You never know what you’ll experience once to take to the road. Even the roads well traveled. Like peeling an onion, riding through the same places with an eye to the narrow gravel lane bearing off into the woods, or the cracked concrete street leading into a strange neighborhood, wandering deeper into the familiar can yield some unexpected treasure. Just as the Vespa floats through the world my thoughts can drift along at once in the present and the past as it conjures forgotten feelings and memories kindled into life by an unlooked-for sight. One those days a ride becomes a sentimental journey.
Last weekend I found myself riding deeper into places that I’ve passed a hundred times. I understand the notion “I’ve already ridden there,” but at the same time realize you never really have. By that I mean there is always something more to see right at your feet. I don’t have the time or opportunity to make epic rides. Most of the time I’m limited to what I can pack into an hour or two, or during a ride to work, an errand to the grocery store. And I’ve learned how to transform those into something more than they might seem to the casual observer. Absorbing what’s in front of me now, what’s revealed on the rides I take, are likely in line with what some consider an active alternative to the grand journey — slow travel. Slow travel is, for me, a focus on squeezing experience from the moment rather than collecting miles and sights. It’s not for everyone but I feel everyone can probably get something from the change in mindset.
The Vespa scooter is a perfect foil for my slow travel adventuring. With no interstate highways to burn up or great distances I consume I can wander at a pace that allows me to see wildflowers and listen to the trill of summer insects in the forest. There are a few sounds whose mental recall provide almost instant relief from the pain of a day — one is the rolling of waves on a shoreline, and the other the sound of crickets, katydids and cicadas in the forest. Each time I shut the engine off and wander along the road I have the chance to reinforce those memories. You never know when you’ll need them.
There is no right way to ride, no perfect machine, no ultimate journey. Every rider makes their own choices for their own reasons and it accounts for the wonderful diversity of experience that’s so obvious when riders get together to tell lies. There are times when I ride that I feel I’m in another world, alone, and with a blank canvas in front of me. I’ve ridden on this road along Spring Creek hundreds of times and still stop almost every time because there is still more to see. And the memories of living in this place are breathtaking at times as those experiences spin up together with the knowledge that the years of my life have slipped by so quickly and there is more that I want to see and do. It’s times like this that I find I’m on a sentimental journey.
During the ride I passed by the University Park Airport where the “Sentimental Journey” was parked, a B-17 Flying Fortress that had been flying over the valley for the past couple days. The WWII bomber was their as part of a visit by the Commemorative Air Force out of Arizona. Visitors were able to go inside the plane and if you had the cash you could go for a ride. When I was in college I used to work as a black and white printer in a darkroom. One of the full time guys had been a gunner on a B-17 and flew a number of missions out of England until his plane was shot down over France. I’ve not seen this fellow in many years but seeing the plane brought a rush of memories of his stories. Would never have anticipated them when I left in the morning.
My own sentimental journey…
The video below is from CAF Airbase Arizona provides a dramatic view of “Sentimental Journey”, a reminder of the airplane that played a big role in the war in Europe.
I’ve been on that same plane. 3 years ago I took my then 9 year old to one of the free fly days they have at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington, at Paine Field. We paid about $5 or 6 for both of us to tour it. Very fun day. That day I bought a keychain I still use on my Vespa (named Rosie after Rosie the Riveter, BTW). The keychain is red canvas embroidered with “remove before flight”. I even wrote about the airplane on my blog.
Checked your Vespa Love post — the Rosie the Riveter decal looks great on the red Vespa. Have fun with it and be safe.
I didn’t have time to go inside the plane so had to absorb what I could from the tarmac. Maybe next time…
Here is the link to my blog post from 3 years ago. I have pictures of myself and The Child inside The Sentimental Journey B-17. Very cool airplane.
http://k2sewwhat.blogspot.com/2011/08/b-17-b-25-and-spitfires.html
Steve, I like the shot of the Vespa framed by the tree. As to the Conmemorative AF, all these years I thought it was named Confederate Air Force! I must have mis-heard it the first time…..
See Dom, there’s always something to learn at Scooter in the Sticks!
Dom, it was the Confederate Air Force. They’ve changed their name, which to me now makes more sense. My dad was a radio operator in WWII. He had a wonderful time going back up in a similar plane about 10 years ago. Steve, I’ve been enjoying this site for years. I spent 4 years in Lewisburg (at the U, not the Fed. penn.) and ride a Vespa. Your writing and pictures are so evocative.
Steve, what a wonderful story. I agree that the memories of rides are some of the sweetest I can think of. Kathy and I have such wonderful times on our silver Vespa, wouldn’t trade them for the world. I too, love slowing down, after all…roses are for smelling. Keep inspiring us and thank you!
