Good or Bad Idea: Wiring Donkeys for WiFi?

What’s it like to spend a year driving around the country in a 27–foot Oscar Mayer Wienermobile? We interviewed driver Reese Brammell to find out. Q: Can you tell me your name? RB: Reese Brammell, but in the hot–dogger game, we go by aliases. I’m “Reese with Relish.” You’d be “Mustard Marc.” Q: What made you want to tour the country in a humongous hot dog? RB: I was in my senior year of college, and I realized I wanted to take a break to travel. I googled “fun things to do after graduation” and stumbled upon a blog that mentioned that the Wienermobile hires drivers every year. It was 3 A.M., and I immediately cranked out a cover letter telling them I’d “relish” the opportunity and here’s my “beefed–up” résumé. Q: What’s it like to drive a hot dog? RB: You feel like you’re in a parade. People always wave and honk—you have to get used to it. The first week on the job I thought people driving by were mad at me all the time. Q: It must be a nightmare to park. RB: We always travel with a partner, so if we ever have to do crazy maneuvering, one of us can get out and direct. We’re very careful not to scratch our buns. Q: How much do you hate the Oscar Mayer wiener jingle? RB: We have speakers on the outside that play the jingle all the time. Inside, we have our own radio. We have a nice little hot–dogger exchange, where we give each other CDs. If we’re going to a certain region, I like to make a mix of songs that apply to it. Driving out to California, I made a Beach Boys/West Coast rap mix. Going down to Georgia, I made a country album. It makes a long drive more fun! Q: What have you learned on the road that may help other travelers? RB: Online tools are fine, but the best advice comes from people who volunteer it themselves, the people who say: “Are you all locals? No? Oh my God—here’s what you have to do!” Q: Have you picked up any unusual regional hot dog recipes? RB: I went to the Carolinas, and I was eating a lot of coleslaw with barbecue. Someone asked me, “You know what we put on our hot dogs here?” I was joking: “Oh, I don’t know...coleslaw?!” And they said, “How’d you know?!” In Louisiana, they put on chili and cheese and crunch onions over the top. One little kid told me he put peanut butter and jelly on his hot dog. I think he might’ve been pulling my leg. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL Confessions of a Cruise Ship Musician Confessions of a Flight Attendant Confessions of a National Park Ranger

We know: Resisting Tinseltown’s glitzy icons is futile. But once you’ve checked the must–sees off your list, what next? Try adding these six stops to the tourist circuit. Cat & Fiddle This British pub is located in a 1929 building that once housed part of the Casablanca set. Opened by British Invasion rocker Kim Gardner and still run by his family, the bar features authentic pub grub and live music on its sprawling patio. 6530 Sunset Blvd., bangers and mash $10.75. Hennessey + Ingalls You don’t need to be the next Frank Gehry to enjoy this specialty architecture and arts bookstore, an offshoot of the Santa Monica flagship. With guides to local Art Deco landmarks, coffee table books on L.A.’s famed mansions, and Moleskine film journals to record your very own reviews, it’s a smart souvenir alternative to the kitsch shops lining Hollywood Blvd. 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Moleskine Passions Film Journal $20. Umami Burger In-N-Out Burger may finally have some competition in the hearts of Angelenos. Umami is named for what the Japanese call the fifth taste—the indescribable savory flavor that doesn’t quite qualify as sweet, sour, bitter, or salty. Umami’s signature burger comes topped with shiitakes and a parmesan crisp; others include white soy aioli, slow–roasted tomatoes, or truffle ricotta. Browse the racks at open–air shopping venue Space 15 Twenty while you wait—and you will. 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., burgers from $10. Hollywood Farmers’ Market It’s fitting that this weekend produce fair is a block from Vine. In addition to nearly 90 farm stands, the market includes artisanal bakers, clothing stalls, and food vendors like Grill Masters, where the rotisserie chicken is a citywide hit. Ivar and Selma Aves., whole chicken $11. Grub The folks at Grub, including Top Chef contender Betty Fraser, met waiting tables at California Pizza Kitchen. Now they’ve invented their own Golden State comfort food, such as blueberry almond granola pancakes with raspberry butter. Bonus: Instead of bread on the table, you’ll find bowls of Froot Loops. 911 Seward St., pancakes $9. Hollywood Forever Cemetery The cemetery, built in 1899, isn’t as famous as Forest Lawn, but it still has its fair share of legends, such as Cecil B. DeMille and Rudolph Valentino. The grounds are often turned into a lively party spot with open–air BYOB screenings of modern classics, like E.T. and Annie Hall, and pre-show sets by noted DJs. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., screenings $10. MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL 20 Places Every American Should See 10 Restaurants That Started a Food Movement A Fresh Take on Los Angeles