Tuesday, April 27, 2010

There's No Place Like Home


Ten days after initially leaving the good ole state of Texas, I will return back to the homeland with my friends. I assume our funds will be running short so we will head straight back taking turns driving my truck. It will be a long, arduous trek back but it will be spent while reminiscing on the invaluable memories created. After a day or two relaxing and rejuvenating myself from this experience in Austin, it will be time to come back to reality and most likely find a job before my parents cut me off financially.

The FInal Stretch: Georgia


After these three days of hanging with new and old friends, my traveling cohort continues on to the last leg of our epic journey: Georgia. It is about an eight hour drive to until we get to Augusta, Georgia. On the way, we will pass through Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA. I'm sure our funds will be running low by this time so our plan will be to stay for just two days. The main reason for traveling here is to play a round of golf at the Augusta National Golf Course. What better way to end a fantastic road trip than enjoying a relaxing day of golf with close friends. Hopefully, we can muster up the strength to finish eighteen holes.

Welcome To Oxford, Mississippi!


It is about a six hour drive to get to Oxford, but it really is a pretty trip. The American South is known for its green vegetation and array of different flowers including sunflowers, Indian paintbrushes, and bluebonnets. After a stop for gas and food, we should arrive in Oxford around 3 pm. Once here, the gang and I will meet up with some friends we met on Spring Break and trust there judgment to show us a good time. Some of the activities here include boating on Sardis Lake (which is about 30 minutes from Oxford), touring Ole Miss University, and exploring the college bar scene. We plan to spend 3 days here so we can have sufficient time to reconnect our friendship ties with these fellow Mississippians.

Once I have arrived in New Orleans, I will spend 2 days here where my friends and I can enjoy what the city has to offer. This includes but is not limited to experiencig the nightlife on Bourbon Street, eating delicious Cajun seafood, wind-powered boating, and listening to Southern blues. We will be staying at the Holiday Inn French Quarter where lodging costs will be quite managable. After our two day visit, we will continue our adventure as we head northbound into Mississippi where we arrive in Oxford.

Goodbye Austin!




After the spring semester has ended culminating in the departure of the UT student body, I will too will leave Austin and trek with my friends to New Orleans. I will leave on June 1st and head east for New Orleans. The trip will last approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes which factors in stops for food and gas. During this part of the trip, I look forward to admiring the beautiful scenery which includes crossing various bayous and seeing different flowers and wildlife. We will not stop at any other cities along the way so that we can have more time to enjoy what New Orleans has to offer.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Introduction

"The road goes on forever, and the party never ends."

If there was ever a quote that could describe me, this quote by Robert Earl Keen comes closest. My name is Jeff Benavides, born and raised in the Lone Star State. As a connoisseur for discovery and adventure, I have set out to find my ultimate road trip where I will interact with close friends mine and build camaraderie. After careful consideration and endless brainstorming, I have carefully concocted a road trip that will prove to be memorable for myself as well as the other travelers.
My trip takes me from my current hometown of Austin, Texas and ends in Augusta, Georgia with stops in New Orleans, Louisiana and Oxford, Mississippi. The ultimate end goal is to play a round of golf at the Augusta National Golf Course with a few friends of mine. However, as the quote above explains, my buddies and I plan on enjoying the road trip by engaging in random debauchery and exploring all the entertaining activities that Oxford and New Orleans possess.