Your descriptions of locked doors, stressed travelers, slow-moving lines, extra baggage payments, moving sidewalks that don't move, last minute Covid tests, waiting in line for complainers, and getting out of the airport probably won't do much for the European bike touring industry--at least not for Hilton Hotels, or certain airline's early check-in options.

Still, I think it would be cool to ride in Europe some day. Thank you for another fine overseas journal.

I'm happy to see you made it safely back to Portland. I cannot even believe it has been five months since we met on the very first day of your trip. Rome seemed so far away. ("Hi" from The Feeshko.)

Welcome home!
Racpat

Thanks again for following, Eva. It’s nice to be home for awhile and to wake up not having to remember where the bathroom is in the middle of the night. I’m sure it won’t take long though before we get the urge for going again.

Thanks, Suzanne. It’s nice to be here and settling into one spot for awhile, though it’s pouring out now, streets are flooding, and we’re starting to anticipate heading down to Tucson and the sun next month.

We’ve decided we’re not quite ready for that long stay visa yet, but the thought is still there in the back of our minds. Leaving our bikes somewhere is starting to sound appealing though. Managing the flight seems to get more challenging every year somehow. I wonder why that is?

Happy to hear you are home safe and sound. I can only admire you for surviving that final challenge getting to the check-in. Glad it wasn't me, I wouldn't have made it. Now it's time for you two to get some serious rest. Just wondering when you are going to apply for that long-stay visa and leave your bikes on this side of the ocean.

So glad you made it home safely. I'll miss reading your journal every day. Please start another one soon!

I was wondering when this was taken the noticed the date. Certainly not like that the last few days. Even the frogs have had enough rain.

Thanks Bob, and thanks for following along and of course being a character in the plot this year.

Do we have any plans for the future though? Hmm. I’ll have to check the calendar and get back to you on that.

Yes, you let me down again Andrea. To your credit though, you’re awesome on plants. I think I’ve finally gotten hostas down now, and maybe I’ll remember what a plumbago the next time I’m staring at one too.

Boo hoo, true. But five months on the road is starting to get to be a long time and we were getting ready to just squat for a spell. Unfortunately the place we’re squatting looks pretty wet and cold for the next few weeks, but that’s Portland.

I'm a pretty good navigator, actually. Sorry my dream persona was lame. I hate those stress dreams when you're in a transition phase. Welcome home!

This train stuff makes me all jittery. Andrea and I have had tense times on trains with bikes, not knowing when or how we will ever get off in time with all of our stuff.

Nevertheless, welcome home!! Another great and safe trip and a great journal. Thank you for showing us all so many beautiful places. You are now responsible for our longing to be in those places. But maybe we can someday now that we know where they are.

Happy Travels home!
Racpat

I'll echo what Rich said. Hopefully you're plotting some new adventure already. We need our vicarious travel entertainment!

Safe travels coming home.

Trains and planes can be so much stress! Gosh, that was Monday and I'm reading it on Thursday. I hope the flight was ok. So you're home now and the trip is all over. Boo hoo. I guess the deteriorating weather made it easier to say goodbye and home is looking good. But still...