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.


Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Day 43. Meat and Wheat.

Miles: 71
Me: buggy mom
Weather: 100 degrees with, like always, an unfavorable wind.

Destination Friona, population 4000. Home to the Capitol of Cheeseburgers. 78% Hispanic, 20% white.

Passing though Hereford, the largest beef producer in the world, along with grain, shipping dead cows across the globe, according to the state trooper who rolled up to our lunch stop in a cowboy hat. Apparently the Texans are a bit confused by our presence on the side of the road, calling 911 to report cyclists riding on the shoulder of the HWY. I am not a fan of the police, so once I affirmed we were by no means causing a scene, I had to pick his brain about living in a town that kills more than a war zone. He wasn't impressed, I was.

Tonight we are in for a treat. A home stay, we break into pairs and head home with church members to beds and sandwiches. We talk about our mission, sharing conversations and facts about the state of this country, how there is no county where making minimum wage one can afford less than 30% of their wage on rent.

A good nights sleep, although separated from my other 30 counterparts something just felt a tad bit lonely.