Signe enjoys a quiet brotherless week

Nana and Papa came out to visit last weekend so my dad and Theo could go on a local 50-mile bike ride from Moscow, through Troy and Deary, and end up in Potlatch. Signe decided to go back to Woodburn with them since we will be there after Gunnar's final baseball tournament this weekend. Signe got a hair cut and is enjoying some shopping (and dining out) with Nana, who sent me this pic. Meanwhile Gunnar and Zane are getting lots of exercise at football camp, and building projects are underway in the living room.

Regional Cal Ripken Tourney

Last Thursday the 10U All-Star Team won their first regional game 12-2 against Big Muddy of Eastern Montana, with Cam Hurn throwing a no-hitter. But they lost their next three games and didn't make it to the Saturday semifinals. We watched some of the final games on Saturday, and they were thrilling... both 10U and 12U championship games went to extra innings, with the home teams both coming back from behind to win it all in the bottom of the inning. Kennewick 10U beat Whatcom County 16-15 in a back-and-forth heartbreaker to move on to the Cal Ripken World Series in Indiana.

Idaho State Penitentiary

Before making the long drive north, we made a tourist stop at the old prison in Boise, opened in the 1800's and closed in 1973. We spent a fascinating couple of hours wandering the grounds.

More Capitol pics

Capitol building

Idaho State Capitol

After the final game Friday afternoon, we decided to explore Boise and go to the Capitol building. Signe's friend (and the head coach's daughter) Lucy Spencer tagged along. It is a beautiful building.

State 10U tourney

Out of 11 teams in the state tourney, we were hopeful that Latah County could be one of the top 4 to play on Saturday. They played fairly well against Meridian, who would go on to be repeat champions after also winning the 9U last year. But the Blue Devils had numerous errors and poor hitting against the next two beatable teams, so they didn't make it out of pool play. In their final game Friday they crushed the very bad Idaho Falls team 18-2. Gunnar is catching in the first pic, but he also played 3rd and a little 1st. He had a few uncharacteristic errors when he played 3rd base against Kuna, among many on the team. But he also batted 4-9 (.444) for the weekend with two walks and one strikeout and did a commendable job as catcher.
But the season isn't over - since Moscow is hosting the 10U/12U regional tournament next week, we get an automatic berth. We are hoping they can represent well!

The real reason we go to baseball tourneys...

It's the swimming pool, of course. Full of players from the 9U and 10U Latah County All-Star teams, and their younger brothers. And exactly 4 older sisters, including Signe in the front of this pic, to add a little balance.
It is a fun reprieve after a tough day, as the Blue Devils lost both to Meridian (after playing them closely the first few innings) and Kuna. They have been struggling to hit the ball, but will hopefully turn things around tomorrow!

Opening Day Ceremonies

After packing up our camping stuff we made the 2-hour drive further south to Meridian (a Boise suburb) to officially check in. While waiting around the boys entertained themselves with a games of "hot potato".
Our first game is tomorrow, against the host Meridian team with many players who dominated the 9U tournament last year. There are 11 teams here, and we are starting our facing the favored team...it will be a tough one!

Burgdorf Hot Springs

We drove up last night to the middle of nowhere (only accessible by snowmobile in the winter) to visit a slice of rustic Idaho. Built up by miners 150 years ago, there are chickens and goats roaming everywhere amidst crumbling outbuildings and charming cabins maintained as rentals. Soaking in the hot water was sooooo relaxing.

Camping in McCall

The first night our former neighbors, Bill and Kathy Dickerson, let us stay at their house. They had just retired and permanently moved to McCall, and it was their idea to visit this beautiful tourist destination on our way south to the state tournament. The Dickersons let us use their paddle boards and kayaks, and helped us find a scenic campsite by Upper Payette Lake for our second night. The kids wanted to stay much longer.