As we are preparing for our trip across the Atlantic tonight , we are happy to say that our A-Z debriefing and recovery retreat at Katie's beautiful home in Rockport, MA, has come to a happy end. We feel emotionally re-energised, physically recovered and socially re-integrated. This is mainly thanks to Katie's professional guidance and her limitless friendship. The lessons to be learned when traveling by bicycle over a few months don't seem to end with the last pedal stroke and the celebrations at the finish line. In some respects it seems harder to find a good ending to such an undertaking than to start the journey. And for sure this was a part that we totally underestimated and that wasn't given much thought (and no Excel spreadsheet) until we found ourselves in this emotional turmoil. So we are grateful that we were able to pedal our way back into bikeisgood mode. And we even found the appropriate wine to match the occasion...
WOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOO, CONGRATULATIONS, YOU TWO!!! BRILLIANT work! Wow, you must feel SO accomplished, proud, enriched - not only by your efforts, but by your experiences with people...and by the fall colours and other beauty you have seen. I imagine it must feel like a relief to have it done, and to take a rest and tell the stories, but also maybe a bit of a letdown to go back to the "real world" of everyday responsibilities?
ReplyDeleteWhat a DRAG to have hit all that rain and hills at the end. I dare say, I would have expected all those hills near the coast, I guess because Lake Superior is so hilly to get around. ...but to have NOT expected it, and then to experience it, on your last days when you're tired!!! BUMMER!!!
Anyway, you have done it, and you have done yourselves incredibly proud!
Big huge hugs to you both! Can't wait to see you!
Safe travels, and love to your folks and friends, Kerstin!
JD
The trip across the US is the first step of an amazingly intense and long trail! May it continue leading you broad and wide, as well as deep within!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! This is BIG!
Love to you both!
Kim
Congratulations you two! What an amazing feat and adventure. I'm so glad to have met you in Minneapolis. Thanks for the wonderful updates and postcards and I'm glad to hear you're indulging fully in chocolate and cheese, couldn't be a more fitting diet and end to your trip.
ReplyDeleteI hope also that returning to the nest has provided you with the needed rest and respite from all the biking, and now a great transition point to whatever is coming next for you two.
I admire your courage, humor and tenacity facing all kinds of American elements!
Do keep in touch, and send along an email address when you can. I can write, but I can type way faster!
MB is doing well. Her youngest son just turned 18 the other day. She'll probably be shipping him off to NYC for music school at some point next year.
I am well, as is my son Henry. I'm riding my bike into the cooler weather... the sun is still out, but setting earlier, and some leaves remain on our northern trees so I'm enjoying every last bit of them. I'm excited for "soup" season to completely kick in.
Lots of love to you both,
Teri
Louise and Kerstin,
ReplyDeleteA belated congratulations! What an amazing journey. We feel so lucky to have been a small part of it. Thank you for taking the time to stop by an BBQ with us and our friends, and share your adventures. And thank you for the post cards -- so fun to receive them and hear what you were up to. And we love the photo montage on the final card -- how cool!
Our bike riding season here came to a screeching halt yesterday. 4 inches of snow and bitter winds. I had hoped for one more week of riding before Thanksgiving, but I think it is not to be. Time to tune up the trike, and put it away for the winter...
Hoping our paths will cross again someday before too long. Keep on truckin' girls, and best wishes for whatever comes next in your life journey. Give big hugs to Jackie and Liz for us!
love,
mac and Ellen