Grandpa Kline's Poppycock {Not Your Average Caramel Corn}

We were eating dinner at a local restaurant recently, and a well known coach in our town asked to borrow a chair from our table. When he asked to borrow the chair I felt like saying "will you win on Saturday???" Well, I didn't need to ask because I know the answer to that question!!! Living in a college town has to be one of the most fun privileges. Imagine around May 12 of every year, the streets of your town becoming quiet. Yes, there are still people around, but "ghost-townish" is a decent description. Then, the middle of August hits, and all of sudden it is like the "ants come marching one by one" only they are really marching in by the hundreds. The 3 minute drive to Starbucks now takes 20 minutes. This will settle down once the stoplights are adjusted, but until then, you have to plan your route carefully. Soon your commute will be 5 minutes, unless of course it is Friday night on a game weekend. Just expect to be in traffic with your friends for a while! Some might be tempted to complain, but not me. There is an excitement that comes when a new year is starting; a new football season; and new opportunities to meet people from all over the U.S. and the world! Is there any greater privilege than living in a college town? I don't think so! 

Here is my "must-do" list if you ever have the opportunity to visit "dear 'ole Clemson."

• Visit Memorial Stadium (Death Valley). You must go to a football game! When the buses pull up and that canon fires, those moments as the Tigers run down the hill are so exciting, not to mention some great football to follow! 
• The SC Botanical Gardens are a great spot for a walk in the woods, picnic, and feeding ducks (assuming you go early enough in the day before others have fed them). The variety of plant-life is incredible, and the nature trails are well-planned. We love the children's garden! The gardens were damaged extensively during our flood earlier this summer. However, they are working hard to get everything in shape! Be sure to see the caboose and ring the bell before you leave. Those are childhood memories for me!
• "All In" Coffee Shop. This is Clemson's best kept secret. The coffee is great, the pastries are out-of-this-world, and they are all homemade! They really are as good as "Mama's." The best cinnamon rolls you have ever tasted will quickly melt in your mouth. Although they are large enough to share, your child-like selfishness (do we ever really grow out of that part of us???) will not want to. Of course if you prefer cheesecake, cake, cookies, muffins, scones, brownie bars, etc. those options are worth every single calorie!

We love living life in the BEST College town in the world!

Carrie