Forest Magic
The dogs begin stirring before dawn, when they hear the birds come to life in the garden. I play dead to delay getting up to take them outside. Except when there’s fog.
I was drifting through the fog with plans to ride somewhere for breakfast. To manage the risk and lack of visibility, I choose the roads less traveled. Secondary roads. Forest roads. Paths. You can spend more time entertaining your imagination on those roads.
And with fog, the world transforms itself into myth and legend. And the early part of my trip had a little forest magic too.
Silent Landscape
There’s an uncanny stillness to a forest in fog. It can be a lovely escape from the noise of the world or swollen with anxiety over some unseen danger. Today I was somewhere in the middle. I tend to trust my gut with riding related choices and that little voice was whispering to turn around.
I had planned to ride along the ridge, head east over the mountain and then south toward breakfast in the next county.
Retreating from Gravel
My route would require 20 miles of gravel roads, something I would normally not think twice about. But my new Heidenau tires don’t like gravel. With the scooter moving around in even the lightest stones at 15mph it would be more of a grind than I wanted to take.
The Vespa is not a dirt bike. With the right tires it could easily move at 40mph. But uncertain traction and a diminished view of the road surface seemed a poor mix.
Eternity in Every Moment
On a foggy day the road can seem as if it goes on forever. I’ve learned that every moment counts on a ride. For safety and as opportunities of discovery. Maybe that’s why I don’t pass up opportunities to ride in the fog.
Steve, these photographs are great as usual, but that first one truly is otherworldly. Superb capture, man.
It was one of those gifts from the photo gods. I love the fog for those otherworldly experiences…
I really like your posts: quite thoughtful & often profound. I grew up in SW Ohio, but now live near Salt Lake City. I love riding my 2014 Stella on the wide open, often empty Utah roads; taking in the rolling tumble weeds, savoring the smell of sagebrush, & enjoying the mountain panorama.
I wish my 125 cc Stella could do what your Vespa does; go 70 mpg all day.
Utah has some surreal landscapes. I spent a week there after completing a project and wandered around in a rental car down to Moab and the surrounding area. Would love to ride the scooter there someday. Definitely would need to take some extra fuel along.
Maybe it’s time to upgrade from the Stella to a Vespa GTS300!
I really like that first pic but what is really cool is the fact you go out looking for great pics and know how to find them. I just react to interesting things I stumble upon which ain’t much.
It’s like so many things — practice helps a lot. I’ve been making pictures since I was a kid and professionally for a long time as well. It’s sort of second nature to see things. I’m only limited by my persistence and laziness. I look at the work of a lot of working pros now and shrink away at the work they put into it — hardware, lighting, post processing. I’ve devolved into an old buy with a point and shoot camera…
See and be seen…not a fan of fog riding…glad u are…great pix.
Curious about thr best “gravel” tires…
Never had good gravel tires…spring is DCNR road maintenance party time.
Its their job to add that squirmy feeling to your ride.
I hear you about being seen. Try and stay clear of the high speed, high traffic areas. Even then you have to stay alert.
DCNR has spread a lot of loose stuff on the forest roads. Squirmy is the right word for my Vespa now. It does much better, even in loose gravel, with the winter tires. And there are some “knobby” tires available but just don’t want to have them on all the time. I may consider the Kenda K761 tires. The tread pattern is a bit more aggressive but not so much that I wouldn’t be able to ride on the pavement. At least that’s what I’m thinking…
That first photo is spectacular. I saw not a single scooter here (in NF). Just 6-10 motorcycles.
Thanks Paul. It’s one of the pictures that just screams out “here I am”. I would think there would be a lot of riders tooling around in Newfoundland. Are there too few roads or what?
I have similar sensations when riding in the fog, especially as it relates to the forest and the woods. I find that fog lends an almost medieval texture to the landscape. In that setting, I feel as though I am present in one of my childhood Grimm Brothers fairy tale books. I spent countless hours as a little boy staring at those illustrations, with their frightening depictions of forest cottages often inhabited by strange creatures and odd persons.
I have to wonder if that is the root of my fascination with fog shrouded forests and roads.
Then my former career in aviation intrudes and reminds me that just a few hundred or maybe a thousand feet above the ground, the sun is shining and the sky is “clear and a million”…
“Medieval texture” is a good description. Kim was looking at some pictures of abandoned castles and structures in Scotland last night and it had that same misty grey feeling. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me to get to Scotland for a ride.
Having the aviation perspective gives you insight that there’s always a sunny day. Harder to get lost in those childhood dreams.
Where is this spooky gravel path through the forest, Steve? I’m not so sure about a scooter ride, but I’d love to run it.
Kepler Road — turns off to the right as you head up Pine Grove Mountain. Continue on about halfway up the ridge until you get near Pennsylvania Furnance. Then you can turn left and go over the mountain toward Stone Valley. Maybe 15 to 20 miles of gravel???
The fog is out there, it is not within you or me (I hope!) It swirls around our very persona and envelopes us as nothing else can. The fog illustrated by the so-called instant digital imagery allows many of us to do what in the past was a well nigh difficult proposition.
As usual we who photograph for a living or did once, understand what light does; until fog appears in the atmposphere; then all bets are off.
Speaking of; how was the Boalsburg Hang Out this week?
I wonder how much of our fascination with fog is genetically imprinted?
The digital cameras today are capable of amazing things. With all that power available I’m still surprised at how bad people’s pictures can be.
With the first fog picture — I got off the scooter to take a “regular” picture. When I walked into position and turned around to see the light been in the fog I was shocked. Wasn’t expected to see that.
Moto Hang was great. Don’t tell my cardiologist but I ate a hot dog…
The fog gives you a mystical feeling, but have to say its not my most favourite riding condition. Two winters ago I was almost rearended in the fog and it was kind of scarey for a few minutes. I always heed the little inner voice.
I would not even go out in the fog if traffic was even slightly heavier. It’s sparse and people don’t race much outside of town. There’s always a risk but I’m comfortable accepting it.
But on more highly trafficked roads I listen to the little voice as well. Mostly.
Gorgeous photos (again), Steve. Yours is a two-lane wonderland.
About tires: What were you riding before you got the Heidenaus? Melody came equipped with Michelin CityGrips, which seem to have a rep as a good “all-around” tire, And they’ve done fine by me so far.
On the train from Gotham to Long Branch, NJ as I type this, where Melody patiently awaits for the 8-mile leg back home.