A Trip to Remember
Taking a dream road trip with friends has been an idea that I have had lately, and one that I would like to do after graduation (which is in May). My idea of the perfect road trip would be an adventure taken with three or four friends where we would be surrounded by beautiful scenery, engaging in frivolous activities such as enjoying the night life, developing a deeper camaraderie with each other, and rekindling with other friends who live in other states. After careful consideration of the endless options, I have decided that my trip will take me from Austin, Texas to Augusta, Georgia with three of my closest high school friends whose names are Celso, James, and Armando and make tentative stops in New Orleans, Louisiana as well as Oxford, Mississippi. Taking this excursion through the Deep South fits my definition of a road trip because it allows me to be surrounded in the ubiquitous beauty that pervades in the American South (especially the bayous of Louisiana) and gives me the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie and nightlife with my road trip buddies, as well as reconnect with old friends of mine in Oxford.
After watching The Masters last week and becoming very impressed with the quality and scenery of the Augusta National Golf Course, I knew this would be the perfect journey. I am relatively new to golf, only having a few months of practice, but have quickly fallen in love with the sport. Traveling on warm summer days through the American South is a trip that would be well worth the effort in reaching one of the world’s most pristine golf courses. The friends that I will be traveling with love golf as well. Playing golf at this exquisite course would allow me to bond with my friends and engage in conversation as we bask in the warm summer climate that pervades in Georgia. Also, since I am connoisseur of beautiful scenery, this world famous Georgia golf course is the perfect setting to dwell in and admire the exquisite landscape.
The trip in general is ultimate a journey through the American South which ends in Georgia. Having once driven to Florida before, I am aware of the beauty that the Southern landscape holds and now I wish to see more by exploring more of Louisiana and Mississippi. I have always identified myself as a Southern boy and find interest in exploring what more the typical American South has to offer. Since my traveling friends feel the same way, this road trip interests all of us and allows us to share this experience together as we increase friendship ties. As young gentlemen in our prime, we do enjoy frivolous activities and random debauchery. We all enjoy getting a little crazy sometimes so I think this journey fits our interests and personalities.
The trip would involve me driving my truck along with my friends covering 2,698 miles roundtrip and driving through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. I would preferably leave sometime around early June as soon as my other friends were finished with graduation. I would get my road trip buddies to come to Austin as our departure point and leave in the early morning to New Orleans, Louisiana. On the way, I would pass through various bayous that surround Interstate 10. The gang and I would probably stay in an affordable hotel close to Bourbon Street so that we could comfortably enjoy New Orleans’ prized nightlife attraction. After two days of enjoying all of what New Orleans has to offer (such as Bourbon Street and the Blues scene), we would continue up toward Oxford, Mississippi where the four of us would reconnect four of our friends who we had met while on vacation during high school years. These friends are currently students at Ole Miss University and we would presumably stay at their residency for about four to five days. After this, my road buddies and I would head straight for Augusta, Georgia, stay at a cheap hotel to conserve money, and hope to have sufficient funds to play at the Augusta National Golf Course. We would probably only have enough money for one round since each one comes to about $400. After two days in August, the boys and I would come back straight to Austin nonstop.
At 17 miles per gallon, I estimate the total gas money to be around $450 which would cost us $112.50 individually. The hotels in New Orleans and Augusta together would probably cost around $550 total and $137.50 individually. The cumulative food and entertainment would vary from person to person but would be in the range between $350 and $550. I assume there would be miscellaneous expenses which would probably be in the vicinity of 125$ a person. All in all, I think the trip would cost me personally in the area of $1,200 which includes the expensive golf course. The trip would be feasible if I could convince my parents to allow me to do this as a graduation present.
This trip exemplifies my ideal journey and directly follows my definitional arguments for a road trip. For example, our stop in New Orleans will consist of random debauchery in on Bourbon Street where I can bond with my buddies and enjoy their company amidst a rambunctious crowd. Here, I will also investigate Southern blues scene at Bourbon Street Blues where I can enjoy good music with my friends. During the day, I would like to ride a wind-powered boat where we could journey through the exquisite marshes and bayous to enjoy its intrinsic beauty. As far as food goes, I would like to find a restaurant which serves delicious gumbo and crawfish to eat some Cajun cuisine. I have been recommended and would like to visit a restaurant called Arnaud’s which is located on Bourbon Street which apparently serves delicious Cajun seafood. This stop in New Orleans helps to me to enjoy festivities with my friends while at the same time allows me to enjoy the beautiful state of Louisiana.
My second stop in Oxford, Mississippi further establishes my definitional criteria for a road trip. The primary purpose for stopping here is to reestablish ties with some friends I had met while on Spring Break of this year. After arriving in Oxford, I would meet up with them: Amanda, Missy, Hannah, and Caroline. In Oxford, I would like to tour Ole Miss University and see what it has to offer since I am opened to it for law school. For the majority of the time there, we would spend time with these long lost friends of ours and trust them to take us to the hottest night spots around town. One of the girls there has a lake house which I would like to go to enjoy each other’s company. We would presumably stay at the lake house or find a hotel for cheap and spend most the days conversing and participating in random debaucheries.
It will be a long drive as we cover five states but it will be well worth the effort because of the common friendship my friends and I share. This road trip involves viewing spectacular sceneries from the South, friendship bonding, and visiting friends from Ole Miss University which directly adheres to my road trip criteria. I look forward to seeing this dream trip of mine coming to frui
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About Me
- Jeff Benavides
- I consider myself to be an adventurer traveling among friends and loved ones to new places for purposes of camaraderie and entertainment. Born and raised in southern Texas along the Texas-Mexican border town of Laredo, I seek every opportunity for discovery and exploration. Whether it be learning about my home state or other parts of America, I love to be roaming around regardless.