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.


Monday, August 13, 2012

Day 56. A starry Night

Build Day Flagstaff AZ

I want to say, after biking across the country I could talk your ear off about how to fix a bicycle, but instead, I could really tell you any ailments buggys partner, mrs trailer had, where the trailer repair stores stretching from Maine to California, and how to sledge hammer a jack back into place.

Instead of building today, I was on trailer duty to get it fixed before we hit the bottomless nothing of Nevada. We are 2 brake systems in, 3 jacks later, but running strong now thanks to Bills Welding. If you can't fix it, just weld it off. Coach Collin tried to offer collateral of his $100 Pulsar watch to borrow a new jack while attempting to find a welder in town. They were happier with our credit card.

Flagstaff is quite the fun bunch of a town. With a mix of good food, local beers, murals, and local art, the locals all love the outdoors, their bikes and skis, beneath the forested mountains.
The night turned into a walk to the observatory that discovered the mystery planet Pluto and a long night staring at stars.