I have driven or ridden by this place for over 25 years and never saw it. It’s a small ravine surrounded by trees in the middle of a farm field. An ephemeral stream that runs into a grotto and disappears. This place lives in the spring and vanishes as the world dries and the weeds grow up to hide it’s secrets. I’ve literally spent weeks of my life in this specific area but never managed to stop and walk into the trees to see what was hidden within. The extent of my blinders never fails to amaze me.
This morning I had time for a short brisk ride under gray skies. I chose a wet mud and stone road running along powerlines to explore. I try and bring fresh eyes to places but what I see depends on where my head goes. Thoughts of what I wanted to do today keep me from the empty mind that often works best when riding and making photographs.
A few miles down the road I decided that I really should get home and process film for my 3 Prints Project. One last picture in the woods and I turned around to take a lazy ride home.
Riding through town I stopped to take one picture to demonstrate that there is some civilization in the sticks. I’ve read a few references to Scooter in the Sticks lately that wonder aloud if there are any people or towns around. Indeed there are and the pictures here are merely a representation of the places I’m drawn to. Without much effort I bet I could produce Scooter in Hell with all the necessary traffic, bad roads, ugly places needed to convince someone how nasty it is to ride here.
I just try and make sure that I don’t let the nastiness overwhelm the beauty that is all around and right in front of me.
One of my primary goals this year is to stop the bike more often just to appreciate those simple things that I overlook as I march through my daily paces.
My father’s greatest lament in his forty year career as a Truck driver was that although he traveled everywhere in this country and could navigate it like his own neighborhood, he was never able to stop and take stock in the various landscapes. I don’t wish to share those same regrets.
I used to feel like flying was such a waste of travel miles because of missing all those sights between points A & B. That is true to a degree, but even when driving or riding I often experience a reluctance to take the time to stop … the rational thinking mind takes over and discounts the value of what the fleeting glance showed. I’ve found the best way to really see a place is from a standing position on ones own two feet. Intimate and thoughtful exploration on foot is now my preferred way of seeing things and making photographs. By the way, just where “in the sticks” are you? I’m guessing northern CA, but really no basis for that guess … ~Chuck
earl: I have heard similar laments from truck drivers and others who spend a lot of time on the road. The push to rush is strong and hard to resist when you are working. Even when you aren’t traveling like that it takes effort to slow down and look around.
Good luck on your own journeys!
chuck: When the goal is to get from point A to B in the shortest time I think it is impossible to take notice of things in any meaningful way. And it certainly is difficult to stop and take pictures. One of the unexpected benefits of the Vespa is that it really does allow me to embrace stopping. It is just so easy. Like a bicycle almost. And walking is just the best.
I’ve always wanted to visit Northern California and now I know why. It must look just like home!
I am in Central Pennsylvania.
Steve, I always enjoy your posts and photographs. These amazing little hidden in plain view treasures are everywhere. Keep doing what you do. You are an inspiration to me. The viewpoint of your photography always opens my eyes to the possibilities that surround me daily.
My wife pushed me into starting my blog and I found that it gives me the impetus to chase places down. The motorcycle has become the means not the end.My only regrets have arisen from the places i didn’t visit, or the stops I didn’t make. I rarely fail to stop these days later in life.
ronman: Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad I can help you find things around you when you ride. Like you say there are treasures everywhere.
conchscooter: You are so right about regrets related to not stopping. I don’t collect as many as I once did but still too many. So many stops to make and so little time!
Seeing with new eyes, new ears, and a new heart is an ongoing goal of mine that can get lost so easily if I allow it. That’s probably true for a lot of us, no matter where we reside.
Steve: Funny, but on the day of this post I started a project that I anticipate will take about a year, and the first shot I made was
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97373293@N00/2392785810/