Meandering Roads
It’s startling at times to realize how slow I can ride on the scooter. As speeds of 15 or 20 miles per hour you see things — like the “S” curve that reminded me of the Scooter in the Sticks logo. It’s this kind of trail that I’m drawn to; little meandering paths through forests and fields where, like an archeologist, I might see evidence of hidden stories. And it’s on these rides that the riding daydreams come.
Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad
It was a chilly ride yesterday morning as the temperature climbed toward the freezing mark. The road was bone dry but still demands respect and attention where there’s a possibility, however remote, of ice. As I ride I find myself daydreaming about what a place might have looked like in the past — what would a native American crossing this area see, did a Tyrannosaurus walk this way 68 million years ago. Or what would I find 68 million years in the future.
That’s the sort of daydreams I have when I’m riding. Quiet, in the background, and kept in a space that doesn’t rob critical attention from the road.
Not exactly dinosaur material but still a look to the past is this abandon railroad grade that was once part of the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad. It’s grown over now after being abandoned in the 1960s but you can still make out the line just to the left of center of the photo. I worked with an art director for a long time, Jim McClure, who was on the State College, Pennsylvania Borough Council when the railroad company was going to abandon most of the lines in Centre County. Jim was excited because the borough had the opportunity to take ownership of those lines and stations. He had a vision of a commuter line or walking and biking trails.
Unfortunately he was decades ahead of his time because the council saw no value in such an idea.
Frozen Landscape
Evidence of the cold was still present, here in the form of icicles hanging from a rock outcrop, reminders to watch the throttle despite the road giving every indication of being ice free.
Daydreaming in the cold isn’t easy if you’re cold. I’m pleased to report all my gear is doing a bang up job keeping me toasty. The First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket has been fantastically warm, a new pair of insulated riding pants the same, and the Tucano Urbano hand grip muffs along with the KOSO heated grips have kept my hands hot at the freezing mark.
So I’m engaging a lot of riding daydreams even in the frozen landscape.
Through the Countryside
There are times when I feel I have the whole world to myself. Riding alone takes you to those places and provides an opportunity to let go of a lot of the baggage that makes living tedious if you let it. Standing in this plain, ordinary rural landscape, I imagine myself the master of my universe. At least for a moment. It’s as if a daydream becomes tangible for a one short moment.
Vespa GTS 250ie — Utility Vehicle
I can kid myself that the scooter can go anywhere. Anyone who’s ridden one knows that’s not true. They’re more capable that you might expect but they will frustrate an experienced rider in lots of situations. With a morning glow still in the air I was already wandering and watching, daydreaming of nothing and everything, imaging a journey across the wilderness. One with a coffee shop just miles away.
It’s a fine way to ride.
Remnants of Destruction
Not all daydreams are pleasant. I was surprised to see a small herd of American Bison quietly grazing in a pasture just a short ride from my home. The story of the bison still makes my blood boil and reminds me why we sometimes need a government to protect us from ourselves.
Look at this timeline. I could cry.
For more information check out the Library of Congress’s The Extermination of the American Bison article.
Riding Daydreams
Thoughts and images flow easily when the ride is easy and uncluttered by concerns of traffic. The myriad forest roads in central Pennsylvania support a simple ride and can absorb almost any conflict — the enchanted forest that haunts the pages of children’s stories and I carry along now.
Metal Men
A man constructed of an automobile transmission, exhaust pipes and brake parts stands guard outside the American Legion Post 867. There’s no indication of the significance or artist but it is firmly attached to the pavement. This fellow is here for the long haul.
Boxes of Hondas
Toward the end of the ride, before turning toward home to brave the Super Bowl shoppers at the grocery story, I came across a stash of Honda motorcycles neatly stacked in their boxes. There were about a dozen motorcycles being stored outside along a small road. No indication of who they belonged to or where they were headed.
An example of the relative safety of things in central Pennsylvania. And when you feel safe, maybe there are a few more riding daydreams…
It is Sunday morning February 7, 2016 at 08:45 as i jot this note. Thinking Steve has been very prolific of late with his postings.
Out of a sense of guilt or an escape from the intensities of his new
employment position? Still as we both exist on Eastern Standard Time this morning he s either doing the entertain -the-dogs thing or preparing for his scheduled excursion somewhere on a relatively snow-free Sunday.
Keep going Steve; we are following your escapades with renewed interest.
