After colder and more precarious rides it was good to ride this past Sunday in warm weather. Leaving with my friend Paul just as the sun was rising treated us to one of those glowing morning that just make me glad to be alive. Paul showed his own feelings by leaping through my picture.
We had some general plans to ride south and east over several ridges into Amish country and then farther south for breakfast at Millers Diner along US 22. The rolling ride through field and forest presented an almost endless opportunity to stop and make photographs. Had I been riding alone I would have stopped more often but I think Paul was interested in making more forward progress which appeared as higher speeds. Now he knows what it’s like to walk a dog that has to sniff every tree.
I had to stop at this hill near Mcalevys Fort – those lone trees always beckon to me. When I redo the little business card I have for Scooter in the Sticks that still shows the LX150 I may use this image.
Riding over the first ridge towards Greenwood Furnace State Park took us along a winding road through Rothrock State Forest with a low fog burning away in the morning sun. It was a mental remnant of my own private Brigadoon. I get to go home after visiting though.
Paul’s bright colored Suzuki DRZ400 Supermotard leaps out of the pictures and threatens the quiet elegance of the Vespa. The two seem at odds with each other on many levels.
Riding down into Belleville, a farm community with a large Amish population is wildly busy on auction days. On a Sunday morning it’s quite and abandoned.
This picture was taken at the auction grounds that will find thousands packed in on Wednesday mornings. Here it looks about as nasty as a place can look.
Growling stomachs directed us 25 miles south to Millers Diner and a hearty breakfast. Paul had his coffee and was considering routes to take us home.
By the time we left the diner temperatures were above 60° F and the sun was bright. After a few wrong turns and circling back on ourselves we found a bucolic road through an area that I had not ridden through before that crossed back and forth over the Little Juniata River.
I returned home shortly after noon with another 106 miles on the odometer. I was content and the Vespa was ready for its break-in service at KissellMotorsports. Fluid changes, filter changes, valve adjustments and more. Now without the break-in period restrictions I can consider some longer rides to more uncertain destinations.
With out commenting too much on your other recent posts, isn’t that feeling of being thankful for being alive, the reason we ride?
May the road never rise to meet your face, my brother.
Peace,
HT Dragon
The photo at the top deserves to be in it’s own post.
Though, really, did Paul consider all the possible consequences and repercussions of leaping all care-free like that? (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
Sounds like a glorious ride!
Posts like these are why I’m here. I went back and looked at every photo again. This had to have been an excellent ride.
Have fun,
Bill
Beautiful photos, Steve – the one with the lone trees on the ridge and the photo with the sun rays streaming through the forest are absolutely gorgeous.
I love the top photo, one of the best biking pictures I’ve seen.
Glorious! Paul appears rather sprightly for a grey-haired gent. Heck, with all the hardware in my knee, I’m not even sure I would attempt something like that.
Given the right inspiration, however, who knows?
Your photography continues to amaze, Steve. Nice write up, too.
Ride well,
=gc=
HT Dragon: It is indeed. More people need to experience the simple joy of riding.
lucky: I’m not sure about Paul’s thought process. He started to climb up on the rail of the bridge in the last picture and I made him stop. I’m far more careful. I’ll ask him about it.
bill: It was a great ride and I want more!
dave: thanks for the kind words Dave. I love that particular location. There is a small family cemetery under those trees. Someday I’ll ask the farm if I can walk up to visit.
mad: Thanks! You know what they say, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and again.
gary: Paul puts himself out there. He saw the scene I was shooting and decided to leap. He feels no price is too high for a photo I guess *grin*
Eeeeelation! That is a great photo Steve! Yup, scooter riding does it that way for me too. You really caught some incredible pics. Great eye for sure. This is one heck of a great blog. ps Lucky, I lughed hard when I read what you wrote. That was great haha.
Harv
Gary: Amy (girlfriend) laughed when I told her you said I was sprightly. She thinks I am “spry.”
Lucky: “repercussions…leaping all care-free like that?” Because I appear whacky and no one will love me? Steve posts all those photos with just the scooter and the landscape. He knows I want sizzle with my steak. I took photos with him in them but he doesn’t often use them. -Regards, Paul
I’m waiting for Paul to improve on reality and make me appear heroic. He keeps showing me as I really am. How can I use those pictures???
I actually have several that are good. I just haven’t matched the pictures to the post yet. One of these times. Keep shooting Paul!
Hey Steve,
As usual, love the photos, I would actually like to see some of them without the Vespa. Don’t get me wrong now, i love Vespas, but not in every shot IMHO. BTW, tell Paul…real men don’t leap 🙂 or frolic for that matter!
PS haven’t seen you post on my blog lately, get on it mister, I’ve only got like 4 or 5 blogpals, where’s the love?
ha ha ….interesting>
walk a dog..and stop to pee
Great post. That first picture of Paul leaping is how we all feel. I agree, the one with the lone trees is a great consideration for your business card. Sounds like a great ride you both had.
Betty 🙂
I enjoy your colorful descriptive adventures and can only dream.