Scooter in the Sticks

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

Introspection

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introspection with Canon G15 camera self-portraitIn the Mirror

After weeks of not riding and grumbling over a some back it’s time to step back and appraise the view.  Introspection isn’t always pleasant but does provide some clues for the journey ahead.  I made a first entry in my journal in a month this morning.  What was once a near daily event has faded, much like the frequent flying on the scooter.

A morning portrait at the Pump Station suggests something other than a happy camper.  Or perhaps the chronic reminder that I have a spine is wearisome.

Vespa GTS scooter in State College, PennsylvaniaMorning Vespa

I gingerly pushed the Vespa on and off the center stand this morning in the driveway before making a final decision to ride into town.  Still can’t make any long trips but it’s nice to ride a few miles.  Remarkably, even that short distance managed to brighten a sullen riding spirit. I wonder why I’m so irritated at not being able to ride?

Another pleasant surprise was the quiet morning.  A surprise because all the students have returned to Penn State.  I guess their first Saturday night wore them all out.

Door sign of Custom Shoe Repair store in State College, PennsylvaniaBoot Repairs

Walking to Saint’s brings me past the shoe repair shop that keeps my riding boots alive.  The soles are getting worn down again so I suspect I’ll be paying a visit soon.  Don’t see many shoe repair places anymore.

Broken Stella Artois lager bootlesStella Artois

Despite not seeing anyone on the street there was amble evidence of activity from the night before.  The fragrance of stale beer floated on the morning air; broken bottles littered a section of the street.

Digital OscillioscopeDigital Oscillioscope

At Saint’s Cafe, my friend Paul was showing off a new digital oscillioscope he built from a kit that will allow him the ability to test old electronic gear.

Vespa GTS scooter near Shingletown, PennsylvaniaIntrospection by Vespa

I think when I ride.  About the road.  About other things.  Often it’s the other things that matter most.  Riding on the Vespa keeps me open to new ideas.  I’ve been a bit miserable not being able to be on the road.  Wasn’t sure it would help to go for a short ride but turns out it’s just pretty much magic.  Blue sky, fine view, scooter ready to take me where I want to go.

I’m just glad the destination isn’t Crazytown…

Ride or Work

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Vespa GTS scooter parked outside Ag Engineering Shop at Penn StateEdward Hopper Scene

I want to be a painter, working in oil, shuttered away in a solitary studio, alone, sparked by dreams of a Vespa and the road. When work and life intensify my head goes to secret places.  Some days it’s a question of ride or work.

Resorting to my secondary scooter parking space earlier in the week when the usual space was teeming with othersand began the walk to my office.  Looking at the Vespa stand amidst the Penn State campus scene I couldn’t help think it was a view Edward Hopper may have appreciated.  And from there my mind was off n the races.

So it’s been these past couple weeks.  Distracted or consumed.  Both stifling any desire to blog.  This entry is a test of self will.  Took days to create this drivel…

Vespa parked outside an engineering shop at Penn StateBusy, Noisy, Cluttered

The title refers to the thought patterns in my head and not the engineering shop that I chose to park next to.  I’m hoping for a clearing soon.  Perhaps another ride in the morning to see if I can break free and feel a little more fluid.  The sweltering heat and humidity of late isn’t helping though.

Tomorrow is another day.

Ride on to victory!

Open Road

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open rural road with a Vespa scooterPerfect Saturday

Clear skies, open road, Vespa.  The perfect Saturday morning.  Almost.  One element is missing — time. Looking down the road I see nothing but possibilities. A quick look at my to-do list and I grudgingly accept this ride will be short.

Regardless, even a short ride is good.  Allows me to set the tone for the weekend in a relaxed manner.  As long as I don’t resent not being able to follow the road over the horizon.

watermelon and baguette on Vespa scooterPerfect Carrier

The Vespa can handle a lot of cargo.  Under the seat, hanging from the purse hook, in the topcase, on the front rack or strapped on the seat.  If a rider is inclined you can do things most people would consider a little crazy.

