Scooter in the Sticks

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

Embracing the Honda Trail 125 Adventure Machine

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2024 Honda Trail 125 motorcycle parked in a driveway.
Loaded and ready for adventure.

Unexpectedly Sexy

Not sure sexy is the correct term. But unlike almost any other motorcycle or scooter on the road the Honda Trail 125 gets first, second, and often third looks and comments. Often seen as cute it doesn’t seem to intimidate or trigger indifferent reactions that bigger, louder, and frankly gaudier motorcycles can do. If engagement and ego stroking is important you won’t go wrong with this machine. And if you are looking for adventure, don’t underestimate this little machine.

The adventure ahead on this morning was simple — a wandering ride on backroads, dirt, and gravel to breakfast. A quiet hour on the road to cover 26 miles. Perfect for embracing the Honda Trail 125.

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Pennsylvania Military Museum Folio Project

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folio on bench at Pennsylvania Military Museum
The first folio of photographs release into the wild at the Pennsylvania Military Museum.

Into the Unknown

I left the first folio of prints on a bench at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. It was a sunny morning and only a couple people walking in the distance.

The folios are a selection of images from the photography I’ve done on the grounds over the past year. A creative exercise borne of the restrictions and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m grateful to live so close to a place where I can freely walk without concern of contracting the virus from other people. And still maintain some sense of belonging in the world.

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Days of Snow

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Vespa scooter on snow-covered driveway
Rolling the Vespa out into the snow. (Back in February 2015)

Is This a Good Idea?

There was a time when days of snow would have led to some sort of riding attempt on my Vespa scooter. I was young. Fresh. And stupid perhaps. No longer do I roll out the scooter into the fresh snow to “see how it does.” I know the answer to that question. Now I make different choices.

Regarding the question, “Is this a good idea?” I’m leaning towards no.

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Rain, Rain, More Rain

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Rainy this morning. Thought of riding but was more drawn to make a photograph or two in the glimmering murk I love so much.

View Camera Photography

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Wooden view camera in field.
Zone VI 4×5 view camera with 240mm Fujinon lens.

After a long hiatus from shooting film I’ve put my Zone VI 4×5 view camera back into service for a new project.  It’s too early to describe what I’m working on other that to say trees may be involved.   Just not sure of much other than I’ll be focusing on view camera photography.

View camera photography is a departure from the process involved in making digital photographs for Scooter in the Sticks.  The pictures I make while riding generally are completed in less than a minute.  Often in seconds.  The small digital camera can be put into action quickly due to it’s size, weight and how it functions. 

The view camera is a different story.  It’s slow to use, cumbersome to carry, and resists speed and haste.  Those characteristics are exactly why I chose to use it.  Often, in discussions of the relative merits of digital versus film photography, I hear people express that there’s no need to go through the trouble of film when digital can make the exact same print.  While I agree with that statement that a similar print can be made, my feeling is that without that slow deliberate process, I never would have arrived at the image using digital equipment.

The process of production affects what I feel and see, and ultimate affects the image I create. 

For the near future, I’ll be working with the view camera.

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