Intro

Welcome to a story, or stories I should say. A compilation of adventure tales. An ongoing itch to see, smell, and touch the world, or at least the deserted roads and rarely trampled mountains of America. Characters within the descriptive paragraphs of these stories carve out the coming and going companions in life; vital life people and pieces that parallel a universe for moments, days, years. And then spear off, leaving granules of magnificent memories of magical places. They leave a lasting trace, a gained sense of courage to stand tall on oxygen deprived mountains and shout absurdities like: I love you Ralph! Ralph is a teenage reindeer stuffed of the finest synthetic polyester fiber poof; he says made in Indonesia but really tells me he is from the North Pole. Delivered through a chimney one December night 20 years ago, we instantly became cuddle buddies upon that morning's sunrise. He is the instigator. The inspiration. And the imagination. He breathes creativity. Laughter. His is a dear companion. And yes, at 4lbs he tags along atop a pack or strapped to a rack. In delirium of 107 degree heat, the small possession of material belongings gain a persona. Innate objects become friends of the road and trails. And as for the humans who accompany, their presence reads priceless. Without O'Reilly, a 29 year old New Hampshirian with superior taste buds, the mathematical six foot four inch tall German, or handful of organic peanut butter and 99 cent jam eating munchkins, there would be a lot less excitement. The encounters we make with our specie, encapsulating the world with their awkward ways and over consumerist love, somehow we have managed to become overly adored creatures. Their generous hearts restore a faith that goodness prevails in the upheaval of a sometimes lost humanity. As for myself, I'm just the navigator, paddling up the stream of life munching on Clif Bars, with an iPhone documenting the frailties and goodies underneath all the simplified complexities in the world we reside. So again, I welcome you to get lost and dream a little through this typed text and your imagination. My name is Kristen Gentilucci. I live in Berkeley California and I love dogs.


Friday, July 20, 2012

Day 31. Birthday!!!

Miles: 93
Weather: 100 degrees and partly cloudy
Terrain: giant rolling hills

There is officially never a better way then to spend your birthday with 32 other radically awesome inmates.

The day started with 80s pop music blasting through the doors of the church that was followed 27 mini muffins light with candles at 5am. My day would have been complete with just this. But it continued on all day. At lunch stop I was handed not only enough black licorice to feed the army, which no one ever wants to share with me because rarely does anyone else have a love affair with it. Also loaded up with a fatty, creamy, a never to be seen item on bike and build avocado, and...drum roll please... Temporary tattoos!!! A team absolute favorite. Now my day we really complete and it was only 9am.

But the day continued to see chalked all over our route "happy birthday, we love you Kristen" to finding an active sprinkler at mile 91 an hearing a lady yell, "yo sister, come and use our pool." With a body temperature soaring upwards into the possible hundreds, the crisp sky blue cold chlorine filled water of heaven was absolutely a feeling comparable to refreshing feeling of working a 9-5 and knowing its Friday 4pm with a 3 day weekend ahead.

Of course I could tell you about the giant hills of yellow, how the "prescott" riding team kicked my butt all day as i tried to chase them up and down all the hills, and nourished by black licorice come memories of the olden touring days of New Zealand and Bianchi.

Christmas mail was today and loaded full were packages of pickles, licorice, candy, popcorn, more licorice waiting for me upon arrival. Black licorice and I are good friends if you haven't caught on.

A local and alumni took us to the perfect joint, a bar remnant of an old western ballroom of the 1920s stocked with my favorite Whiskey and local beers. 10pm hit and the grandma in my was headed home for bed. It was finally topped with a happy birthday song from the local band at the bar and a full temporary sleeve of every animal Planet Character alive. Springfield MO an interesting mix of hipsters and poverty, kind of like my hometown Oakland, CA. I approve of you and once again Missouri, you are making a quite handsome impression of yourself. Thanks all for one of the best birthdays ever.