Trained

Although I am often referred to as “untrainable,” my wife Laurie has, with patience and practice, brought me around to a profound appreciation of family reunions. On an annual basis her side of the blood line consistently make the effort to reestablish family ties. When I first married Laurie and she suggested we attend her family reunion, I have to admit that I was dubious. I was skeptical because my family worked together on a daily basis and when the opportunity arose to get away from it and them all, we did just that. No harm, no foul. It was simply a survival thing. To be sure, Laurie’s family are wonderful people and gracious at accepting outlaws as in-laws, which made it easy for me to assimilate. As time went on and many of the younger people grew and generated families of their own, these gatherings have morphed. Clem and Donna’s children, Laurie’s siblings, have become matriarchs and patriarchs in their own right and began subdividing into separate clans. Thus, Laurie and I thought it was time to attempt reunions of our own.

We cherish our children and have learned that to gain and hold their attention for any amount of time, it is wise to distance them from their friends and obligations. This allows us time to move forward with our familial bonding. Laurie hates to plan trips; the details make her crazy, so the job has trickled down to me. I communicate with the kids, find a time where we can all participate, settle on a destination and basic itinerary, and then begin to do the research. I quiz our own friends, relations, and trading post visitors, explore the World Wide Web ferreting-out appropriate lodging and reservations. I research food, fun, and festivities and then present a plan to Laurie. She rearranges everything to best suit everyone and then I nail it down. It sounds a little contrary and contradictory but hey, it works for us.

This year’s outing was a train trip to Denver and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The first part of the trip was intended to be a slow and graceful track through the snowy vistas and grander of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains. We desert dwellers seem to be drawn to high, verdant regions. Unfortunately, there was no snow, but the mountains would still be lofty and majestic. Our lodging was located on the edge of downtown Denver in order for us to witness the sights and sounds of the big city. Union Station is the hub of the Mile High City where public transportation of several varieties is easily accessible to all available venues. We also intended to do a lot of walking to obtain a more up-close and personal perspective of the interurban lifestyle.

Spenser, Alyssa, and McKale were supposed to leave Provo on Wednesday, January 3, at 4:00 a.m., where upon Laurie and I would join them at Green River at 8:00. We were scheduled to arrive in Denver around 2 in the afternoon, which would give us plenty of time to explore the metropolitan landscape before sunset. Yeah right! I don’t intend for this to be a rant on the railroad, but seriously! Amtrak’s California Zephyr proved to be “off the pace” from the very beginning. By the time the train arrived in Green River, Laurie and I had toured the tiny town on the upside, downside, inside, and out. Without the summer watermelons they are so famous for, there are not many highlights to this quaint community, at least not before breakfast.

We finally met up with the trolley, its unapologetic crew, and our children around noon. We settled into the observation car to look upon the undulating grey desert and towering, rock-strewn abutments of the Book Cliffs, playing cards as we ground our way toward Grand Junction. Being with our kids eased my frustration and we soon forgave the train’s apathetic assemblage and made Denver at 8:30 p.m., a good six hours behind the posted arrival time. Our schedule was totally out of whack, and because the sun goes down early in the mountains, we missed much of the scenery. Ah well, in Denver, there are many bright lights and interesting sights after sunset.  

After a few days in the metropolitan area, enjoying family discussions, the Denver Mint, butterfly museums, and shopping, we slipped on over the hill to Glenwood Springs to enjoy what they had to offer. Again, our train was hours late which cost us time standing in line and an extra day at the motel to allow for a place to stash our luggage and use as a base camp for adventure. On this leg of the train trip, we were able to see more of the mountain scenery and a little of the local wildlife. Glenwood Springs is a scenic little city that is well worth exploring. We did a lot of walking and ground-level sightseeing along the river bike/running path. We also enjoyed the soothing mineral waters of the hot springs, discovered a great little Bavarian bakery, boutiques, and relished a meal at an eastern Indian eatery.

Previous planning put us all home at a reasonable hour on Saturday night, but that was not to be. We did not even leave Glenwood Springs until 8:15 in the evening, which got us to Green River near midnight, another six hours in arrears. We said our sad, sleepy goodbyes to our children, leaving them on the train, fired up the old, cold Honda van and headed for home. Laurie and I made it back to Blanding around 3:00 a.m., while the kids arrived in Provo around 4:00. Even though our schedule was totally twisted the entire trip with the belching contests, swearing fests, rude noises, caustic comments, and outrageous discussions on religion and politics going on around us were, mostly unacceptable, we had a good time. Being with Laurie, Spens, Lyss, and Mic was a treasured event and I will mark it in my memory as a successful and enjoyable family reunion. I am definitely looking forward to another one next year. As Laurie is fond of saying, with an accusing look in my direction. “Despite our influence, our children have turned out well.” For now it is back to my Twin Rocks family and their mostly unacceptable belching contests, swearing fests, rude noises, caustic comments, and outrageous discussions on religion and politics.