Comments on: The (non) Epic Journey

By: komet

komet — Sun, 30 May 2010 02:17:13 +0000

“There are time though that I wake at 3am and look out the window and see the world illuminated by a full moon and just want to walk right down to the garage and take a ride. Like I am missing something really important in the world.”

I know that feeling – perfect description of how it feels to be awake at 3 a.m. the feeling of missing what’s going on and wanting to get out there. Great pictures by the way.

By: Orin

Orin — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:05:02 +0000

Steve, I think the Appearance Nazis will be placing their jackboot on my throat long before they arrive on your doorstep.

The dent from when the GTS fell over on me is still there, the scratches apparently not deep enough to reach bare metal. There are all kinds of other scrapes and dings, and several plastic parts seem to be held in place by their shape, the fasteners having disappeared. The guy I bought it from mentioned he put it in his truck one time and didn't tie it down. And he lived near salt water, so pretty much all the chrome is pitted.

And yet it photographs so very well. I still get compliments (from Mr. Riepe in particular), the people saying, your scooter is beautiful!

If only they could see it up close.

I'm reminded of a field trip to one of the Seattle TV stations in junior high school. The set where the nightly newscast took place, while looking all high-tech and zoomy on the air, was made of styrofoam and cheap plywood, painted with latex house paint. "It's real easy to work with," the set-builder said, and TV was low-res enough that it didn't matter.

Still true in the digital age, I guess...

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool

By: norcalbarney

norcalbarney — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:05:20 +0000

I just wanted to say...

Articles like this are why I love your site. You get it, and I like it!

-matthew-

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:54:02 +0000

Howard: The last time I had a job where quitting time was around midnight (12:30am), was back in 1974 when I was a welder in a shipyard. All I remember was how hungry I was. I missed everything back then.

I checked your blog and you are doing some real epic riding. Congratulations!

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:50:09 +0000

irondad: I'm pretty good at staying up late and I used to be pretty good at getting up early. But lately I've noticed the two don't mix as easily as they once did.

There are time though that I wake at 3am and look out the window and see the world illuminated by a full moon and just want to walk right down to the garage and take a ride. Like I am missing something really important in the world.

I was oblivious as a teenager. Youth really is wasted on the young...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:47:12 +0000

Chip: That picture is an example of the gifts that appear if you always have a camera with you. I just happened to notice the opportunity as I rode into the parking lot.

Or maybe it is some night time magic at work on my mind.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:45:04 +0000

Harv: Thank you for your kind words. Sometimes the best words and pictures just float to the surface when things are relaxed.

Like you say, appreciating the time we receive is a powerful thing to do.

Mr. Riepe: Your kind endorsement is kind of frightening. My tendency to dismiss whatever I do makes it hard to hear. But thank you.

By: Howard

Howard — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:41:12 +0000

Very nice prose and pics. I couldn’t agree with you more about finding “adventure” with every ride. I feel fortunate t have a job where I get to ride home at midnight. The world is so different.

By: irondad

irondad — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:23:37 +0000

Nice to see you still have the heart of a poet. Guys like me need these reminders to slow down and find the magic around us.

Although I have to say I'm getting a bit worried about you. Aren't old guys like us supposed to be in bed early and not roaming around at midnight like teenagers?

By: Chip

Chip — Thu, 27 May 2010 15:11:29 +0000

That last picture is definitely class.

Wish I could snap pictures like that.

Now that the weather's improved, I might take up midnight riding myself.