May or April

If it wasn't for the foliage and greenery that made it look like late May, this past week felt more like early April than late May. May can drive Minnesotan's crazy. We get fooled thinking warm weather is in place than we get hit with cold and wet like we did this past weekend. Jack had is only indoor meet back on April 2nd and, of course, that would be one of the nicest days in spring!

Sunday I toed the line for the 27th season and the first mountain bike race this year, hitting up the local ski area Detroit Mountain for the second race in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Series. Wrote a race recap in the skinnyski MTB report if interested. Always good to see folks you have met and raced with over the years, probably the best part, and of course, finding that line of pushing it enough without blowing up and enjoy flowing through the singletrack. The temps were chilly, barely pushing 40 with some good ol fashioned mud for the earlier races. Super proud of the Maplelag team that continues to grow from all ages and classes. Great folks.

There were guys racing in sweatshirts, the mud and this flatbed hauling the race steed had it feeling like the old days.

Even walking in the pits, seeing the seasoned grizzled vets. Mike Hall showing son Jeff's race bike for the day. Trailer full of bikes ready for the conditions. Last minute rear tire change to handle the mud. Always good catching up with Mike if even a short while.

Throw back to April 2nd, indoor meet where it was cooler inside than outside.

After the race I bolted down to St Cloud to catch the tail end of nephew Reagan's grad party. If you are a fan of the annual hockey hair video that comes out the end of the season after the state hockey tourney, you might recognize Reagan. Yep, thats him. Was going to cut after the season but held out until graduation. How could he not? Headed up to Canada for a month long canoe trip. Congrats Reagan, well done.

Mom and Dad at both ends of the canoe entertaining as the hockey player dives for a cold beverage.

Big news over the weekend for Jon was his commitment to RPI to play D1 hockey. It happened pretty fast. He had been on their list since the NAHL showcase last fall, talking to the previous head coach after those September games and off and on through the season. The new coach hired few weeks ago had watched tape and did some serious scouting on all the prospects and gave Jon a call. Jon felt the fit was right and committed. He had been talking with a few other schools but one of those things you feel is right and go with it.  The mindset was to play another year of Juniors so it really hasn't sunk in he will be going to college next year. We are very proud and excited to see the future unfold.

Last weekend was fishing opener and Jens has been going out. We have been out the nights we can, catching quite a few, releasing everything except this one walleye Jens caught. We have been having fun monitoring weather trends on the Maplelag PWS keeping track of the bite in relation to pressure, dew point, fronts good stuff like that.  Dew point is the most underrated reported weather condition in my opinion. I watch dew point in winter as it is critical for grooming.

Family friend Rick scoring a great sign for the lodge over the week. Good stuff!