Spring Creek
It’s hard to know while pushing the scooter out of the garage what kind of ride it will be. Some miles from home, standing alone along the cool waters of Spring Creek, I’m content to be an observer, a wanderer, going nowhere but somewhere. Deep inside a lust for life is emerging. What’s important and energizing is becoming clear.
Goals and Objectives
Often, especially with longer rides, uncertainties of destination or purpose leave me feeling emotionally unsteady and thinking I should have a plan rather than frittering time away without goals and objectives. Sunlight is a magnificent disinfectant for whatever bedevils a fragile mindset. Standing along a freshly tilled and planted field I feel uncertainty drifting away like smoke.
I know where I’m going.
Blue Skies
However the ride began, by mid-afternoon beneath a fine blue sky, I was settling into a universe of uncluttered thought. My mind had turned in a different direction; one that appreciated that I have a limited amount of time to work with. What better way to use it than to look on the world with gratitude and wonder.
Upward and Onward
The Vespa ran smoothly and quietly, nimbly embracing the winding roads as we climbed up onto the Allegheny Plateau and into Moshannon State Forest. Pennsylvania is blessed, particularly in this region of the Commonwealth, with extensive forests and wilderness areas. For riders, it’s a paradise of lightly trafficked and winding roads — paved, dirt and gravel.
I was committed to pavement.
Detour
At the lakeshore in Black Moshannon State Park I stopped to watch a firetruck spray water into the lake in a majestic sweep of mist and power. Assuming they were there to clean out the system and perhaps fill the water tanks I was surprised to find many more firetrucks blocking my way just a few miles up the road.
Something was burning ahead of the line of vehicles. A TV crew was already on the scene and my options for motion were to turn around and go a different way or take a detour. My stomach had raised its hand requesting a stop for lunch and I knew that we were a long way from any place to eat.
A small side road I knew would take me even further from food but at least I would be moving.
Six Mile Run
Winding through the forest I had a rough idea of how I could get back to a main road and from there to someplace interesting for a late lunch. At 3pm it would be a really late lunch.
I had forgotten Six Mile Run Road, a gravel track that would move me quicker toward the ultimate direction I hoped to take. It had been years since my last time riding here. That was on a Kawasaki KLR650 which handles gravel roads with aplomb. The Vespa did fine though neither as fast or surefooted as the KLR. Neither matter though while enjoying the solitude and companionship of rocks, trees and water.
Camberg’s Cozy Corner
Eventually I find myself at the Cozy Corner. Lunch is no longer important as the day seems to have gotten away from me. An older man using a walker approaches me to ask how many miles per gallon I get with the scooter. He tells me he has a Harley but can’t ride it anymore. Suggestions to consider a smaller, lighter scooter fall on incredulous ears.
Not long after, another man stops by to talk while I’m slowly devouring a chocolate ice cream cone. He’s curious about the scooter and is shocked when I tell him I have 40 thousand miles on it. “Damn.” he says, “I’ve had a Honda Shadow for over ten years and only have 4 thousand miles on it.” He shares that his son is crazy for buying a Harley, that it’s too expensive and not nearly as comfortable to ride as his Honda. The conversation turns toward the financial stupidity of youth who waste their hard earned dollars on toys they can’t afford and enslave themselves to debt to satisfy their egos.
The ice cream was particularly good.
By the time I take the last bite of the cone we’re talking about the Amish and their hyperfocus on stretching a dollar.
As the Sun Moves Closer to the Horizon
I meander and stop to look around and make photographs far more often than is evident in this post. While some riders grind away at the miles I travel in short bursts. It’s why I can spend 12 hours “on the road” and only manage 150 miles.
The long shadows told me that I really should think about turning toward home which was now about 45 miles away. And twilight in this part of Pennsylvania means a lot of whitetail deer emerge for dinner and offer themselves up as unwelcoming traveling companions.
Reluctantly I began my descent off the Allegheny Plateau to make my way into the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania and home.
Lunch
At the Sheetz in Tyrone I stopped for fuel for the Vespa and something to eat. Sitting on the sidewalk, back against the wall at some gas station or convenience store is one of my guilty riding pleasures. Sadly, it doesn’t happen enough as I more often than not find myself sitting inside with the polite folk.
Riding Conclusions
I never seem to complete a ride without a return to duty and responsibility. By that I mean whatever freedom of thought I find on the road before I pull in the driveway I will already be thinking about all the things I need to do. It’s like the Sunday evening blues when I was still working. The joy of the weekend started to fade with thoughts of work the next day. Someday I’ll leave the house without a care and return in the same state.
I don’t want to imply I rushed home because I didn’t. I avoided the Interstate highway and meandered along. But the cluttered thinking began to return. Still, there is much to be grateful for. Feeling that lust for life that surfaces while riding is a gift. And a reminder of all the things in life that are important.
For a time everything is crystal clear.
