On the Road

Having two kids in hockey means lots of road trips to catch some of the games. Jon is in his second year of high school hockey which means less games and travel with the team on a bus. Jens in first year Pee Wees and the number of games has bumped up from last year. So far has worked out good this year that most of the farther away games on weekends we have been before we crank up big time (hopefully) for the winter season. 

 Heading up to Lake of the Woods a few weekends ago, saw this guy riding through the deep woods near Itasca State Park.

 Went on east side of Red Lake which I've never been to before. Walked on the ice a bit to check out the fish houses in the distance. (Later that weekend I was talking to a Canadian and he called them fish Shacks")

 Facing off vs Lake of the Woods. Never been in the arena before. Home of Keith Ballard, currently playing for the Wild. Kind of a ugly game but a win is a win and the Lakers came up victors by a score of 3-1.

 JV players selling chuck a pucks.

 LOW had some success in the earlier years, most recently in 2004 vs Warroad.

Saturday morning stopped by Zippel Bay State Park  to check out conditions before going to Warroad. I skied here a few years ago when Jon was playing in tourney in Warroad. It wasn't groomed but enough snow for a nice ski. Sleet earlier in the morning made for FAST conditions. The best part was checking out the ice formations on the shore were most interesting. Looked like mini volcanoes. Full trail report:

 Saturday afternoon game vs Warroad. Probably one of my favorite rinks to watch a game in MN. Bigger sheet of ice and chance for the wheels to get moving on the speedy guys. The Lakers made it a good game behind some fantastic goaltending by the Laker net minder. Despite getting outshot, had the lead for a portion of the game but couldn't capitalize on its scoring chances to lose 2-3.

 Jon catching up with his buddy Luke Jaycox. One of the top D man in the state and very fun to watch.

 Grandpa Jim working the locals for area knowledge.

 Warroad Gardens probably the top arena in the state and probably country for that matter, that I have seen, for displays of the history of the local area hockey. Warroad rich in tradition with the legendary Warroad Lakers, the Olympians and Christian Hockey bros, to name a few. Had a chance to meet one of the Marvins after the game and one of the friendliest hockey persons I have met. The Marvin family doing incredible things for the town of Warroad and hockey.

 Next weekend was a day trip to Duluth on Saturday on a rare day off for everyone to visit Jake. It was a quick trip but good times like always when we are all together.

 Took a visit to the zoo. The last time we took the kids to the zoo, we were pretty much a mobile exhibit if you know what I mean. Doesn't matter where we go, always some good memories and thats what it is all about.

 Who puts a crow in a zoo?!?!

The trip was planned to bring Jens to his game on Sunday in Crosby, half way home . Fun game for Jens and his Pee Wee A team, going to OT with Jens getting a hat trick on the overtime winner.