Main activity this past weekend was first Spring/Summer hockey tourney for Jon at the new Crookston hockey facility. Driving outside of town, the facility doesn't look like much smack dab in the prairie but once inside, it is top notch for a youth hockey association.
Some of the parents of other teams pull a camper etc. and set up camp in the parking lot for the weekend. Even have a swimming options nearby. Saw some minnows actually.
The main rink has just enough seating that makes it tight for a high school contest, but has a new rink feel like lil Ralph etc. with bar stool seating that is right over the ice. The third and secondary rinks had viewing area right on top of the ice. The entire facility with the three rinks is completely paid for by flood money. The old rinks were right next to the Red Lake river that flooded frequently and the state said here is some money for some new rinks. With ice most of the year and opportunity for kids to enjoy open hockey etc. it is making some distance in the playing field.
Jon was playing with his team based out of Moorhead. Ironically, one of the teams they faced off against was the northern team he plays with. This is the only conflicting tourney.
Jon's team won all four games. They didn't have pool play or brackets but instead more of a pre-season type of festival. They were the only 97 age team to go undefeated. Should be a great season. Very solid club. Jon loves playing with this team and we all agree summer hockey is more fun than seasonal play. Team is passionate about the game, everyone gets along and it is beyond all good when talking hockey and the extra baggage that can sometimes go with it. I told Jon he could play Spring and Summer hockey and ski in the winter but he didn't go for it...yet!
No, I wasn't scoping out the hockey moms. Jonell said I better get a picture of the moms checking out photos of their kids by one of those photo companies taking pictures at the contests.
The third rink had turf in it. Jens enjoyed that as he killed time before the game, in between periods playing with other kids.
Even though there were games Fri-Sun, we came back each night with the favorable schedule. Allowed for a few morning rides on the trails which are in fantastic shape for April 11th. The only issue is the recent wind blowing leaves back in a few spots because no underbrush has come up.
On the way home Sunday we made a few stops to check out landmarks in the Gary/Twin Valley area, towns Jonell's grandmas lived in before passing away. Jon was certain he could clear the ditch at Gary Pines.
Yep.
Things are fine at Gary Pines.
Stopped at the Twin Valley bike shop. They even had a snowblower and grill for sale. Does the blower work? "Yeah, it should, just pour some gas in the carb and she should go"
Can't get much closer to Sayulita mode than this. Lord boards taking the cousin back home.
Been a few years since stopping at Frenchmen's Bluff. One of the most scenic areas on the old Lake Agassiz shoreline.
Stopped at Sundal church north of Gary. Jonell's grandma Lily buried there. The church was established in 1891. When you walk out the doors, you see across the fields and other than the paved road and power lines, things don't look much different. Jonell wants to move a part of a old church back to Maplelag for weddings and do some open feel type of thing. Lots of old churches in the country no longer used.
The church was open so we went inside to talk to God a bit, and thought about all the good folks that have been in and out the last 100 years plus. They used to do one of the best meatball dinners I have ever been too but the lack of a younger group and declining congregation, they stopped. You would have to wait in the pews, sing songs etc. until space opened up. A church like this was the place people would come to network etc. and talk about many things including
things their teenage sons would do.
Some of the parents of other teams pull a camper etc. and set up camp in the parking lot for the weekend. Even have a swimming options nearby. Saw some minnows actually.
The main rink has just enough seating that makes it tight for a high school contest, but has a new rink feel like lil Ralph etc. with bar stool seating that is right over the ice. The third and secondary rinks had viewing area right on top of the ice. The entire facility with the three rinks is completely paid for by flood money. The old rinks were right next to the Red Lake river that flooded frequently and the state said here is some money for some new rinks. With ice most of the year and opportunity for kids to enjoy open hockey etc. it is making some distance in the playing field.
Jon was playing with his team based out of Moorhead. Ironically, one of the teams they faced off against was the northern team he plays with. This is the only conflicting tourney.
Jon's team won all four games. They didn't have pool play or brackets but instead more of a pre-season type of festival. They were the only 97 age team to go undefeated. Should be a great season. Very solid club. Jon loves playing with this team and we all agree summer hockey is more fun than seasonal play. Team is passionate about the game, everyone gets along and it is beyond all good when talking hockey and the extra baggage that can sometimes go with it. I told Jon he could play Spring and Summer hockey and ski in the winter but he didn't go for it...yet!
No, I wasn't scoping out the hockey moms. Jonell said I better get a picture of the moms checking out photos of their kids by one of those photo companies taking pictures at the contests.
The third rink had turf in it. Jens enjoyed that as he killed time before the game, in between periods playing with other kids.
Even though there were games Fri-Sun, we came back each night with the favorable schedule. Allowed for a few morning rides on the trails which are in fantastic shape for April 11th. The only issue is the recent wind blowing leaves back in a few spots because no underbrush has come up.
On the way home Sunday we made a few stops to check out landmarks in the Gary/Twin Valley area, towns Jonell's grandmas lived in before passing away. Jon was certain he could clear the ditch at Gary Pines.
Yep.
Things are fine at Gary Pines.
Stopped at the Twin Valley bike shop. They even had a snowblower and grill for sale. Does the blower work? "Yeah, it should, just pour some gas in the carb and she should go"
Can't get much closer to Sayulita mode than this. Lord boards taking the cousin back home.
Been a few years since stopping at Frenchmen's Bluff. One of the most scenic areas on the old Lake Agassiz shoreline.
Stopped at Sundal church north of Gary. Jonell's grandma Lily buried there. The church was established in 1891. When you walk out the doors, you see across the fields and other than the paved road and power lines, things don't look much different. Jonell wants to move a part of a old church back to Maplelag for weddings and do some open feel type of thing. Lots of old churches in the country no longer used.
The church was open so we went inside to talk to God a bit, and thought about all the good folks that have been in and out the last 100 years plus. They used to do one of the best meatball dinners I have ever been too but the lack of a younger group and declining congregation, they stopped. You would have to wait in the pews, sing songs etc. until space opened up. A church like this was the place people would come to network etc. and talk about many things including 
things their teenage sons would do.
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