We are past the prime colors of autumn in Central Pennsylvania. Most leaves are on the ground but the landscape still radiates a warm glow before surrendering to the monochrome of winter. Saturday morning was clear with temperatures in the forties when I decided to ride through the hills and valleys solely to witness the sun illuminate what was left of this season.
The day was perfect and the roads seemed smoother than normal. Even the gravel mountain roads had been worn almost bare through another season of use making it easy to navigate on the Vespa. I stopped at the Bear Meadows Natural Area to look at the boreal bog. It was quiet and empty.
The location is a 890-acre National Natural Landmark surrounded by the ridges and upper slopes of the Alleghenies. From there I traveled over the gap and down into the Colyer Lake area.
One bright color I noticed that was more pronounced this year was the blaze of yellow-POSTED signs on trees along the road. I remember a time when you seldom saw such loud indications of private property. The world has changed I suppose either because of legal liability, selfishness, or a rise in terrible actions by those who would trespass. Whatever the reason I felt unwelcome riding along that road with the signs screaming at me.
When I got back to US Route 322, a road that traffic normally flies by at 60 MPH, I found bumper-to-bumper traffic traveling at 15 MPH. Car after car heading to the Penn State Football game at Beaver Stadium just 15 miles to the West. After two miles of the traffic I turned off onto a farm lane to cut across the valley towards home.
The corn is ready to be chopped and the agricultural landscape has its own autumn glow.
I arrived home just before a weather front covered the sky with a new grayness that brought with it rain that is forecast to last all week. This ride in the sun will help during the wet commutes to come this week.
And the rare self-portrait to provide evidence that I am actually enjoying myself, have a helmet, and do wear protective gear even though I am “just riding a scooter”.
Nice! I enjoyed your weather as I read your post.
I’ve got a friend at work that is a “Vespa Guy”,(even though he’s never ridden one in his life) that is now tuned into Scooter in the Sticks. I’m hoping that he’ll find you as inspiring as I do.
Have fun,
Bill
I finally figured out what it is that makes your photos so much more balanced than mine. It’s your choice of silver as your Vespa’s color.
The silver Vespa sort of blends into the background of whatever shot you are taking, saying, “Yeah, I’m here, but look at all this cool stuff, and check out the composition!”.
Scarlet O’Baron, on the other hand, demands center stage. She screams, “LOOK AT ME! I’m a RED scooter! All this stuff around me is just background, pay it no mind.”
Maybe my next scooter will be silver…
Ride well,
=gc=
That’s it! I’m moving. Gotta find a place with more character to the seasons. Your photos have driven me over the edge.
bill: I hope your friend makes the transition to Vespa, Ruckus or some other kind of owner. Reading about it is ok, but there is nothing like riding…
gary: The subtle presence of the silver scooter was an unexpected thing. And to think I almost bought the red one! I still like the red one come to think of it.
irondad: I have seen some pretty remarkable images from some of your rides. And remember, every kid growing up when I did said they were going to California or Oregon when they graduated from high school. So there must be something out there!
steve