been worth it. Now down to Florida where I need to get back to hitting the exercise rooms at my hotels again. Keep an eye out for us, and keep on trucking.

Paul

Paul does much more than just drive the team. Here he is handing out postcards to the kids of Mentone, IN

I think the reason for this is simple and it all comes down to excitement! Each and every day we wake up knowing that our job will be different and exciting whether its the National Harbor Food and Wine Festival, the Five Guys corporate event or making a stop at a local grocery store (all of which was accomplished in the last week) that tater team does it with excitement. Can you imagine running into a grumpy and tired tater team!? Neither can we!! We make an deliberate effort to bring the joy and honor that we have to a town near you. We have this excitement because we get to drive around the country promoting an awesome cause, Meals on Wheels, and an awesome product, Famous Idaho Potatoes. We get to see the country and run into many of you and that brings us all the excitement in the world!

What brings your excitement in the workplace or at school? Although we are still doing our job, we get EXCITED about it. I encourage you to pursue something that you too can get excited about! For me it was combining my love to talk to people with my desire to travel the country. Maybe you want to go back to school and get that graduate degree, maybe its turning your excitement about drawing into a painting business. Whatever it is , get excited about it, because as the tater team will tell you, having a job with excitement is awesome.

We’ve officially logged one month in the books – 6 more to go! This week Tyler and I along with commissioner Dan Moss and his wife Jann got to ride on top of the potato in the Pegasus Parade. One of the events leading up to the Kentucky Derby. It was more fun then you could imagine, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

With this ‘job’ we have had the luxury of seeing some incredible sites, visiting cities and states that I don’t know if I would have ever had a reason to. Traveling the country was an undeniable perk when I applied for the job. In the little travel I had done before I knew it’s not so much the places you see but rather the people you meet. This trip is no exception.

From cab drivers to waitresses to hotel staff and everyone in between, it seems they all have a connection to either Idaho or potatoes or both! Of course driving around with a 6 ton potato is definitely a conversation starter but so many of those curious questions lead to real connections and friends all around the country.

Remember Elbow, Elbow, Wrist, Wrist, Wipe a Tear, Blow a kiss,

Kristie

Chef Jeff Tunks, who took home his own Big Idaho Potato Truck

The Big Idaho Potato Tour continued our journey down the  eastern seaboard of the country by visiting the cities of Alexandria and Reston, Virginia and spending time in the beautiful city that this country calls its capital in Washington, D.C.  Our events ranged from a food and wine festival to setting up shop outside of the United States Department of Agriculture building. This continues to speak to just how awesome our job is that a six ton potato has the ability to cross into some many different parts of everyone’s life.

In Washington D.C., we had the privilege of spending time with Chef Jeff Tunks who owns  six D.C. restaurants (which happen to serve A LOT of Idaho Potatoes.) We were able to eat at two of his restaurants, Ceiba and PassionFish. The Tater Team can speak to the quality of the food and service at both of these restaurants!

During our time in Reston, VA we also had the chance to meet Pauline Rogers. Pauline’s energy and love for the potato was beyond contagious! She is a lady that you want to be your grandma because of the stories she told and the genuine heart she displayed towards us! She also has a grandson that attends the greatest university in the world (and my alma mater) Boise State University! Towards the end of our time in Reston, we had the great privilege of connecting with Ann Tran (twitter: @AnnTran_). She has been honored by Forbes as a top 50 social media influencer. Krisite and I were immediately drawn to her because of our love for social media. She kept her over 300,000(!) followers in the loop during her visit to the Big Idaho Potato Truck! We want to thank Ann and her crew for the great visit!

I tell you the stories of these three individuals to prove a point. The point is that the Big Idaho Potato has the ability to allow the Tater Team the great interactions that we had over the last week, what do you have in your life that can bring these interactions? Is it your desire to help people? Could it be your musical ability? Or just your love for life? Find whatever it is, capture it and look for the Jeff, Pauline and Ann’s of your life. I can promise you will not be sorry!

Tyler