Very nice words, thoughts and reflections. Always an inspiration to get out on the Vespa and meander. Something I intend to do more this year and I will have to make more of an effort to stop and “smell the roses”. I am usually just so into just feeling the scooter, the road, the wind, that I don’t want to stop.
My favorite picture in this episode of Steve is the reservoir picture. Something about it just grabs me.
Thank you for sharing!
I’m not sure why but stopping seems to be nearly unnatural for a lot of people. Considering how strongly my parents were destination oriented I fell far from the tree as a frequent stopper. Remember a trip through Yellowstone with my father in our VW Campmobile during which we stopped one time for less than two hours — Old Faithful. As we were zipping along he wondered why we weren’t seeing any bears.
The picture at the reservoir is my favorite as well. The shadows, the light on the water, the trees — it all came together to provide a nice peaceful feeling. I stayed there for about 20 minutes just wandering around and soaking up the good energy.
Have fun on your rides to come and smell a lot of roses!
I like the VW camper comment. In 1969, I spent 6 months with my sister and parents on a tour around the USA in a VW camper. I think it was 1967 or 1968 but had the louver windows, ice box, cot that over the front seats and the top would pop up and cot was there. Great times!
You were touring a year ahead of me. My dad and I did a trip out West in and summer of 1970 in a 1970 VW Campmobile. It had the louvered windows too and all the rest. Loved that thing. I took my drivers test in it after we returned. Dad traded it a year later for a 1970 Beetle which he gave to me in 1974. Wish I still had both.
Particularly enjoyed this, Steve. As a retiree, I share similar reflections and enjoy reliving the sense of riding even when home musing on my iPad.
Thanks Kevin for sharing your comments. Even when I’m riding a lot I seem to continually reach for a screen to live rides that others have shared. Can’t seem to get enough of it!
Boy is it good to see you looking healthy and happy again. Proof that the inner person can be beaten back but not defeated by….uh…there’s a phrase that…oh yeah…feeling crappy. I just have a way with words sometimes if I do say so myself.
Your last few posts and photos have nudged right up to and smack dab into the middle of inspiring. Really have enjoyed them and thank you for them.
Here in the middle of the country it appears that maybe spring is really truly here. The batteries are all back in the bikes and so we will be venturing forth. Been a long storm plagued winter in Nebraska. Nasty times for a lot of folks in the state, so hoping we get a good long weather to get some of the damage undone.
Keep rollin’; sir. You do good stuff.
I’ve shed most of the heaviness and grimness of this past winter. Riding has again become something that has me floating on air.
Thanks for your kind words about the more recent postings. A change in the way I feel changes how I write I guess. Glad you find something useful in them.
Funny you mentioned winter and Nebraska. That’s the second time I’ve heard it today. The first was in the lyrics of a song called Wildfire by Michael Murphey. Those Nebraska winters are rough!
I’ll keep trying to roll until the wheels are square. Or I am…
Glad to see your back enjoying your Vespa after attending to your wife’s health issues. I too loved my Vespa GTS, but then my two “local” dealerships pulled away from the Piaggio line claiming they couldn’t compete with the pricing from the Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki products; they also indicated that they would have no access to Vespa parts. I then purchased a Suzuki Burgman 400, which had a little more pickup and larger wheels. I am now awaiting a phone call from my local BMW dealer as I am trading in the Suzuki for a 400X with heated grips and seat and a screen with navigation. Can’t beat peaceful cruise on the back roads of Cape Cod this time of year before the tourists arrive. Keep your byline coming, Steve, as your comments bring a smile to my day!
Seems Vespa dealers are packing it in everywhere but the big cities. Right now the closest dealer to me is, I think, in New York City. Or Cleveland. I’m not likely to go to either. Luckily my local once a Vespa dealer is still working on them and still able to get parts. Once that stops I’ll have to do some serious looking in the mirror and determine whether I’m willing to attempt all the repairs myself. Also, there is a local motorcycle mechanic who will work on them. So I suppose all is not lost yet.
The BMW 400X is a nice looking machine. I’ve sat on one and wondered how different it would be from the Vespa. Let me know how things go with the BMW.
I’ll keep posting as long as I have something to share.
Love this, as always Steve. More please!
Thanks! I have some more stuff to turn into posts…
The Camberg family, I know them well.
No surprise I guess since that area is your youthful stomping ground. Next time I’m through that way and not focused so much on riding, I’ll stop for food!
Scooters seem to bring on a meandering riding style. Which in turn means a rider sees more things. At least that’s how it’s working for me.
I agree. Could be that they’re generally not racing down the road, more nimble in stopping, starting and making U-turns. With motorcycles, especially the bigger ones, it’s a chore to do some of that stuff. And the throttle is seductive when you have a lot of power at your fingertips. Thinking of the motorcycles I’ve ridden, I don’t stop as much.
