My new favourite secret hooping spot
On my way back from a flow session in Carrboro, I got a fabulous idea. In the late 80's on our lunch breaks, a few of us would occasionally sneak next door into the pool of what was then the Omni Europa, now called Sheraton Chapel Hill. As I was about to drive past, I realised that it would be a perfect secret hooping spot. I was so pleased with myself, I did an actual "Eeeeeeee!" in the car. I easily scored a parking spot right across from the path leading to the pool.
I made my way through the upper patio, past nicely tended grass, fountains, and a stone fire pit near lots of smoked glass windows that would make fantastic practice mirrors, then down the stairs to the pool patio, with more pleasant landscape including larch trees, decent lounge chairs and a built-in audience that were having their own fun too, so I didn't feel out of place. There was no music, so I lined up some tunes that seemed to fit the mood and had a great practice.
I was reminded sharply of the Magical Mystery Tours instigated by my Grandma Doe when we visited for a few Summers in Florida in the late 70's / early 80's. She's have us grab our swim stuff, then pick hotels with the swankiest pools and we'd pretend we were staying there. My favourite was the Fort Walton Beach Ramada Inn Resort, with beautiful views and a constructed tropical mountain, where you swim under a waterfall, into a grotto and right up to the bar. Good Times.
Now to locate some hoopers with flexible schedules and a sense of adventure who will actually get out and go somewhere unfamiliar. I'm picturing a few people popping over every now and again for a low key jam and maybe a dip in the pool. If we keep it reasonable, we could probably keep it up forever. In any case, I'll be back at the Sheraton at least once next week for some early morning or evening flow and possibly a swim, if I'm feeling cheeky. If this works out it will be AWESOME!
Here is a quick shot of the pool:
Click here to return to the home page
.
I made my way through the upper patio, past nicely tended grass, fountains, and a stone fire pit near lots of smoked glass windows that would make fantastic practice mirrors, then down the stairs to the pool patio, with more pleasant landscape including larch trees, decent lounge chairs and a built-in audience that were having their own fun too, so I didn't feel out of place. There was no music, so I lined up some tunes that seemed to fit the mood and had a great practice.
I was reminded sharply of the Magical Mystery Tours instigated by my Grandma Doe when we visited for a few Summers in Florida in the late 70's / early 80's. She's have us grab our swim stuff, then pick hotels with the swankiest pools and we'd pretend we were staying there. My favourite was the Fort Walton Beach Ramada Inn Resort, with beautiful views and a constructed tropical mountain, where you swim under a waterfall, into a grotto and right up to the bar. Good Times.
Now to locate some hoopers with flexible schedules and a sense of adventure who will actually get out and go somewhere unfamiliar. I'm picturing a few people popping over every now and again for a low key jam and maybe a dip in the pool. If we keep it reasonable, we could probably keep it up forever. In any case, I'll be back at the Sheraton at least once next week for some early morning or evening flow and possibly a swim, if I'm feeling cheeky. If this works out it will be AWESOME!
Here is a quick shot of the pool:
Click to view
Click here to return to the home page
.