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.


Friday, September 6, 2013

The End.

A simple 6.5 miles down the rest of the mountain cheered on and congratulated by hikers heading up, we reached a seemingly odd concept of toilets and a general store stocked with an overwhelmingly amount of choices of candy bars. Trading the  simplicities of life for civilization it all came to an end.

Looking back, we would have done everything completely different. Food, bear canisters, backpacks, and gear. I wished to have swam in more lakes and taken more scenic snack breaks. Maybe that comes with patience and age. But if we had known what we were doing, Ralph probably wouldn't have tagged along and shared in this story. With so many strangers curious about his eating habits and weight, his name and age, he sparked the encouragement needed to not give up. And without my trusty counterpart, my very tall German lover, it just wouldn't have been as beautiful, the nights wouldn't have ended in laughter, and looking back on it all it is with the help of others anything is possible. 

The Sierras of California is a backyard I never knew existed to the extent of it breathless beauty. It came with a lot of sweat and days never imaginable. And somehow after all said and done, every tantrum, blister, and freezing cold night was worth it. 

Sitting in a four wheeled vehicle with temperate control we drive up the 2 laned corridor of eastern California passing a nearly 200 mile foot journey in a mere 2 hours. The mountains on the left just a tease to the depth of the glory that awaits one only by foot or horse. Society reclaimed its power on us, money bought colas and fresh fruit, we were no longer subject to natures desires, and Ralph srank back to the stuffed reideer purchased in a store 18 years ago. 

For the record we saw no bears and never happier to do laundry in my life, this journey of the JMT is complete.  I wouldn't say this trail changed my life in ways other journeys have restored faith and hope for mankind or greater things, but I deeply thank all the people out there who maintain these paths so others can can escape from the world for days or weeks and be reminded that we are just a tiny big part of a whole. Ciao till the next grand something that is worth a worthy of fun exciting words.
- Kristen Gentilucci