Aimless with a wandering mind, a difficult state to visit, a worthy goal to have — at least in my world. As the Vespa moves slowly along path and pavement under a bright sun and blue sky most noisy ideas and concerns grow limp and dissipate leaving only the scooter and the road. The mind floats along somewhere. This morning the fragrance of honey locust trees filled the air only to be replaced by the scent of freshly cut hay. A little further, as the hedge rows crowd the road, honeysuckle perfume, all like a spring dream stroking sparkling senses. Not once does the Vespa roar or growl, not a hint of gasoline or oil. We’re just silent partners breathing in the road.
The agricultural valleys are flush with spring and looking towards summer. Unlike the mega-droughts in the West we still have water. Irrigation is rare as are water intensive crops. Wandering through the countryside is an exercise in observation — finding something interesting in the ordinary. I don’t make mythic trips across multiple states or continents. Circumstance requires I find adventure and satisfaction on the well traveled roads of my life.
I’ve explored this idea for nearly two decades as a photographer and found inspiration in the work of Josef Sudek and his personal explorations when trapped in his little cottage for years during the Nazi occupation of Prague. Finding compelling subject matter to explore within arm’s reach is difficult. I’ve tried to apply this approach on the road.
I’ve followed these small roads halfway across Pennsylvania. The state is a patchwork of former farm lanes now paved by townships to form a dizzying challenge to anyone looking to find someplace specific. For a wanderer they provide a welcome escape from the tightly managed roads of daily life.
I’ve passed this tree a hundred times or more over the years, one of many that stand out. Some have fallen, victims of lightning, development or old age. I see them as metaphors for life and childishly believe they’ll go on forever. Such is not the case though.
Egg Hill rises above Penns Valley in the distance, a small hill that divides the valley into two distinct areas. My riding preferences usually take me to the left and on into more sparsely populated areas and eventually into Bald Eagle State Forest.
Standing here I can feel the draw of the horizon, to explore tracks and paths, and let my spirit roam with the scooter. For now, I stay close to home and allow my body to slowly adjust my recent heart attack. Later this week my cardiologist will evaluate progress and send me on to a cardiac rehabilitation facility to find out how much physical stress I can endure.
More adventures in life. I hope they’re as sweet as a ride in the country on the Vespa…
Breathing in the road, I like that…..kind of like “living in the moment” perhaps?
Exactly right — living in the moment. I just could find those words when I was writing.
You say that ‘circumstances require’ that you find adventure and satisfaction on the well-travelled roads of your life. Steve, having followed and enjoyed your blogs for many months I can truthfully say that it is your unfailing ability to really see, feel, appreciate and describe your experiences and surroundings that draws me back time and time again. So although your circumstances may have changed it seems that YOU haven’t and for that we should all be thankful.
Being reminded of one’s own mortality – and your tree metaphor worked for me – can awaken dormant senses and help readjust priorities. As Charlie says: “living in the moment” is a principle that resonates.
Good luck with the cardiac rehab. I’m confident that the Vespa will feature prominently in your stress management.
Safe roads!
Perhaps my persona as a blogger hasn’t change but there is much to attend to in my personal life. Just another adventure perhaps that may intrude here from time to time.
Looking forward to cardiac rehab so I’ll have a better idea of what I can push, what I can expect from myself. Exercise was never a welcome part of my life. Hopefully I can be a bit more hospitable now…
Thanks for your comments. I appreciate them.
The concept of exploring what is nearby is appealing to me, too. It allows for a much more intimate relationship with things and views than rushing from destination to destination in a hunt for the next great motif.
The next great motif…. I like that idea. It certainly seems what a lot of people are looking for. It powers the tourism industry along with a lot of other things. Should we all become aware of what’s in front of us at the same time I fear a lot of people at ‘destinations” will be out of work.
Its Called Mindfulness, Good Stuff for everyday Life
Every day life is where all the battles are fought.
You get another motorcycle?
Steve, the picture with the tree and cows is fantastic. How did you get the cows pose like this? Vespa cows? Or do they have beef with the Vespa? It’s certainly moost nice.
The cows just happened to be in the perfect place. No special Vespa power invoked!
Cardiac rehab, a polite word for telling you you have had not had enough continuous hard work exercise before your heart attack. Friends who have endured (yes endured) intially the heart repairs/surgery are then told they must do hard exercise for the remainderof their life, run for an hour or do stretching or a myriad number of other activities. Throwing the ball for Junior or the new dog in the household is not considered exercise.. In my own case my own heart has been severely damaged by drugs from the chemo so although no apprecable blockages,
still the damage is done and not able to be corrected, unlike in your case.
I walk, with the assistance of a four wheeled walker usually abut a mile or more a day. In the winter, walk in a mall, in the summer early morning or late evening; before the humidity gets up there to unbearable levels. My Celulitus attack in 2011 was severe; messed up many things in my lower limbs, and hence the balance part of staying upright means the four-wheeled device. I would love to ride a two or even three wheeled device again. it’s simply not in the books.
Keep in mind too your physical as much as your mental system has had a good
kick; so the “shock” of it all will take time getting your head ’round. Take your time. If your cardiologist tells you to do less, heed the advice, oh and exercise. Riding a Vespa sadly is not physical exercise, any more than sitting in Saint’s Cafe drinking tea and eating something loaded with calories. Give up sugar and all sweet edible things, you don’t want diabetes creeping in there as well.
I’m prepared for dramatic changes in regard to exercise and I fully expect things to be difficult. Decades of bad habits won’t change easily.
Junior will likely be on the receiving end of any new walking activities and I don’t think he’ll be unhappy. Once we get into a routine he’ll be hounding me for those walks…
Thanks for the feedback and advice Bryce, especially around riding and cafes, I’ll pay close attention.
So peaceful, so serene, I can almost breathe that road too……. beautiful place. Glad there is water somewhere ; ) Keep getting better. Thanks Steve.
Annie
Thanks for sharing the kind words Annie!
I like your description of PA roads and the picture of the Vespa near the last tree standing in the field. I’ve come to the conclusion that motorcycles are bad for my health. It’s more fun to ride to places that I would’ve happily walked to in the past…
I hope some room remains for riding the Vespa. I can see a need to get on a bicycle or spend time walking but surely I don’t need to retire to find time to ride do I???
Maybe, that’s my plan…
Dom said I need to talk to you about your plan.
I adore your writing, Steve. So vivid and insightful.
Thank you Jason. I just try and write down the things that come into my head as I recall a ride.
Steve, nice pictures and ruminations. Sorry you have to go through this, but health wake-up calls can be turned into something really positive. You can do some biking when the Dr allows, from your place Linden Hall and Upper Brush Valley roads are good biking with reasonable traffic. Not hard to get to some of the spots you pictured here down the valley a piece, and there are always folks to ride with if you prefer that to solo riding, they stream by the farm all season.
Keep positive, eat right, and listen to the doc, you should be lucky enough to rebound pretty well and enjoy life with an unexpected but new perspective that might further spur creative pursuits.
I like the idea that there will be an unexpected and new perspective to life. Sounds like an adventure that I look forward to experiencing.
I’ve been eying my bicycle in the garage and as you’ve said it can easily traverse the same roads I ride the scooter on. In fact, the bike I have now has ridden all of the places in this post. Just a long, long time ago. In another life…