Family Ties is the twelfth installment of Finding My Way Home. To view the previous installment, click here. If you wish to start from the beginning, click here. This is the ongoing story of the six years I spent as a vagabond photographer.

The drive over Lizard Head Pass in the San Juan Mountains reminds me of the Sunday drives my father used to take us on when I was a little girl. The majestic snow-capped peaks, the lush carpet of alpine greenery interspersed with snow-melt streams. All of it brings back sweet memories of being outdoors in the mountains. I’ve spent much of my adult life trying to forget my childhood—at least the majority of it—because of so much trauma and the extraordinary sadness I feel about it. This place is reminding me that it wasn’t all bad. There were moments, and even days I was blissful. It’s really nice to be reminded of that. The mountains of Colorado will forever hold a special place in my heart because of this. My love of nature and wildlife was born here. Although I’ve carried that love with me everywhere throughout my life, it’s origins are in the Rocky Mountains.

One of my traveling goals is to reconnect with my Aunt Sally. She is my father’s baby sister and I haven’t seen her in well over thirty years. The fondest memories I have of her are when I was in second grade and she was in high school. She was like a movie star to me. I admired her with all the fervor of a seven year old girl admiring a seventeen year old girl. She was who I wanted to be when I grew up. Alas, as time passed, we lost touch. The last time I saw her was for only a few minutes at my sister’s graduation from college in the mid-1980’s. Before that, my father’s funeral in 1975 when I was only twelve years old. She was the one who gently insisted that I view the open casket and held onto me as I did. She knew that I wouldn’t accept his death if I didn’t see him that day before they buried him.

I’ve reserved a month at the Sunset Ranch RV Park in Delta, Colorado, which is near where my aunt lives in Paonia. And, I’ve made sure that the reservation covers the Fourth of July! I’ve done some research on the area and found some places I definitely want to visit while I’m here, including the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Of course, I always ask the hosts at the RV park if they have any recommendations. They tell me I have to visit the Grand Mesa. I’ve never heard of it, despite having lived near here when I was a child. As it turns out, the Grand Mesa is the largest flat topped mountain in the world. Elevations range between nine and eleven thousand feet. There are more than 300 lakes atop the mesa, and much of it is national forest. The wildflowers are abundant and in full bloom. How did I not know about this place? I’m very happy to have discovered it.

This is one of the best months of my journey so far. Renewing family ties with my Aunt Sally and getting to know her family is priceless. We fill each other in on the last thirty years of our lives and share memories of the old days from a new perspective. She invites me to share a picnic lunch at one of her favorite lakes. We have a wonderful time, even when we’re wading through mud to get there.

It’s difficult to express how much this reunion means to me. To rekindle this childhood relationship as an adult with children of my own is really significant. As I gain new perspective on my family’s history and share my own experiences and memories, my life is richer and more meaningful. I have so much love and gratitude for my aunt and her wonderful family. We promise each other not to let so much time pass before we meet again.

I visit the Grand Mesa several times, including my bright idea to go up there the night of Fourth of July. My plan is to photograph the fireworks displays from way up on an overlook. There are three or four small towns visible from the spot, and my hope is to get a shot with fireworks going off in multiple locations at the same time. Not only do they not go off at the same time, but they look like tiny little specks from so far up. While the fireworks idea is a bust, I do manage to get a cool shot of a passing thunderstorm earlier in the afternoon while scouting locations. Another fun day trip is the famed Kebler Pass to the mountain resort of Crested Butte.

The proprietors and the guests of the Sunset Ranch are among the friendliest people I’ve met on my travels. There is a “front porch” of sorts where people gather. Multiple hummingbird feeders adorn the place, which means I am there shooting the birds as well as shooting the breeze. The entire time I’m there, the cottonwood trees are heavily shedding their “fluff.” It’s so thick at times it looks like snow covering the ground.

One day, the retractable steps on my motorhome stop retracting. A couple of the other guests come over to ask what’s wrong. They determine that the motor needs replacing. Since I’ll be visiting my stepdad, who is a mechanic, in a week or so, they help me get the steps folded so they’re not sticking out while I drive. I’m touched that two gentlemen, who probably have much better things to do, are willing to crawl on the ground under my RV in order to make sure my steps are secured while I travel.

After such a fulfilling month, I’m thinking I’d like to spend more time in the area. I’m calling nearby places, since the Sunset RV Ranch is booked. Not having any luck, I expand my search farther and farther from where I am. Even then, I can find no availability. Eventually, I conclude that Colorado is full for the summer. I will stick to the original plan and move on to Wyoming, where I also have family ties.

My route to Glenrock, where my mom and stepdad live, passes through Saratoga, Wyoming, where I have always wanted to spend a little time. I make an online reservation for four nights and then confirm it with a phone call. I’m excited to explore the area and maybe take a soak in the local hot springs. After short stays in Rifle Gap and Craig, I bid farewell to Colorful Colorado and cross the border into Wonderful Wyoming.

Checking in at Deer Haven Resort in Saratoga proves to be challenging. After knocking on the door of the office for several minutes with no response, I give up and start walking around the park. After a while, I find a maintenance man who rouses someone in the office. I’ve already paid online, so I just need to know where to park. He shows me to my site. I have to do quite a bit a maneuvering to find just the right spot between the sewer hookup and the power hookup, which are on opposite ends of the site. Finally, I get both to reach and settle in for a few days.

The next morning, I am up early because I want to drive over the Snowy Range. I have only traveled this gorgeous, scenic mountain drive from the other direction, starting in Laramie. So, even though I’ve been here before, it seems like a new adventure. They say Wyoming has only two seasons—winter and road construction. It’s not winter, so it must be the other. After two twenty minute construction delays, I finally reach the summit. Honestly, though, I can think of worse places to be stuck in traffic.

After spending a good part of the day on my own in the mountains, I owe Luna some play time. The RV park is on the river and Luna is anxious for some swimming. After a long day and a nice dinner, I’m relaxing and reading a book when there is a knock on my door. People don’t often knock on your door when you live in an RV, so it takes me by surprise. It is the owner of the RV park, and she asks me to step outside so she can speak to me. She tells me that the online reservation system is new and she is still getting used to it. Next, she explains that the space where I am parked has been reserved by one of her regular customers and she feels the need to honor his reservation over mine. She will refund my money. Not only for the nights I haven’t stayed, but for one of the nights I have. Regardless of all the explanations, the bottom line is I have to leave the next morning. Needless to say, I’m shocked and disappointed. I have been kicked out of an RV park for the first time! (and hopefully the last.)

Before leaving the next day, I call my parents to let them know I will be arriving two days early. They are out of town, but tell me to go ahead and park in the driveway and they will see me when they return. Also, I remind them to keep my visit quiet in order to preserve my planned surprise.