We're at the top of the world tonight. Our house in Estes Park almost seems to be looking down on the Rocky Mountains. I'm not sure if it was more difficult to follow the winding road all the way up here, or to somehow manage to get the whole family together.

There was a serious forest fire that closed the road to Estes Park, but not until after we got through. Unfortunately, some of the relatives coming from Iowa had to take a detour that cost them an extra two hours. The drive they missed is a gorgeous trip through Big Thompson Canyon, with the river crashing over the rocks all along the way.

During the few hours we were all here together, this house was a lively place, with four kids aged eleven to fourteen, and assorted parents, cousins, aunts and uncles. The pool table was the popular gathering place, and the boys uncovered the hot tub and dipped their toes in. The game room was actually the place where it was easiest for us to get reacquainted.

The folks who are camping out wanted to get down the mountain before dark, and the other Iowa people had been on the road since three this morning, so it became a mellow, kind of early night.