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.

Ponderosa State Park

In McCall, Idaho. We are staying here for a couple days on our way to the All Star tournament near Boise later this week.

Workin’ hard

Zane got to stay in Moscow for a classmate's birthday party, while the other menfolk went out in the woods to do manly stuff. Dan Davenport drove his truck to join them cutting wood; he is the head of financial aid at U of I and has officiated football with Nick for many years.

More 4th of July

After the bike ride, kids swam, played, and ate at Rocky Point on Lake Chatcolet while the parents chatted. Cousin Louie and friend Selah Beauchamp look like they are pretending to be Hogswart students. That evening we drove an hour home in Nick's old truck to watch an impressive neighborhood fireworks display up on our culdesac.