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.


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Day 68. 24 hours

Miles: 35
Weather: California coastal fog.
Me: transporter of dirty chamois and oranges.

Santa Paula, CA. Now I know where all the oranges from our trip have been coming from. Santa Paula, orange Capitol of California, has an American Main street with a spanish flare.

Less than 18 hours we will be standing on the Pacific Ocean with 4000 miles behind us in complete unreal emotional hurrah. Driving by my people in buggy today, it all hit me like, well like a cold wave of the Pacific. Soon enough, no longer will I ever walk into gas stations, restaurants, coffee shops, corn fields, churches, with a posse of 31 others close behind. I will no longer sit on the side of the road in complete content, if my people are there, then home is there, no need to be anywhere else. I will no longer share a bedroom with 31 others or enjoy weekly homemade cookies from 31 other moms. Never again will we be in the same room all together. Each off to explore the world on their own, make their own adventures, find their dreams, and test their own limits. But the beauty, taking away a summer, a family, a life long story. And then time goes on to new and exciting adventures and challenges that continue to teach us to grow as make our life book that much more readable.

The countdown begins. And here are a few funny photos we have been with holding from you all. Let's just say when you live on a bicycle funny crazy things happen.