Homeward bound.

morgan, hoy, bonjour, hiya, lo,

I write to you from gate 301 at the Dublin International Airport. Monday saw us smoothly through the Wicklow mountains and into the brick and bar of Dublin, our final destination. After three thousand kilometers, ten weeks time, nine liters of cider, eight ml of bay leaf liqueor, seven countries, six border crossings, five flat tires, four rough tumbles, three beautiful rainbows, two foraged mushrooms, and one lifechanging experience, it seems as though we have stopped pedaling.

It feels so natural that we head home now. After close to a year of adventuring, and no more than 2 weeks in a single place, we are ready. Ready for projects, growing and making things, and spending time with people we know and love. We will cherish all the friendly, interesting, and just plain curious people with whom we have had brief encounters. They have shaped our vision of Europe and made us feel that the world is a much smaller place than imagined.

Our bodies are tired, but our minds alert (perhaps it is all that tea that we have been drinking, keeping us up at night with grand ideas about the meaning of life). Ready as could be for a bit of regularity, but also for the constantly changing world. I think we have been training over the course of the year for LIFE. I mean, it is full of change, challenge, and cheer...no?

I have lost a few pant sizes, gained muscle, lost a bit of fear, gained a sense of empowerment, lost my need for many clothes and a bed, and gained an appreciation for nature, people's goodness, and the comforts of home we take for granted.

I hope that we will carry the many lessons learned with us and hold a new refreshed view of life for quite some time. While our lives may not be as exciting and adventurous now, we will certainly hold fast to whatever adventure we can find in everyday life. It really is all about how you view things.

And with that, we say goodbye...dear blog followers. You have been so encouraging and made us feel so special-the whole journey through. We will miss knowing that you are silently riding along with us.

Much love.

Lucy and Nate