Scooter in the Sticks

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

Breathing in Valentine’s Day

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Valentine's DayHeart, Mind and Baubles

There was a time when Valentine’s Day was a puzzle to solve and find the precise gift or surprise that reflected the depth and breadth of my love and commitment.  While not strictly measured by dollars, it often involved considerable investment of money, time, thought and energy.  Sitting here writing I can’t remember a single “thing” that resulted from said investment.  They’re lost in the collective mass of things we’ve collected in a life.

That’s not to say they weren’t appreciated, used or otherwise held value, but at the end of the day I suspect what was remembered was the effort.  The act of trying.

As I think of Valentine’s Day now it is not about shared tangible assets.  It’s more focused on the the psychic investments two people make in each other; the commitment to being there, through thick and thin, to provide reliable comfort, support and love independent of action or earning.

It’s about the durable concern for one another and holding on through the entire ride that life has prepared. Flowers are nice.  And everyone loves candy.  And a motorcycle would be a hoot.  But none of that matters if you can’t trust someone to have your back.  Or be there when you’re sick.  Or accept you when you’re miserable.

Valentine’s Day is a monument to the human potential of loving in spite of things not being as you want or expect.  When you want to say the very best — it’s not something Hallmark can help with…

My two cents…

2017 Brave, Bold Blogger Challenge

This post is part of a month long writing prompt challenge conceived by Kathy at Toadmama.com.

Christmas Blessings

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Christmas tree in the snowSparkling Trees and Lights

Christmas — 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.

Vespa GTS scooter in a winter wonderlandWinter Riding with a Vespa Scooter

With 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.

Vespa GTS scooter in snowy Rothrock State ForestChristmas Eve Vespa Ride

A 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.

Steve Williams and his VespaMerry Christmas to Scooter and Motorcycle Riders Everywhere

My 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.

Christmas greeting from Scooter in the Sticks

Merry Christmas to all!

Vespa Scooter into the Christmas Season

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Vespa GTS scooter in front of a festive display of holiday decorationsSigns of the Christmas Season

Passing 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…

Independence Day

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Steve Williams reflected in a traffic mirror on Calder AlleyIndependence Day 2016

There’s probably a near endless list of things that give meaning to Independence Day in the United States.  Flags fly and millions enjoy the national holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress declaring that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire.

No small feat and one worth remembering.  Amidst the fireworks for sale and the frenzy of cookouts and family gatherings it’s hard to imagine the topic of the Continental Congress comes up much.

On my way to Saint’s Cafe this morning I wondered what it all meant.

Vespa GTS scooter with armored personnel carrierVespa and the United States Army

Don’t let the perspective in the photo fool you — that armored personnel carrier is bigger and tougher than the scooter.  Speed may be the only advantage for the Vespa.

As the parade elements began to gather this morning I wasn’t sure if this vehicle was there for the parade or because of the parade.  With anxiety and fear gripping segments of the country in regard to terror it’s hard to know what’s part of a new system of security.  Or what it all has to do with the fourth of July.

Revolutionary War VeteranRevolutionary War Veteran

The markings on the tombstone are unreadable now but a Revolutionary War Veteran lays at rest in the Boalsburg Cemetery.  I like to think he had a clearer understanding of the meaning of July 4, 1776 and what freedom meant.

Are we celebrating a day or an idea?

Saint's CafeIdle Time at Saint’s Cafe

It’s easy for me to think of freedom as being able to do what I want.  Passing time doing nothing in a cafe. It’s a free country after all.  A notion responsible for a wide range of selfish behavior.  Or just a life led in seductive oblivion. A self-centered view of the world that American Revolutionary Thomas Paine suggested could be a problem:

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

The fatigue of supporting it.  I bet that means more than saying the pledge of allegiance or going to watch the fireworks.  And it’s about more than fighting wars and battles.  John Adams, the second President of the United States and a leader of the American Revolution hinted at a greater responsibility in preserving our liberty:

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.

As I worked through the day I wondered about the charge for knowledge and how often it appears our elected and would be elected representatives operate knowing how little attention the electorate pays to the machinations of the system the provides our freedom.

Perhaps that’s what Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the best President to ever serve this country, thought about the dangers of the people not engaging the system we have:

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

In celebration of Independence Day, I’ve started to read about this country I love.

Vespa Merry Christmas

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“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!

Vespa GTS scooter in snowy Rothrock State ForestRiding 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.

Steve Williams and his VespaThe 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.

Christmas tree on Vespa scooterI 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.

Christmas tree in the snowSeven 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.

Vespa GTS scooter on snow covered roadRiding 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.

Christmas greeting from Scooter in the SticksAs 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.