On the Road Again

Since our return from Palm Springs we've been extremely busy at work with lessons, a club sponsored bus trip to Miami for the Sony Ericsson, and a final special event mixed doubles exhibition and BBQ to end our winter season.  Mind you, we've only been home three weeks, so that's a lot of stuff going on!  Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, and I expect that after this week is over, life at Tarpon Cove and Spanish Wells will begin to slow down quite a bit.  A bitter sweet time.  We love all the activity and energy that our winter season has brought us, but it will be a welcome relief to not be going at the intense pace that we have had since January.  Our first season has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for us, and I believe our club members feel the same way. We're already looking forward to next year and have lots of new and exciting activities planned!

Now that we are slowing down work wise, it will afford us the opportunity to start playing and traveling more, some together and some not.  I put Phil on the plane yesterday to go back to Palm Springs to play his National 60 Hard Courts.  He's only playing doubles in this event. He is setting his sights on returning to singles in May at the Atlanta Senior Invitational. Tom Smith and Phil will be defending their doubles title in Palm Springs.  This was the last big national Phil played in, before his bike accident sidelined him for the year.  We have both been working with a great personal trainer for about 3 weeks to begin our journeys back into the singles world.  In a short time we can both feel the difference in our strength and court movement.  I decided on a whim, late last night, that before I go to La Jolla to play my hard court nationals in May, I need some tournament singles play.  I entered Bocage, a big Cat II tournament in Baton Rouge.  I leave on April 18 for the weekend to play just singles.  There are only 8 in the draw, but it will be good for me apply all this great practice I've been getting onto the playing court.  The draw is small, but the competition will be good.  Besides getting to play, I'll get to stay and catch up with some great friends that I've missed since we moved to Naples.  Phil will just be returning from Palm Springs as I leave for Baton Rouge, so he'll stay to cover work while I'm gone.  We are so fortunate to be able to do what we do!

Phil's first match at his hard courts isn't until Wednesday.  Once he starts playing, I'll blog his results as he calls to let me know how they did.  He is playing well, and he continues to get stronger and fitter.  I know he and Tom will do well!