Every year it seems as if life shifts into high gear this time of year. I struggle to stay tuned into the Christmas spirit and stop to enjoy the simple things. It took some gentle persuasion by Kim to nudge me out the door one evening to shoot a picture of the little snow-covered tree in our front yard.
After some bad weather and hectic work schedule I managed to get out on the weekend for a ride after more gentle nudges by Paul. In his honor I made another jumping picture. As he prepared to leap from the platform at the back of the train all I could imagine was a broken ankle. Safety experts at work counsel farmers to not jump down from their tractors due to the high incidence of injury. The same counsel should be offered to riders who jump from trains.
We arrived in Bellefonte during the last moments of their Victorian Christmas Celebration. I managed to photograph one of the carriages drawn by a team of Percheron horses transporting people around town. These events are always shine with more seasonal magic if there’s snow but this time everyone had to be content with 40-degree weather.
Paul and I idled the remains of the day at Cool Beans Coffee and Tea but eventually had to head for home before it got dark and the temperature dropped below freezing making the chance ice spot more probable.
The sun hit the horizon about six miles from home and the temperature dropped to 33 degrees by that time as well.
Stopping to look out over the valley I remembered that the Christmas tree farm where we get our tree was off in the distance. Even though I was riding towards home I was also riding towards a tree as well. Perhaps this weekend if the snow isn’t too bad I’ll bring one home.
We are to take it the errant leg is healing nicely? As nice as it can where snow litters the countryside and creates those charming living christmas trees?
Happy Holidays to you to your family. Your Christmas tree picture sets the mood for the season.
Safe riding,
Phil
The first photo is a Christmas card. Have you decided if you are going to use the Vespa to bring home the tree again this year?
Have fun,
Bill
The Victorian Christmas parade would be nice to see. Sounds like a nice way to spend a day!
Bill said the first photo looks like a Christmas card. I actually thought the tree looked edible!
Hooray for Kim! The photo of the little Christmas tree is lovely & really does evoke the spirit of the holiday. Almost… we said … almost.. makes us wish we had snow. Ho! Ho! We decorate the palm trees here. Happy Holidays and safe riding.
Forgot to ask, “Does John ride with you so that he can get his picture taken by a real pro?”
Happy Holidays to you Steve!
While we have no use for spiked scooter tires down South, I thought perhaps Santa should bring you some this year:)
Keep up the great writing!
Scoot Happy!!–Lorenzo
“In his honor I made another jumping picture.” Steve: Last night I had a dream where I had to jump from a moving train. It was going very fast and the conductor was doing it on purpose. When he slowed at an intersection I jumped. I was in the engine car with the conductor. That’s what I get for reading your blog and then going to bed.
Ciao, Paolo
conchscooter: John is still struggling. Some unexpected issues have placed him back in the dicey area. I’ll post something soon about it.
The snow making critters are now working overtime. I have a full tank of oil and sitting cozy at my desk. I’m getting more and more mellow….
phil: Happy Holidays to you too! I’m slowly getting festive.
Bill: I was planning to get a tree this weekend but the snow and ice are too bad. Wouldn’t even go in the car. Kim has hinted at skipping a tree this year. She feels bad cutting down a live tree just to have in the house for a couple weeks.
If we do get one it will come home by Vespa. Stay tuned to see what happens.
rick: My aversion to crowds generally keeps me away from such festivities but I know people around here really enjoy it.
irondad: Yeah, it does look like some of those sugar frosted treats I see this time of year. As a rabid and committed chocolate eater I didn’t see it though until you mentioned it.
After I finish with the comments here I am going to order some SANDWICH PRALINES
heinz & frenchie: Kim would love to have a palm tree. Too cold for those here though.
I don’t ride with John. Aside from his commute to work he would be taking serious rides — to New Mexico, Minnesota, Canada and such. Riding around central Pennsylvania like I do wasn’t on his card. As close to riding together was when our machines were parked together at work.
scgt: Happy Holidays to you too! Wow, those are some serious winter tires. I wonder what the traction on dry pavement is like with studs?
paul: I worry about you sometimes! I could see you jumping off a train for art….