Viva La Vagabond: THE LAST CHAPTER

Finally, the long awaited day had come. Departing new bern signified the last ride of our epic journey. The 45 mile ride laid ahead of us was the only thing separating us from the coast. Though it was hard to really comprehend that this would be the end, we launched for the Atlantic. It was another hot, humid and trafficked day on the road, but it no longer seemed to face us. Our day's route to Atlantic Beach took us through many military bases and towns. As we grew closer towards the beach small signs of our nearing of the coast started to appear. From small boat repair shops to the salty smell of the ocean air gave us signs of what awaited ahead. With emotions running high and filled with excitement we reached Morehead city. The city of Morehead sits at the edge of the coast being shielded by the southern banks of Atlantic beach and Emerald Isle. We had promised to arrive at the easternmost spot of that area, so on we went to the shores of Atlantic beach. Upon reaching the top of the high-rise bridge connecting the main land with the banks, reality quickly started to rush in. Looking back from the bridge and seeing the coastal edge gave us an inexplicable feeling of excitement and nostalgia. We could no longer wait to to dip our wheels so we rushed to the shore ahead. As we arrived to the nearest public beach we were greeted by two women whom we didn't know. Intrigued by our cycling getup, they asked how we had found ourselves there and why. Once we had explained the importance of the moment soon to happen, they selflessly invited us to their home after our "wheel dipping ceremony."The offer was accepted happily! We traded numbers with our new friends Jackie and Susan and continued on towards the beach. A haze sat over the beach from the rain earlier that day. Between the sunset, the muddling haze and children playing on the beach made that moment feel like a dream. As we stood in the sand, inches before the water, we tried to digest the moment at hand. Every pedal stroke, every mountain climbed and each person we met had brought us to that moment. It was minutes before we dared enter the water and made the journeys end official. Finally, we braved into the water and ceremoniously dipped the same wheel which was originally dipped into the Pacific 3 months before. After the dipping ceremony, we through our bikes ashore and ran back into the water where we played and rejoiced until we were too tired and hungry to go on. Again, we had to celebrate this triumphant day like many others before. . . WITH BEERS! We left the beach and fell back to a local seaside watering hole and drank beer till we had our fill. After dark, we made our way to to Jackie's mom's place where they treated us to more brews and incredible homemade dinner. We stayed up for a while sharing cycling stories and pictures. We could not have asked for a better end to our night. Even though we had just met hours before Jackie, Susan and Patty made us feel right at home.

The following morning, we woke up to our hosts making breakfast for us. With our stomach's filled, Jackie took us down to her uncle Bob's place who happened to be a local legend. Bob had sailed up and down the outer banks living out of his boat for 16 years before settling down on a beautiful plot beneath a pecan tree. Graciously, Bob agreed to allow fellow wanders camp on his property. We spent the following four days wandering up and down the Crystal Coast. From making hobo shelters at the beach to visiting Black Beards final resting place, we did nothing but enjoy and relax from sun up to sun down. Marooned on this quiet seaside town, we quickly took to the beach bum lifestyle. It was not long after that our wandering days came to an end when our parents came to rescue these vagabonds. Happy to be reunited with our folks, we took them around to visit Cape Lookout and a few other places we had found. Despite our homeless appearance, our parents seemed proud and happy to be with us everywhere we went. After all the exploration and celebrations late saturday night, Jordan and myself would finally split ways before going home. Jordan and myself shook hands refraining from embracing each other but finally gave in. Though the moment was over quickly a friendship that would last even longer was now instilled.

It is now that we go back to our home towns and our lives, with new knowledge about ourselves, our country and everything in between. We hope that in some way touched, helped, inspired or at least entertained everyone we have met. We look forward to be re-united with our friends but also feel grateful for all the new ones we have made. Thank you all for have read our stories and its made our journey much more exciting to know people care to know about it. Though this the end to this particular journey, there are chances that future tours may come about. Keep tuned for a possible new adventure in the years to come. . .