Scooter in the Sticks

Radar, Riding and the Tasmanian Devil

September 12, 2013 by Scooter in the Sticks 13 Comments

Radar. The kind that forecasts weather instead of nabbing speeders along the freeway. After a long day and a comment by Kim that the light “was interesting” I was watching a radar animation on my iPhone estimating my chances of dodging rain and lightning. A few moments later I was on the Vespa chasing the fading sun.

There’s a method to this madness beyond seeing the sunset, making a few photos, or riding the Vespa. It’s connected to the Tasmanian Devil — the one always chasing Bugs Bunny in the old Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoons. To most people I appear calm, even tempered, and a few times I’ve hear”zen like” whatever that means. Inside it’s often a different picture with my thoughts, imagination, joys, sorrows, frustrations and more swirl like the cartoon devil, spinning madly with snarls and growls.

So it often is after a long day of burning mental energy the right medicine is to burn some more in sharply focused manner. If I was built differently meditation would work but I can’t bring myself (yet) to sit still. Riding coupled with chasing an image is perfect. The riding forces me to stay focused to remain safe and the visual puzzle related to finding a picture flavors the experience into a creative craving. Or so it seems as I write this now.

I was 15 minutes too slow getting on the road. The sun was gone and the dregs of light just weren’t right. Still, the ride served it’s purpose and the devil went to sleep. The rain from an hour earlier pushed much of the heat away and left the world moist, thick with possibilities, but remained elusive. The Vespa rolled over pavement and gravel searching, seeking, looking for the answer to the photographic puzzle in my head.

Never found the answer. And that’s ok because, as has been said so many times in so many places, it’s the journey that matters. And on this journey I was able to acquire two Hershey bars for a plan to be hatched later in the evening.

And now the devil and my dog Junior are asleep. A few small chores will transform the day into night and my mind into a quiet stream. A stream familiar because of a scooter and camera.

I feel like riding some more but that would just be selfish…

Family, Friends and a Ride to the IngleBean Coffee House

September 9, 2013 by Scooter in the Sticks 10 Comments

Not just another Saturday morning in central Pennsylvania. This one was one of those magnificent days where the atmosphere is free of haze that postcard photographers love. Add a constantly changing variety of blue sky and wispy clouds and it feels like you’re in a Disney World commercial.

With the temperature at 48F, Aleta, Paul and I pointed our scooters towards Millheim, Pennsylvania and the IngleBean Coffee House for breakfast. A fine, lazy ride through some of the most picturesque agricultural landscapes in Pennsylvania — a real ride through time as a result of the growing Amish communities here.

Seeing horse-drawn buggies is a common scene with road apples everywhere and the telltale lines on the road sketched by hundreds of thin steel wheels. During the ride we passed a number of them. I noticed one Amish farm is a solar array on the roof. Wonder what that powers…

We were lucky enough to get a parking space right in front of the coffee house. Notice the parking pattern — Paul and I represent the older generation parking head out. Aleta does the head in parking. Evidence of an intergenerational ride.

Aleta Deveau in the Inglebean Coffee House

The IngleBean Coffee House is a relaxed, comfortable, feels like home kind of place with good food. Definitely worth the half hour ride. The place has a rustic, LL Bean feel to it and is the sort of establishment you would expect to find friends (which we did when we first arrived). Paul and Aleta seemed to be at home.

Paul Ruby, BMW, Ducati, vintage Vespa, and on this day Piaggio Fly rider. I think he’s sucking in his stomach…

Aleta puts up with one more picture with the local mural on the side of the Elk Creek Cafe. Another fine place to eat.

We wandered across the street to the Green Drake Art Gallery where I bought a small clay tile for Kim. On the way back I had the chance to catch another Amish rider…

As fast as the morning develops it draws to a close. Departing Millheim we wandered a bit until Paul and Aleta decided to head to the Nittany Valley Antique Machinery Show and Flea Market while I chose to head home. Riding with family and friends is great but there are moments that I like to keep to myself — the little walks along the road looking for a vantage point, burning memories into my synaptic pathways, being grateful that I’m alive and on the earth.

Riding through the middle of the valley on the small roads, the ones the Amish use, and just thinking how fortunate I am to be here.

Another little ride stored away, percolating, mixing into the Vespa experience.

Riding and the Coming of Cold Weather

September 7, 2013 by Scooter in the Sticks 17 Comments

Last night the long shadows paralleling US322 told me that fall is on it’s way. That and thermometer readings dropping through the sixties, into the fifties, and this morning a bracing 42F when I rolled the Vespa out of the garage.

Cold weather excites the rider in me, fueling a desire to ride that mostly lies dormant during the heat of summer. Cold, rain, snow, fog and other physically challenging forms of weather are my mountain — the manner in which I find satisfaction.

The coming of fall has a peculiar look and sound — a long, heavy light as if the sun isn’t quite ready to move across the equator for the autumnal equinox. Cicadas drone more loudly until they suddenly stop. Every living thing seems to respond to a biological imperative to brace for winter. Mount Nittany, the icon familiar to Penn State students and alumni around the world, is ready for the world to change.

Even my dog Junior seems aware of the change. Tinkering with a new iPhone photo app – Alt Photo — I stumbled upon a blue tint that combined with his serious gaze to have me thinking that, like me, he senses the coming of cold weather.

As motorcycle and scooter riders I think we all bring our own, unique reactions to the road. For some, the passing of Labor Day is the first step in winterization of the machine. For others a reminder of the few weeks left until the ride becomes unbearably cold. And for the coldblooded, foolhardy lot who swears they ride through the winter it means the start of an adventure.

To each their own. I’ve already started organizing my winter riding gear. The Heidenau snow tires are ready to mount. I hate to say it but I’ve been running snow scenarios through my head.

And all because of a few long shadows along the road…

Quick Review of The Naked Egg Cafe

September 1, 2013 by Scooter in the Sticks 8 Comments

Saturday morning, up early and on the road to welcome another day into existence — at least until my stomach takes control and zeros the Vespa towards a place for breakfast. In addition to fine roads for riding there are a lot of small, locally owned eating establishments to are a perfect addition to a fine ride.

On this morning my mind is set on The Naked Egg Cafe in Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania.

The Naked Egg is situated along PA Route 26 as you enter Pine Grove Mills coming from State College. It’s in the place that for years was occupied by Watkins Dariette. This is my second visit since they opened about a month ago and I have to say I’m about ready to make the place my go to eating establishment. They’ve done wonders transforming the interior space into something special, the food choices are extensive, and it tastes great.

You can see menus on the Naked Egg Cafe website.

I ordered a simple steak and eggs breakfast. Sitting here writing I wish I could have it for dinner but they closed at 2pm today (Sunday). Oh well, next week…

The toast, eggs and home fries were perfect but the steak, a luscious 4 oz. filet — I told the waitress it was the best steak I’ve tasted in years.

So, if you find yourself in central Pennsylvania and need a good place to have breakfast or lunch, try the Naked Egg.

Riding at Night and Other Photographic Pastimes

August 29, 2013 by Scooter in the Sticks 16 Comments

Walking the dog at sunset and the sky opens and momentarily illuminates Boalsburg. An iPhone picture doesn’t sate my visual survey and the little photographer voice tells me I should be riding. The 82 pound dog at the end of the leash says otherwise.

By the time I’m on the road the sun is gone and the light is fading as mist begins to gather along the ground. Luck figures into photography more than I like to admit — F8 and be there kind of stuff…

Riding into the night still provides a thrill. Some say a dangerous one which I keep in mind and make plans to manage. Give me the right night, a camera and keys to a scooter and motorcycle and I’m off to see the stars…

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