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, July 9, 2012

Day 21. Beautiful day toped with hippy "paradise"

Miles: a meager easy 58.
Weather: gorgeous! 85 degrees and bright blue sky's smeared with a few white painted clouds

Columbus to Yellow Springs Ohio. 58 of the easiest smoothest miles ever. It was a quite day on my part, 20 miles sailing down an empty bike path, not a car in sight, not really wanting to converse, I stared at the bright blue sky over the barren fields of tasseled corn and stalky deep green soybeans mile after mile. We have hit Monsanto land, a farmers hell, americas pathetic staple and corrupt governing pillar. Then we hit Yellow Springs Ohio.

Hippy land is what we were told to expect. Yea that pretty much nails the the yarn to the tree. Literally, trees dressed in colorful crocheted sweaters, lavender painted picnic benches, fun galleries, local artists, organic smeared all the walls, and cars with every liberal bumper sticker you could imagine. Wouldn't want to get in a political debate in this town, they just might throw you out if it wasn't in their opinion. This tiny town of 3000 was a bit thrown off by 33 stranger waddling around town with reflective safety triangles looking for post cards, ice cream, and a beer.

We are staying at Antioch College tonight with the luxury of BEDs for all. Greeted by the facility and students we were handed pens to sign papers and forms about sexual consent, stating we would not engage in any sexual activity without verbal consent of the partner. Because you know, the 33 of us who live in a biking vortex together would rape one another. I then discover this college has a whopping student body of, are you ready for this? 33! I guess that explains this town just a smidgen more.