- Episode 2
- The Drive to the "Family Homestead"
- The trip from O'Hare Airport to Denver International Airport was uneventful, although getting through security took some time. Agnes insisted on stopping along Highway 70 to shop for some groceries before they approached the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
- "What for?" Mort asked. "I'm sure they've got plenty of food."
- "Ah, but transportation costs to the mountain areas are high and so are food prices. Mom and Dad will appreciate getting some extra provisions. I'm sure of that," Agnes replied.
- So the family tumbled out of the four-wheel drive SUV ("Not exactly fuel efficient," Mort grumbled when they picked up the car at the airport) and headed to the supermarket. Agnes hadn't been aware of all the mergers taking place in the food industry and was thrilled to discover that her Chicago-area supermarket card was valid for price discounts on many items.
- Small snowflakes were just beginning to fall when the Maloneys started driving west again. "Yay!" Mal and Mel were thrilled, as there wasn't any snow to speak of back home.
- "It looks like it's snowing pretty heavily up there in the mountains," Mort said. "Good thing we were able to take an early flight. I'd hate to drive in a snowstorm at night."
- Agnes recalled her winters in Colorado. "Don't worry, dear. They'll just close the highway if it gets too bad."
- "That's reassuring," Mort said in mock relief.
- "Don't forget to breathe deeply," Agnes reminded everyone. "One-two-three inhale, one-two exhale."
- As they reached the foothills, it was apparent that they were indeed headed into a snowstorm. Agnes switched on her cell phone and called her parents, letting them know that they'd be arriving later than planned.
- "I'd guess everyone's hungry. Let's eat the sandwiches we bought at the supermarket," Agnes suggested. "Mort, when I've finished mine, let's switch. I can drive while you eat your sandwich."
- Mort wasn't so sure he wanted Agnes to tackle the difficult driving, as the snow was falling harder now and the hilly curves were becoming tricky to navigate.
- Agnes knew what Mort was thinking. "Don't worry, hon. This was my home before we got married and I've driven up this route dozens of times."
- Agnes was excited at being nearly back to the place where she grew up and kept up a running commentary as Mort drove...past the gravesite of Buffalo Bill Cody, a a buffalo herd and scenic overlook. Agnes ate as fast as she talked and convinced Mort to change places with her at the next exit.
- "We'll be heading into Idaho Springs soon, and I want all of you to see the huge ice "waterfall" on the left," Agnes said. She was also hoping to divert everyone's attention from the Buffalo Restaurant on the right side of the road. It would be a good place to stop for lunch when they make the return trip to the airport at the end of their stay, rather than now in the middle of a snowstorm. She focused her attention on driving.
- The car echoed with oohs, aahs and "look there" as new, spectacular views of the mountains appeared at every turn. Everyone was impressed by the huge ice fall and several smaller ones; no one seemed to notice anything else of interest in Idaho Springs.
- The weather conditions were closer to a blizzard than Agnes liked, but she remembered the roads quite well and the SUV handled the road equally as well. Mort was worried about the amount of snow falling and the capability other drivers, but also grateful for the stability of the "gas guzzler" his father had the foresight to reserve for the mountainous drive.
- Elevation markers showed higher and higher altitudes as they made their way up into the Rockies, past the turnoff to Loveland Pass on the Continental Divide and through the long Eisenhower Tunnel.
- "Another visit," Agnes thought. The 360 degree panorama at 11,990 feet is breathtaking, but driving up there in a snowstorm would be foolhardy, she reasoned.
- The Eisenhower Tunnel's highest point is 11,158 feet and is said to be the highest tunnel in the world that is used by vehicles. Its length is pretty impressive, too, at about 1.7 miles.
- The twins were indeed impressed, peering ahead and challenging each other to see who would be the first to catch a glimpse of the other side.
- Ok, everybody, it's all downhill from here," Agnes announced, to groans from the three passengers, as they emerged from the tunnel. "This is the neighborhood where I grew up; it's part of the Arapahoe National Forest."
- "Wow! Where's Grandma and Grandpa's house?" Mal found it hard to believe that anyone could live in a place like this.
- "It's a bit further, close to Arapahoe Basin, one of the places where we'll be skiing. Your Grandpa Mike got us Summit passes so we can visit three ski areas," Agnes said.
- Mort asked, "So we'll be skiing in a national forest?"
- "Something like that," Agnes replied.
- The highway sloped downward after Eisenhower Tunnel and Agnes had to be careful not to let the car speed up too much. After exiting I-70, Agnes drove through town before making turns up a number of local roads leading them to the "family homestead" as Agnes called it.
- "I'm glad you knew where you're going, Ag," Mort said as Agnes turned into the driveway of her parents' house, exclaiming "We're here!"
- The twins clapped, happy to be released from the confinement of the plane and car trips. Mort was relieved that the drive up the mountains was uneventful and happy to be able to see his wife's parents after so many years.
- "I hope you're not going to ask me to draw a map of how to get here from the highway. Hmm, on second thought, why don't you draw a map so I don't forget the way?"
- A Joyful Family Reunion
- Peter and Mary heard the car drive up and opened the door to their home even before Agnes turned off the ignition.
- "So our little girl has come home for Christmas!" Peter came down the steps, arms open to greet Agnes with a big hug, followed by Mary.
- "Little girl, huh?" Mel giggled. "Not THAT little," Mal answered, chuckling, as the twins unbuckled their seat belts.
- "Come in, come in," Mary invited the twins. "It's probably colder here than you're used to. Come in and let me make you some hot cocoa while your folks and grandpa bring in the luggage."
- Both Mal and Mel were enthralled with the grandeur of the mountains, not quite ready to go indoors after being cooped up so long. "Grandma, we can help bring in some things and then we can all have cocoa together," Mal suggested.
- "Good idea, Mallory," Mary said approvingly. How nice, she thought to herself. Agnes and Mortimer are bringing up the children just fine.
- It didn't take long for the groceries and luggage to be brought in. Agnes stayed downstairs awhile, showing her mother the fruits and vegetables they bought outside of Denver. "Asparagus, Aggie? That's quite a luxury this time of year," here mother said.
- "Not at all," Agnes replied. "They were on special, probably brought in from California or somewhere, and one of my supermarket cards are accepted here for the discounts."
- Mort and the twins came downstairs, breathless from excitement and the thin air. Mal and Mel carried little wrapped packages that they gave to Mary. "Here, Grandma. These are for you and Grandpa," Mel said. "We made them for you," said Mal, proud of his newly-developed skill with scissors and folded paper to create home-made Christmas presents.
- Mary and Peter took turns opening the gifts. "Our refrigerator certainly needed some decorating. Thank you," Mary said as she arranged the magnets with pictures of wreaths, ornaments, trees and candles on the refrigerator door.
- Peter inspected each of the cutout snowflakes he unwrapped. "These are mighty fine. I'll get some thread from your grandma's sewing basket and hang them in our dining room in time for our Christmas."
- Mal and Mel beamed as they drank their cocoa, pleased that their grandparents admired their home-made crafts.
- "It's still light out, but you'll soon be able to see the sun disapper behind those mountains, now that the snow clouds moved off," Peter said to Mal and Mel. "Let's watch from the back porch."
- Agnes showed Mort the rest of the house before helping her mom prepare dinner. At dinner, it was agreed that they would take it easy tomorrow to let the "flatlanders" get accustomed to the high altitude before skiing the day before Christmas Eve. There were several historic gold mines nearby that were no longer "working" mines, but offered tours and a chance to pan for gold. A perfect way to start their holiday vacation.
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