Scooter in the Sticks

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

Photography Lessons

by 12 Comments

Camera pointed at a personKim is the creative fire in our home, the one who operates on a different perceptual plane.  When it comes to photography she is way out ahead while I just keep doing the same things over and over.  Last night she taught me another lesson.

Her pedigree is different than mine.  She’s been a professional science writer, published fiction writer and relentless photographer.  I remember a phone message on her answering machine from an editor informing her that a short story had been selected for their magazine award (cash) along with “I had to smoke a cigarette after I read your story.”

I don’t get that kind of reaction to anything I write.

After earning a living with a camera since the 1970s you would think I have things covered in that area but I’m still receiving photography lessons from Kim.  I should add she’s also responsible for dreaming up the title of this blog — Scooter in the Sticks — and just recently devised the road icon in my logo.

self portrait of Steve WilliamsLast night I was looking at a series of images she made using an effects feature on her Canon G16 camera.  Being a creature of habit and perhaps a photographic snob I only use manual settings on my own camera — in this case a Canon G15.  Real photographers don’t rely on tricks just like real motorcycle and scooter riders never trailer their machines to destinations.  It’s that sort of thinking that keeps me trapped rather than free.

Kim set me free (again) last night.

I never knew my camera had effect settings, and if I did I probably wouldn’t have looked at them.  But looking at her series of images set fire to my limited photographic imagination.  Sitting in the chair I tinkered with the Toy Camera setting to make this self portrait.

Vespa GTS scooter on rural roadIt was murky outside this morning as I departed to run a few errands.  Experimenting further with the Toy Camera setting I realized it works to deepen the emotional feel of an already emotionally charged weather event.  To this point, the only time I saw something like this was with images made using Instagram on my iPhone.

portrait of booted feet in fall colored leavesAutumn is not far off now and I can’t recall what happened to summer.  Leaves are already changing colors and falling at my feet.  The days are moving swiftly and if I blink I fear snow will be falling.

self portrait of Steve WilliamsThroughout the morning I continued to play with the Toy Camera setting.  It won’t work for every situation but for certain subjects and intentions it is the right tool for the job.  That’s a big revelation for someone like me who tends to use the same tool for everything.

A gift from a loving wife for which I’ve not devised the proper thank you.

Vespa GTS scooter in a gravel pitThere are days when the desire to ride far and fast is strong.  Especially when the sun is not beating on my back and the world looks strange.  Imagination percolates and I wonder about elves and zombies.  With either, a Vespa is what you want to be riding.

American flag on the porch of Cafe LemontThe view from breakfast on the porch of Cafe Lemont in Lemont, Pennsylvania.  Chili and sourdough bread while watching the world go by and a few minutes to do nothing at all.  I’m still learning how to let go of everything without feeling guilty or keep busy.  Hard to slow down with those thoughts in your head.

Vespa GTS scooter and tin manWhen you’re in a hurry you miss the details — of the road and your life.  Slowing down seems at odds with everything our culture tells us.  More, more, more…

Vespa GTS scooter along a country roadI’ve been reading “The Effortless Life” by Leo Babauta, author of the blog Zen Habits.  He suggests it’s helpful if you’ve ever wrestled with:

  • frustration
  • struggle
  • distraction
  • anger
  • impatience
  • unhappiness
  • relationships
  • goals
  • work
  • being present

This book seems to have been written for me…

Each time I stop to make a picture it’s can seem like a lesson in living.  Or changing.  If only to practice focusing and being less distracted.  Or just being present for a few moments.

Vespa GTS scooter on the horizon with treesI’ve been smitten by the Toy Camera setting for the moment as life takes on a cinematic quality.  Not sure where it will go but I know it doesn’t matter.  One of the photography lessons I’ve learned from Kim is that there are no rules, no expectations, and I can do whatever I want.

That’s a good place to be when visually things look as if you’re riding toward an apocalypse…

Vespa GTS scooter at Gemelli's BakeryOne last stop to pick up a loaf of rustica italian bread at gemelli bakery in State College, Pennsylvania.

I’ve not plumbed the depth of the Toy Camera feature or looked at all the other choices.  Who knows where these photography lessons will go next.

New Vespa Rider

by 12 Comments

three scooters along the roadIn February I received a message at the Modern Vespa forum from a would be scooter rider.  He had a plan and a long held dream of owning a Vespa.  During the ensuing months he’s graduated from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, purchased a Vespa, and rode to the Boalsburg Moto Hang with his son.  And now we’ve also gone on a ride together.

