Nothing says Harley-Davidson like a Hello Kitty water bottle. I spied this one on Paul Ruby’s Harley Crossbones and wondered how he missed the marketing messages that Harley has poured millions into — with much success I might add. I may have suggested a HOG member seeing it might confiscate his bike.
Now I wish I had held my tongue. He must have been upset because he’s traded the Harley for a 2007 BMW K1200 GT. Hello Kitty will be more at home there I guess.
Paul and I left early to ride to Altoona to pick up my father-in-law before riding on to a new breakfast spot. Light traffic, long lights, and the easy of parking the Vespa allow for some quick pictures like this one.
Remember those cool tablets that they used to give out on the first day of school along with the giant green wooden pencils? If you weren’t alive and in the first grade around 1960 forget I mentioned this.
Anyways, the Blank Book Company has been making school supplies, tablets, notebooks, etc, for over one hundred years. This was their original building in Roaring Spring. I can’t quite decide which is more unique — the architecture or the two Vespa scooters with the Harley.
Mamie’s in Martinsburg. While Paul checks the map to figure out where we are the cooks are preparing what was among the finest breakfast sandwiches I have ever devoured. Devoured is the right verb. I had a half steak and egg sandwich on homemade bread with grilled peppers and onions.
I’m not a donut guy. I’ll eat them but am not impressed. At least not until I had one of Mamie’s donuts. Fresh, warm, sugary. This is the kind of donut that Homer Simpson would abandon his family for.
When I looked at the folder on my computer for images of this ride the donut was the last one even though we put another 65 miles on the odometer before reaching home. The donut was the capstone experience for this ride. Thank god I didn’t ride 1000 miles to find it.
A good donut is indeed hard to find. I’m still looking for one as good as the those my Dad used to get at the bakery in my hometown when I was very young. I suspect it is by these mythic donuts that all other donuts in my life have been judged and found wanting. Sometimes I wonder if those donuts of my childhood were really that good or if it’s the way these donuts are bound up with good memories. It was the capstone, to use your word, of Saturday morning shopping. Perhaps it even began as a bribe. If so, it became so much more. Yes, a good donut is hard to find.
Key West has no doughnut shop. Cuban mix sandwiches and con leche don’t make up for the loss of Dunkin Donuts. Boo hiss. My wife rides an ET4 just like your in law’s but she uses it to embarass Harley riders by passing them, not hanging out with them.
I loved the picture of the vespas, harley and the castle-like building. The coolest thing to me is that we can all ride together scooter and motorcycle if the riders are open minded. Unfortunately some motorcycle riders don’t think much of scooters, pity. Great pictures and the donut looks especially yummy, in fact I am feeling the need to find one now. For me it is apple strudel at a bakery in a neighboring municpality, I may have to make a trip out there.
Steve:
that looks like a delicious doughnut. I like lots of sugary coatings. Lately we have been eating too many of them but I have no willpower.
It’s nice to have choices so finding a new place is good
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Steve,
My first experience with a fresh donut (and yes, I remember the day) was when I was during my first kitchen job. They pulled one right out of the fryer and gave it to me. That little lump of joy changed my world.
I can give or take most pastries, but a fresh donut, oh, seriously, you don’t have to ask me twice.
As to hello kitty – if it were on sale, I would buy it too. Of course, I bought a 1971 Honda C70 Passport (non operational) cause I thought it was a good deal. It caused months of grief, but it was a “good deal.”
Brady
Behind Bars – Motorcycles and Life
http://www.behindbarsmotorcycle.com/
Dear Sir:
Now that was a sucker punch to the throat implying that a “Hello Kitty” water bottle would be more at home on a BMW motorcycle than a Harley-Davidson Crossboner.
Of coourse, the “Kitty” will have to hold on tight, as the 157-horsepower engine is likely to take it on a bit of a ride.
Still, I think your pal’s bike will look just as good in future VESPA ride pictures, even though he will be unlikely to get it out of second gear.
The donut is an overrated pleasure… Still, a hot one on a cool morning, accompanied by the perfect cup of Java, can take the mind to forbidden places. To my limited thinking, there is nothing like a piece of cherry pie, still warm from the initial foray into the oven, also accompanied by the perfect cup of coffee.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
Dearest Mr. William:
Always you are writing about the little meals you find on your Vesper scooter. The little meals here are the cheese from the female goat and the yam.
The structsure in the picture is very impressive building for town. Is it forte or prison?
With happiness for your life
Alfonse Dahdou
Steve, either that was one lonnnnnnnng red light, or you are one quick draw with a camera.
