Walking along the beach in Maine listening to the waves break on the rocks. That might be better! At the moment at least.

It makes absolute sense, Steve. Exposed to the elements, as opposed to steering inside a steel and glass cocoon, it’s the difference between playing a video game that takes place out in the woods and stepping outside to take a walk through those woods. In this particular realm, what could be better?

Hmmm, not sure if it’s freedom or escape. Either way, at the moment, feels good!

That’s an unfortunate design flaw in the Vespa. For years I used one of the brass bushings instead of the graphite gasket until it finally disintegrated. Now withe the new exhaust I’m back to the graphite. We’ll see how annoying it becomes.

You must have a lot of exploring to do in your new environs!

I always love the words “throttle therapy”. Wish I had come to appreciate them a few decades earlier.

I enjoy road trips too regardless of vehicle. But the experience of riding is different than driving. Riding allows me to shed things more quickly. That make sense?

When I have time I’ll loosen the steering head nut and make sure everything is pointing in the right direction!

Yes — you sum it up nicely.

The Vespa is fine save for that small alignment issue. I’m in no hurry to fix it but it does bug me…

“Sizzle” is never a word I apply to photographs. I’ll have to think about that. Regardless — your antics in front of the camera always adds spice to the visuals…

I know the sensation is real for me and always a welcome one too. But I’m not certain where the line is between feeling and illusion. Or if it even matters. Maybe I just think too much.

I used to get that feeling in a car decades ago when I first learned to drive. I was piloting our family 1970 VW Campmobile at age 16. I would explore in it much the same way I do now with the Vespa. But that could have been a response to the new found freedom attendant to driving for the first time. But my memories are rich with that VW. Keeps me dreaming of a second…

Does riding set you free or allow you to free yourself from usually self-imposed worries?