I was not going to last any longer if we did not take a vacation soon. Everyone at home was on edge, and needless to say, we were not behaving like a family. One day, dad came in and announced we all had to set our schedules straight. We were going on vacation to Denver. We all knew he chose Denver because it was where mom wanted to go. She grew up there and, for years, wanted us to see her childhood home. We never got to go, but I guess she found a way to convince dad. Two weeks into summer, we set off on the trip. Mom had booked our rooms in a cool hotel which was quite lovely. It even had an air conditioning system which was zoned in every room. While we got to spend a few days together visiting sights, my siblings and I planned to venture out on our own. That would give us a chance to bond, and mom and dad spend some time together. We discussed a few options and finally settled on touring the Rocky Mountains National Park. We were an adventurous bunch and itched at a chance to hike or see some wonderful views. The guides at the national park were amazing and knew the place like the back of their hands. Other people had chosen to visit on their own, but experience taught us that guides were the right way to see such a vast area. They knew all the best spots and could share lots of valuable information. As we enjoyed the park, mom and dad were back in the hotel, having the time of their lives without kids around! That’s what their text said.