Scooter in the Sticks

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

Quick Review of The Naked Egg Cafe

by 8 Comments

Saturday morning, up early and on the road to welcome another day into existence — at least until my stomach takes control and zeros the Vespa towards a place for breakfast.  In addition to fine roads for riding there are a lot of small, locally owned eating establishments to are a perfect addition to a fine ride.

On this morning my mind is set on The Naked Egg Cafe in Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania.

The Naked Egg is situated along PA Route 26 as you enter Pine Grove Mills coming from State College.  It’s in the place that for years was occupied by Watkins Dariette.  This is my second visit since they opened about a month ago and I have to say I’m about ready to make the place my go to eating establishment.  They’ve done wonders transforming the interior space into something special, the food choices are extensive, and it tastes great.

You can see menus on the Naked Egg Cafe website.

I ordered a simple steak and eggs breakfast.  Sitting here writing I wish I could have it for dinner but they closed at 2pm today (Sunday).  Oh well, next week…

The toast, eggs and home fries were perfect but the steak, a luscious 4 oz. filet — I told the waitress it was the best steak I’ve tasted in years.

So, if you find yourself in central Pennsylvania and need a good place to have breakfast or lunch, try the Naked Egg.

Lesson in Acceptance

by 8 Comments

7am.  Sitting in the driveway ready to ride a few miles down the road for breakfast.  The plan was for my daughter and I to take a Sunday morning ride — her on the Yamaha Vino and me on the steady Vespa. My friend Gordon inquired the previous evening about Sunday morning plans and I invited him along.

Three scooters on the road.  A good plan. And like all plans subject to change.

At around 4am I received a text message from Aleta that she would probably not make the launch. Another from Gordon indicating a short delay. An unforeseen opportunity to sort through the stuff under the seat of the Vespa.

Making our way through the scenic farmlands of Penns Valley, past a dozen or more Amish buggys, families on their way to Sunday services.

Acceptance.  At this point we’re riding towards our second choice of eating establishments — the Inglebean Coffee House in Millheim, Pennsylvania.  Our first breakfast target, The Whistle Stop in Centre Hall, was closed.

Arriving in Millheim only to find the Inglebean closed.  Not a problem; I know of a restaurant about 15 miles farther up the road near Hartleton.

No luck, the place had burned down.

Mifflinburg is only 8 miles away: We can have breakfast at the Scarlet D.

Closed.  As is the Carriage House restaurant.  Lewisburg is only 10 miles away where we finally find food.  Leave it to a college town (Bucknell University) to have a place open on Sunday.

Can’t remember the name of the place we ate but the food was good and the parking excellent. What started as a five mile ride to breakfast turned into a 50 mile journey.

Acceptance.

After a few pictures of the Vespas (scooter porn) it was time to head home.  One great thing about central Pennsylvania is the endless routes to get somewhere.  No north-south-east-west grids for us.

The two scooters with Gordon and I aboard wandered through the mountains and forests that consume most of this area.  For anyone wondering about how these scooters perform — a Vespa GTS250ie and a GTS300 Super — well, they move through these roads effortlessly up and down the mountains.  Speed is limited more by the skill of the rider than displacement.

Weather was perfect and traffic light to non-existent.  If only we had more time…

Not wanting to pass up an opportunity to utilize fuel fit for NASCAR and test performance we made the pit stop.  Can’t speak for Gordon but I sensed both increased power and respect from other drivers.

What kind of gas was that?  Sunoco maybe???

And that’s how things shook out.  Change in plans, more changes, etc.  Forgot to invite Paul Ruby who inquired about a ride.  Damn.  Wonder what else I forgot.  I think I fed Junior.  Washed behind my ears.  Forgot to shave.

Damn great fun regardless.  Just need a bit of acceptance…

The Road Devours All Concerns

by 12 Comments

With the Vespa parked across from the Cafe on the Park I sat outside in the cool air with a cup of tea and watched the world go by. Moments like these remind me why I ride alone. But they don’t always come easy.

Checking the scooter over in the driveway this morning I had no idea where to go. I’ve not ridden much apart from my commute to work. Thinking about the road ahead made me anxious. Nervous. A soft melancholy flow squeezed me and my gut was whispering to stay home. Backpacker and author Colin Fletcher describes the feeling in “The Complete Walker”. Something that happens to him before a backpacking trip the he refers to as “Fletcherititis”. An unexplained and sudden onset of physical and emotional symptoms striving to keep him at home.

But the road devours all concerns.

The cafe is not on my mental riding stop list. Somehow I forget about it despite nothing but exceptional morning meals. This morning was no exception. I’ll have to reprogram.

The ride home was like a kid wandering through the neighborhood after school. (Do parents actually let their kids still do that?) No road was too small, no track too difficult. My only goal was slow and empty.

Riding off the beaten path always reminds of things. This gravel road freshened thoughts of more aggressive Kenda K 761 tires to run this winter. They are more akin to those you see on a Honda Ruckus.

Cotton candy clouds and blue skies, riding along towards home, the tires, winter, and everything else faded. All that was left was the road…