Ben Ellefson (Iowa State 07) swings off a yacht during a mystery trip to the British Virgin Islands.
FELLOWSHIP Takes Flight
The bond of brotherhood and lifelong friendship has spanned several continents with Ben Ellefson (Iowa State 07), Justin Pierce (Iowa State 09), Ben Merryman (Iowa State 07) and Drew Allison (Iowa State 08). This group of Iowa State alumni take some of the most adventurous trips you can imagine. The bond based in a love for travel started with smaller trips while they were undergraduates including road trips, ski trips and other excursions with friends. These men and women are always ready to explore.
THE ONE CAVEAT TO THESE
exciting trips, they’re a secret. They remain a mystery until nearly the last possible minute. Post-college trips began with a yachting trip. The group watched a video and were sold on this idea. “One of the people from our group, Justin Pierce, had seen a promo video for a yacht chartering company called, ‘The Yacht Week’,” said Ben. “They provide a captain and your group helps crew the boat for a week with a bunch of other yachts sailing the same route with organized events each night on the different islands.” This initial trip had seven friends and took place in the British Virgin Islands. “We loved the trip so much that we wanted to book another one, but the dates for the next one didn’t work out
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for us, so we started brainstorming.” This is where the idea of a mystery trip began. One person (or a couple) is randomly selected by pulling their name out of a hat. They are then in charge of planning the entire trip for everyone in the group. The process is pretty simple. “We all agreed on an approximate budget per person for the trip so that everyone has an idea of what it will cost beforehand,” Ben said. There is a list of items the person in charge must do: 1. Identify a location. 2. Determine the week that works for everyone's schedule. 3. Book the flights and accommodations. 4. Send a packing guide one week before the trip.
“Once you arrive at the airport, the planner texts you the confirmation number for your flights and you go and check-in to find out your destination,” said Ben. The group has trouble picking a favorite location. The British Virgin Islands trip was a tropical escape. They sailed from island to island on a 43-foot sailing yacht. The trip included making new friends at each stop. “Iceland is like being on another planet exploring underground lava tunnels, climbing volcanoes and soaking in natural hot springs every night,” said Ben. “Everyone of the trips is my favorite, each in their own way.” New Zealand was filled with adventure. “From bungee jumping and paragliding to cruising through the Milford Sound. The entire trip was filled with beautiful landscapes everywhere you went.”
FALL 2020
