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, June 25, 2012

Day 7. Pittsfield Massachusetts

Build Day.
We are averaging now about 1200 homemade cookies a week. Many in the form of peanut butter cookie sandwiches. Life is good...Let me add lots of laughing to my list of things we do besides bike eat build and sleep.
Yes life is good despite the minor logistical chaos we come across such as the fact we broke the trailer. But the good news is we got the brake lights working again. The bad news ill leave for another day. But we can't just ditch out 3456 oz of peanut butter in it.
Rain, again. Eh. The angels bowled for us loud and clear. We cleaned and painted the community parks today while 1/2 of us sheet rocked a house. A house is simply a very big puzzle. You start with the edges and work yourself inwards connecting piece by piece.
Now there is band practice in the chapel and by golly, I'm listening to a full on concert echoing my veins. They are playing the theme song from The Dick van Dike show. It shakes and rattles the walls with excitement and glee. Stuffed full with a fantastic gluten free pasta dinner we set our alarms for 4:30am to hit the road in this never ending thunderstorm for our first near century day tomorrow.