A ride on a modern Vespa is different from any other two-wheeled machine I’ve had the pleasure to pilot. It’s unique feel keeps me coming back for more.
I appreciate the supportive comments!
It was named the Confederate Air Force, but they changed it some years ago in order to be more inclusive and to have a more professional image for fundraising purposes. They are meticulous in their restorations and the name made them sound like a bunch of good old boy rednecks.
I did some reading about the group and it sounds like a fascinating story. Keeping those old planes airworthy, particularly the bombers, must be a non-stop job. NOVA did a episode on a restoration of a B-29 that ditched in Greenland during World War II. It was found in near mint condition save for the structural and engine damage when it went down. Because there are so few of them a restoration was attempted. The effort was spellbinding and heartbreaking. It’s worth watching if you like this kind of effort. You can see it on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/1u4YBwjQTds
Steve, I appreciate your photos of the Vespa in the “wild.” I really think the color of your scooter is perfect for the shots. Mine is Dragon Red , which I really like, but I think it would not have the empathy with the colors in your landscapes as yours does.
Also, as one who has a real affinity with planes, this one does a great job of reinforcing that attraction. Reminds me of a neighbor in Ohio that served in England during WW II and the stories he used to tell me about B-17s returning from missions. Gee, that was a longtime ago! After many years of flying for business , however, I don’t miss it at all now…but I do get a thrill out of seeing what goes up.
The silver color is by far the most flexible for photos. It fits in any environment. I don’t think I would ever get another color for that reason alone.
Check out the B-29 NOVA program: http://youtu.be/1u4YBwjQTds
If you like the B-17 you’ll appreciate the B-29 story…
A lovely post, Steve. Thank you.
Your “slow travel” description reminded me of being a kid: Whenever I began to believe that my backyard was way too small and that I’d seen all there was to see, I had only to observe the activity of insects to realize that microcosms existed and were fascinating. Of course, kids don’t think in such relationships, of microcosms, but here’s more proof that childhood experiences can greatly inform our adult lives.
I think life would be better if more of us thought like a kid! I can remember how often I would transform the most mundane places and things into magical experiences. Didn’t have many expectations as a kid — probably makes it a lot easier to accept what life is dealing out.
Another splendid entry, Steve. Also, very much enjoy the comments from other readers. You gave me much to think about with regard to the value of the short/slow ride in familiar territory and how it is never there is always something new. That is the kind of riding I am doing now and I am inspired to get more out of it.
Thanks for the kind words Fred. Comments from readers are the best and not just because they say nice things. I have learned so much over the years from people being willing to share their experience and knowledge.
Slow riding is not easy, especially if you feel rushed in life or if you are drawn to the adrenaline rush of high speeds. I suppose there is room for both in a riding life.
Very enjoyable and thought-provoking post!
I am a “slow rider” myself and appreciate the experience of the ride as you
do. Nothing better.
When I was a kid my mom and I used to sing that song while traveling in the car.
Good times, sweet memories…
Thank you!
Well, I’m not sure if Foghat was thinking of a slow scooter ride with their song but I certainly can appreciate how it might evoke some memories if you and your mom used to sing it in the car. Thanks for sharing that.
Steve, you’re far ahead of me in the Vespa exploration world, but I can appreciate your insights into slow travel. I have a great time poking around on my rides, and the scooter allows me to make abrupt stops and go places a car might be more intrusive. I have a fetish, for example for old cemeteries, and it’s great to find one, park and have a stroll and some shots. A few weeks back, got to rescue a turtle crossing the road. Maybe didn’t need it, but it was way too easy to pull a U-turn and go back. They sure clank a lot on the asphalt!
All in all, it’s great to live in what seems like an alternative reality, being more observant, focused and introspective. I seem to never tire of it.
Great work, as always.
Dave, you and I have something in common — turtle rescue. So far I’ve saved two on the road from possible oblivion. One was a simple box turtle and the other a snapping turtle.
As you say, the Vespa is ideal for a start and stop, turn around riding style. I’ve ridden enough motorcycles to say that even the most nimble of them can’t hold a candle to a scooter in these areas.
We have lots of old cemeteries here, many dating back to the 1700s, and they are cool to explore. I once photographed a turf researcher who spent part of every year exploring old cemeteries for antique grass varieties. Seems there are some pretty old species growing in those old ones.
Envious of your old cemeteries! Most of ours only go back to early settlement, mid-1800s. I was actually shocked a while back to find some graves of Revolutionary war veterans. It’s a real treat getting to the East coast……
Not surprising that cemeteries are a good source of old plants….mowing here doesn’t help much, but railroad right of ways are a rich source of native prairie plants.
Lot’s of old cemeteries, especially in rural areas and forests. Small family plots and abandoned graveyards. At the right time of day in the right light they can feel a little odd…