Sometimes summer keeps its relentless heat up well into September, which works for us in the Pacific Northwest. Each year in mid-September there's a small gathering near Leavenworth, Washington. It's hosted by Tim, who throws it on three acres he's manicured into a showpiece for his landscaping business. The weekend consists of mostly relaxing, although croquet is usually on the menu. Forget everything you think you know about the game. This is mountain croquet, and the rules aren't anything like those that come with the garden variety set. Yes, even croquet can be hybridized into a seriously fun and challenging activity.

Located east of Seattle and on the other side of the mountains, autumn in Leavenworth is iffy at best. Some years it's more like winter; others - like this year - leave you with the impression August temperatures will never end. A trip to the top of the pass will fix that, though.

Starting on Friday, and going through Sunday, Tim's party at times seems a neverending story of good cheer. Culminating on Saturday night with a seafood feed he personally delivers fresh off the Seattle docks, this year the party also featured aerial acrobatics, antique cars, chainsaw carving by a local champion, and stargazing through high-power telescopes (looks like somebody paid attention in astronomy class).

Saturday's festivities went late into the wee hours, the music playing the band for all they were worth. When finally they emerged from their transcendence, and things began quieting down, drums and acoustical instruments appeared as if out of nowhere - a drum circle here, a jam over there - musical pow wows that outlasted ourselves. All in all, not a bad way to wrap up summer - make that Indian Summer - in the Great Pacific Northwest.



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