Gator Weekend – College Basics

Chances are if you have a child in college you know a few things:  they are tired, they are hungry, they are broke and they need their laundry washed.

We also know that they miss their parents and siblings dearly.

Umm, maybe?

Well I hope my daughter misses me, I mean misses us.   So when my daughter could not make it home for Easter because of  assignments, papers and tests, I thought, let’s bring Easter to UF and be together for the holiday.

We’ve been to Gainesville to visit our daughter a number of times for a Gator Weekend – football games, family weekend, flag football tournaments (humble brag — UF Women’s Flag Football are the 2017 National Champions and Jayci was named MVP of the tournament!) , etc.  Usually we are are quite busy.  This weekend was different.  We had lots of time to explore and do some things we normally wouldn’t have time for.

The Extracurriculars

I imagine there is probably a college campus near where you live or in close driving distance.  Big or small, it really doesn’t matter.  There are activities, special events, games, performances and much more for all ages and interests.  Just do a Google search and you’ll have lots of ideas.

 

Friday Night

Our Gator Weekend began on Friday night.  My idea was a concert at the Phillips Center on campus.  It’s a gorgeous performing arts center that attracts world class performers.  Diego Figueiredo, a Brazilian guitarist and Chuchito Valdes, a Cuban pianist were performing.  We saw an “Upstage” production – the stage is transformed into an intimate “nightclub” setting with small candlelit tables, moody lighting, buffet, bar and a small stage – nobody sits in the seats, we were all on the stage.  It was all very cozy and in the theme of old-style jazz nightclubs like the Village Vanguard in NYC.  I was loving it!!

We arrived fifteen minutes before showtime but skipped the buffet (included in your ticket price) since we had made a pizza stop on the way over.  The place was packed – which also meant all the good tables were gone.  A nice man helped us find a table around the side of the stage which offered a great view of the piano keys but a very limited view of the guitarist.  This kind man then offered us a reserved table after one of the sponsors of the evening did not show.  He was very happy to see our teens there and wanted them to have a great experience.  As we “impersonated” the sponsors we sat front and center waiting for the show to begin.  It was during the announcements that I learned the “kind man” was really Brian Jose, Director of the Phillips Center.  You can see he has a hands on approach to the work he does at UF and really enjoys it.  Thanks again, Brian!

As for the performance – all I can say is -WOW!  A few minutes after the two musicians started I looked over to my husband – he had an ear to ear grin, then I looked to my son – he had an ear to ear grin as well – which also matched the smile plastered to my face and just about everyone else in the “club.”  It was truly outstanding.  To sit right there in front of that greatness and that talent was a gift.  What a night!  We all enjoyed it!!  Jackson even said if he went to school there he would go to a concert like this every night!  If that’s not a 100, I don’t know what is!

A Big Saturday

Saturday Gator Weekend plans were stacked up!

First Stop – Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

The park is about a 15 minute drive from campus.  For a Saturday we were up a bit earlier than usual — I like to get out early for three reasons — beat the crowds, beat the Florida heat and wildlife is more active.  There is a north and south entrance to the park.  (You cannot get to one from the other inside the park, you need to go back on the highway.)  We started at the south entrance with views of the savannah and the visitor’s center.  Everything was kid-friendly and they were encouraged to pick up and touch animal antlers, skulls and skeletons.

We also walked up the 50-foot high observation tower.  As we drove through the park we made a few stops to photograph the swampy areas.

Then we were back on the highway to go to the north entrance.  We had heard The La Chua Trail was one of the best in the park and wanted to hike it.    Due to the fall 2017 hurricane the water levels at the park are very high and portions of the trail are closed.  There are large signs warning you to use EXTREME CAUTION and to not feed or approach the wildlife.

Paynes Prairie is home to wild horses, bison, many alligators and nearly 300 species of birds.  I was a little cautious – becasue I am a rule follower  and more importantly I do not want to unexpectedly run into any large carnivorous beasts.  My family breezed right by the sign.  Well, I should not have worried – the trail was mostly a concrete sidewalk before turning into a wooden walkway over swamps and lakes.  It was surprisingly serene and so beautiful!

