Scooter in the Sticks

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

Christmas Greeting and Wishes

by 22 Comments

Christmas greeting from Scooter in the Sticks
Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas.

Season’s Greetings

It’s that time of year again. Time to reflect on the blessing in life and extend good will and love to those in your life. Family, friends, and strangers on the road. To each of you reading this whether you’ve arrived searching for information on Vespa scooters or riding motorcycles, I pray you have a fine holiday.

My memories of childhood Christmas celebrations float through my head this time of year, and in my case I see a parallel between myself and Ralphie in “A Christmas Story.” It was a magical time of year. Now it’s something different.

I made a short video greeting for the holidays which is posted on my YouTube channel. Hopefully it reflects my feelings of good will to all those Vespa scooter riders out there.

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas.

Be well and ride safe!

Falling in Love All Over Again

by 28 Comments

Vespa GTS scooter along a country road.
All things feel new again on a fragrant spring morning.

Reminded of the Good Things in Life

I fell in love with a Vespa scooter the first time I rode one. And now, after some neglect and a wandering eye, I’m falling in love all over again.

It continues to amaze me how my mind and body are transported into a different state of being by this silver scooter. Standing along the road, breathing the moist fragrant spring air, and feeling startingly present in the moment, I know what a gift it is to be able to ride.

Continue Reading

A Vespa Ride to the Pump Station

by 23 Comments

Farm fields with utility poles running across them.
A morning view of the Nittany Valley.

The Quick Trip

“I’m going to run down to the Pump Station.”

Steve Williams

A common refrain in our house. Up there with “I’m going to take a nap” and “Did you feed the dogs?”

Thankfully, Kim doesn’t ask me to explain what running to the Pump Station Cafe means.

That’s probably because it’s only a half-mile from the house. Often I walk there with a dog, or stop by after making photographs at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Sometimes I’ll ride down on the Vespa.

It’s a quick, 40 minute, 25-mile trip.

After all, it’s nice to take in the scenery on the way to the Pump Station Cafe.

Continue Reading

On Down the Road: 2022

by 32 Comments

The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.

Aldous Huxley
Steve Williams portrait in the woods.
A self-portrait during a walk in the woods on New Year’s Eve.

I love the quote by Huxley on solitude. Not so much to think of myself possessing a powerful and original mind, but rather to excuse my life long attraction to solitude.

I’m not sure if it’s a result of my genetic programming, the fact I grew up an only child, or just an accident or circumstance. What I do know is I’ve spent a lot of time apologizing for wanting to be alone.

But I’ll save this topic for another post. Right now I want to take a moment to consider the year which has raced by, and the new year ahead.

And to wish anyone reading these words my best wishes for a happy, safe, and satisfying New Year!

Continue Reading

Gripped by Sadness

by 24 Comments

A lone tree in an open field with a mountain ridge in the background.
Does this picture represent hope and possibility? Or the terrible feeling of isolation and hopelessness that can leave me gripped with sadness.

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

Buddhist Proverb

Being gripped by sadness is an awful state, but one that fades with riding and writing.

There exists two possible options when I write a blog post. The first and most simple is when I write about the experience and feelings during the actual ride pictured. And the second is when I write about other feelings triggered while looking at the pictures.

My friend Paul and I were headed to Kissell Motorsports for my Vespa’s annual Pennsylvania safety inspection.

It’s funny how different a photograph can look between the moment I made it and when I am writing about it. The sun is shining, birds are singing, there is food at hand, and money in my pocket. In terms of what’s required to survive in this world I want for nothing.

Yet I’m gripped by sadness.

The sweep of an open landscape can generate a sense of hope and possibility. Often, perhaps always, when I stop to make these kinds of photographs I feel a thrill. And I did on that morning. But looking at them now, influenced by the rattling chaos of life, I see none of that.

Continue Reading