I spent this past weekend on the road (literally) as my youngest and I were off on the last college tour before she makes her decision on where she’ll spend the next four years of her educational career.

This time, we were off to the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), a jaunty, twelve-hour trip (door to door) from my house in MD to campus.  We rose early on Friday and hit the road before the sun came up, my youngest excited to see the #2 college on her preference list (the University of Maryland held a slight lead as we headed out, but I kind of knew where this trip would be putting Alabama in the rankings).

It was a long (but fun) road trip, my youngest and I chatting as we passed such storied cities as Bristol, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Birmingham.  It was the first visit to the state of Alabama for me, so I’m always up for a new destination. 

We met up with my niece (currently a senior at Alabama), who graciously showed us around and also took the time to get some good cousin-bonding in with my youngest.  The campus is beautiful (of course).  Stately and impressive in that southern charm-type of way, it didn’t take long to see that Maryland was quickly moving towards a silver medal on the platform.  A perfect 60-degree day and a cloudless sky made sure that UA was putting on her best form, and the smile my daughter had as we traveled around campus told the tale.  We toured the grounds, listened to Denny Chimes sound the top of the hour, saw a dorm room, marveled at the numerous and majestic sororities and fraternity houses, ate at “Rama Jama’s”, and walked “The Strip”. 

Of course – in Tuscaloosa – football is a religion, and we stood in awe at the base of the church that is Bryant-Denny Stadium, where services are held every Saturday in the fall – the football players serving as deacons and elders and the honorable Coach Nick Saban leading the faithful in their weekly prayers and homilies to the gods of pigskin.  

As for the pandemic, travel precautions were in full force everywhere we went.  The hotel offered “touchless” check-in, there was no maid service during our stay, and breakfast at the hotel was reduced to quick “grab and go” items.  While the bars and restaurants of Tuscaloosa were open for business, mask use was in full effect and socially-distanced tables were the norm.  Being that this is a college town, these businesses depend on students for their livelihood, and while there was no display of mask-less pandemonium (as there were multiple videos documenting youthful shenanigans when Alabama won the national football title a few weeks ago), I kept a wary eye out to be as safe and healthy as possible.

Everyone we met was gracious, kind, and full of love (bordering on obsession) for the University of Alabama.  My daughter met lots of great people, made some new friends, and made her college decision.

So, after our visit, where does Alabama rank?  Well, let’s just say that my Maryland Terrapins will have to wait for some grandkids one day, as a commitment will be made this week for the newest member of the Crimson Tide – Class of 2025. 

Now I need to hike up my big-boy pants and get ready to pay some out-of-state tuition this fall.

Roll Tide!