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, August 22, 2014

Day 38. Fort Bragg

Miles: 87
Elevation: Vinny has calculated in the 6000 range. Felt about right
Temperature. 85 in the morning, freezing by the sea. 

It is weird to see the end so near. The roads and city towns are becoming way too familiar. We know this coastline, it's called home. As I passed my job over to eager individuals nearly 40 days ago, the final words to a beloved boss were, " I just gotta go, find something, and maybe it's under a rock in Banff." Quite ironically, we never even made it to Banff, but something was found. It lay beneath all the rocks kicked around to level campsites, rocks used to skip across rivers and lakes, and cairns built along roads and trailheads. Slowly we saw a freedom. A glimpse of a greater picture. That life's 10,000 piece puzzle somehow fit together, that creativity can powerfully unleash anxious minds, and it's a good thing to be a tad bit crazy. It started as an urge to seek something not fully comprehended and it may take a lifetime to reveal. 

Built over the weeks was a never ending visual now stored deep inside. It constantly reminds that when lost, stillness is found in fresh air and timeless landscapes. When the business of life's complexities become that traffic jam on the five lane highway, trapped is only a temporary state. Fears only grow when watered with silence, and wisdom is gifted with perseverance, compassion, and patience. And if you have a dream, live it. 

Today was one of those days that will be remembered not because it was hard, but beautiful. We climbed a million switchbacks and flew like an eagle through forested trees. Rubber tires tugged at Tarmac as they hit mountain corners with crisp precision. Gravity pulled the weight of loaded panniers left and right as angles swerved 2000ft high to the sea. The damp air blanketed the road, and bundled in ever layer we had stashed, the view behind us was a road like a roller coaster carpeted in grey. 

We've fallen in love with our international friends despite our differences; they keep us good company. We know their quirks. Vinny lives off of peanut butter and bagels until we made him his first experience of Kraft Mac 'n Cheese to perfection. A splash of milk, real butter, pepper to finish; he fell in love with the first bite. It's funny how you fall into patterns out here. Walking into a supermarket, every flavor is at a tounges tip, but it's like your the staple has brainwashed you. I swore O'Reilly was about spend the rest of his life chowing on waxed baby cheese rounds smashed between tortillas. I was always staring down the blueberry bagel section with the perfect selection of clover honey. 

I get a lot of questions wondering where to start for a successful trip. I can tell you my story and opinion, but everyone seems to have their own ways of the road. I mean if you ask Vinny he'd tell you five panniers was necessary, packed with laptops and skinny jeans. It's kind of like life, you gotta find the niche that works for you. We personally enjoy the spontaneity of not knowing. Not knowing there is a massive climb ahead, or where camp may be that night. We are in no rush to get from point A to B, as B is the unknown variable like a mathematical equation. Vinny on the other hand has it pinpointed down to an exact precision. He enjoys navigating through space and time. But if we hadnt been open to listening to strangers and letting go of expectation, we would be in Alaska in two days. Same distance we will have traveled, just straight north. 

There's a few things we've learned out here: a Ask the locals for advice. And Listen to it! It's probably good. If the lawn is green and manicured it's probably because the sprinklers water it at night. Take lots of naps. And stop enough to take it all in. Bring a camp towel and a bright Neon jacket. Bread is your friend, and you can never stock up on too many bars. And just know that at the end of the day, there's gonna a hill, it's gonna rain or be hot, there's gonna be hard days and easy days and days you will remember for a century. Just like the story of life. 

Sunset: Westport CA

HWY 1: