Before and After
Joel | Monday, November 16, 2009 at 8:52PM We are home! (as Ryan already mentioned). I think I can speak for both of us when I say that now comes the hard part of the journey. It was easy when we were going and going, but it almost feels like I forgot how to stop. The end didn't feel real until I reached. I have no real clue what will be next, but it doesn't concern me. Things have a way of working themselves out.
I too want to say thank you to everyone that we met on our trip. I am truly grateful to have shared this journey with all of you and appreciative that you opened your lives, homes, pantries, and hearts to two wayward travelers like Ryan and myself.
People have asked us about the beards; mainly how long they will remain. I can't speak for Ryan, but I plan on keeping it for a while. Unfortunately that means no before and after shaving/haircut photos. But Ryan and I foresaw this problem while we were on the road and took photos at Walker lake on the first and last week of our trip wearing the same clothing and in the same place so you could see what eight months of growth looks like. The results are...
Ryan: 1st Week
Ryan: Final Week
Myself: 1st week
Myself: Final Week
On the last day of the trip we stopped by a liquor store and bought a cheap bottle of "champagne" to drink before the last few miles (Tour De France style).
We finished the Tour De North America; all three countries visited and 9113 miles ridden. What a life we live in the...
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Reader Comments (10)
heheh too bad you can't bike to hawaii. you could've hung out with miko!!! anyway, congrats on your bike trip!!! i ask that you visit stockton...but...stockton...is...really quite a shitty place to be. so how about you just keep updating all of us on your whereabouts and we can all try to plan to meet up sometime!! ^_^
Totally awesome. Cheap champagne in is the best.
Why...Why am i such an emotional basket case!! I am in tears..Tears of joy? saddness? maybe just pure unexplainable emotion of it all...Beginnings and endings just are such amazing things, and the both of you have made a special place in so many hearts. Can't wait to see you.
those pics crack me up! I remember being part of the first week of your journey and then seeing you 3 weeks ago- some crazy changes in you 2, both physically and mentally. I freakin love you! i hope you enjoyed that champagne!
...bike trip?
Just kidding. Awesome guys, you did it! It would be interesting to go through all your old posts and see your own writing and comments from everyone else. You must have changed and learned a lot since then. Next: sailing and you can come visit hawaii. Congrats.
Joel ~ wow your trip is over. It's gonna be weird now not going anywhere. I like the 1st and final week pics! nice. Anyway log in skype sometime. ttyl~
haha ~ and i agree with miko ! sailing!
I have a feeling that coming back to "real life" will only be your vacation and you will be back on some sort of adventure soon...
Of course it's solely up to you two, but I think the fuzzy look is working for you guys- grizzly chic.
See you friday and glad you are back!
Welcome home!!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Vanessa
Welcome home, chaps...can't believe it's been eight months. What now? =)