Thanks for keeping us all young !! Paolo from northern New Jersey I have driven more than 100.000 miles since 2001 on all of my vespas combined . You have it made there in Pa. God bless you
Pennsylvania is indeed a lovely place to ride. I hope I can make a 100,000 miles on my Vespa scooters. Still have another 45,000 miles to go!
Magnifique !!!
Du grand Steve Williams; photos et histoires très belles.
Je te sens heureux.
La Pennsylvanie est très belle aussi, il va vraiment falloir que j’y vienne avec ma Vespa…
Magnificent !!!
From the great Steve Williams; very beautiful photos and stories.
I feel happy.
Pennsylvania is very beautiful too, I really will have to come with me Vespa …
Thank you for your kind words about the post. I appreciate them.
The riding here, especially in spring, is magnificent. Every road, every scene is beautiful.
Merci pour vos bons mots sur le post. Je les apprécie
La conduite ici, surtout au printemps, est magnifique. Chaque route, chaque scène est belle.
Sounds like a great ride out and a nice, life affirming follow-up post. Thanks Steve.
It has been gratifying to ride in more temperate weather. I used to get the same feeling on winter rides but not the case this past season. Perhaps it’s why these rides are more powerful.
“I was committed to pavement”. Love that. May use it.
Just as I thought I was committed to pavement I found myself riding on dirt and gravel yesterday. My commitments appear to be a day at a time!
The picture of the trees’ shadows falling on the road…..lovely.
Thanks Dom. I liked that one too.
Wow Steve, such wonderful musings from the Vespa view! Loved it all. Keep it up young man!!
Thanks for the kind words of support. The Vespa is a fine seat for musing…
First.
“He’s curious about the scooter and is shocked when I tell him I have 40 thousand miles on it. “Damn.” he says, “I’ve had a Honda Shadow for over ten years and only have 4 thousand miles on it.” ”
I have never understood this part of motorcycle ownership. Even in my slimmest years I put two thousand miles a year on my bikes. You can’t be enjoying them much if you are only putting 400 miles a year on it. SMH.
Second,
Retirement is agreeing with you. That picture of you at Sheetz is probably one of the first pictures of you I’ve seen with a smile. Usually you have a more contemplative look or one of determination.
Enjoy the ride.
Retirement definitely agrees with me. Kim asked me yesterday if I wish I was still working. The answer was instant and firm — “No.” Can’t imagine working now. Good thing I don’t have to.
It was a good ride and the smile was a reflection of it.
“It’s like the Sunday evening blues when I was still working.”
I remember this feeling so well. Someone my sister used to work with called it, “The Lassie Feeling.” When we were kids, “Lassie” was on TV on Sunday evenings and it was just about when we settled down to watch it that the feeling would hit, not about work, but about school the next day.
“Was there any homework I didn’t finish?”
“Are there any projects due tomorrow?”
“Did I forget to memorize something?”
“Was I supposed to get a coffee can or something for an art activity?”
The questions went on with every wag of Lassie’s tail, and by the time Lassie saved the day I’d be a bundle of nerves checking my book bag for trouble that might be coming my way.
I understand “The Lassie Feeling.” For me it was the theme song to Bonanza. Still, whenever I hear that music, I have a melancholy feeling. All those Sunday evenings when I had to go to bed after Bonanza. If I was really lucky my parents would let me stay up to watch Candid Camera but that seldom happened.
The ending of the weekend just seemed like a sad, sad event.
Good to see you’re out and about on the scooter. The only downside of reading your blog is the nervousness I leave with that I’ve failed in grammar and punctuation here on Scooter in the Sticks!
At some point this season we need to cross paths on the road.
Sunlight is a magnificent disinfectant! I love that thought and agree completely. We generally get very grey winters here in Berlin, but luckily spring is a wonderful time of year, so that makes up for some of it. Well put! I also tend to stop a fair bit and feel motorcycling is all about being in the landscape, being able to hear it and smell it in addition to just seeing it whish past. And I love stopping at gas stations for a cup of coffee as opposed to sitting in a cafe. Finaly, I had to chuckle when you mentioned the older Harley rider being so surprised at the idea of getting something smaller and lighter. It’s a great idea, but I guess to some folks it’s more important to have a certain machine than actually sitting on it. I downsized a bit this year and have loved it, but my riding buddies are still somewhat doubtful that that’s the way to go. Great post! Brings up lots of good reasons to go for a ride. Many thanks.
Sounds as if you and I have thoughts in common when it comes to machines and being on the road. It all seems so obvious to me but then I remember how different we all are, and that’s there’s plenty of room for other beliefs and opinions. I ride the rides that work for me.
Glad the post offered some reasons to go for a ride. Be safe!
Hi Steve, Lostboater and I will be in your area late this week. We would love to stop by for a quick visit. Please let me know if you are around and available. Bill
Looking forward to seeing you guys. Hope your plans make a visit possible. You have my contact info now so fingers are crossed and hoping for pleasant riding weather.