Two Vespa Scooters
Have you ever been scared during a ride? I’m not talking about the fear resulting from near collisions or sudden obstacles in the road. I’m referring to the psychic uneasiness that provides the fertile bed for scary stories and the darkness lurking within. It’s perhaps summed up best in the opening narration of the Twilight Zone:
“There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.”
Imagination. It provides the bright, happy thoughts of rides and adventures. And it can transform a sunny day ride into something unsettled, haunted and uncomfortable.
On a ride last fall with my friend Andy Heckathorne that’s exactly what happened. You never know how things will go when you’re out riding a Vespa scooter.
Discoveries While Riding
I remember being grateful for putting an extra layer underneath my riding jacket as Andy and I rode through Penns Valley on one of those rides with no destination in mind. Just a block of time to travel and explore. Andy had already added the Tucano Urbano Termoscud apron to his Vespa scooter while that was still some months off for me — largely an exercise in suffering and procrastination for me.
Perhaps an omen for things to come, Mammy’s Donut Shop, a self-serve Amish bakery on the Smulton Road, was closed. For mysterious reasons unknown to me, a donut consumed while riding is an experience parallel to Popeye downing a can of spinach.
Sadly, Andy and I departed empty handed and probably psychically weakened (at least I was) by the trauma of want. Soon both scooters would ascend the mountain standing between us and the open fields of Sugar Valley and on again toward lunch in Jersey Shore.
Food and Ghosts
The Tihadaghton Inn seemed an unassuming local establishment that could provide lunch during a chilly ride. On a whim, fueled largely by listening to the podcast “Chasing Ghosts. On Scooters. In Bars.” I asked the waitress if the place had any ghosts. Without missing a beat she said, “Yeah, there’s one upstairs. Someone killed himself in one of the rooms.”
And that’s all it took to start my mind walking toward the Twilight Zone.
Search for Sugar
Andy and I rode on to Lock Haven in search for a late afternoon snack. The two of us had only ridden once before so I was sort of leading the way in terms of ritual. The only restriction was Andy was meeting his family to watch his son perform in the marching band at a football game. There was time for tea and something sweet.
The idea of ghosts normally is easily swept aside as superstition. And generally I’m not superstitious. But every now and then something grips me and my mind begins to chew on possibilities.
After coffee and pastries Andy and I said our goodbyes and agreed to ride again. He off to the football game and me over the mountains in the approaching darkness.
On Through the Mountains Alone
The sun was already down as I made my way through the mountains toward home. I was aware of no cell coverage, the danger of deer and other wildlife crossing my path, and now thoughts of raging zombies, vampires and other demons of the night lurking just in the shadows. While normally feeling safe on the Vespa scooter on this ride I felt uncomfortably vulnerable. A quick stop provided an opportunity to assess the situation. And maybe put my imagination at rest.
But it was hard at work stoking ideas of the supernatural in ways usually reserved for watching horror movies.
I proceeded ahead carefully.
On Toward Home in the Dark
The roads where I ride are often free of traffic. On this night they felt empty.
Hollow. As if nothing human existed.
My normal frequent stops for picture making and looking around was replaced by a desire to be home. As quickly as possible.
I’m not sure what I think about ghosts. Or riding at night while thinking of ghosts. But I can say riding the Vespa scooter always seems to be an adventure for one reason or another.
But next time I stop and eat, I don’t think I’ll ask about ghosts.
Traffic where I live Steve is horrific day or night. Doesn’t matter. So I avoid night riding. I couldn’t find a deserted, rural road if I tried. Had I been in your shoes, I too would have wanted to get home as quickly as possible. My mind would have conjured up a slasher hiding in the dark woods just waiting for ME! Be well and ride safely.
I’m spoiled living where I do. Plenty of fine riding just moments from my front door. I’ve ridden in cities and I suspect once the novelty of traffic wore off I would find it horrific as well.
Hadn’t thought of slashers or creeps hiding in the dark woods. Thanks for that!
Well, I am glad this is posted at the usual time so I could set down with my coffee and have a good read. I am not a “whoo, whoo” person but have had several strange encounters. I don’t question them or try and analysis them, I just take it for what it is and move on. Outside Greenwood, MS and the Tallahachie Flats, a small group of old slave/sharecropper shacks have been moved on to a plantation and are rented out. After a long 400 mile run I spent the night in one. Spirits visited. If you care you can read about them here. http://scootercannonball2014.blogspot.com/p/seattle-to-hyder.html
Scroll down the page to the Tallahatchie Flats.
Like you, I’ve had strange encounters but nothing as intense as your experience in the old slave/sharecropper shack. I have to add that you have the sort of Vespa riding adventures I can only dream about right now. Maybe someday I’ll head out across the country but for now my rides are measured in hours and not days and weeks.
Thanks for sharing the link to your 2014 Cannonball stories. I’ve never had a single post with 172 images!
