Hey There! It’s Wednesday and our LAST day of summer in the Slaughter House for the boys! Ready or not, they’re back to school TOMORROW!
Today, I’m sharing a little recap of the college tour Ebby Lee and I took last week to visit a few of the colleges she’s interested in. I know it’s way more ideal to visit these universities when there are students in attendance and even better on a game day weekend when the campus is really shining. But, if you know us, then you know fall football seasons are a bit crazy around our house. Ebby Lee and I decided she’d rather get her eyes on these schools now so we searched our summer schedules for any free time we had to get away and landed on the last week in July.
We boarded a flight EARLY Monday morning…
and found ourselves in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, before 11:00 a.m. {Also, I should add one of EL’s friend and mama joined us for the tour.}. We hit up the infamous Pants Store while in Tuscaloosa because HOW could we miss that?!
We had the best tour {possibly of the entire week} because CRAZY hot temps were happening and those nice people at the University of Alabama put us on a BUS tour. #sothankful
Alabama, you were GORGEOUS! They fell in love! This is a TERRIBLE pic where my big head is taking up WAY too much space but it’s the only picture of the four of us from the entire time we were together so I’m adding it. 😉
After that tour, we loaded up the rental car and made our way….
to possibly the most darling hotel EVER, The Graduate Hotel in Auburn, Alabama. If we were all getting paid every time I used the phrase, “It’s SO cute”, while we were there, none of us would have to work ever again.
Check out the adorable bathroom! The tile! The wallpaper…all SO CUTE!
We arrived to our hotel AND the best evening light from our bedroom window right around dinner time. We were EXHAUSTED from a full day of air travel, rental car travel, college tour, shopping, etc. so we decided to head to the rooftop restaurant for dinner.
But before we made it there, I got stopped in the hallway. SERIOUSLY, the cutest!
Another pic I’m only adding to this post because I don’t make many other appearances. ha!
The rooftop area had views of the Auburn stadium.
If it would have been cooler, we’d have dined right here BUT it was summer in the south.
Instead, we opted for this darling area inside the A/C.
The next morning I headed to the hotel lobby for a little breakfast/coffee.
This was the most darling lobby and check out that light fixture…baseballs, footballs, and gloves!
We ventured out to see Auburn, enjoy an “official” tour, and check out a few sights in town.
Another GORGEOUS campus and amazing university! After the tour, we loaded up again and drove to…
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA!
We stayed at The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson. Their website boasts, “Authentic Hospitality”, and I couldn’t have described this hotel better myself. It was charming, so pretty, and the people made it oh, so very special. This is Frankie, who had a little appearance on Love on the Spectrum. Our girls recognized Frankie who works at the Shepherd and happened to be celebrating his birthday which made it even more special. Seriously, THE most charming hotel with the sweetest people. We woke up Wednesday, enjoyed the cute little downtown area and then…
toured Clemson University!
Clemson, you are so cute! Another amazing spot on this tour these girls LOVED!!
Then it was time for our last leg of the trip to…
the Graduate Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee!
At this point of our trip we were tired but were SO happy to have gotten the time away to do this! We made so many memories!
We enjoyed dinner downstairs in the Saloon 16 {after Peyton Manning’s football number at Tennessee}.
The next morning we walked right from The Graduate to our tour at The University of Tennessee on Thursday.
This pic totally tricked my boys. 😉
Proof that I was there too!
We strolled around downtown before we made our way to the airport with very full hearts.
I’m not sure where she’ll end up but I know that God has the perfect plan all laid out for her. We’re enjoying these next two years and truly excited to see what He has in store for her. Until then…we’ll be catching a few more tours here and there, praying A LOT, and trusting she ends up right where He wants her.
Thanks for reading today!
XO
How sweet!! Those Universities are all near me and definitely great options! Nothing like being on a University campus during football season. You should add UGA to your list to tour! I went to the University of North Georgia, and I think it’s wonderful! It is a little smaller. It’s in a beautiful mountain town. Check it out! 😉
She’s working on a few more she wants to visit. I’ll pass this on! Thank you!
What wonderful memories made together!!
Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Thank you for reading!
What fun schools to visit. I live on a lake now near Clemson and we love the Tigers, but my heart will always say Go Vols : )
Two REALLY great choices!!
Love the photos! So fun ◡̈
Thank you!!
What fun!! We love Auburn my son starts there this year and we are so excited.
How exciting for him! Good luck to you guys!
So glad you included Knoxville! Go VOLS!
We were glad to include it too!
Roll Tide Ebby Lee 🐘
Thank you, Pam!
My friend’s daughter is graduating from UT this December. She’s heavily involved in the football program. It’s an amazing university and college atmosphere. I’ve been there several times and can’t wait to a game this season. Rocky Top has my vote Ebby Lee!
Thank you, Beth!
Gosh, I’ve been commenting way too often on your posts! But AUBURN is my favorite place on earth. My middle son played football there. We toured MANY universities while he was being recruited, but the second we drove up to Auburn’s campus we all knew that was the place he was supposed to be. It is the perfect little college town and his years spent there are some of my favorite memories ever. He has now graduated and is coaching high school football, but most Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find us back in Jordan Hare! So here’s my endorsement for Ebby Lee to go to Auburn University! HA!
(If she really wants to experience game day weekend, y’all come back either the weekend that Auburn hosts Georgia or Iron Bowl weekend. I CANNOT WAIT!)
That would be AWESOME!! I bet you have some of the BEST memories!
Awwwww! So many great pics!!! What a SPECIAL trip with your girl!!
Thank you! XO
I grew up in Knoxville and of course went to UT. Ya’ll toured all the best of the south. I can’t wait to hear what she chooses! They are all amazing places.
They really were all so special!
I’m rooting for UT Knoxville! Go Vols! Lol
Thank you, Sue!
Such a fun week! What school was her favorite?
I think she’s nervous to say in case she ends up somewhere else {since she’s just a junior}. But stay tuned!
So fun. My son is looking at Tennessee and Alabama. We stayed at The Graduate at Michigan St. last year and loved it. One of my favorite hotels ever.
I can only imagine how cute that was! Good luck to your son!
You picked so many good ones to visit. Football weekends will be fun at any of those! My daughter graduated from the University of Georgia and made some great memories!
I bet she did! That’s awesome!
CUTE hotels, CUTE pics, and CUTE girls! What a sweet and fun trip with your girl!!!!
Thank you! XO
I have been reading for years and just couldn’t help to post a little note today about how darling you both are. Ebby Lee has grown right before our eyes into a very beautiful young gal! I just know she will find the right “fit” for her in her college decision.
Love from Minnesota!
Thank you so much, Lynette! Appreciate your kind words so very much!
Looks amazing and yes, all the hotel rooms were adorable. I can’t wait to tour campuses with my girls; they are still young. I remember visiting campuses with my mom – truly a must-do!
AWWWW!!! I remember doing that too!
Warrrrrrr Eagle! Hey!
I’m DELIGHTED that you made your way to Auburn! I graduated from there & live about an hour away now. It’s the sweetest Southern town and the most amazing campus. All of the schools you visited are great, though! Best of luck in the decision making process!
Reba, it was adorable! Thank you!
No stop at UGA?!? You’ll need to save that one for next time!
Yes! Maybe next time!
Love this!! I live in Gainesville and have (almost) 3 degrees from the University of Florida and have also worked at UF in admissions and academic advising. If UF is a school she is considering, I’m happy to answer any questions. Happy touring!
THANK YOU, Rachel! So kind!
What? No stops at University of Ga? Go Dawgs!
Maybe next time!!