Exploring life on a Vespa Scooter and Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle.
Exploring in WordsIt’s late and I’m still searching for the spirit of Christmas. There’s no tree for it to hide under and my heart is worn and tired. Despite the twinkling lights and colorful trappings of the season, Christmas remains elusive.
Writing always helps clear away the noise that can mask the truth. A small collection of chocolate and tea fueled a pen laying ink across a journal; thoughts of life and Christmas on my mind.Continue Reading
Sparkling Trees and LightsChristmas — a time of magic and wonder. As a child the crackling energy of lights and presents and visions of Santa Claus. More years added ideas of spirit and faith, magical and wondrous in different ways as I journeyed through my own notion of God and Christmas. At the very least, I find this a time of personal reflection, a search to rediscover magic and recognition of the Christmas blessings that I can easily overlook.
With Christmas just a few hours away I wish each of you reading these words, regardless of your belief, good tidings and cheer in hopes that your life, your family and yourself are blessed, healthy and safe. Best wishes for the road ahead and all that it may reveal.
Winter Riding with a Vespa ScooterWith my Vespa in the body shop, there are no opportunities to navigate the world on two wheels and ponder the Christmas spirit. Instead I’ve been wandering through memories of past Christmas experiences and rides.
Christmas Eve Vespa RideA couple years ago I was on the road on Christmas eve riding through Rothrock State Forest in a light snow. All that was missing were the jingle bells that are etched in my brain as an element of the season.
Merry Christmas to Scooter and Motorcycle Riders EverywhereMy wish for each of you — to find comfort on those difficult days we all experience, and recognition of the beauty in the world to help fuel hope when it’s hard to find, friendship to brighten the journey you’re on, courage to continue on when you want to stop, patience to accept the things you learn and experience that aren’t always what we want, faith that everything will be ok, and love to complete your life.
Signs of the Christmas SeasonPassing through town on the way home I noticed a flock of flamingos. Evidence of the coming yuletide holiday season. Had to stop for a picture though I’m not certain why exactly. Perhaps it’s the color. I have a mountain bike that’s the same color as those birds.
Salmon. Not pink…
Not sure how much riding I’ll get in before the holidays. At the end of the week I supposed to drop the Vespa off at a local body shop to have the rust and corrosion from many winters of salty riding taken care of. They say that will take two weeks. Could be the next time I’m on the road I may run into Santa Claus.
Ho ho ho…
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Riding lets my mind wander and gnaw on things. Like why Christmas feels so different now than it did as a child. Where has the magic gone? Or maybe it’s right here and I don’t even realize it. Christmas means many things and each of us has a different experience from a devout religious embrace to the more secular versions complete with the attendant commercial trappings. I have my own journey through the holidays helped by the focusing nature of a ride on two wheels.
Two years ago on Christmas Eve I was riding the Vespa in a light falling snow in Rothrock State Forest. This year the temperature will be above 60F with light rain. So I looked into my image archive in hopes of finding a little holiday spirit and a Vespa Merry Christmas.
The contrived attempts at seasonal imagery make me smile — and wonder if I could have been electrocuted? It was cold that night and making images with a self-timer on the camera while tethered to lights was a bit frustrating. I don’t recall saying “humbug” though.
I had to include a shot of bringing the Christmas tree home on the back of the Vespa. This was the second time I had undertaken the task and it go a lot of attention from people passing by. In my head as I imagine the “ideal” holiday image I see the Vespa hauling a tree along a snowy road in Currier and Ives fashion.
Seven years ago the tree in our front yard was covered in snow. It reminds me of the feeling I had growing up at this time of year. The magic of lights and dreams and expectations. And the world felt softer and for a time friendlier.
Riding can distill perception to a hyperfocus on the road and the scooter and little else matters — especially when snow is involved. For me, that intense focus opens a door to other things — like the meaning of Christmas. I don’t believe I’ll ever completely exhaust exploration of that topic, at least I hope I don’t ever tire from it, but I have learned a few things.
As much as I like buying things and giving gifts, as the Grinch ponders, Christmas doesn’t come from a store. In Christmas I feel the opportunity for renewal and rebirth in the family of man. What looks dark is bright and hope abounds. And a kinship with others on this mortal coil made just a bit easier with a smile, some cheer and the magic of the holiday.
To each of my friends and acquaintances, to those who read and follow the scooter through the sticks, to all those people known and unknown — I wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you find your own path through the holiday.
Merry Christmas from the sticks to you! I hope peace, goodwill and plenty come into your life.
After several days of near summer-like weather an arctic front moved through bringing snow squalls and pushing the landscape towards those old, Currier and Ives holiday images. Just before lunch on Christmas Eve and I saw the snow begin to fall and decided to take a quick ride up the mountain to find a suitable image to share. The roads were bare until reaching the point where the pavement is no longer salted and snow gathers quickly.
All the presents are gathered and family will arrive soon. It’s a wonderful time of year.
Merry Christmas to all and ride safe!