Brown Family Reunion June 26-28, 2009

The last week of June was the bi-annual Brown Family Reunion, Rodney's mother's family. We flew Southwest Airlines again this time. They definitely have one of the smoothest operations. After getting the cheap SUV from Budget Rent A Car last trip, we spent twice as much money for a Chevy HHR this time. It was a decent little car though, and we used it well, since Rodney's brother, Roger, and Roger's wife Julia called when we were just north of Cheyenne on I-25 to say they were 20 (35km) miles east of Casper and Julia's Passat had broken down. Since we were in the state, we decided we could make the 250 (400km) mile detour to pick them up. Wyoming (and Colorado) were both beautifully green from the record wet June and we drove 80 miles (135 km) through a downpour on the way to Casper. It cleared up nicely by the time we were in Casper, where the only VW dealer in the state, Ray Powders Volkswagen, was located. We had a great view of Laramie Peak on the way past Glendo Reservoir, which was full to overflowing. We arrived in Torrington about 7:30 and went to eat at Buck's Pizza, which hit the spot. After a couple hours socializing and playing games, we hit the sack.

Saturday we took a walk up the downtown of Torrington and found a nice coffee shop, then spent the mid day at the group lunch with the 60 or so family members that made the reunion. In the afternoon, we took the 50 mile (90 km) trip to the farm where Rodney's mother grew up, in Moore Springs. Rasila's quote, "Now I know what the middle of nowhere truly is!" That night we had a group dinner and played games until tired.

Sunday was a quick gathering and good-byes, and then we drove to Cheyenne to see Rodney's Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Ray's place east of Cheyenne. It was a beautiful 80 acre spread with a horse barn and pastures. Some neighbor's cows were on "the back 40." We then made the drive back to Denver, where the security lines were insane, and flew back Sunday night.