And if there is an hiatus in your postings, we shall understand
I’ve been attempting to meet the posting challenge outlined on Toadmama.com titled Brave, Bold, Blogger Challenge 2016 — 29 posts in 29 days on specific topics. I have always found a forced challenge is good for me every now and again. I find myself exercising creative and mental muscles to keep up. Practice makes perfect and such.
No guilt or escape, just part of my ongoing practice. I rode on Saturday but had other plans on Sunday though the weather was delightful for a ride. Snow on the way now.
At the end of February there will likely be some sort of posting hiatus. So far it’s been pretty easy. Most posts fall in the 20 to 60 minute range to produce not counting any riding pix that were shot specifically for a post.
Bruce, I was amazed to see Steve up so early, too. Not really knowing him well, I just assumed he’s a “morning guy.”
Steve, I daydream a lot while riding, too. My thoughts often drift to, “why is this road here” or “why did people decide to live here?” Especially in the mountains of West Virginia, where I spent quite a bit of time, though not lately. You’re already in the middle of nowhere and come across a little, winding mountain road, which climbs up the side of a mountain. The road is seriously curvy, with lots of 10 mph switchbacks. It’s desolate. Then all of a sudden there’ll be a church. There’s ALWAYS a church. Then a farm. Perhaps a junkyard and a dilapidated general store. There’s usually a mobile home, too, though I have no idea how they got in in there on the switchback-filled road. It defies logic, and is fun to ponder.
I didn’t follow the bison link. I know the story and it pains me, too.
I LOVE the metal man.
At the risk of sounding like I’m becoming a creepy stalker, I think I may need to motor up your way so I can follow you around a bit. I like the way you experience the world.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Kathy, the name is Bryce, not Bruce. A common error; mostly done so by those who “think” they read something and assign to their mind, what they wish.
Bryce and Bruce are two vastly different people; and too combined with my surname, many assume i am a) Oriental and b) died of a drug overdose. Both incorrect
and utterly wrong.
And I also dwell in a foreign land, foreign in many ways to the United States.
And yet geographically close.
Sorry, Bryce! I blame the old eyes and small screen. ?
I schedule my posts so you can’t necessarily connect the post time with the writing. I usually write these late at night. Now that I’ve read T’s comments about sleep and recurring heart attacks maybe that’s not the best plan.
But I am a morning person if I do get sleep. The dogs help enforce that.
West Virginia is almost heaven right? I heard that in a song. Spent some time there since my father was from West Virginia.
There are parts of Pennsylvania that feel similar to WV — all along the Appalachian mountain range from the Maryland border north to the center of the state. And then the northern tier counties. You could lose yourself riding around those places.
Unfortunately it was the U S government who was responsible for the near extinction of the American buffalo. In an effort to subdue the American Indian, a bounty was offered for the killing of buffalo, the Indians main source of meat, clothing, and tent material. Fortunately conservation efforts now step the other way.
The US Government definitely played a role but but more passively through neglect and indolence. I added a link to a piece provided by the Library of Congress on the various aspects that contributed. I’ve read references to the idea of killing buffalo to subdue native Americans but those were usually dismissed as a very slow and ineffective way to subdue them.
It seemed in line with government neglect and resistance to change from giving rights to women and African Americans to protecting rivers and air from wanton and uncontrolled industrial pollution. Just to name a few.
The Passenger Pigeon story is just as disheartening. And on with tigers, lions, elephants…
Loved seeing “myriad” without “of” after it! Somebody who’s doing the “write a post every day in February” thing just posted about that on the day that invited writer/riders to tell about words that drive them crazy.
The daydreaming aspect of scootering hit me from the start and is still a huge part of what I’m doing when I’m out on the Piaggio. Introspection is the other, but sometimes that territory is best left alone for more daydreaming!
I’m really enjoying the daily posting you’ve been doing, Steve. I’m finding the notice that you’ve posted in my mailbox each morning and heading right on over to see what you’ve crafted for the day. I’m finding your posting to be inspirational in keeping my own writing going.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then. Myriad is one I don’t often misuse. I still have trouble with lay and lie. Effect and affect are good though.
The 29 posts in 29 days is a challenge. I hope I can keep up. It’s a good practice to sharpen your writing willingness!
Steve, thanks for the Bison article…it was sobering.
It is that. I remember as a kid reading about the extinction of the Great Auk. Maybe 4th or 5th grade. Didn’t understand then. Still don’t.
I remember reading about the buffalo in public school and watching TV shows on its slaughter and being appalled by it. Especially the shooting from train slaughters. I can’t read about the Auk as I’m sure it will be equally as cruel. I didn’t know about it at all. I did about the passenger pigeon though.
Yes, it’s just a sad story.