Pushing the pen across paper while my dog noisily gnaws on a large Milkbone makes it really difficult to attend to my writing. Farms are cool places to look at and the surrounding landscapes are my favorite photographic subjects. Mountains, old growth Pacific forests, Yosemite, the ocean—-they are all beautiful. But I am disconnected from them because I live here. Photographing those traditionally beautiful places leaves me with postcard images. I never have time to get close enough to see past that pretty veneer. And it would take months, maybe years.
On the ride home from work my instrument panel showed 23° F. With the sky clear and the sun bright as it headed for the horizon it was warm enough for a detour through the landscape I love to look at. Almost immediately after leaving the main road I came upon Meyers Dairy Farm. Those red barns just glow in strong sunlight. The remainder of the ride home was a slow puttering event that allowed me to be a tourist again in my own neighborhood. I didn’t have the big camera with me but plan to haul it out this morning.
Arriving home I decided to do something about the salt and grime that has been collecting on the Vespa for the past two weeks. With a sponge and bucket of really hot water I was able to remove a lot of it. Perhaps today I will do a bit more.
A few have inquired about my non-electric solution to staying warm—especially my hands. I wear expedition grade Black Diamond Mittens with a pair of thin polypropylene gloves underneath them.
I added the gloves because I needed to slow down the chilling of my hands when I stop to take pictures. The metal body of the small Canon S50 digital camera is like holding a small block of ice. The thin gloves slow down the numbing effect on my hands. If I fiddle too long with the camera I will warm my hands on the headlight before slipping them back inside the mittens. Once my hands are really cold it is difficult to bring them back without returning to a heated area.
After a bowl of cereal I’m going to head out on a photo ride. No idea where I’m going or for how long. Most likely my hands will dictate course and duration. It’s 14° F right now with a promise of higher temperatures this afternoon. After a check of oil levels, air pressures, lights and things I’ll be off.
Looks like a beautiful, but too cold for me, day. Look forward to the pics.
Cody
Thank you, for being mindful enough of your own safety (and the longevity of your scoot) to check tire pressures, oil and lights! Unbelievable, how many folks don’t remember the last time they did such a thing!
I like the “getting past the glossy exterior” idea. You seem to do that well with your landscape photos.
John
Man, that looks like fun! I got out for a short ride on Sunday, but forgot to charge up the camera, so there were no photos.
It’s going to start warming up again this weekend, but that always comes with the threat of snow. If the roads stay ride-able, I’ll be commuting again next week.
I really like the farm shot, Steve.
Ride well,
=gc=
qjlfyikCody: It was a nice day but cold. A lot of people think I like the cold and that just isn’t the case. I like to ride if I can stay warm. I like the challenge cold weather presents but if I were cold all the time I would be sitting at home reading a book.
John: I seem to grow more wary and safety conscious the more I ride. Check tire pressure can be a drag when it is really cold but I do it.
gary: I was hoping for some more riding weather but I just finished shoveling 6 inches of snow off the driveway and there is supposed to be another 10 inches on the way. So the scooter will have to wait a bit longer. Good luck on your commuting. Will you be riding the KLR or Scarlet?