Eighteen days straight, ten teenagers were under our care. For eighteen days straight, we kept ten teenagers safe, we taught them bike safety, we panicked and retaught when they put themselves in danger. For eighteen days, we kept ten teenagers fed, we taught them how to shop and cook for a group of twelve, we retaught when there wasn’t enough food, and when there was too much. Eighteen days straight we experienced the life, laughter and adventure of ten teenagers. We laughed hysterically at the characters constantly cracking jokes, joined in on the activities they led us to, swimming, reading, exploring. We lived as a family, one with good times to remember, and difficult times worked through. One by one we watched them exit from our lives, on a train, or through the gate at the airport. We walked away, with only two left, the two meant to make sure this adventure was successful, that the ten teenagers had an experience to remember and stayed safe through it all. In the end, we walked away with bittersweet feelings, we did it, we loved it, but it was over. In the end, we toasted the completion with many beers and stories, we got to know each other better. Though this bike trip is over, I’ve made a good friend, and I am thankful to have led with such an interesting and intelligent person, one who has taught me a lot about the joy of bike touring and the passion to understand and discover life and history. For those eighteen days, Tyler and I will have a lifetime of memories to reminisce, and the life, laughter and adventure of these ten teenagers will be with us always.
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AuthorKatie Elizabeth: Writer, Wonderer, Wanderer. Archives
January 2022
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