Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.

Take the Vespa Scooter for a Ride

by 32 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter across the Susquehanna River from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

View Along the Susquehanna River

I have nothing to say. There are times when I just want to close my eyes, curl up in a ball and let the world fade away. That’s one option when the noise, duty and details of everyday living seem like more than I want to deal with. Or I can take the Vespa scooter for a ride. That’s what I did a couple weeks ago — chose the scooter. There are times when I have a general idea of where I want to go, a direction at least, a timeframe to ride within, some framework from which to make choices. On this morning though I made an impulsive decision to just get on and go. When I stopped to make my first photograph I was standing along the north side of the Susquehanna River looking back toward Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. I guess I was going north.

Old forest graveyard in Clinton County, PennsylvaniaForest Graveyards

I wasn’t paying attention to where I was and even less to any details of the landscape. It’s not often I ride where forward motion is my primary goal. Motion somewhere. Anywhere. And then I caught a glimpse of the white crosses in the woods. A hundred years ago Pennsylvania was virtually stripped of trees as the lumber industry cut all but a few hundred acres in a 28 million acre landscape. It didn’t happen overnight and many small settlements and communities sprung up to support the industry. And people died in the process. Standing among the bright white wooden crosses I could see the old stone markers. I’m not sure who is buried here but my guess is people associated with that forest history.

Vespa GTS scooter on Hyner Mountain RoadWinding Roads

By this point I had decided to ride to Hyner View State Park to gaze out over the Allegheny Plateau, write in my journal and eat the sandwich I brought along for lunch. Whatever was haunting me when I left the house was gone now and I was relaxed and enjoying the ride. This particular stretch of road — Hyner Mountain Road — used to be far more “winding” that it is now. A recent refurbishing of the road has cleared many trees and left it straighter than it used to be. It’s still a fine ride.

Vespa GTS scooter on winding road near Hyner ViewThe Old Hyner Mountain Road

Here’s a look at how things were the last time I came through. A bit more dramatic visually. If you want to see a bit more of this part of Pennsylvania have a look at the post this photograph belongs to — A Mini Adventure-Camping with a Vespa. More and more the old local roads are being redone to accommodate something but I’m not sure what. For such a remote road they sure invested a lot of money. I always wonder if they ever upgrade from asphalt to gravel?

Vespa fallen over along winding roadUnfortunate Vespa Grounding

As nice as the new road is I managed to drop the scooter. As usual, during a photo session. I’m glad I had the bars turned toward the guard rail. The road is steeper than it looks in the photographs. It was a struggle to pull the scooter uphill onto the center stand, and I held it for a moment to make sure it would fall over before walking up the hill to take the first picture. After the first shot I turned away and started walking up the road to get a wider shot. I hadn’t gone 15 feet when I heard a loud, metallic clang that I knew right away was the Vespa striking the guard rail. With one exception, all the times the scooter has hit the ground were in dirt and mud. I was cringing at this fall, hoping nothing serious was broken since I was out of cell coverage and not a lot of traffic comes this way. Fortunately, the Vespa hit almost perfectly. The only evidence that anything happened was the mirror came loose and the windscreen twisted out of alignment. As a well prepared rider I left all my tools at home. So off I went with one useful mirror.

Sun shining on the summer of Hyner ViewOn Up the Mountain to Hyner View

My destination was at the end of another winding path that led to the lookout point at Hyner View. When I saw a beam of sunshine illuminating the summit I felt I had made the right decision to come this way.

Vespa GTS scooter along a forest road with autumn leaves on the groundLeaves Starting to Change

The foliage was just beginning to fall and there were enough damp places where leaves would periodically create potentially slippery spots. Little concern for someone like me dawdling along at sub-racing speeds.

Vespa GTS scooter with Harley Davidson motorcycles at Hyner ViewA Harley Davidson Day

Arriving at the summit I came upon a flock of Harleys. Or is it a gaggle of Harleys? Aside from one Ducati earlier in the day the only other motorcycles I saw all day were Harleys. This group of riders were military veterans out for the day to take in the scenery and share some stories. We exchanged some brief pleasantries and they departed leaving the summit to me and my sandwich.

The view of the Susquehanna River from Hyner ViewHyner View

The views are spectacular. Even on a day like this one that was a bit hazy, it’s hard not to be impressed by the obvious landscape carving power of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. And the fact that I just rode up through everything to the horizon and beyond. I sat here for a long time doing a lot of nothing. Heading home, I wasn’t sure which way I would go — back toward Lock Haven and more food, or onto the plateau and through Sproul State Forest and a lot of nothing. I chose nothing.

Vespa GTS scooter and big rock in Sproul State ForestBig Rock, Small Scooter

Can’t remember the first time I saw this rock. It had to be sometime in the mid-1970s. I do know that it’s become one of those landmarks by which I chart my way home.

Vespa GTS scooter in Sproul State ForestSproul State Forest

There are no powerlines, cell towers or much of anything in Sproul State Forest.  It remains a wilderness in central Pennsylvania. A few years ago there would have been a lot of fracking related traffic. But the wells all seem to have been drilled now and everything is quiet and empty again. It’s a great place to take the Vespa scooter for a ride. And it’s always great to go for a ride. Always. [optin-cat id=”8800″]  

Comments

  3. Tom Drake says

    Beautiful pics. And thanks for the reminder about our environmental stewardship — I’ve seen similar pics of my state — Idaho — from the same era showing the same mass deforestation. It’s easy to forget how easily we can reshape the environment one way or another.