Meet Steve Albrecht.

Steve joined Paul Ruby and I for a short ride — we had just a bit over two hours to scoot through the countryside.  With so little time I didn’t want to stop much for pictures and instead keep riding.  But a couple pictures were in order.

Steve Albrecht with Vespa scooterSteve is still displaying the “look” of a new Vespa Rider — that glow that comes from doing something you really enjoy.  I remember it from the first ride to now and assume it will continue until my last ride.

At least that’s my plan.

Vespa scooters in Bellefonte, PennsylvaniaDespite my plan to keep riding Paul is unable to resist the opportunity to eat requiring a stop in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania for a quick snack.  I suppose riding and eating is an axiom that a new Vespa rider should be exposed to so they can factor it into their two-wheeled future.

Mathematical axiom:  (Ride duration) x (30%) = (Time spent in coffee shops, cafes and restaurants).

Vespa scooters along a rural roadDespite limitations of time and food diversions we had a pleasant ride under a hot sun through the hills and dales of central Pennsylvania.  And we managed to get Steve’s sense of direction turned around which holds great promise for him on future rides — the chance to get lost.

Being lost is something I miss — it happens far too infrequently.  Being lost on the road is a fine place to be.

Thanks for coming along on the ride Steve — hope your time as a new Vespa rider following along two old coots was a pleasant one.

Riding Before Sunrise

by 24 Comments

Vespa scooter at Exxon stationFuel stop at a local Exxon station to prepare the Vespa for a trip to breakfast some 50 miles away. Riding before sunrise is a quiet experience.  The world is asleep and the roads clear — a perfect time to ride.

Paul Ruby portraitMy friend Paul Ruby wants to visit Mamie’s in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, a small eating establishment with a hearty breakfast and baked goods selection.  Probably not the best choice for my post-heart attack diet but I can indulge every now and again.

Paul and I have made this trip before.  Each time it’s a different experience.

Scooter and motorcycle along road before sunriseAs 6am arrived the sun hadn’t breached the horizon leaving the world in that pre-dawn glow I love so well.  For a moment I thought how easy it would be to just ride south, across the Mason-Dixon line into Maryland and on into Virginia toward Front Royal.  Just a short ride from there onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Not sure why that came into my head but for a period of time I was doing the time calculations to get there and home before dinner.

Ducati and Vespa at sunriseSunrise offers a strong lesson in the machinations of the earth as it turns on its axis.  I’m always surprised at the speed of the change from dawn to sunrise and on into morning.  Standing in a bean field I feel blessed to bear witness to the magic.

Paul Ruby on the road with his DucatiThere are miles of fine roads and riding before breakfast.  As I notice views in my rear view mirror I stop and command Paul to turn around and become a model.  While making this photo I sense the first gurgling of desire in my gut — time for breakfast.

motorcycle and scooter at Mamie's Cafe in Martinsburg, PAArriving early meant we could park right in front of Mamie’s Cafe.  Being quite hungry as I write this post I’m not going to dwell on breakfast save for it was good, it was a vegetable omelet, and it was big.

I also bought a fresh doughnut but only had a couple bites.  It felt like trouble.

Vespa at a scenic viewOne the way home we found a narrow road wandering up and over a mountain.  One of the things I love best on a ride if finding a new path to a familiar destination.  The view was unexpected but appreciated.

You can see Raystown Lake in the distance.

Vespa scooter and Ducati motorcycle on rural roadFar from the drought consuming the western parts of the United States, central Pennsylvania is lush with corn, soybeans and alfalfa hay in fine shape.  Our machines are simple trespassers in a pastoral scene.

Vespa scooter and Ducati motorcycle on US22While no big sky in terms or what you might see in Montana this is perhaps as good as it gets in the ridge and valley region of Pennsylvania.  Looking down roads that lead away toward the horizon triggers desires to keep riding and exploring to see what’s over the next hill.

But all rides come to an end — but not without generating some pleasant memories to call up during some darker day…

Pretending You’ll Never Crash

by 20 Comments

MSF info graphic on riding gearWhile I don’t believe it’s inevitable that every motorcycle or scooter rider will have a crash, I also don’t believe any rider can say they’ll never go down either.  I’m not sure what others believe in this regard.  What I do know for sure though is there is a range of belief and action in regard to utilizing protective riding gear.

