Kylie was invited on an official crew recruiting trip to the University of Tulsa. She graciously let me come along with her. We didn't really know what to expect, since it was her first official visit. (Athletes who are being recruited can accept up to five official visits from schools.) From the minute we stepped off the plane, everything was planned out and taken care of. Our flight got in a few hours late, so instead of checking in to our hotel first, we headed straight to the school for a "Welcome Recruits Bar-Be-Que."
The whole rowing team was there, wearing matching t-shirts so we would know who they were. Girls not in yellow are the recruits. There were nine girls on this visit.
Right behind the room pictured above is this indoor rowing tank, donated by a generous alumni. Unfortunately, the recruits didn't get to try it out or see it in action, but it was still very impressive.
The work out room.
Kylie and the other recruits got to observe a team weight training work out.
We also took a tour of the campus. This is a view of downtown Tulsa from the campus.
In front of the "commons." The pretty building in the background is the library.
The students are each issued a yellow bike at the beginning of the year. They ride them all over campus. It's pretty flat in Oklahoma, so these "beach cruisers" work well.
Another of the campus buildings. All the buildings are built of the same yellow brick and the grounds are immaculate.
One of the student apartments...not bad for student housing!
We got to go to a football game in the evening. I sat with the other parents and Kylie had some time to meet students and talk to the rowers. She spent the night with three of the rowers and I went back to the hotel.
The next day we went to a practice. They take the team bus out to the Verdigris River, which is about 1/2 an hour from campus.
The boat house from the outside.
And the inside.
The recruits.
Watching the boats head out.
They try to be synchronized getting into the boat.
Rowing on the river. It's a beautiful location, but very different from what Kylie is used to. No salt water, no tides, no ferries...and lots of sun and humidity!
We were in one of these launches with some of the other recruits.
Saturday morning, we went on a tour of Tulsa. Except there was a Race for the Cure event going on and all the roads were closed, so we couldn't get anywhere they were planning to take us. We sat in a coffee shop for a while and watched this storm blow in.
We ate brunch on famous Route 66.
Tally's Café is pretty famous in Tulsa.
They had very...large food.
Six of the nine girls at the airport. They formed a Facebook group so they can keep in contact and find out where they will all end up.
