Here We Go

Are we all ready to go?  Have Brandon and I finished everything we needed to get done? Am I personally ready to embark on this huge journey?  Has everything fallen into place for us to be away for so long?

Probably, uhh definitely, not. But that is okay.

 The last month at home we have spent prepping for our trip, getting the last of our visas and shots, testing our bikes and enjoying every moment spent with family and friends.  While Brandon has been busy at work, I've been bouncing between physio, acupuncture, massage, and the doctor.  Unfortunately, tendinitis in my forearm has taken me out of work, forcing me to rest and recover before leaving. I won't lie, this injury has been a pretty big mental strain before the trip, making me wondering if the continual aching pain and inflammation in my arm will ever go down, especially while riding for hours on end.  With many nights laying awake in pain, having to modify how I do everyday tasks and taking a small break from biking, I am so happy to finally notice positive improvements in my arms strength and mobility.  I still have a ways to go, but these steps forward are proving to make a huge difference in both my physical capabilities and outlook. 

Final days packing (more "organized" than before)

Test rides down the street.

Family farewells and tons of cake.

Visiting Oma and saying our goodbyes.

All of the other details leading to our departure date are taking shape.  The basement is finally starting to look like it is apart of the house again, opposed to the tornado of gear it has been for the last couple months, and with less than a day left, we have already said goodbye to all of our friends and most of our family. (I know I speak on both of our behaves when I say how genuinely grateful we are for the incredible people in our lives and the time we have spent with them). 

As much as I would love to sit awhile longer and reflect on these last moments leading up to our expedition, we still have a ton of running around and last minute things to do.   This madness has made me feel that we could spend forever planning out every detail, perfecting our touring set up, waiting until the weather warms up, researching the route, waiting for my arm to heal completely, and so on.. but it is also incredible exhilarating to just go.  Go now while we still feel we may be forgetting things, not everything has set into place, and it still feels a bit chaotic.  The craziness is only adding to the excitement of fully plunging into a simpler life from the seat of our bicycles.

I can't wait to share the upcoming adventures from the dirt road.