You were able to stop for the light, get the bike on the centre stand, take off at least one glove, dig out the camera, hustle back what I’m guessing was a good 15 feet, compose and snap the shot with your full face helmet on, stow the camera while hustling back to the bike, get it off the stand, get rolling as soon as the light went green, and all without getting run over by a bus or an SUV, and without backing traffic up to the Canadian border. Very well done. They could add that as a competitive skill at the next Amerivespa. And if you went, you would be sure to win the prize. I’d just kick back with a cold beer and marvel at how the trick is done. Extra points for taking a nice crisp picture with all the elements properly framed.
I don’t think it would be a thousand mile ride to get to one of those donuts, but I’m surely craving one. I just may have to suit up and ride.
Love is a donut.
Life is a donut.
Prayer is a donut.
Travel is a donut.
Donut is a donut.
Felicitations
Alphonse Périgaut
Philosophe de Aïx
That really is an impressive building and all built on those little pads of paper and giant pencils. Do they still use those in schools these days?
I was equally impressed by your ability to jump off and snap the picture during a red light.
Circle Blue: It’s kind of amazing what memories something like a donut can conjure. When I think about all the simple foods I had as a kid and how much excitement and anticipation went with them it makes me smile. Today, everything is easily available. I wonder what kids now will remember when they’re old…
Conchscooter: I was just about ready to retire and move to Key West. Now that you’ve shared this important information I will have to make other plans.
I don’t pass anyone on the road. Just call me turtle.
Dar: Other than at Disney World I don’t think they build many cool buildings anymore.
Ride safe to your date with Apple Strudel!
bobskoot: My concern is that all my riding of late seems centered around getting to someplace to eat. That can’t be right.
I have to go back to the drawing board.
Brady: First time experiences have a way of burning themselves into your memory. That donut you had will always be nearby.
How are things in Germany? Have you made your way onto the Autobahn with a motorcycle yet?
Dear Mr. Riepe: Paul has been invisible of late. Usually he is over here to have his portrait made with yet another motorcycle. I’ll have to give him a call and see what’s up. And to ask if the Hello Kitty water bottle will stay or if he had to buy a Sponge Bob Square Pants one for the BMW.
I’ll have to take your word on the pie. I’ve have eaten a few slices over the years to be polite but just don’t have a taste for it. And I have never had more than a small sip of coffee. How can something that smells so good taste so bad?
Alphone Dahdou: I am so happy to have someone post here who is sensitive to the goat and yam. Such expertise is sadly lacking on most riding blogs. I must admit that we ran out of goat cheese last week and have had to make due with goat yogurt until I get to the store.
The building portrayed in the picture was never used as a prison or fort to my knowledge. I’ll make inquiries though. Historical knowledge is important to almost all Vespa riders.
David Masse: I can still move quick when I must. After taking so many pictures you get a system down. The Vespa goes on the centerstand fast and the camera is coming out of my pocket as I running into position so I can catch the train. No need to remove the gloves yet since I wasn’t into the winter gear.
The best part was that Paul never knew I got off the scooter thanks to Harley Law 2542: Never look in the mirrors.
Ronman: Part of the beauty of riding a Vespa is that even the short rides seem like a thousand miles.
Wait, that didn’t come out right.
Enjoy your donuts.
Alphonse Périgaut, Philosophe de Aïx:
Thank you for your poetic stylings, another first on Scooter in the Sticks. You have elevated the donut beyond the mundane to the heights of literary reflection.
Do you write haiku?
RichardM: I don’t know if they still use those tablets in school. The company is still in business so someone must. Probably in Alaska where schools still use whale oil lamps but have wireless coverage.
Maybe someone can chime in about seeing them. I will do some searching myself.
As far as jumping off the scooter to make a quick picture– the truth is I see so many things while riding that I wish I could stop and photograph, or more pointedly, photograph while on the scooter. Have not figured out a way to routinely do that though.
And I think I have lost my camera. Can’t find it anywhere. Hope there were no incriminating pictures in it…
Steve I wanted to email you this but check out these guys traveling through Africa on their Vespa’s !
http://longwayonavespa.blogspot.com/
I just love the way you phrased it “Those tablets and huge green pencils” I didn’t find them so i guess am still young. I have never found a sweet doughnut. I hate them. If i took one, i would have the worst running stomach trying to compete riding with my vespa. Don’t think it would be a good idea for me.
I still think it was good you changed Pudy’s mind. he owns a BMW! that’s cool. Pretty cool!