No Destination
Lately, I’ve been engaged in days of aimless wandering. Some on the Vespa through fog shrouded forests. Others on foot during daylight and night. No destination in mind, just allowing myself to drift through the landscape, admiring the world, and wondering what it all means.
Aimless wandering requires a measure of letting go, at least a little, of goals and expectations.
At home, I’ve been tinkering with this website, attending to performance issues and shortcomings that I’ve largely ignored. Examining page speed on the GTmetrix site I was shocked to find how poorly the site was performing. After a few days of intense education I managed to cut the response time in half and achieve passing grades on the test.
Discover Yourself Through Riding
I’ve come to realize that I learn a lot about myself when I ride. Or walk. In both cases a space opens where I can have an honest conversation. Over the years riding has progressed from something fun to do, to something more. I hesitate to invoke the term spiritual but it may be the closest term to what I experience when I’m engaged in an aimless wandering — on foot or on two wheels. The methodical and focused actions yield a form of insight that serves as illumination for the man in the mirror.
I’m using the same mirror to try and figure out what value I can bring to the readers of Scooter in the Sticks.
Dogs and Other Guides
Junior, our Belgian Sheepdog, prods and reminds me that it’s time to walk, to enter the world, to experience life away from and outside of the creature comforts of home. Lately we’ve been visiting the People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg. Like the Vespa, Junior provides a strong attraction to get up and into the world.
Places of Reflection
Almost every day Junior and I make our way to this bench where I can write in my journal and he can sit and watch the world move by.
I love this bench. Just as I love the fog shrouded road.
Weirdness and Other Encounters on the Road.
I find far more weirdness on foot than I do on the road. Wandering at night with a dog and a camera I’ve always found it fascinating how different things can appear from hour to hour, minute to minute. Junior and I walked in the dark near 10pm looking at things at the festival.
I’ve been doing the same wandering (and wondering) on this website as it regards content — what I write, what should I write, what will people actually be interested in. Lot’s of ideas surfacing and with it work and experimentation.
In short, I’m enjoying the aimless wandering and the world it brings with it.
To paraphrase “I wonder as I wander” seems to strike a chord in my mind. In your case, you need to practise the wander portion as much as possible. Your new retirement routine will take some time to being part of your existence.
And Junior in his own way is a darn good reason to wander; he probably knows your as well as you do yourself, perhaps better.
Incidentally all of my Nikon digital and film gear has been sold. Picked up a Sony “bridge” camera just because it is so much lighter in weight and has all the requirements i need for photography.
Problem for me is the camera is so completely different from the Nikon perspective of controls; I see a steep learning curve ahead. However the camera is a 24mm to 200 mm f 2.8 constant aperture camera, 20 gig sensor. Hopefully given the price it shall serve me well; My small Canon point and shoot with AA batteries for power is still in use; however one of these days it may just expire..
I wandered as a kid. Every turn in the path or around a corner was a bright new world. I’m finding that feeling again now. The desire to wander on wheels or on foot has reared its head. I’m even thinking of bringing out the bicycle again.
Junior is attuned to life in uncanny ways. He has no iPhone or watch yet always seems to know the time. He keeps a watchful eye and responds to events. I can learn a lot from him.
Bridge camera. Is that like a chick bike? The Sony you describe can do practically anything. I like Sony cameras.
People have asked me how I plan my photo travels. Do I have destination or particular purpose? I usually tell them, no, but when I start out, I make a right turn at the first intersection, a left turn at the next, and continue that pattern throughout the trip. I just want to know what’s down the next stretch of road.
I have to confess (again) Frank to modeling my actions somewhat with you in mind. Looking at your photographs from so many trips has definitely had an influence on how I behave with scooter and camera. And I’m beginning the process of making more sense out of all the negatives, prints and digital files I have — again thinking of that work you’ve done.
Right, then left, then right and so forth — I’ve never fully implemented that because I invariably come to roads I don’t want to go down. Maybe it’s time to try it again.
Of course, that was metaphorically speaking. This trip I took in late June literally had no destination in mind — just go out and head west. I put the trailer in a campground for 2-3 nights and then spend the days wandering the small villages, towns and countryside within a circle about 150 miles around my base. Then I move the trailer to a campground about 200 miles further west. I would have stayed longer than the 11 days I was out, but the rain everyday finally got to me. It was’t just the rain, but rather thunder-buggers, lightening, and down-pours that would happen 24/7. And it’s been that way since I got home. Happening that way here today. I might try again later in the month.
You’ve got the method down Frank. Too bad about the incessant rain. Hope you find a better window soon.
Aimless wandering is highly underrated and often cast as a negative personality trait. I say bollocks to the last notion. We generally have a destination in mind but how and when we get there is a completely open deal. We try to build in a cushion of several days in order to accommodate our whimsical travel inclinations. Bendy roads, an opportunity to walk and good coffee are substantive variables but weather can play a big part too?
I agree. It is cast unfairly as a negative personality trait with those engaged often portrayed as dreamers or worse. I believe a lot of good things arise from those people and that activity. As far as travel goes, you’re right about whimsical inclinations. I love having time for the unplanned walk or a chance to sit in some far flung cafe or restaurant and just do nothing. And weather — some of the best experiences spring from situations that don’t include blue skies.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Love hearing other perspectives. Keeps my mind turning.
Steve — Your post reminded me of this poem which has great meaning — as do your thoughtful words.
“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
I look forward to reading your posts and share many of the same retirement sentiments. It’s a strange new world. I am also enjoying the discovery in each wandering moment.
Retirement has proved an interesting journey so far. Looking forward to what the days will bring…
Not all who wander are lost….
self-discovery eh? I’d like to think I’ve changed in my own wanderings…
Every ride is an opportunity for growth!