Gator Weekend

05/05/2022

There are 3 Gators in this photo...and 2 Gator fans...

Over the weekend, Kim and I took Kristoffer and our grandsons Karter and Kaden to fulfill one of their Christmas gifts from us. We flew down to Gainesville, Florida to see my sister Maria and her children Wyatt and Seanna.

And also to watch Wyatt play baseball for the Florida Gators.

We left home super-early to catch our 6 am. flight out of Indy to Atlanta, where we had a connecting flight into Gainesville. But we only had 33 minutes between landing and take-off, and Kim and I can only go so fast. So the young chaps went ahead of us and Kristoffer sent this text to me as we were trying to get to the gate on time. Thankful to have a son who can schmooze the gate agent who happened to be named Maddox (I told you, he can schmooze with the best of them!)...

After getting our rental vehicle, which was supposed to be a 7-passenger but they gave us a 5-passenger instead (glad Karter and Kaden were small enough to still sit in the trunk area...but we made it work), we met up with Maria at Wyatt's house just outside of University of Florida campus.

It was a very busy Saturday on campus, as it was graduation weekend, but we were able to find a parking space for the Cherokee and Wyatt took us on a short tour of campus.

Cousins...some of my favorite boys!

My second-favorite Gator...

Wyatt's Aunt Liz works in the athletic offices in this building.

Just outside the building, is a walkway with honorary bricks from donors. Years ago, Maria purchased a brick with Wyatt and Seanna's name on it.

After a few minutes of dodging graduates trying to take photos, we found the brick. How cool is that?!

Wyatt with Karter (13 1/2) and Kaden (12)...and, of course, the Gator mascots Albert and Alberta.

You were a great tour guide, Wyatt! We shall reward you with a great lunch!

Lunch at Wahoo's...

Famous for their seafood boils...and our table can attest to their deliciousness!

Love a restaurant with character...

After lunch, we had a couple of hours to fill before the baseball game. Wyatt and Seanna left us for their baseball and horses, but Maria joined us for an afternoon at Paynes Prairie State Preserve.

Wild bison? In Florida???

Love me some live oaks and Spanish moss...

All kinds of beautiful critters!

And some not so beautiful in my eyes. Yes, folks...that is a snake!

And we got to see some alligators...up close!

Limpkin...

...and some fuzzy baby limpkins hiding in the marsh.

Dragonflies are magical to me...just exquisite!

This little fella was only about 3 feet long...

This big guy made a loud barking noise and then slinked out of the swamp right up to check us out...

Incredible animal! Not a good time to fall in...

Time to head to the ballpark...

No doubt about who we're rooting for!

We watched both teams warm up, and just as the game was about to start...

...it started raining. Lightly, but still rain!

We had a rain delay of about 30 minutes, and then they had the field ready to go. Again.

Wyatt is right in the middle of this line...just under the end of the orange dugout roof.

Kristoffer and Kaden are ready... Play ball!

Let's go, Gators!

Wyatt is a sophomore this year, playing left field.

In so many ways he is built and resembles my dad/Wyatt's grandpa when Dad was young. I wish Grandpa Bud could see Wyatt now and watch him play on the big stage...he would be so proud!

After batting 4th most of the season, the coach switched up the batting order and now Wyatt is the lead-off batter for the Gators.

Wyatt started off the night with a great hit...a TRIPLE to the wall!

First run of the game!

The clouds kept rolling in thicker and thicker...

Routine catch in left field. Wyatt had several catches on the night, a couple of them pretty spectacular!

Wyatt was lead-off batter in the 4th inning when the rain started....

The rain changed from light showers into a downpour quickly,...

...the game was suspended, and the team hustled to cover the field.

After another 45-minute rain delay with no hope (we thought!) of the rain stopping any time soon, at 9:30 we decided to leave. After getting up so early, we were tired...and Coldstone was calling!

Well, it was calling all of us except Kim...

...but what a great way to end a fantastic Saturday!

When we got back to the hotel, we found out that the game was resuming at 10:20. But our beds were looking pretty tantalizing by then, and none of us went back. There will be other games!