in the season finale, lorelai and rory are planning to go backpacking in europe while luke is planning to go on a cruise with nicole. independence inn is closed and lorelai is unable to afford dragonfly since she needs to pay rory's university fees. rory borrows the money from richard and emily in return for reinstating friday night dinners and lorelai and sookie are able to buy the dragonfly. rory gives the valedictorian's speech at graduation, paying tribute to her grandparents and lorelai, and the season ends with rory and lorelai looking around chilton for the last time.