We woke to the comfort and grandness of Glacier National Park this morning and promptly sat besides the ten-mile long, finger-shaped lake McDonald. With large aesthetically pleasing mountain peaks and pine trees all around, we spent the morning reflecting on the course as a whole. Students read aloud each of the blogs they wrote, a remembrance of our daily activities and learning since Billings twenty-four days ago. Beyond the nostalgic remembering of where we were and what we did, each student’s voice brought out the uniquely individual perspective and interpretation of our experiences. It was fulfilling to hear how much has been absorbed, understood, and questioned.

Listening to the students, it occurred to me how far we have come. Literally from the city of Billings, but more importantly, we have all learned, experienced and had a meaningful adventure together. Being this is my second time around (now as a teaching assistant), I can recall distinctly my time spent as a student last year, how influential this course was for me, and how my understanding of the issues went from very little to so much in just four weeks. This course has shaped my views of our country, its land, its people, and has filled me with passion for the work we have ahead of us. As a teaching assistant, I have been rewarded with a new perspective, witnessing people go through what I did, having the opportunity to contribute to the experience, and seeing first-hand the role of good leadership.

We cycled out of Glacier Park, the sun hot on our south facing sides. The gravel road widened, smoothed, and curved as we rolled through our last day of riding, on towards Whitefish, Montana.

I find that I always look forward to the destination, as if it is where I should be. Today, however, I caught myself soaking in the ride, it being our last one together. The experience here is just as important as the destination. I have grown used to having the same eight bikes around me constantly. Each rider, over our 680 mile trek has shown their own style of riding, and I have enjoyed being around each one's individual approach.

Hearing each personal interpretation this morning hit home for me. We have all experienced the same thing more or less, yet we have all come out of this with something very individual and different. I can see clearly the important role that education plays in our world, empowering us to address the pertinent issues of our climate disruption and our energy consumptive lives.

The ride was enjoyable today as we skirted a few black thunder clouds that teased our bikes along toward Whitefish. Bikes have the ability to bring people together in the best of ways. For now we are done riding together but we will all continue to ride in different places, for different reasons, and at different times long into the future. Tonight, here we are, camped in Whitefish under pine trees beside another beautiful mountain lake, full of food and accomplishment; our minds are still fully present and aware, preparing for the final presentation and course end tomorrow.

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