The Journey Continues

Delicately composed 
Not on paper or rows
Rather the font magically appears through the finger tips 

Alright so it's been a very long time since last posting. May this post reach you all at a time of peace and if not that's okay... just accept and then be in peace:) easy to say, more difficult to do.

The smiles and warmth of Thailand along with the abundance of fresh markets from coconuts and mangos to string beans and mustard greens will be missed and appreciated for the nurture it gave. Especially the raw papaya salads and ka-nomes (banana sticky rice coconut and black beans steamed and wrapped in a banana leaf)!
Thailand is super friendly and easy to cycle tour around with very welcoming public spaces to camp... police stations, schools, wats (monestaries) and every giving gifts of the land and people.

Spending our last days on this side of the world a bit further south to flow with the ocean waves. The decision to come home was made in the afternoon and tickets bought that evening.
The trio was splitting and the companionship that has been cultivated was appreciated with hugs and hoots as Erin and I headed back north and Nate continued South.... Nate :) love love love

Stocking up on all the freshness we could at the markets to take on the flight Erin and I made our last market visit on the outskirts of Bangkok. Dawn approached as we road down the street aware of our increased width with the box for packing the cycle in strapped to the back. Staying at a wat (monestary) nearby once again the monks went above and beyond accomadating for a safe stay as we were able to learn and share with a young man who was studying under the abbot there for many years. 

Early morning we ventured on to meet the sun on the ride to the airport.

Since this took such a long time to update and many of you know that we are back home we can just be here:)

After putting the cycles together at JFK in New York we made a ten day trip through Hudson Valley, Catskill Region, Mohawk Valley and into our own backyard!
Meeting so many wonderful people along the way and riding along beautiful canal and rail trails.
Within NYC we made grear connections with people becoming inspired to hop on their bikes and ride them around!
Spending some time at some farms and intentional communities and finding an incredible shift in awareness in the Hudson valley area.
As we neared home to surprise the family we were fortunate to stay with an elder couple on a rainy day and drizzly night. Approaching them around 5oclock to see if there was any camping around in the small town at first there was hesitancy in which they didn't know exactly how to approach the situation of two chilled ladies on cycle riding through.
However over a little time this hesitancy wore off and we pretty quickly became a welcomed guest as if we were family. Enjoying shared stories and warm soup. As we headed out in the morning the same request was made that followed us all through out our travels...
"Come back soon!"

Arriving home we were greeted by our surprised grandparents with grandma needing several moments to even comprehend that we were back and grandpa wondering if we were still American haha.  When mom arrived we greeted her surprised eyes on the front porch:)

So now what?....
This summer we have decided to stay in update new york and currently in our own backyard discovering the plants that we can help nature grow here as well is what is already growing in the garden of the forest and fields.
We have been lucky to have met a couple with a permaculture based homestead that we have been helping and learning from one another.

It will take some time to ground down and discover our most useful place to shed more positivity within the communities that surround us and each day this expands as we meet more people and hear of more wonderful projects going on.
Just as on the cycle, of which we still continue to ride the many places we go, this slow pace is continually being cultivated and seen as a central part to living.
Many difficulties are faced daily as with each being... As we face limitations that take shape within our own minds.

May we allow for this mutual relationship of support for ourselves, one another and the earth that we are innately connected with continue to be cultivated in each moment.

Although this journey has taken us many places and taught us many things I (Colleen) am finding that the true understanding and learning is happening now in which we discover how to integrate this into our lives here and how we can extend light and love.
Reminding myself of the simplicity and beauty of life and that limitations are only mental creations.

How can we approach each day with fresh eyes and an open mind?:)

Share your thoughts, your wisdom, your being!

Erin and I were happy to have spent some time speaking with some students at Remsen as well as taking students on a foraging nature walk. If there is interest anywhere you know of who would like to have a talk and such let us know:)

Be well today

Love & Light first to ourselves and then from there it can be shared with others