Telluride Reunion with FOUR Generations

Grandpa -- now also known as GG, for "Great Grandpa" -- decided months ago that his 90th birthday present was going to be a family reunion ski trip to Telluride, Colorado. First, he polled his grown children and grandchildren for participation: all but 5 of 26 were game. Next, he booked three condos:

>one for himself, his youngest son B, his wife K, his own youngest son N, and his wife's mother M (his oldest son M1 and his wife H and his daughter M2 were unable to come), and his daughter R and her partner R1;

>another for his oldest son MW, his wife V, their daughter E, her husband K1 and their 10-m.o. son W, and their oldest son G, his wife C, and his 6-m.o. son J (their youngest son BD, his wife M4, and their 5.5-m.o. daughter RB were unable to come);

>and a third for his middle son JB, his wife CH, their son Z, his wife Em, and their 2.5- y.o. son WS, and their daughter Jo, her husband MC and their 22-m.o. son BC.

Complicated!!! Finally, the Patriarch of the Crew sent a link to the condo and lodge website and informed everyone that they were responsible for their own transportation to Telluride and for any adult beverages they enjoyed.

Why Telluride for a big reunion, when families were coming from all over the United States? Telluride had been the location of at least 15 family ski vacations over the years with Granny and Grandpa hosting. Back then, those of their kids with non-skiing children were asked to wait to join until the youngsters could ski -- kind of hard when children were only two years apart! Even so, once all of the grandchildren were 3 y.o. and older, cousins came to a wonderful place where unbreakable bonds were formed and memorable experiences were shared. Grandpa/GG specifically wanted to be at Telluride because his wife BF (Granny), who passed away in 2015, had been here many times, and had been instrumental in helping to make the myriad wonderful memories shared by the whole crew. It was the winter ski trips that everyone loved best!

The older (is this the most appropriate descriptor?) women in each condo (CH, V, K, and R) decided that meals would be the responsibility of each condo -- too many people to all eat together, especially with little people needing extra attention. The Middle Moms (Jo, E, C, and Em) set about figuring out how to get enough equipment for all of the little people: Pack 'n' Plays, high chairs, toys, sleds, diapers, wipes, baby food -- all things very difficult to bring on a plane! The Middle Moms ordered bulk diapers and wipes. E and K2, as well as MW and V decided to drive to Telluride, instead of flying, so they could bring the smaller equipment and bulk items, as well as some food items. Em contacted the lodge about the baby furniture, some of which was available from the lodge and other stuff could be rented.

Finally, the travel weekend arrived! Unfortunately, the Patriarch of the Crew had health issues leading up to this very special reunion, and we all thought he wouldn't be able to come. He did, however, rally and was able to come a couple of days late. Only Grandpa/GG's plane was significantly delayed among the five flights it took to get here and, even so, he still arrived in time for cocktails before Monday night dinner.

A whole week without arguments and no significantly ruffled feathers! Pretty amazing, considering all of the age differences, personalities, likes, dislikes, and individual parenting practices! The five youngest are probably too young to really remember this trip. Nevertheless, their parents will make it come alive for them with the many photos taken. BD, M4, and RB video-chatted twice with the group during cocktail hour, so as not to entirely miss out on the family camaraderie.

For sure, other trips will spin off from this one, so the littlest can start making cousin memories, too. It's unlikely, though, that Telluride will ever again be the location of such a remarkable reunion of generations. Grandpa/GG is moving across the country. MW, V, and CH are the first of his children/children-in-law who are retiring (sort of!). The Middles are generating cousins. Who knows where new interests will develop, where memories will be made?