Jack Pitching in Spokane

Jack got the start in Game 2 of the Spokane tournament. He faced the Spokane Dodgers, who are one of the top teams in Washington State, having won several tournaments previously and with at least three starters who have committed to playing Division 1 college baseball in the Fall.

His first pitch was hit over the fence for a homerun. He battled through the first inning, giving up 4 runs, and gutted out the second giving up 7 more runs. Jack's curveball was doing well, but the other team was much larger and a top-notch team.

The Spokane "kids" were pretty big

Some of the Dodgers may be future major leaguers

K

Steamboat Rock

For Fathers' Day weekend, Jack had a tournament in Moses Lake/Ephrata. All five of us went out for it, and used it as an opportunity to do some outdoors activities in the area. On Saturday, the four of us (all minus Jack, who was playing baseball) hiked to the top of Steamboat Rock, a hike we had done six years ago.

Steamboat Rock is a butte in the Columbia Coulee Valley (about 15 miles south of the Grand Coulee Dam) about 1000 feet high jutting out into Banks Lake. It's a stunning spot, a great hike up to the top with beautiful views.

First we walked up to the south are of the rock, with a view down the valley, and then hiked over to the north side to see a very different view. A great hike!

Jack Pitches a CG in Snohomish

After pitching in relief so far for Lakeside, Jack got a start on a midday game and rose to the challenge - going the full 7 innings for a win in a 8-2 victory. Jack gave up 2 runs (1 earned) and struck out 4 (including the last batter of the game), scattering 5 hits and needing just 81 pitches (49 strikes) over the seven innings.

End of the bottom of the 6th

Long video but includes the final out of the game

Climbing Mount Si !

On a sunny Sunday in June, Joseph, Henry, and Dad hiked to the top of Mount Si. Joseph and Dad had climed this once before - in January 2011. This time it was a very clear day. It was the longest and one of the steepest hikes we've ever done, to the top of one of the most notable mountains at the start of the Cascades along I-90.

We started the hike around 9:30 and made it to what seems to be the top by around 11:30. But there's a huge rock that's the actual summit about 200 yards away, and after exploring around we found that people climb up a very steep set of rocks behind that to get to the summit. It was pretty intense but we completed it and stood on top of the peak. Then a long hike down which was in some ways more exhausting.

The climb registered at 9.97 miles and 3535 feet of elevation gain on Henry's GPS tracker. We were wiped out when we ended around 3pm!

On the way up

Mount Rainier in the distance

Looking out from the first summit

Trying to find our house

Near the actual summit

On top!

Looking up at what needs to be climbed to make it to the top!

It's All Downhill From Here!

On a Sunday in early June, Joseph, Henry and Dad took advantage of having multiple drivers and cars to take a 20-mile downhill bike ride without having to ride back up. We parked one car at Rattlesnake Lake, about 20 miles from our house, and then continued driving in another car to Hyak, just beyond Snoqualmie Summit another 20 miles away. We then rode from Hyak to Rattlesnake Lake - starting by going through the 2-mile long Snoqualmie Rail Tunnel and then along a trail across some ridges, past waterfalls, and over streams to Rattlesnake Lake. It was a beautiful ride, and when we were done we piled in the car and drove back up to get the other car. It was a great ride!

Hummingbird Visitor

Skiing on Memorial Day ?!?

After a good snow season and with a bit more on the upper reaches of the mountain, Crystal Mountain decided to re-open up for one last blast Memorial Day weekend. We all went down on Monday, with the boys skiing and Mom, Dad, and Grandma Carol (here for a visit) riding the gondola for some great views. We had lunch at the restaurant at the top and, since we took two cars, the non-skiers were able to head home early while the boys skied until close to 4pm.

A family of elk we saw on the way up the gondola

Joseph going down the slushy slope

The three boys deciding where to head next

Emerald City Bike Ride

On Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, Joseph, Henry, and Dad rode in the Emerald City Bike ride, which started near the stadiums and went up through the new tunnel, our along 99, past Gas Works, and then back down through the express lanes of I5. It was 12 miles and took about an hour. It was a cloudy day but not too cold, though it was great views of the city.