Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

Returning to the Moto-World

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A rural, central Pennsylvania farm landscape
The world I stepped away from two months ago is different now upon my return riding a motorcycle.

Out of the Garage and Into the World

It was a cool, gray day in my little part of the world. Somehow it feels a little different than it did just two months ago when I parked the scooter and motorcycle.

I don’t know how those of you who retire from riding in September and don’t return to it until spring manage. After a six-week riding hiatus due to pandemic restrictions in Pennsylvania I was experiencing no-moto cabin fever.

Still, I felt restricting myself from riding the Vespa and K75 was prudent considering all the unknowns at the time and my own unique immune system quirks which squarely place me in the high-risk category of humanity. One day before the stay at home order was to expire in Pennsylvania I pushed the motorcycle out of the garage and into a new world.

It seemed like an eternity since my last ride.

I tentatively returned to the road riding a motorcycle. My BMW K75.

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VLOG: Gratitude During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Man jumping in air next to a Vespa scooter at sunrise
Finding gratitude and joy in memories of riding.

Remembering Good Times, Having Faith in Tomorrow

If I had to choose one photograph that depicts the joy I feel while riding it would be this one of my friend Paul Ruby leaping in the air on one of our many early morning rides. This photograph was made over ten years ago but that feeling has not diminished in frequency or power.

During the coming days and weeks, many of us may entertain our darkest fears and concerns.

I have. But I also have choices. I plan for the worst but continue to hope for the best. Part of that process stems from the fine memories I have of life in the rear view mirror, a strong belief that all things pass, and faith that there will be a new tomorrow. I just don’t get to know what it will be until it gets here.

Until that time I daily give thanks for what I have. Finding gratitude, even in a storm, warms my spirit and fuels hope. I produced a short VLOG entry on some of the things rattling in my head.

Thoughts on Gratitude during the COVID-19 Pandemic

I hope these words find you safe, healthy and with a positive view of life ahead.

Sunny Days to Ride

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Shadow of a man on plants next to a stream.
Pondering life along a creek.

Off the Digital Grid

I’ve been a shadow here of late. The Vespa has been on the road and the camera active, but motivation to write, process or share has been slight. A lot’s been going on and creative interests suffer when the universe seems to grow dark. At least that’s how it seems at times in my head.

The reality though is there have been a lot of sunny days to ride. And ride I have.

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A Fine Way to Begin the Day

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in the morning sun
My reliable Vespa scooter stands ready to ride in the driveway.

A New Day

The light at dawn, I’m convinced, has a special power to renew and restore the spirit.

Glow to gleam and on to dazzling light as I push the Vespa scooter into the driveway for a short ride to town. Sunbeams, medicine for the mind, food for the body, I stand a bit taller in the radiance that’s nature’s gift to humanity.

A simple event. A fine way to begin the day. My love of sunlight.

Heliophilia.

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Les Misérables

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Steve Williams self-portrait of him being illPortrait of Illness

First, I want to extend my apologies to Victor Hugo for borrowing his title for this post.  And more importantly, acknowledge that any suffering or illness I’m currently enduring is insignificant to that of millions of people.  Most of my problems in life definitely fall into the category of “First World Problems.”  Things like being driven crazy by having to enter “English” as my language choice every time I use the ATM.  Or the tremendous annoyance of the awful sound the credit card reader makes when it wants me to remove my card from the chip reader.  Or the current virus I’m now enduring that makes me tired, sore and miserable.

First world problems.

My wife asked me how I was feeling on Friday.  I took out my iPhone and made a self-portrait and sent it to her.  She felt responsible because she had already be struck with the same illness for two weeks with no sign of letting up for either of us.

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