College Road Trip - Take Two

We braved snow last week on the way to Valdosta and on Friday of our Winter Break week, we faced an early alarm clock.  But it wasn't too hard to get up with the dawn - we were heading to Athens to tour the University of Georgia!  Back in the day, Georgia was a huge rival of my school, Clemson University, but I have many friends that are Georgia alumnae, so my feelings about UGA are more positive these days.

Sunlight streaming through UGA's famous arch - tradition is students should not walk through the arch or they won't graduate and prospective students will be jinxed

I've mellowed so much, in fact, that I actually loved the UGA campus.  I've been to it many times over the years - I had a college boyfriend who was a Bulldog; my family has watched the "Dawgs" play on many a football Saturday and we've cheered our son on at swim meets at Georgia's incredible Ramsey Athletic Center.  But this is the first time I have seen the whole campus from a prospective student's POV.

On the road, we stopped for breakfast at that most Southern of institutions, The Waffle House.  If you are not from "Dixie" - The Waffle House must be a requisite stop on your next Southern visit.  Pecan Waffles, cheese grits, hash browns scattered, smothered and chunked - we were fortified for the day ahead. 

Downtown Athens

After a very informative and engaging information session, the kids had "puppy dawg prints" in their eyes.  They were ready to see the campus.  Fortunately, my friend's son is a current Honor's student at the University and he agreed to give us a personalized tour. 

Her son is a member of the Demosthenian Literary Society and he told us all about the history of the society and even showed us the inside parlour of their lovely house. 

I can't remember what all of these buildings are but they show off varied lovely architecture.

Like every University and College, UGA has many traditions and historic spots that are meaningful to its students and alums.  There is the bell tower that students ring on days of import or when good things happen to them. Apparently the line is forever on graduation day!

The Bell Tower

We saw the University's original football field.  The Dawgs have come a long way to Sanford Stadium.

The original football field

Sanford Stadium

We saw the dorms, used the student bus transport and enjoyed an incredible lunch in the East Campus Cafeteria.  Apparently UGA does their own food service and it is excellent.  It's a "far piece" from the "fried perch" and "cheese strata" days of my college food service offerings.

http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/

Bob and Bogart from "One Million Acts of Kindness" was on campus the day we visited and we saw evidence of his "work" in the ladies' room - someone had posted notes on the mirrors saying "You are Beautiful!" and "See your beauty". It was nice.

We had a great day and look foward to our next college adventures in April.  Look out LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama!