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Bama Bound...

About a month ago, I scheduled a campus tour for the University of Alabama for Bailey. At the time, I had no idea who was going to go, where we were going to stay, or how we would even afford the extra expense, so close to the start of back-to-school. What I did know, was that it had to happen. I couldn't let Bailey apply for an out-of-state university, without him seeing it with his own eyes. I stressed for days, maybe even weeks and spent hours on websites like Booking and Priceline, trying to find the perfect deal and place. I looked at the GulfShores, quaint towns like Natchez, even NOLA, trying to make this a real adventure. But everything was beginning to blur and I just couldn't decide. With some help from an angel (Savannah's boyfriend's mom!), she booked us into an amazing Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa.  The perfect size for our family and price. Now there were some extra glitches to deal with...both Savannah and John got sick.  But what troopers! They took their antibiotics, and Ibuprofen and hit the road with us. We like to leave at night, so 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 6th, we started our journey, Bama bound!




A quick morning drive through NOLA.


Bourbon Street...


Getting closer!


Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa was beautiful!


Tired...but ready to explore the hotel!



First place they want to head is the pool, of course!




Evening snacks are provided...family, food and fun!


Jonas loves to play with his food!


Super comfy beds!


And a great view!



We started Monday exploring near the stadium.  This cemetery had pre-civil war stones!  It was so interesting to read and see.



 
The tour began... and we actually had a break in the rain!  Perfect timing for our walking tour.









I cannot tell you how charming and picture perfect the University of Alabama's campus is...makes me want to go back to college!  We all fell in love with the place! The antebellum architecture made it feel like you stepped back in time.

Lorelei may be saying "Roll Tide" in her future.  Especially after she heard they have a top notch gymnastics team.


Back to the hotel to relax!


On the drive back home, we stopped by our second campus visit, Texas A & M. It was a beautiful, vast and modern looking campus.  Completely different world from UA.





The old Nike saying, "Just Do It", proves that sometimes, you just have to go for it! All the pre-trip stress, anxiety, decisions, discussions and even illness, we overcame and ended up with us just going for it! I will forever have warm memories of this trip. And if Bailey's choice for school next year is University of Alabama...I'll know it's a good one.

This Florida Gator girl will say something I never thought I would..."Roll Tide!"




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