Taking The Long Way To Camp Mishawaka

Wow.  I just realized that it’s been quite some time since I last wrote in my blog.  2020 to be exact. Seriously?  But, it’s not because I haven’t wanted to write.  Or that I haven't been able to write.  No muse.  No time.  No story to tell. No excuses...  I suppose that since my blog started as a travel blog, it’s when I’m not at home, where I’m most inspired to write.  

Yes, in my greatest role as a dad, home is where the heart is, but it’s when I’m on the road, in an unfamiliar land, where I get to best reflect on that great role.  And as I sit and listen to the muffled sound of a shipping freighter horn off in the distance, while the calming sound of Lake Superior laps at my feet, I can’t help but think how great this parenting journey has been.  Sure, there’s ups and downs, especially when it comes to teenagers…  I now have two.  Sometimes you’re at home, but more often than not, you're in an unfamiliar land...  Get
to connection?

Lake Superior is massive.  It’s 31,700 square miles to be exact.  And as much as this great lake is bustling with shipping freighters and industry, it’s mostly known for its natural beauty.  So how did I end up in Northern Minnesota, just shy of the Canadian border by two hours?  Baseball!

Since 2018, my son has made the all-star baseball team at North Venice Little League.  He has been playing baseball up on the “hill top” at this local treasure since he was four.  Some of the boys on this team have been playing with, and against him since pre-school, and for the last three years, these boys have played
baseball practically year-round together as a travel team.  They have developed a tight bond, friendship and a comradery that I have never seen before with a youth sports team.  

These boys have created something truly special, both on and off the field, under the leadership of their tirelessly devoted coaches, Tyrone, Taro, Avery and Bryan.  These coaches decided to keep this team together after their 11u all-star tournament in 2019.  They finished third place in their district, which extends from Malibu in the north, to West LA and Culver City in the east, and to Playa Vista in the south.  Unlike some Little Leagues, who recruit talent within their districts, this team of coaches opted to develop this squad of boys, and turn them into true baseball players.  But, this task did not come without its share of adversity.

In Little League baseball, the 12-year-old season is considered the “Little League Division.”  In other words, it’s the age group who goes to the Little League World Series, and who gets all of the glory with televised tournaments.  These boys were being groomed to compete for that honor.  But, COVID had other plans, and their 12-year-old season
was canceled after only three games.

But that did not stop their coaches from being creative.  They began conducting Zoom practices and fun online social gatherings.  They kept the heart of this team alive, and as soon as county rules were relaxed, and maybe even slightly before…, their squad of baseball players were back out on the field.  Unfortunately, their 12-year-old season was gone forever. 

Since getting third place in the district as 11-year-olds, these boys have now won two district championships (2021 & 2022), one sectional championship (Southern section of LosAngeles County), and finished in the Final Four at the 2021 California State Championship.  What these boys have accomplished under the leadership of their coaches, is truly remarkable.

2022 was the last season this team will play together in this configuration before most of these boys go off to high school. They competed at the top of their game and won the district championship over cross-town rivals Santa Monica Little League, but finished in second place in the sectional championship.  As the coaches and
players gave their final speeches on their home field following their final loss as a team, there was not a dry eye in the house.

Now back to Minnesota.  Last summer my son went to a sleepaway camp called Camp Mishawaka for a month in Northern Minnesota.  He had the time of his life!  Last year, all-star baseball was wrapped
up before camp.  But this year the schedule was dragged out much longer.  After his team won the district championship, it was realized that there would be a conflict with the sectional tournament, and the start of camp.  

One might think that there would be a simple solution to this scheduling conflict, but that was just not the case.  Kids come from all over the country to attend this camp, so they all need to arrive at Minneapolis St. Paul airport on the same day.  They fly unaccompanied and are received by their counselors at the airport. They then hop in buses and make the 3 1/2 hour trip north to this 117 year-old camp.

So.  My solution definitely falls in the, “if these kids only knew what we are willing to do for them“ category, in that it was now my responsibility to get him to camp.  As in actually taking him to camp.  In northern Minnesota.  And we live in Los Angeles…  Sigh.

But here’s the silver lining.  For parents who have, or have had, teenagers, you know that there is definitely a breakdown in communication during these early teen years.  Whereas we were once heroes, we are now invisible.  So, when an opportunity to spend a full day together traveling halfway
across the country with your teenager, rather than running for the hills, I believe we need to embrace these moments.  Yes, they will spend as much time on TikTok, gaming with friends, YouTube and whatever means they now have connecting with friends on social media…  But, at some point, even the most “devoted to their device” kid will want to talk.  Even if you have to drag it out of them.  For me, once my big man gets on a roll, he’s an outright chatterbox!  And if you’ve made it this deep in this blog post so far, you can see the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. ;)

We boarded our flight from LAX to Minneapolis at 8:50am.  There has been so much talk about how awful airtravel is at the moment, I was pleasantly surprised to get through security in no time, and without a hitch!  Yes, the Starbucks line at the Delta terminal was as long as

ever, but not even my TSA pre-check can help with that…  Coffee > Long Line.  It’s the same as when they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself first before helping others.  Even your kids…

Everything was going as planned until I went to book a rental car the night before our flight, only to find that there were no rental cars available.  Not joking.  Hertz, Dollar, Enterprise, Sixt, Avis.  Nothing!  So, I downloaded the app that is considered the AirBnB of car rentals, Turo.  And to my amazement, I found the ultimate muscle car for the same price as a compact car from any of the aforementioned corporate rental car companies!  Not only that, they offered curbside drop off, right outside the baggage claim door for no additional charge!  Yes, seriously!

Brian, born and raised in Minneapolis, was waiting outside for us when we walked out into the humid, overcast, sunshine.  I know.  The weather doesn’t make sense to me either, but apparently it’s normal to have at least three seasons happening at one time in MLPS!  

The last thing Brian mentioned to us as we took the keys and jumped into his car was, “be careful. This SS Camaro has the same engine as a Corvette, so the back end can get a little loose.  It’s easy to smoke the tires.”  My son and I both nodded with a smile, put on some Van Halen (DLR of course), and in 60 seconds, MSP airport was in our rear view.

We had a three and a half hour drive to Camp Mishawaka.  I think both of us were still trying to unpack the sadness we felt in our hearts about having to so abruptly say goodbye to our baseball family.  We spoke at great length about high school baseball, as well as the possibility of the boys playing in the Senior Division next year.  It won’t be the same team, but as their teary-eyed coach mentioned after their final game together, he would be willing to coach if the boys wanted to play.  The thought of playing with his team again put a smile on his face as we pulled the Camaro into Dairy Queen for a late lunch.

We arrived at Camp Mishawaka around 7pm.  As we pulled down the wooded dirt road that leads you to the central camp cabins, my son’s counselor and the director of the boys camp were waiting for us. They greeted us as we got out of the car, and at the same time, a large group of boys were walking up an adjoining path.  I heard one kid say, “Is that Jaden?”  Another said, “Yes,” and then they all started calling out “Jaaadeen, Jaaadeen!”  He grabbed his bags, gave me a big hug, and joined the group as they walked back to their cabins.

I didn’t want to embarrass him, so I was happy when he turned back around and gave me one more big hug.  We said goodby, and then he was gone. Blotting a few tears, I got back into the Camaro, fired up the engine, and headed towards Lake Superior.

*Note: My laptop decided to stop working, so I’m playing a little catch up…

Day 1 - July 21, 2022

Start: Los Angeles CA

Destination: Camp Mishawaka (Grand Rapids MN)

Additional Destination: Duluth MN

Mileage (Delta): 1800 Miles

Mileage (Muscle Car)