Scooter in the Sticks https://scooterinthesticks.com/ Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650 Sun, 25 Oct 2026 23:57:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 71084491 The Idiot Rider https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/the-idiot-rider/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/the-idiot-rider/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12226 Time For a Little Personal Evaluation Before each ride I go through a mental checklist to ensure the safe operation of whatever machine I decide on for the day. An oil level check, chain tension where appropriate, turn signals, brake lights, make sure the battery is fully charged, and tire pressure. And a superstitious twist […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/the-idiot-rider/feed/ 8 12226 Exploring the Autumn Landscape on a Vespa Scooter https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/exploring-the-autumn-landscape-on-a-vespa-scooter/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/exploring-the-autumn-landscape-on-a-vespa-scooter/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12217 The Autumn Landscape This tree knows things. Old, withered, but still alive and serving as sentinel across the valley encompassing Farmers Mills, Pennsylvania. The tree whispers of autumn and the winter not far off. Stopping along the road on a ride to breakfast with my friend Paul I’m reminded of the power a landscape can […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/exploring-the-autumn-landscape-on-a-vespa-scooter/feed/ 14 12217 Photography, Writing, and the Idling of YouTube https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/photography-writing-and-the-idling-of-youtube/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/photography-writing-and-the-idling-of-youtube/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12207 The Burden of YouTube Toward the end of February was the last time I published a video on YouTube. The silence since is a marked departure from the normal three videos created every month. Since then there have been many inquiries asking when I will start posting videos on YouTube again. I don’t want to […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/photography-writing-and-the-idling-of-youtube/feed/ 26 12207 A Short Ride on the Royal Enfield Himalayan https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/a-short-ride-on-the-royal-enfield-himalayan/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/a-short-ride-on-the-royal-enfield-himalayan/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12173 Recharging My Mental Battery I don’t have to go far on the bike to feel pretty good. Especially this time of year when the mornings are cool and the light and color is beginning to change. A bowl of Cheerios with blueberries at home was all the fuel I needed to head out and explore […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/a-short-ride-on-the-royal-enfield-himalayan/feed/ 6 12173 Hurtling Toward the Boneyard https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/hurtling-toward-the-boneyard/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/hurtling-toward-the-boneyard/#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12166 Reminders of My Physical Reality For the past couple months I’ve been physically feeling a little worse than normal. Whatever normal is now as I ride the downward slope towards the boneyard. Psoriatic arthritis visits more frequently with painfully stiff joints and fiery reminders that all is not well in this body. And a request […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/hurtling-toward-the-boneyard/feed/ 20 12166 Desire Comes Before the Ride https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/desire-comes-before-the-ride/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/desire-comes-before-the-ride/#comments Fri, 09 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12161 Google Maps, My Go To Distraction The desire to ride is nearly constant. It would descend into obsession if not for age, wisdom, and experience working together to manage neatly into my life. And usually the desire to ride runs far ahead of any plan and while others might spend time watching the news or […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/desire-comes-before-the-ride/feed/ 10 12161 Does Riding Make You Grateful? https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/does-riding-make-you-grateful/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/does-riding-make-you-grateful/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12147 Morning Experiences Waking up, splashing warm water on my face, entering the garden with the dogs, I always find two things — excitement at what the day may bring, and gratitude to witness it. Something unfamiliar when I was still working and mornings were a chaotic rush to try and strangle the day into submission. […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/does-riding-make-you-grateful/feed/ 8 12147 Exploring a Mysterious Road https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/exploring-a-mysterious-road/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/exploring-a-mysterious-road/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12115 Can I Get There? There’s a road not far from here that I’ve spent considerable time thinking about, looking at maps, reviewing satellite imagery, and searching for first-hand accounts of whether it’s passable. I know where the road might lead — to the ridge top where I have ridden many times. And I know a […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/10/exploring-a-mysterious-road/feed/ 12 12115 Important Update for Email Subscribers https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/important-update-for-email-subscribers/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/important-update-for-email-subscribers/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12119 Hi everyone, I’m writing to let you know that I’ve recently moved my email notifications away from Mailchimp and directly over to WordPress Jetpack. Since I run this blog purely as a hobby, I wanted to simplify things and make sure the setup stays clean and hassle-free. What this means for you: If you want […]

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]]> https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/important-update-for-email-subscribers/feed/ 2 12119 How Far is Too Far for Breakfast? https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/how-far-is-too-far-for-breakfast/ https://scooterinthesticks.com/2026/09/how-far-is-too-far-for-breakfast/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://scooterinthesticks.com/?p=12097 Group Photo I look at this photograph with gratitude for having friends to share the journey. On motorcycles and scooters and in life. And for me at least the expression on my face says a lot. I didn’t realize my face was adorned with a big, dumb, grin. The four of us left home this […]

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