Sunrise Mahjong atop Mt. Bonnell — Mahj in the Wild, Austin

Some mornings you just have to take the tiles up a mountain. This weekend, mahj in the wild went literal: we hauled an entire mahjong moment up the steps of Mt. Bonnell — tiles, racks, tablecloth, the styled works — and played American mahjong at sunrise, with the Austin skyline waking up behind the racks and coffee doing its best work. We mahjed, we dined, we solitaired, and more than a few early hikers stopped to ask what we were playing — some jumped right into photos with us!?! That's the thing about this game: set a beautiful table anywhere in Austin and people can't help but pull up a chair.

Want in on the next adventure? Here's where the tiles land this fall: the Fall Into Fun League starts Sept 2 (six Wednesday mornings at Central Market North Lamar); Stitch & Play hits The Needle Works Aug 27–28; Pearls, Pours & Mahjong heads to Mercer St. Taproom Aug 30, Sept 9, and Sept 20; the Mahj in the Wild series plays againTuesday, Sept 15; and we close the month with lessons & open play at Mendocino Farms Sept 27. Seats are limited for all of it — grab yours here.

itsaMahjing hosts beginner mahjong lessons, guided open play, leagues, and private mahjong events across Austin, TX and beyond.