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      A little trip through the history books to look at what we’ve done to our natural resources and I wonder why some resist legislation protecting them. Growing up along the Ohio River in the steel country of Pittsburgh I have first hand experience of how industry can muck up the world. Few corporations were good environmental citizens back then. It took the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act to make a difference. Was nice to see the river clean and home to bass and other sport fish once again. And no more clouds of smoke from blast furnaces turning a clear sunny day into a sulfurous night. But we forget fast. And history repeats itself…

      Reply

  4. Robert says

    A heavy rubber band, such as one cut from an inner tube, or a strip of Velcro can be wrapped around a hand brake as a parking break. Each of my bikes has one wrapped around a turn signal stalk so it’s handy.

    Reply

  5. Karl Stumpf says

    Good morning Steve. Thanks for sharing some pictures of the change in weather and the change in the color of leaves in PA. A year ago, in September, we moved to New Bern, NC and the leaves have not yet changed color. Still there is a change in the temperatures down into the 50s and 60s. We now wear long sleeved shirts and sweaters. Have a good week.

    Karl Stumpf

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      Hope you weathered the hurricane ok. Heard it was hard on New Bern. Last time I was there it was hot, perhaps 15 years ago. Visited friends who had just bought a new sailboat that was moored there. Nice place.

      The temperatures here have dipped into the 30s and mostly in the 40s during the day. I have my long underwear on but I’m still cold. I’ll adapt soon.

      Reply

  6. Mike says

    Beautiful Steve, Use to due a lot a work in that area. I get up there at least twice a year. we maintain Bucktail med center & High school, in Renovo a couple bars.

    Reply

  7. Jim Zeiser says

    Steve you just have to give the scooter a name. Vespa scooter is just too impersonal. Like Maytsg Refrigerator or Craftsman Ratchet. Bill Leuthold had some great names for his. You know, like Glider or Phoebe (a bird). Since it’s your sidekick how about Robin?

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      I don’t think I can Jim. My father never called me by name — I was always “boy.” So “the scooter” seems faithful to that tradition to me. Putting a name to the Vespa just seems wrong. A family thing.

      Now if I were going to name it most likely would have a very masculine name. Like Henry…

      Reply

  8. amateriat says

    Steve: Firstly, a big “WHEW!” regarding that little Vespa tumble against yon guard rail…glad there was no damage that couldn’t be quickly remedied. One little tip: in addition to the standard toolkit that came with Melody, I added a small adjustable wrench which helps when something like a mirror come loose (it’s happened, twice).

    Second: Wow…that is A Ride. Gorgeous, sweeping, awe-inspiring. Sometimes not knowing exactly where you’re going leads you to what you need.

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      I was fortunate I didn’t crack the headlight or damage the throttle. I have the adjustable wrench along with many other tools all in a nice tool wrap. I just forgot to put it back in the topcase. I’me getting old. I need a checklist…

      It is a lovely area. Plenty of little roads to wander and explore. Could spend all day going up and down roads and never get more than 25 miles from a starting point. Will be making another trip soon in hopes of seeing some brighter foliage.

      Reply

  9. RichardM says

    Wonderful photos of the nice, not-straight roads. They need to spend a fortune getting rid of the curves so you can text and pretend to drive at the same time…

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      I wonder if people complain about twisting roads. From my perspective I would want to complain about straight roads. I don’t know how people stand riding in grids.

      Texting and driving. Are their schools for that so you can get an endorsement on your drivers license?

      Reply

  10. Laurent says

    Magnifiques photos, comme d’habitude… La Pennsylvanie est vraiment un bel état ! Un jour, je franchirai l’Atlantique et poserai les roues de ma Vespa aux Etats Unis d’Amérique à la rencontre de Steve Williams !!! Et nous prendrons du temps au temps avec les Vespas; La “dolce vita” comme disent les italiens…

    Beautiful pictures, as usual … Pennsylvania is really a beautiful state! One day, I will cross the Atlantic and put the wheels of my Vespa in the United States of America to meet Steve Williams !!! And we will take time at time with the Vespas; The “dolce vita” as the Italians say …

    Laurent (France).

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      Thank you for your kind words regarding this post. I’ve found writing and photography provide a wide door for discovery — both out in the world and inside my head. Reflections on those discoveries often end up on Scooter in the Sticks. And you’re right, the important part is to keep going. For me, part of that is to keep writing and making photographs and posting. Keeps me honest at some level.

      Reply

  12. StevrrinoB says

    You inhabit a lovely part of the world Steve and through your writing and photographs you so ably convey it’s allure. I have ridden south from 44 down Hyner Run and right past the view access without realising it, an oversight that I will not repeat . That slow down thing again .

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      It’s easy to miss a lot when you ride the “main” secondary roads like PA44 or US6. I’ve seen motorcycle magazines describing the best routes in Pennsylvania and I’m thinking to myself, “those routes are nightmares.” I suspect much of it has to do with the complexity in describing how to get to some of these places, and perhaps even more important, the effect some routes have on speed, services and such.

      But finding Hyner View is worth abandoning speed, food and fuel!

      Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      I’m fortunate that there’s so much open and isolated areas here in central Pennsylvania. Obviously nothing like the vast wilderness you find in the West, but still, it is good stuff. I’ve wondered how I would do in a more urban setting. Perhaps my choices to not live in such places answer the question.

      Reply

  15. curvyroads says

    I haven’t commented on one of your posts in a while…I guess I felt I had nothing to add to your eloquent text and the always thoughtful comments of your regulars. But this post spoke to me this morning…the sentiments about just riding with no goal in mind, and your incredible photos. Hyner View…must add to the must-visit list!

    Reply

    • Steve Williams says

      I seldom comment on blogs, even for posts that do move me. Not sure why that is. I think some of it is like you say, I don’t have anything to add or say. And part of it is not really knowing at that moment what I’m thinking or feeling. The story of my life…

      Hyner View is lovely. Definitely worth a stop if you’re up that way.

      Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.