Scooter in the Sticks

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

Summer Intuition and Vespa Riding

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Vespa GTS scooter parked in a driveway
Morning view of the magnificent Vespa GTS scooter.

Vespa Riding


Mornings are the quiet landscape on which my mind wanders the concerns of the day. Looking into the tops of our 70-foot tall fir trees I can see more dying from a blight that slowly kills off the needles leaving stands of naked trees that must be removed. In the past two years, I’ve spent enough removing trees to buy two brand new Vespa GTS scooter. The next two years promise the same.

Sitting in the garden while the dogs play, before departing for a ride on the Vespa, I’m feeling the grip of the heat on body and spirit. That grip is more restrictive than the pandemic which is quite simple to manage in comparison through social distancing, wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and washing my hands. But heat is different. It drains me physically which in turn drains my psychological energy which leads to doing nothing.

I’ve relied on Vespa riding to infuse me with energy. But I confess a growing reluctance to venture out when the forecast promises temperatures approaching 90F and beyond.

Still, the Vespa in the morning light is enough to get me moving. I’ve made this same picture dozens of times, a visual notation of the beginning of another adventure.

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Vespa in the Rain

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Vespa in the rain outside of Kelly's Steak and Seafood in Boalsburg, PennsylvaniaRain, Thunder — No Problem

There’s something exciting about riding a Vespa in the rain.

A short ride to a neighborhood pub to pick up some prime rib sandwiches for dinner.  One of those tasks I see as another opportunity for a little adventure.  I could hear thunder approaching and a quick check of the radar map on my iPhone showed the storm already here.  But looking at the dark sky and the sparse rain drops allowed me to believe I had a few more minutes.

No surprise that there were no other motorcycles (or scooters) in the parking lot.  I saw two riders sitting at the bar.  A quick transaction and then back to the scooter.  Rain was just beginning to fall as I started the engine.

A few minutes later as I approached the safety of home the rain drops were big.  And loud.  For a moment I wondered if there was hail.

And then the adventure was over.  Two short miles total.  And it was fun.

Only on a Vespa.

Ride Home From Work

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View of Vespa GTS dash consoleRemains of the Day

Walking from my office to the scooter, regardless of time or weather, it’s always pleasant to lay eyes on the Vespa.  There’s much focus on the ride to work, the idea of commuting and the attendant focus on being an informed, trained diligent rider. The rides to work do much to get my head on straight and prepared to tackle whatever comes along.

And all of that’s fine.  But the ride home from work, those moments collected in the remains of the day, they’re flush with their own magic as the scooter transports mind and body on toward home.

These long days of summer illuminate the world in a kind way when I leave.  The light is bright yet without the harshness of midday.  And different than morning when the world feels as if it’s coming alive.

The ride home from work feels easy and relaxed.  As if I don’t have a care in the world.

clouds in the skySkies of Childhood

I remember laying in the grass as a kid watching the clouds on a summer day and imagining creatures and stories.  On the way home I stopped to look up and wondered why I don’t lay in the grass anymore or make time to let my mind run free.  It doesn’t cost anything save for a small investment in time.

At least the ride home from work has me thinking about life without laying in the grass.

Success or failure?

Vespa GTS scooter with Penn State trailersHomage to Penn State

I’ve worked at Penn State for 42 years.  My adult life has unfolded here. I was mesmerized by the place when I arrived in June of 1972 and remain so now.  The University has under gone continual change in landscape and culture.  Where my Vespa is parked in front of these trailers used by the Athletic Department to sell Penn State gear during football games was sweeping farm fields part of the College of Agricultural Sciences portfolio of lands used for teaching and research.

The ride home from work, paths and routes I’ve taken thousands of times, still is full of surprises.  On this evening I had planned to cut through some of the remaining agricultural lands on my way home until I was met by temporary chain link fencing blocking my way along with signs warning of “Explosives Area” and suggesting I keep away.

Seldom one to disobey a sign I turned the Vespa around and went in another direction.  As I did it occurred to me what the huge fenced area was — the staging ground for the fireworks display that are part of the Central Pennsylvania Fourth Fest celebrations.  The 4thFest has been rated among the top five 4th of July fireworks show in the United States.  If you like fireworks displays, want to see something spectacular and don’t mind crowds you’ll want to try and see this event.

Arriving home on the Vespa scooter is as satisfying as it is leaving in the morning.  And a remarkably different experience mentally and physically.

I never really noticed the difference before.