We saw a few gators and snakes and lots and lots of birds.  The birds were busy – calling and singing to one another, feeding, and displaying lots of bird behaviors.  Since the fall hurricane and flooding the bison are separated on the other side of the park and cannot be viewed at this time.  A ranger told me a pack of wild horses had been by earlier in the morning but had not returned.

The trees in the park are very old and have lots of vines – kind of like a jungle.  Jayci found one that made the perfect swing!

Next Stop – University of Florida Campus

UF Men’s Baseball vs. Vanderbilt

What Gator Weekend is complete without a sporting event?

The UF Men’s Baseball team is the reigning National Champions and we were happy to see them knock in a few runs while we watched.  UF won 8-2.   The university is building a new baseball stadium with lots of shade-covered seats which is greatly needed  – we were VERY hot.  The team continues play through May and NCAA’s begin in June.

Butterfly Rainforest & Florida Museum of Natural History

Our overworked and overtired college student needed a break by this point and snuck back to her dorm for a nap.  Plus she had recently visited both places as part of her required course “Good Life.”  Now it was Jackson’s turn to grumble – would a 14 year old boy enjoy the butterflies?  I wondered too but kept silent.

Imagine a 3-story (4-story? I’m not sure but it is very high) screened enclosure that is home to lush plants and waterfalls, meandering paths and tons of butterflies.  Definitely watch where you step – these butterflies are really everywhere.  Jackson was immediately taken by the butterflies and promptly found a bench hoping a few butterflies would land on him.  I’m not sure if holding your finger out like a perch for a butterfly to land on actually works?  Jackson did not get any landings but Joe got 3 that just gently landed on his shoulders!

Butterfly wranglers are stationed at the entry and exit doors to prevent the winged ones from escaping.  As we left one did manage to slip by the guard but he was quickly returned to safety.

The Butterfly Rainforest is home to butterfly nurseries as well as cases of preserved specimens.  It was really cool to see the different stages of growth.

The Florida Museum of Natural History has some outstanding displays and exhibits and I found it very interesting how many different prehistoric animals lived in Florida.  I mean, they have found fossils of megalodons and mastodons in Florida!

Meal Time

You know your college student is always appreciative of a nice dinner.  We finished up our day with dinner with Jayci and two of her friends.  And on Sunday we also had time for Easter brunch before heading back home.  And so, our Gator Weekend was over.  But we left with some great memories and full tummies.

More Gainesville Information

Phillips Center – Has so many great performances!  Check for appropriate ages before buying tickets.  I would estimate an 11 or 12 year would enjoy the piano and guitar concert.  Try to buy tickets ahead of time, but do check at the box office if you have not purchased beforehand.  Student and youth tickets were only $10.

Paynes Prairie, Butterfly Rainforest & Florida Museum of Natural History are great for all ages.

The Harn Museum of Art is right next door to the Museum of Natural History and is also great for all ages.  Plan to spend at least an hour.

U of F Bat Houses – go at sunset and watch as thousands of bats emerge to feed.  The Bat Houses are home to 400,000 bats.  That is a lot of bats!!  It’s pretty cool to see and I highly recommend.

Nearby state parks worth mentioning – Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park – a 120 foot sinkhole that leads down to a miniature rainforest.  (Wear pants and long sleeves or use bug spray – the mosquitos can be relentless.)  Ichetucknee Springs State Park is great for swimming, snorkeling and tubing in the crystal clear water.

Food – For breakfast or brunch try casual spots Keke’s or Harvest Thyme or for something a little nicer Paramount Grill.  We had our Easter brunch at Paramount and it was really good.  And for lunch and dinner try Piesano’s or V Pizza for pizza, OAK Restaurant and Blue Gill Quality Foods for southern fare or 4 Rivers Smokehouse for bbq.  We’ve tried many of the yogurt and ice cream shops but our favorite is Yogurtology.

 

Please add your comments below.  Do you know of other great spots near Gainesville?  Thanks!!!