Scooter in the Sticks

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

Cold, Snow, Chicken

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Another morning of snow and ice on the road and cold in the air.  Walking Junior up the street I tried to convince myself that I could easily handle the snow on the road.  There was, after all, a lot of grit and salt mixed in with the snow.  And big patches of hard ice here and there too.  The first walk verdict — postpone the riding and take the dog to the park.

Going to the park I knew I would get out on to the main roads and find them clear.  They were but while throwing the ball for Junior I realized it was really cold.  Single digit cold.  Not Alaska cold.  Cold for me.  So I chickened out and left the scooter at home and went to town with Junior.

I could have ridden though…

There is a cafe in town that allows dogs and that’s exactly where Junior and I went.  Breakfast for me and a bowl of water for him.  He was quite content and relaxed until Rosie, a female German Shepherd arrived.  It was too early in the morning to see him turn into Sir Humpalot so we wandered out the other door and on towards home.

Tomorrow the weather forecast promises freezing rain and sudden temperature drops.  Sounds like I should just surrender to clinomania…

Happy New Year!

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A new year has arrived in cold and blustery fashion.  Junior and I ventured out to the mountains to breathe fresh air, let hearts pump blood into straining muscles, and enjoy another day walking on the earth.

Junior is my guide and I work to reflect the same happy, satisfied look on my face.  His needs are simple as are his pleasures.  There’s a lesson to be learned.

With dog fed, watered and safely at home I ventured out on the Vespa to experience my own version of chasing a tennis ball.  The road surfaces this morning were a mix from dry to slippery depending on location and road treatment.  This stretch was surprisingly slick and required a speed drop to around 15mph — bicycle speed.  Fortunately it lastly only a mile or so and the rest of the ride was upon more reliable traction.

Riding and blogging, I’ve been thinking (again) where I want to go with this project.  I’m sure a path will reveal itself at some point down the road.

On this ride one thing floated in and out of my head.  The first is electric socks and insoles — something to research because my feet seem to get cold faster these days.  Another gift of aging or I’ve become less tolerant of the cold.

So until the next ride, Happy New Year from the Sticks!

Junior the Birthday Boy

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Junior is five years old today.  Kim and I have had the pleasure of sharing life with him for almost four of those years and look forward to many more.  This picture, made on one of our morning walks in the hills near our house, shows Junior resting after miles of running up and down the hillside chasing his beloved tennis ball.  On some days as I make my way up the hill and the view of the valley sweeps away to the west and north,  I feel as if I’m walking through a scene from the Sound of Music.

Life with a good dog…


One many mornings during those walks Junior decides to go for a swim — a newly acquired taste on his part.  Made this video a little over a month ago when he finally decided to go after the tennis ball in the water.  He was still tentative then.  He’s an expert now.  Not sure how Belgian Sheepdogs generally react to water but Junior has become a swimmer.

Happy birthday Junior.  What will it be — Outback Steakhouse or Texas Roadhouse for dinner?  Or just a big bowl of Fromm’s?

Stalled But Still Moving

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It’s been months since I’ve ridden the Vespa.  Any adventure on the road occurs inside the comfortable confines of a Honda Odyssey van.  Driving to Altoona, Pennsylvania today in the fog plucked chords of longing for being on the scooter.  All I need do is repair the Vespa, brave the cold concrete floor of the garage and do a little work.

A little work; finding the time has been difficult.  But the repairs are slowly rising up on my todo list.

Some things remain the same.  Junior continues to insist on quality time in the world and I am inclined to try and deliver.  This morning was nice as the temperature was already in the 40s when as we made our way through the park. There has been a lot of good riding weather this winter and I’ve missed pretty much all of it save for a few trips on my daughter’s Yamaha Vino.

For now both the Vespa and Vino continue to quietly sip electricity from the Battery Tenders wondering what the hell has happened to me.

Soon though, soon…

Junior and I made the end of the day walk in State College, Pennsylvania.  Calder Alley offers a nice, long stroll at night with a lot of things for me to look at with the camera and many fine aromas for Junior to consider behind the many bars and restaurants.

Just a quick note to let you know your RSS feeds aren’t dead and neither am I.  Just consumed with other more pressing matters at the moment.

This picture would look better if there was a Vespa in it.

Winter Riding Miscalculation

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Fourteen degrees and windy this morning when Junior and I made our way up the street to play ball.  It was one of those mornings when even a dog pauses to consider the weather. I carefully inspected the street surface trying to differentiate how much loose dry snow on top of bare pavement was blowing around versus more tricky ice and adhering snow.

While Junior periodically chased the ball and then hunkered down in the snow I collected pertinent data and made a few riding calculations.

1.  It’s cold.

2.  It’s really cold.

3.  It’s damn cold.

4.  The road is bad.

After careful consideration of all the facts I decided to drive the minivan into town for my 3 Prints Project meeting.

Or, 1+2+3+4=Honda Minivan.

As soon as I got on the main road I realized I had made a miscalculation. The roads weren’t bad.  Almost dry in fact.  Though it still was cold.  I was glad I miscalculated.

When I looked at this picture I thought Gordon appeared to be hesitant to face the music inside Saint’s Cafe.  He showed up with digital prints.  I showed up with no prints.  I can’t be sure if I even want to make anymore prints.  We’ve been discussing a show but it all just makes me tired.  And I still have to fix the mixing valve in the darkroom.

Another Sunday morning sans riding.  I’m hoping for warmer weather.  I’ve grown weary of the winter struggle.  At least for today.