I hate that we won't get to see Greg and Cheryl this week because a lifetime ago, pre-kids, Jude and I stayed with them in New York City when we were in town for the U.S. Open. Jude and Cheryl really hit it off during out stay. Now, we find ourselves 20 years down the road without having spent any meaningful time with them. It's funny how life works. Before he (semi) retired, Greg traveled extensively for work. He and Cheryl didn't have children and, of course, we did. As a result, we lived very different lives and our paths didn't cross in the ways I had hoped they would.
Really, that's true of most of my close friends from high school and college, too. Because Jude and I had children relatively late in life, our world never lined up with my friends' worlds in the sense that their children were older, then out of the house, while ours were still young. I wouldn't change my life for anything, though. JP and Joe have enriched my life - our lives - more than I could have possibly imagined.
JP had a nice visit at Furman University. The official tour he and Jude went on was informative. I was glad he got have lunch with Jack Wallace, a former cross country and track teammate who is a freshman at Furman and a member of the cross country and track team. While Jack and JP haven't been particularly close, I think it was helpful for JP to talk with someone he knows who is running in college.
JP also visited with an assistant coach for the cross country and track team, which was helpful and informative, as well. Jude and I talked with him briefly. Nice and personable young man.
We stayed overnight in Spartanburg, SC, too, so JP could visit Wofford College, since we were in the area. Our Airbnb in Spartanburg, SC, was great. We even worked in a trip to the YMCA, so JP could get a workout in. His first treadmill run in a while was a success. Joe played 2-on-2 (or 2 v. 2, as the kids call it) basketball with some guys. I saw him drain a couple of shots, including a nice 3-pointer from the left side.
I think JP enjoyed his tour and visit at Wofford College. He and Jude took a tour there, as well. I like the fact that JP is having an opportunity to see a few smaller, Division 1 colleges. Clemson, on Saturday, will be completely different.
It's funny, he never heard back from the coach at Wofford. No response at all to his e-mail to let him know he would be in town and would like to meet. It boggles my mind how a coach at a smaller school, like Wofford, could ignore an e-mail from an accomplished high school runner, like JP, who has posted times in races that indicate he is a potential Division 1 college runner. Sure, I am biased, but not even a "thank you" for reaching out. It's amazing how responsive some college coaches (and schools) are and how non-responsive other coaches and schools are. I guess that's just part of college recruiting.
Greg's place has been great, particularly since we figured out there is an exercise room in the clubhouse. Apparently, the development (Connestee) Falls upgraded it a couple of years ago. It's quite nice and has everything JP needs. Treadmills, ellipticals, etc. Perfect for him (and me) to get his runs and workouts in every day.
We've had great meals out every night in Brevard, NC, a town we've quickly fallen in love with. Square Root, the Bohemian, and Quixote all were bit hits. Jude has hiked to Connestee Falls the last two days. Yesterday, she and Joe played tennis. I've worked some, run on the treadmill, and generally tried to recharge my batteries.
Tomorrow, we're off to Clemson University, where JP will visit with his friend and former cross country teammate, Charlie Warner.
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