Do you find yourself pretending you’ll never crash?

I saw this infographic yesterday via FirstGear’s Facebook feed and it reminded me again of the risk involved in riding on two wheels and the things that can be done to mitigate some of that risk.

You can download a high resolution PDF file of the MSF poster if you want to make a big print.

In the spirit of open disclosure I have to admit that I don’t always adhere to the goals outlined in the poster.  I’ll ride with jeans sometimes in warm weather and neglect pulling on the abrasion resistant armored pants hanging next to my riding jacket.  I lie to myself that they offer protection but the truth is they don’t offer squat — I’m just lazy.  A slide down the road will shred them in a hurry to get to my tender flesh.

And that would be a sad event.  It makes me think of Brittany Morrow — founder of the Rock the Gear website and all the gear all the time (ATGATT) evangelist.

Have a look at her video and then ask yourself what you’re doing:

How to Avoid Skinning Yourself Alive – Brittany Morrow from Brittany Morrow on Vimeo.

Rock the Gear Inc. is a national, not-for-profit organization that focuses on safety apparel education and provides a community of support for those who want to learn more and/or become involved. Brittany Morrow is the President and Founder of Rock the Gear. This is her story.

Visit www.RocktheGear.org to learn more.

This video is intended for informational purposes only. Visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website to get trained and licensed and learn more about what it means to be a good, responsible rider. www.MSF-USA.org

Music: “Who Says” by Selena Gomez & The Scene. Music copyrights belong solely to the original artists and producers.

Works Cited:

Haynsworth, Leslie. “My Volvo, My Self. The (Largely Unintentional) Existential Implications of Bumper Stickers.” Fourth Genre, 2008.

Hurt Report. Traffic Safety Center, University of Southern California, 1981.

Dark Shadows

by 6 Comments

This post is not about the television show or movie named Dark Shadows.  The old TV show does inform some of my “darker” thoughts though..

Vespa GTS scooter moving into the gloomIt’s not often that I ride through an area that feels creepy, as if something bad has happened, spirits lingering with malevolent intent.  I don’t believe in ghosts but there are times when the complex chemical workings of my body and mind get the best of me.

On the morning I made this photograph I could feel my skin prickling.  My hand was in my pocket on my phone wondering how quickly I could dial 911, wondering if there was any cell coverage.

Camp Antler -- an old hunting camp near Livonia, PennsylvaniaIn the darkness just off the road sat Camp Antler, an old hunting camp that could serve as a cinematic location for another episode in the Hannibal Lecter series.  Or perhaps one of the woodsman’s cabins on the grounds of Collingwood.  Kim and I had been discussing one of the local missing person cases where the person just vanished.  My mind was telling me they would find them here.  Or someone else.

The phone wasn’t needed and as quickly as the feeling surfaced it faded when the Vespa entered the sunshine a few miles up the road.  Faded, but not forgotten.

Dark cloudsThe weather seemed odd for a couple days.  The clouds conspired to force uncomfortable thoughts about life and death.  I swore I could feel the blood pumping past the drug eluting stent near my heart.  Looking up I couldn’t tell if the clouds were closing in our the sky was opening up.  That unsettled feeling stuck with me for days despite engaging the Vespa riding prescription for ailments of the heart and mind.

Vespa GTS scooter with Mount NittanyMore than once on the way to work the world seemed empty.  I wondered if the earth was passing through some strange electromagnetic field that triggered my hypothalamus to secrete odd hormones that were affecting my imagination powers.

angel in a gardenWalking through our garden at dusk often triggers thoughts of spirits and creatures etched carefully by books, movies and television shows.  I would not be surprised to see Barnabas Collins as I passed by this old garden angel.

Vespa GTS scooter with Triumph Tiger motorcycleIn the parking lot at the hospital I found safety with the herd — in this instance parked next to a Triumph Tiger motorcycle.  I was early for cardiac rehab and there were few people around.  Surely the vampires were back in their coffins and the werewolves were asleep in the fields and forests.  And in minutes the dark shadows departed.  Perhaps 21 minutes on an elliptical trainer is the antidote for an imagination run amok.  Or a serious Alpine pass program on an exercise bike.  Or maybe I just grew tired of the mental exercising that often takes place when I’m thinking about things.

When I came out 90 minutes later the sun was shining and the world was a pleasant place.

But I miss the drama…