At least it seems that way to me.

I’m a creature of habit.  Summer time means watermelon. Lots of it.  And breathing means bread.  Preferably a crusty variety.  And whatever I get I always gnaw on it before it arrives home.

That’s what a perfect Saturday ride looked like this time.

Scooter Country

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Vespa GTS in scooter countryThe World is My Oyster

There are times on the road, alone and on the way home, that everything feels completely familiar.  It’s my own world.  Scooter country.  As good as that feels, it can lead to a comfortable disregard of everything and end not seeing anything.

Pulling off the road, turning off the Vespa and walking around for a few minutes brings things back into focus.  Such is an end of the week ride home.

Vespa GTS scooterSunny Day Ride

The weather has been exceptional this week.  Even with the rain.  Combining that with the already perfect machine I’m lucky enough to own and I’m just whistling through life.  I’ve been riding the GTS since 2007 and have ridden almost 32 thousand miles.  Spend that much time with something and still love it, that’s special.

I wonder if every rider feels the same way about their machine?

motorcycle parkingVespa in Normal Life

Everything feels normal, plain, unexceptional.  That’s comfort.  A quick phone call for take out and a short ride into town and I’m picking up dinner.  The scooter makes it all easy.  And fun.  Chores and errands seem like little adventures on two wheels.  No moto-manufacturer will ever advertise the power their vehicles have over the mundane tasks of living but that’s one of the best parts for me.

Things I must do rendered enjoyable. Life is good on a Vespa.

Ride Home From Work

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View of Vespa GTS dash consoleRemains of the Day

Walking from my office to the scooter, regardless of time or weather, it’s always pleasant to lay eyes on the Vespa.  There’s much focus on the ride to work, the idea of commuting and the attendant focus on being an informed, trained diligent rider. The rides to work do much to get my head on straight and prepared to tackle whatever comes along.

And all of that’s fine.  But the ride home from work, those moments collected in the remains of the day, they’re flush with their own magic as the scooter transports mind and body on toward home.

These long days of summer illuminate the world in a kind way when I leave.  The light is bright yet without the harshness of midday.  And different than morning when the world feels as if it’s coming alive.

The ride home from work feels easy and relaxed.  As if I don’t have a care in the world.

clouds in the skySkies of Childhood

I remember laying in the grass as a kid watching the clouds on a summer day and imagining creatures and stories.  On the way home I stopped to look up and wondered why I don’t lay in the grass anymore or make time to let my mind run free.  It doesn’t cost anything save for a small investment in time.

At least the ride home from work has me thinking about life without laying in the grass.

Success or failure?

Vespa GTS scooter with Penn State trailersHomage to Penn State

I’ve worked at Penn State for 42 years.  My adult life has unfolded here. I was mesmerized by the place when I arrived in June of 1972 and remain so now.  The University has under gone continual change in landscape and culture.  Where my Vespa is parked in front of these trailers used by the Athletic Department to sell Penn State gear during football games was sweeping farm fields part of the College of Agricultural Sciences portfolio of lands used for teaching and research.

The ride home from work, paths and routes I’ve taken thousands of times, still is full of surprises.  On this evening I had planned to cut through some of the remaining agricultural lands on my way home until I was met by temporary chain link fencing blocking my way along with signs warning of “Explosives Area” and suggesting I keep away.

Seldom one to disobey a sign I turned the Vespa around and went in another direction.  As I did it occurred to me what the huge fenced area was — the staging ground for the fireworks display that are part of the Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest celebrations.  The 4thFest has been rated among the top five 4th of July fireworks show in the United States.  If you like fireworks displays, want to see something spectacular and don’t mind crowds you’ll want to try and see this event.

Arriving home on the Vespa scooter is as satisfying as it is leaving in the morning.  And a remarkably different experience mentally and physically.

I never really noticed the difference before.