I can’t help but think about Hilton Head Island, Beach Trip 2003 everytime I hear Coldplay’s ‘Clocks.’

I can’t help but think of the hotel room without a heater in Cortona, Italy everytime I hear The Fray’s ‘Over My Head.’

And I can’t help but think about whimping-out on my first kiss every time I hear Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You.’

Question:

View our driving route.

Staring point: Jasper, AL
Destinations:

Louisville, KY
Chicago, IL
Eau Claire, WI
Minneapolis, MN
Des Moines, IA
Atlanta, GA

Duration: 9 days – Summer 2000
States: 9
Driver: Kyle Cooper
Miles: 2, 850

Attendees:

John Byars [Auburn University]
Matt Adams [Union University & Vanderbilt University - Owen Schl of Mgmt]
Lawson Murphy [Auburn University]
Keith Vanzant [Auburn University]
Kyle Cooper [Auburn University]
…and myself

Purpose:

To attend 4 major league baseball games, the biggest country music festival in the world, and spend 2 days in a random city.

Highlights:

Finding out that throwing a Starburst candy at the back of one of your friends not only leaves a bruise… it can also become a pre-bedtime sport.

Finding out that a speeding ticket in Iowa is only $40.00 and does not go on your record.

Finding out that 6 guys can share two beds and a roll-away and sleep peacefully.

Finding out that if the Chicago Cubs organization even thinks you are tossing peanut shells off the second-tier, they can and will throw you out… useless you can use your southern accent to sweet-talk them.

I’m off… destination Destin, Florida.

I wish all of you the very best Easter weekend. Which, for all you Catholics means that you can finally eat chocolate and drink Diet Coke again! Because nothing says “I love Jesus” like giving up junk food for 40 days.

Kidding, folks.

I will be joined by the following individuals who will serve as witness to the all natural tan I will recieve. Which, like all beach tans, will fade all-too-quickly, returning me to “normal Landon” with 2 weeks.

John Byars [Auburn University]
Amy (Davidson) Byars [Auburn University]
Mick Crump [University of Alabama]
Kristy Beall [University of Alabama]
Stephanie Hannah [Auburn University]
Catherine Gail Upton [University of Alabama]
Andy Byars [Auburn University]

Elephants and Tigers and Choctaws… oh my!

(sorry)

Staring point:
Clinton, MS
Destination:
New Orleans, LA

Duration: 8 hours
States: 2
Individuals: 4
Drivers: Synchronized rotating between Katie & myself

Attendees:
Katie [Brown] Doremus (Jackson Academy)
Lacey [Travis] Madden (Jackson Academy)
Brenden Moon (Tupelo HS)
and myself

Purpose:

To fulfill the late-night beignet craving of Lacey, Katie, and myself… while attempting to give Mr. Moon a study break from his overwhelming MC summer pre-med extravaganza.

Highlights:

After arriving in New Orleans at approximately 1:30 AM, Mr. Moon states: “I mean… I don’t really like bengets.”

Staring point:
Clinton, MS
Destination:
Hilton Head Island, SC

Duration: 9 days
States: 4
Individuals: 9
Drivers: David Thompson & myself

Attendees:

Katie Royals (Jackson Academy)
Diane Swalm (Brookhaven Academy)
Courtney Church (Germantown HS – TN)
David Thompson (Clinton HS)
Jennifer Wycoff (Locust Grove HS – OK)
Brenden Moon (Tupelo HS)
Thomas Blalock (Clinton HS)
Laura Pickard (Copiah Academy)
and myself

Purpose:

To support our MC Choctaw Tennis Team while soaking up the sunshine and culture in beautiful Hilton Head Island.

Highlights:

Getting kicked out of the Hilton because we weren’t “guests.” (Evidently its not proper to use a pool you are not paying for… who knew?)

Having a pale, creepy, petifile-ish 20-something college drop-out walk us through the Savanah, Georgia on a so-called “ghost tour.” He was actually the scariest thing we saw.

Watching my first (yes, first) real sunrise from the South Carolina coast.