Pirate Postcard: The Journey Home
5/22/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
OVERLAND PARK, KAN. – With the 2012-13 academic year now complete, the student-athletes who represent Seton Hall’s 14 varsity programs have dispersed throughout the globe, prepared to pursue interests both inside and outside the realm of athletics.
This summer, Pirate Postcards will return to SHUPirates.com to bring you up to speed on what the Pirates are up to during their time away from South Orange, as well as highlight their contributions on the field and in the community.
Given that the year concluded only recently, it is appropriate that our first installment features a pair of Pirates who hit the road together, ready to embark on their summer endeavors.
With their schoolwork completed and a respite from their athletic commitments on the horizon, volleyball’s Jamie Froning (Huntington Beach, Calif.) joined women’s golfer Ali Kruse on an excursion that left the Garden State in the rear-view mirror, the destination: Kruse’s hometown of Overland Park, Kansas.
With a little help from some well-timed pit-stops, together they covered over 1,200 miles of road over two days and were kind enough to share their experience as part of the first Pirate Postcard of the year.
Hey Pirate Fans!
After two days and 20 hours of driving with over over 1,000 miles covered, we finally made it to good old Kansas. Now we’ll take you back to where it all began: Hot Bagels Abroad, South Orange, New Jersey. After eating our weight in bagels, we were ready to hit the road.
Ali started driving, because Jamie is still afraid of New Jersey roads and drivers. We hit a slight bump in the road when an entire highway was closed, but don’t be concerned Pirate fans; we followed the detour signs like pros. We made sure to conveniently schedule our lunch break around Starbucks Frappuccino happy hour; White Chocolate Mocha and Mocha Cookie Crumble kept us going for hours. Jamie jumped behind the wheel for the first time since Spring Break. Let me tell you, she was a little rusty—causing Ali to be slightly concerned but then falling asleep after approximately five minutes in the car (typical). Our tank was pushing on empty so Jamie pulled into a gas station, and yes Pirate Fans, SHE PUMPED HER OWN GAS. Impressive, we know. With a full tank we finally made it out of Pennsylvania and cruised through West Virginia onto Ohio, our stop for the night. eight hours of driving and day one complete!
We chose to spend the night in the thriving metropolis of Zanesville, Ohio. Shout out to Sophie, Lisa, Madi and Steve our gracious hosts! (Sophie is one of Ali’s childhood friends) After rejuvenating both our legs and spirits we hit the road again for the final haul: 12 hours to Kansas.
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois are still a blur, as we had our sights set on Overland Park, Kansas. Side note: Jamie had never visited these Midwestern parts before! She got to experience lots of highways, hills, and farms. Before leaving Illinois, we had to stop in Effingham for lunch. Our subway sandwiches were just what the doctor ordered after six hours in a car. The song “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line was our theme song for the trip and kept us going as we entered Missouri. One more state and we were home free!
Those last few hours were full of anticipation and of course Sonic slushes. This was Jamie’s first time drinking these delicious sugar-filled drinks. Her choice: lemonberry. Trust us Pirate Fans, it was a good choice! Little did we know that Ali’s mom would have "Welcome Home" balloons waiting for us when we arrived.
Our journey was a long one, but it was worth it. Jamie is enjoying her stay in Overland Park and Ali is making sure she is seeing the best this city has to offer: shopping and lots of BBQ. Until next time Pirate Fans (we’re sure the anticipation is killing you …)
Have a Great Summer and Go Pirates!
Jamie and Ali
Be sure to check back soon for the next edition of Pirate Postcards!
