When we decided to visit the Sandersons, we had no idea their Michigan home was so close to South Bend, Indiana, a place we have wanted to visit for quite some time. South Bend is home to Notre Dame University which boasts a superb fencing team.
After a mere 45 minute drive, we arrived to the campus and found the Joyce Center, a huge athletic complex. When we pulled up, I was sent to scout entry into the building. I approached a series of doors and tried the first few. They were all locked. I sensed seven pairs of eyes watching me from the car, but I kept trying doors. My perseverance paid off and the last one of eight was unlocked. Score!
When we entered, we found ourselves in the fencing center. I was almost hyperventilating; I was so excited for Mason.
These are the electric fencing lanes and here is Mason testing them out.
What was surprising to us was that it was the Friday after thanksgiving and yet there were athletes practicing in every wing. We wandered through the aquatics area and met one of the coaches. He asked if we were swimmers and when Jacob stepped up, the coach gave him a Notre Dame mesh swim bag. It was such an unexpected and generous gesture, clearly a highlight for him of the day.
After the athletic center, we reparked the car closer to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and made our way there. It was fairly cold and while seven of us were more inclined to hurry to the warmer buildings, one was quite content to pick up sticks and climb trees.
Maybe some day the frog kid will live here?
I loved the bicycles parked in the snow.
We had a great afternoon and then headed back to Michigan for a lovely dinner of Thanksgiving leftovers and conversations in front of a roaring fire.
I feel joyful just looking at the pictures!
Gorgeous photos. Love the one of the boys fr behind looking at the scoreboard. And the bike. So French. And reminds me of a pic of Lisa Lenard.