Sadly, our time on Fuerteventura came to an end. We packed up, drove to the airport, and boarded the plane. Even though a guard fussed at us when we arrived, I still snuck a picture as we walked out on the tarmac.

We were soon up in the air, and turned west towards Tenerife. Cutting across the arid island, we got a last look at some of the places we had been, flying almost directly over Tebeto Beach.

El Cotillo is featured in the picture above, near the top left. Naturally, we flew with covid protocols in place, which for Team Hubbard apparently included sun glasses.

We reached Tenerife in the rain. While Tenerife is a dry place, it felt lush and wet by comparison to Fuerteventura.

We landed, rested, and spent some time packing up our Carnaval trappings in preparation for our return trip to the United States. I left my bone mallet for Guille. There’s no way TSA would have let me keep such a deadly weapon. That evening, we walked to a nearby square for a final dinner.

The artichoke was particularly delicious.

We chatted with the owner, and she insisted that have a drink with her. We explained to Lydie and Cassie that when the owner of a restaurant in a foreign country wants to join you for a drink, the answer is always “yes.”

The next morning, we headed to the airport, and boarded plane to the United States. Teide gave us one last smile as we flew away.

As we flew, the Carnaval flu that Catalina had been battling finally claimed Lydie. By the time we were on the train back to Maryland, she fell apart.

Cassie hoped that she would somehow avoid the bug, but by the next day, she was down for the count, too. Julie took them to the doctor to get some relief, and they were a sad sight.

Julie and I quickly got on some Tamiflu, and somehow stayed healthy. Cassie and Lydie bounced back in no time, which was great since they were about to head off to academic programs, with Cassie studying engineering at Notre Dame and Lydie studying environmental science at Hobart and William Smith College. (While they were away, Julie and I had plans to sneak off to Stockholm, too.)

Literally translated, “Fuerteventura” means “strong fortune.” Looking back on our trip, I am struck by the continued strong fortune of Team Hubbard. We are unreasonably lucky to be able to enjoy these wonderful adventures together. And we are already excited about the next one!

-Will