At 5:04 p.m. an alert vibrated the iPhone sitting on my desk warning of a severe lightning storm and calling for the evacuation of two athletic stadiums on Penn State's University Park campus. For once my decision not to ride because of the weather made sense. Three hours later the weather cleared and the Vespa was fully engaged in an important mission. The line of fire across the sky signified the importance of the task at hand.
Swift movement at dusk through the central Pennsylvania landscape inspires a heighten sense of risk; Bambi is lurking just beyond the green fringe, waiting to intercept the feckless rider. As missions can push limits it's important to remain attentive, focused, and bring all skills and powers to the task at hand.
Fragrance and fluctuation of air temperature seek to move the mind from the eye to the nose like mythological sirens luring the unsuspecting towards the rocks. A few words of silent meditation refocuses concentration on the mission at hand, interrupted by the sharp pierce of a mosquitoe's proboscis through my cheek. On the Vespa goes.
Only minutes left, moving silently across the parking lot, like a special operator in a hostage rescue, hyper-focused, committed, single-minded. Moment by moment the number of possible decisions shrink until I'm face-to-face with the target.
Mission complete, target secure and enroute to a Friday evening summit.
Life is always an adventure on two wheels.
12 comments:
Beautiful sunset composition! Here it would mean the foothills are on fire! That first pic is epic.
Charlie6: Thanks Dom for the kind words about the picture. When I see skies like that while I'm riding I know the pictures can be special.
We seldom have fires here, certainly nothing like people experience in the west.
Excellent mission report accompanied by great photos. Coconut gelato, mmm!
RichardM: The gelato has disappeared!
Wow! Nice!
Nice shots Steve, as always.
What camera are you using for this photographs ?
I remember some time ago you mentioned a D700 and a D600, but i think you use a Canon G too, i´m not sure. Given the fact that your shots are often so aprecciated by your followers, could you tell us more about your camera gear in your Vespa travels ?
I change a lot between Nikons, a D200, a small D40X, with standard zooms, and a compact/pocket Fuji.
Thanks,
Vasco
http://respiroscooter.blogspot.pt/
Steve:
I liked all of those night shots. We don't have Ben & Jerry's around here but I like Chocolate Fudge, or anything with chocolate in it
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Lovely photos...and story. Love the evening light after a storm...was out on a bicycle trail last night admiring same. Unfortunately, left my camera in our room. Grrr.
Schnarpsel: Thanks! Mother Nature is mostly responsible.
VCS: The pictures for this post were all made with a Canon G15. It's a solid camera and most importantly for me relatively a large aperture - f1.8 at wide and F2.8 at telephoto.
I rarely drag the DSLR along. When I do have it available it's usually because I'm coming or going to an assignment. While I like the lenses available it's just too big and heavy for me to want to deal with on a ride. I'm usually trying to get away from all that sort of stuff!
bob skoot: Chocolate is definitely high on my list of likes. So much so that I think I'll be leaving shortly to get some.
Dave: I hate missing a picture because I left the camera at home. With the iPhone I always have something these days.
Bicycles.... I think I remember those. Seem to have one in the basement. I should probably invest some energy in riding it before my waistline grows too much.
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