Back from the Reunion

A few day’s break in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the Grand Teton Lodge.  It was my mother’s ‘fourscore’ birthday, and the whole family came in to join the celebration. 

It’s a real milestone birthday, and wonderful to see everyone again.  The Delft vase survived the journey from the Netherlands to Wyoming, and it felt nice to have brought something with tradition and history to the occasion.  And here’s the family picture, with my brothers (both younger), parents, and I.

There were lots of opportunities for everyone to catch up during outings and events: I had to pass on the Snake River raft trip, but the picnics and excursions into town were fun.

Interesting, too, tow see how everyone’s life is evolving as the children leave home.  People are starting to gravitate towards lifelong interests; one brother is an active aviator, while another has taken up climbing.  Everyone is traveling more, making plans and swapping ideas for places to go and things to do.

Nobody is letting the economic problems get in their way: we’re all still starting and expanding businesses, changing careers, and readjusting the work-life balance.  The younger kids are wondering what sort of family they’ve hooked into: expectations must be high.

On the way back, we proved that you can drive from the Tetons to Seattle in a single (14-hour) day.  I still marvel at the hills, open spaces, lack of people, and trackless distances as contrasted to the Netherlands.  Being away does, indeed, make me see the familiar in wholly new ways.

More pictures can be found on Flickr or Facebook.