The Gang of 9, Year 8

Eight years in a row. It's a pretty incredible feat for two busy families, so I'd say it sums up quite well the importance and overall enjoyment of the tradition of our mountain house weekend with the Francos. It's also yet another piece of evidence that time flies - wasn't it just yesterday that Tim was carrying Laura on his back for our first hike?

This year we made our reservation early and thus returned to Kleinhaus, with its incomparable views (the above is from a window in the living room). It's truly a special piece of property, with terrific access to several hiking spots and the charming town of Clayton.

Although the weather was a tad warmer than we would have liked for a fall getaway, we took advantage of the outdoors and went on hikes both Saturday and Sunday. The first was to a scenic waterfall area. The second turned out to be an extremely rigorous 2.2 mile hike that we all thought was *surely* longer than that, until Isabella's tell-tale Fitbit reported the truth. Still, the views from the official overlook at the top were quite stunning (see family photo at the top of the post).

We also spent a lot of time chilling, something I think every single one of us needed. I kept my phone on silent, and it was glorious. We watched the sun set. Not a single game of Euchre was played, which needs to be remedied next year (and sooner than that, on the Party Porch), but the Irish did have an excellent victory on Saturday night. And Tim and Luis engaged Clare and Isabella in late-night billiards and ping-pong, so I'd say some important bonding took place.

The weekend went by as quickly as the 8 years have done, but I don't doubt that it will feel like I am posting about year 9 tomorrow. What a blessing.