It was 6:30AM Saturday Oct 3rd as I was loading up the family van to embark on a 5 hr trip to the University Of Florida in Gainesville. The birds were singing their sweet morning melody as the horizon glowed in the anticipation of a new day. Everyone aboard shared the excitement and anticipation of the events and activities we would experience over the next two days.
Our itinerary was to get to know the campus on day one and attend the beyond the net program offered by ladies Volleyball Coach Mary Wise and to witness first hand one of the best volleyball teams in our nation in game action on day two.
Although rain was on the forecast, we were blessed with great weather and beautiful views of rolling hills just north of Orlando in Lake County. We arrived around lunch time and promptly quenched our hunger at a university eatery "The Swamp". Then we were off to get to know the University of Florida campus.
The campus was filled with many activities seeing that it was family day. We started of at the student rec. center. We visited the book store, bought some Gator shirts (not much to chose on Volleyball). We then joined tour groups for family day and were off to get to know more about the university.
As we strolled along the quad like patios between the brick covered buildings and the wise spanish moss covered oak trees; I could see my kids eyes grow with enlightenment and desire to become something great, something more than they are now.
Some institutions of higher learning have a special affect upon a person and I was happy to see the UF campus affecting my kids in such a positive manner.
One of the stops during the tour was at the Century Tower - where a talented student choir entertained all who were lucky enough to hear their melodies.
Later in the afternoon we drove to the Museum of Natural History on the UF campus and also visited the Butterfly Rainforest.
As my kids (only in middle school) were talking about student life and their possible fields of study, I knew that my wife and I did good in bringing them to Gainesville. As we made it to the hotel that evening we reflected on a great day and knew that tomorrow could be even greater as we would meet Coach Mary Wise, witness firsthand Gator Volleyball and that days "Gator Bait" - the Tennessee Volunteers.
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