Epilogue: We Come Full Circle

Well folks it's been a journey of a lifetime, and we've been so honored to share this story with you. You've experienced the start (a 2-week trek to the wiles of Alaska in the middle of winter), the meat (20 months of life in the Last Frontier) and the much-welcomed end (a 7,940-mile and 30-day expedition down the Canadian and US Rocky Mountains on our way home). This blog has meant so much to us; it's been an autobiography which we will have on record for the rest of our lives, but it also strengthened bonds to the people we love most when we were as far away as imaginable. We left as a couple in love and return an engaged pair ready to start our next journey; starting our family.  Thank you everyone for your support and continued interest in our regular entries. Your involvement kept us excited to stay active and helped us reach the realization that home is not just where the heart is but where you are. We're back in New England, for now ;) , but we'll always have that itch for travel and adventure. We hope you've even discovered the expeditioner in yourselves so get out there and see the world! Here's Jamandaverlaska signing off. Bye!

South Dakota

Driving through Nebraska - taking another day of my life.

 We made it to Sioux Falls, SD to visit Amanda's Mother.  We had a great time, thanks for everything and we miss you. 

 View from the deck.  We saw a lot of deer and pheasants

 Jay and Phinn

 Amanda and her friend Jackie

 Just down the dirt road is the Strawbale Winery

 The counters are made of old chalkboards and you write down your order

 Jackie and her baby Blake

Fort Collins, CO - Day #2

 We had to head back to New Belgium Brewery for our tour since it was booked yesterday.  Trust me it was not a chore, this place might be the greatest place on earth.  

 Notice the cool chandeliers made of bike rims

 beer to be

 Sisters - Sarah and Amanda

 Pour Tour - Sarah

 Confident?

 Perfect Pour - Belgium Style needs 2 "fingers" worth of head.

Deanna rocking the pour

 Jennie

 Jay

 So, if you work for New Belgium at your one year anniversary they issue you a "fat tire" cruiser bike.  Each year is a different model.  Then after of working for 5 years you get a trip to Belgium

 Wood Kegs

 Sour Beer

 Electric Car "fueling" station in the parking lot

They even have a slide

 Then we grabbed a slice of pie.

 Odell Brewery 90 Schilling Ale (another Fort Collins Brewery)

 Then it rained and the street and the restaurant flooded.

We finished the night playing some pool at Cooper Smith's Brewery.

Fort Collins, CO

We made it to Fort Collins, CO where Amanda's sister Sarah lives.  Amanda and Sarah's roommate (Jennie) both have birthdays on the same day.  Sarah made an awesome cake.  

 We headed out to a bar to get midnight drinks.  It was nice to walk to a bar for a change

 I should carry a badge everyday.

Amanda likes the badge too

Sarah

 Birthday girls

Sisters 

Fort Collins Brewery

 State of the art bar and growler filling station

New Belgium Brewery - makers of fat tire

 Cocca Mole - three types of mexican peppers and columbian coca beans.  absolutely awesome beer

All the chairs were built from old bike rims