Love it! Our difference is I ask at EVERY old pub if it’s haunted and that was the geneses of the Chasing Ghosts podcast, (thanks for the mention). It rare to read of others mixing the scooter and ghost thing, so it’s a real treat to enjoy your consistently well crafted blog with a familiar subject. Thank you! Also enjoyed reading lostboaters post of the sharecropper cabin—a bonus.
Well I ask now. If only to survey the East for you. Maybe someday I’ll have an encounter like Loastboater in the cabin.
Thanks for the kind words about the things I share here. I have been in a doldrum of sort regarding writing and posting but feel the wind starting to blow again. Perhaps I’ll have some better things to share.
Would love to head over (across?) and ride with you and “heckadude” and see some really old spots. Thanks again for the story and mention. Talk soon!
There are some old spots here. Perhaps the most supernaturally unsettled I’ve ever felt was on a damp, misty morning at the Devils Den in the Gettysburg National Battlefield. I was all alone on a photo assignment regarding whitetail deer and found myself overcome with a strange sense of dread. Didn’t really know where I was exactly but later when the fog cleared I understood. That place in general feels inhabited with spirits. Best to visit on a sunny day.
It would be an honor to ride to old places in Pennsylvania with you. Andy, Paul and others may want to join as well. We’re a long ride from the West coast though!
Sign me up! That would be a great time.
I have come to believe that when we pass we become energy that is recycled to others born later. Before she passed my late wife told me that if there was a way she would contact me after passing. Sure enough, on the day I married my new wife my cell phone listed a new number on my home phone speed dial number. “Sara’s Work”, out of all the other numbers in my contacts, took its place. When I went to the banquet hall my new wife and I got married in, the Maitre D’ was a lovely young lady named Sara, no h. I almost fell over.
So, how does a self serve bakery work?
Enjoyed the story and the photos.
I’ve only had that “I don’t think I’m alone” feeling once, while riding Shrine Pass Road….kind of spooky. I’d just checked out the view from the wooden deck erected there for the purpose of viewing Mt Holy Cross and you have to traverse perhaps a 1/4 mile of thick woods on a concrete walk way. The whole way back to the rig, felt like someone was in the woods, watching me. Couldn’t shake the feeling. Left shortly thereafter.
I’ve returned to the same spot since then, no issues.
Many years ago I was riding late at night with a group of friends, I ran out of gas in front of a cemetery. I was fortunate that one of my friends realized I was not with the group anymore and turned around to find me. It was one of the scariest rides I’ve ever encountered. lol
A lot of people share your unease with cemeteries at night. We have an old cemetery in Boalsburg that I have passed through at night while walking the dog and have never had any issues. My wife says there’s a ghost there that she’s encountered named Henry. That was revealed while she was sitting under a tree in the graveyard one night.
Otherwise, my only unsettled feelings in cemeteries have been two — once in Watkins Glen, New York at dusk when I stumbled upon a crypt for the Rothschild family. It had an eternal flame and the words, “The family perished on the Titanic.” Felt weird there.
And the other was at a cemetery in Altoona, Pennsylvania. I was walking through the old part and came upon a sea of small headstones and markers. All children, and all had died in the influenza epidemic in 1918. It was sad to think of so many perishing like that in a small town.
Hope I never get stranded at night with the Vespa in a graveyard though. That would be scary.
Been there, both in a car and on a bike. Loved your story.
Thanks Brad. Nice to know I’m not alone in the otherworldly experiences.
Scooter in the Sticks, Creepy Edition! That was a fun ride, and once again you introduced me to a road that’s been just under my nose the entire time. I appreciate that you navigated our route once again. I was able to just follow along and relax! Perhaps next time I’ll come up with a plan and you can set your machine to autopilot.
You know, this concept of riding the Vespas in search of sugar explains a lot. No wonder riding is so enjoyable. I haven’t made it back to Mammy’s since, so now of course I’m doubly interested in heading back there at some point.
If I’m not mistaken, your trip back home that night was over Madisonburg Mountain. I have to say, traveling that stretch at night is indeed a creepy experience. I’ve done it small handful of times. On cloudy nights it is pitch black up there, and the zero cell service is disconcerting when you consider how long of a walk it would be to reach civilization. (Note to self: get a flashlight to keep in the seat.) One night in particular, I encountered deer (twice) just standing in the middle of the road, fearlessly looking at me. I came to a complete stop both times and we just stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity but was probably under 30 seconds. I don’t know if the quiet engine of the Vespa was just not enough to spook them, or if something more sinister was going on…
One of the enjoyable aspects of riding is exploring new locations. And of course, finding sugar of some sort. Glad I could lead you to some new places.
I did go over Madisonburg Mountain and as you say it’s dark and no cell coverage. I always have a flashlight with me though I suspect the long walk would see it fail. Probably a better plan would be to pull out the space blanket and just camp for the night. Let the zombies do what they will.
Deer. They’re scary in a real way. One of these days…