Northern Exposure

 Last weekend Jens was asked to play with at team based out of ND called the North Dakota Blackhawks. This time of year, lot of people are tired with summer hockey and rather be at the lake or enjoying summer activities so many teams are looking for players to fill open spots. Jens schedule has been pretty light so we decided to do it and thought we would make a trip out of it, taking the scamp since we hadn't been on a proper camping trip with it. Last year Jon played in the NX Tourney and out of all the spring/summer tourneys we have been to, this one ranks at the top. Very well organized, the officiating is good and fun to check out all the different arenas and the fact Jake is in town makes an added bonus.

Jens first game in the old DECC, squaring off vs a team from Omaha. Team was called the tropics. I didn't know there was palm trees in Nebraska.

The goalie on Jens team pointed out there were 64 total teams in the tourney and their team was one of four not to play in the new AMSOIL arena which is home of the UMD Bulldogs. Pretty nice facility for 8-15 year olds to play in, the summer no less. Crazy.

In between games the first day, met up with Jake and we rode at Piedmont which is currently my favorite trail system in the Minnesota if not out of all the trails I have ridden in the country and few places in Canada and Norway. Jake took me to the opposite side or south side which just opened up some new trails. Super, super fun stuff. Has a bit of the flow mixed in to some raw, super technical sections. More photos and full report in next weeks skinnyski report.

 Sunday Jake and I rode with his buddy Peter to Cloquet for Jens last game. We went through Jay Cooke State Park which is still closed for repairs from last years big rains but passable via bicycle. It was an awesome road ride and hardly any traffic.

 The Blackhawks won their first three games to get to the semi final. Last a super tight close game 5-6 and earned a game vs the Machine Black for the third place game. Before the game, Jonell and I figured between Jon and Jens, they have played almost 300 spring/summer games and first time one of them has faced off vs the Machine. The Machine typically field some of the best teams in MN, picking the top players in MN. Very fun to watch and Jens said best players he has ever played against. Great experience and held their own despite losing 0-5 and getting outshot 56-14.

 After the game we drove up to Cascade State park just south of Grand Marais. It was a great location and a nice break from the campground we were in south of Duluth (Indian Point) which was jammed pack with campers attending the Reggae fest. I think the cousins of the Wailers and their cousins and their cousins were right next to us. Pulled all nighters both nights. Anyways, good to be in a more peaceful area.

 Had a nice hike in Cascades on a beautiful summer day.

Taking it all in.

The next day went up to Grand Marais and spent final two days up there. I went up to Pincushion to check out the new mtb trails in the morning than early evening, back up with Jonell and Jens to ride a lap. Jonell did great and was fun riding. Again, full report in skinnyski recap but a nice mix of old school singletrack, flow and rocky north shore stuff.

Taking a dip in Lake Superior post ride.

 Absolutely stunning the last morning we were in Grand Marais. Hard to head home!

 Before we rolled out, hit up the Mexican joint Hughtos. Looking at this makes me hungry. A Indian frybread type taco. Great stuff. Had two, should of had one....

 On way back to Duluth, stopped at Britton Peak to check out the trails there. Not quite as polished as the Pincushion trails and didn't appear to see much traffic but some fun stuff back in there. More deciduous type forest.

 Jens was pushing 8 hours of riding over three days. Riding a rigid bike (no suspension) and clipless pedals for the first time. He did awesome and was so much fun seeing him get in to it so much.

  Living in the country back home, it was nice to be in near a town and be able to ride downtown and check things out. If we lived anywhere remotely to town, I can't imagine our family not transporting most of the time with a bicycle.

Overall a great trip and some fun times and memories.