 |
| all smiles - Katie's sister Melissa with her kids Maddy and Aodhan |
 |
| with Katie's Mum Patty Ann |
e-mail from Louise to family & friends on October 5, 2011
To our tolerant, loving and generous family & friends It has been a whirlwind of events and emotions since finishing the ride. And I have to admit that 4 months of small towns, empty roads and slow pace means that we really are struggling to cope with this return to "normal". We took the train into Boston and the pace, noise, crowds etc... had us ducking for cover, we were totally overwhelmed. It hasn't been all bad, we are staying in Kerstin's friend Katie's condo, which is lovely (and quiet). She is a college professor, and we have spoken to two of her classes about the ride, which turned out great, like a really positive debriefing session :). We are enjoying easy access to hot showers, clean clothes and a kitchen. Today I made pumpkin pie from our 'the end' pumpkin. One of our phones has died, the international one, but you should still be able to text on the other one, the number is +1 206 612 4395 So sorry if you have been trying to contact us using the other number. The time difference makes it all pretty tricky too, we are 15 hours behind you guys here. (Australia) We are still working on the blog, trying to be modern, personal branding and all that ;) so log on if you are interested, once we actually have a plan we will be sure to post it! Plans are only made until end of this year, at this point anyway. Will go to Switzerland on 14th Oct for three weeks, then back to the US for a few days to collect luggage etc.. then will fly out of LA to Melbourne, should arrive on Nov 15th, with any luck! We miss you all so much, and Tash too! Can't wait to celebrate with you in person, to hear about all your plans and the goings on of the past few months. With lots of love Louise and Kerstin xoxo |
Lucky me! - b.i.g. birthday thank you
It's been very special to get to spend my birthday 'on tour'. Despite all your wishes for a day off, a wine & dine experience, a glass of wine or a bottle of beer... it didn't happen. The day saw us pedalling hard for 70 miles. But it was a day loaded with the best bits of bicycle travel - including your birthday wishes and greetings from all over the world. Thank you so much for your thoughts and if you are thinking of where to spend your next birthday, consider a bicycle tour, I can highly recommend it.
Lucky us! - continues on the b.i.g. tour
It's been a little more than three weeks since our first pedal stroke in downtown Seattle. The great support, the inspiring words, the well-meant thoughts, the helpful advises and the useful hints & tips keep rolling in with every mile we pedal - and they come from all over the world. Thank you so much for being part of our b.i.g. tour and joining us on this experience of a lifetime. All your contributions are an important part of why this is what it is - a journey that goes beyond the the joy & privilege of riding a bicycle across America.
Lucky us!
In the planning and preparation process of our b.i.g. project (which for us goes beyond the definition of 'a long bike ride') we have enjoyed enormous and generous support from so many of you - in different shape and size. Please know that you all played an important role in getting b.i.g. rolling!
- Mum & Paps - for providing support without limits, but also with a skeptical voice.
- Dad Mick & Fran - for showing great support, even if our ideas are sometime a little too much outside the box
- Aunty Fran & Uncle Joe - for dog-sitting our Greyhound Lady Tash and for providing us with a home in our final preparations
- Josey - for being our mail master and treasurer during our absence
- Alice & Rohan - for making sure that you start your honeymoon in Seattle so that we get to celebrate with you again!
- Becky & Joe - for keeping an eye on Louise's appartment and for inspiring us to keep an Excel spreadsheet for every possible aspect of our tour
- Our friends Liz & Jackie - for a beautiful Sydney farewell escape into the Blue Mountains, celebrating our friendship and Eurovision!
- Our friends Bec & Helena - for sharing their Toongabbie home with us in our first stage of being 'homeless in Sydney'
- Unser lieber Kollege Adnan - for helping us putting our 'life' into storage and sharing with us the most entertaining drive on Parramatta Road!
- Our friends from Tennis Sydney - for an on- and off-court 'game, set & match' farewell, including Jackie's famous Margaritas!
- Our friends Ken & Lea O'Brien - for sending us (including Tash) down the Hume Highway with a beautiful Aussie breakfast
- Our friends and colleagues at the Westmead Hospital and at sia Abrasives Australia / AIA - for sending us off with thoughts of support and goodwill
 |
