Reconnecting With Family In The Mile High City

By Paul Morrone, CFP®, CPA/PFS, MSA

Keeping in touch with family and friends is hard work. At least in the office we have sophisticated systems to help us stay up-to-date with our clients’ lives, but in my personal life I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I know it’s not just me because many of my friends, especially those who have young children, all seem to feel the same way. The geographic dispersion of where everyone has landed these days adds another dimension to the challenges of maintaining relationships with friends and family. Fortunately, when you do get together with those that are true friends (even if it’s been years since you last saw them), it’s as if you haven’t missed a beat. In my latest adventure out to Denver, I was lucky enough to catch up with my cousin Mike who lives in the suburbs of the city and it reminded me how I need to do a better job at staying in touch with those that I care about most.

When I travel for work, I’m generally fortunate enough to spend time in desirable locations. I’ve had several trips to cities such as San Diego, LA and Boston and never have trouble hunting down an old high school or college friend to hang out with while I’m in town. This most recent trip to Denver (my first time there) was no exception and I was thrilled to find out that Mike was available one night to get together. 

I landed before noon and after leaving CT on a balmy 19-degree morning, it was a welcomed change to see 60 on the thermostat when we touched down in the mile-high city. Much to my surprise, the weather pattern in Denver is very mild and much warmer than I would have anticipated being so high up and close to the mountains. After a quick train ride from the airport, I dropped my bag at the hotel and ventured out to the city. I spent the afternoon wandering around some of the ‘must see’ neighborhoods in the city, picking up some food, a casual drink and a coffee along my way. Before I knew it, it was after 5 and Mike was on his way to meet up with me. 

We picked up right where we left off and realized it had been over 3 years since we saw each other in person. A sad but true statement. That didn’t stop us from sharing a ton of laughs as we paraded around Denver. The time flew by. After bar hopping for a few hours we landed on a dinner spot where my only request was that I get something that I can’t get in CT (that meant no Italian food and no seafood). We stumbled into a local farm-to-table restaurant and each ordered a Bison Ribeye that was tender enough to cut with a fork – definitely not something you’ll see on the menu in New Haven.  

Before we parted ways, we shared a night cap in Denver’s famous Union Station, which is a destination worth checking out itself. By then, the altitude, lack of sleep, early flight and time change had gotten the best of me and it was time to turn it in for the night. Needless to say, I slept like a baby. 

Fun fact - that TV is the largest in the State of Colorado and cost over $1.0mm. It is located at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center where the conference was held.

_{Tracking #1-921471}