Modern Vespa

Visited a friend who took an old Amish barn an turned it into a home.
Then a few shots returning home.

Went for a ride today to get a tag at a local airport eatery:


While out, took a few mural photos too:

After visiting mom, Stitch and I decided to head NW and get the ATOR. 85 miles one way.
I have this mural with another bike from a few years back. But Stitch wants her own photos.


An old theatre I also have the photo with another bike. I got an ATOR tag previously that someone had set this as the tag.
Everytime I ride through here, I keep expecting it to be torn down and something in it's place. As I parked in front, I then start across the street to take the photo.
A cage stopped between me and Stitch. A young guy, late 20's or early 30's, lowered his window and said "Nice Vespa!!!". Thanky, say I with a big grin on this old face.


First mural of the day:


Just a bit farther and this great display:


And the tag I was after.


On the way back, as I passed the theater, I decided to circle the block looking for some ghost murals on the old buildings....voila!!!!


A shot down the street. The ghost mural was on the left red brick building on the back.

A couple more along the way.



A Burt Reynolds movie (Hooper) shot here in Alabama over a bridge under construction. On the opposite side was this little hamburger place.
I've meant to take a photo of it several times and finally stopped today. Got lots of stares and strange looks at the old fart on the scooter
stopping to take the photo. While checking out the sights, I guess I've become one????

Went to get Stitch some new shoes today. Afterwards I played a little Alabama Tag-O-Rama. Been playing it about 9 years and have learned a lot about my state and the little towns.

Alabama! Fond memories, I went to Army basic training and AIT at Ft. Mclellan in 1982, then years later spent some time at Ft. Rucker.

Several days in a row, it would fly by and land at this spot as I passed.
As I passed this time, it flew, but I did a U-turn and it landed back at the same spot. If I got closer than about 5 yards, it would avoid me. Best I could do with a phone photo:

Out playing the state tag game today. It was a lovely day but a bit hot/humid. The A/C on Stitch was working well enough.
It wasn't any warmer, but it had a cool feeling parking near this man made pond.


This old church was the goal of the tag today:



I love some of the displays in rural areas:


And nostalgic and historic places. Over the years, I've taken many photos of places like this that have disappeared(the structures, not the place):

And nostalgic and historic places. Over the years, I've taken many photos of places like this that have disappeared(the structures, not the place):

I love seeing those old buildings too. I especially like that church. Had an oldie close to me in a farm field. They finally tore it down but I always think about it when I drive by. Thanks for sharing.

Another day of enjoy colors:

A ride around the hood today:
Colors were just poppin. Next few days should be even more so. But sometimes storm wipe 'em out and we have next 2 days with potential storms.





Looking back toward home:





I love the road going to my home. Seeing this year round with the season changes is just awesome:








One of my neighbors wife passed last month. He has been spending every good weather day out making the place colorful:





My Adv-Primavera:

About 6 or so moons ago, I ordered a Blue Saphhire BV400. 1st order from a dealer in Miami fell through. Tried on in NY just east of Niagara Falls. Bingo. 2025 model. Shipper took it on holiday before finally delivering it. Front tire was flat on one side. Gas in it was old and ran like it had been sitting in a barn.
Finally got it, put my Givi box on her, changed to a Givi screen, got her broke in, named her Xara and finally took a ride out of the hood today.
Heading toward SW Alabama in sparsely populated area with plenty of gentle sweeping roads:


Rode on to a small town called Greensboro. I was looking for fuel and pulled in her to look on Gmaps. Looking west:

Looking east:




Next little village is called Newbern. There were several historic markers in this place as well as old abandoned buildings in what was downtown.













Total of 210 miles round trip. Great day!!!!!!

Short ride this evening. Took a few photos but these 2 struck me as the best of the bunch.
South of a town called Bremen on a rough paved road was several scenic farm views.


And college football fans here take their dedication to the sport very serious. One example:

Sightly belated Congrats on your BV400! What a seriously cool-looking BV! The color is awesome - and it looks like an ideal touring scooter for short jaunts across the local and even not-so-local countryside/s.

Thanky kindly sir. I prefer blue and had to wait a while for it.
The above ride to Greensboro/Newbern was a 210 mile trip.
I had one of those blow up knock off seat pads that I think I'll use if the ride exceeds 250 miles at one ride. The seat is very comfy but my old rear has lost some padding over the last couple decades

This bike reminds me of my AK550 but is easier to mount, is lighter, and handles better (for me), slightly more mpg(cost about the same though due to fuel grade diff).

Took a full day ride today. I did stray from Alabama a few miles. Trip gauge showed 371.3 at end of the day.
After checking with GPS in morning and mile markers on I-20E, my trip gauge showed 49 miles when I had traveled 50 miles.

Started my ride from home near Brookside, Alabama.


Almost a ghost town, Good Springs, Alabama. A few homes and the USPS is all that is still there


Everything remaining is abandoned or falling down from neglect.
The owner of the supply house passed away at age 82.


I thought this was a rather nice Welcome sign. Just to the right was a pavilion with folks sitting at the pic nic tables. They all stated at the scooter while I was taking this shot:


Cheveron in Alabama just before crossing into Scooba MS:


I seem to remember several murals in Philadelphia, MS but only found this one


There was another on a store that showed examples of their stock that was rather colorful. At the time I didn't want to take a photo of an advertisement, but now I wish I had, as it was very colorful. My bad.

In DeKalb Ms, this place has seen many varieties of eateries. First time I stopped here, it was called Rice Hot. Mom loved it. Made friends with the owners. Then 3 others in the last 9 years have come gone. Currently this is the tenant. I just took the pic to keep track of the changes and didn't stop to eat this time. Maybe in the future.


The college stadium in Scooba MS.


The only business left open on this downtown street in Scooba. Others still open, just not on this street. Kinda of a poor area, but I've met several people here at various times when I stop for photos and they have all been so kind & friendly.


I love stopping by this farm with each my bikes and taking this photo.


And the final instrument panel reading when arriving home:
If my research mentioned above is correct, then it should read 378.7

Riding north Alabama today. Saw this pizza parlor with neon signage like the old days:


A short distance behind it was this mural:


Continued for another 15 or so miles before returning home and found this old one room school with the bell on the upper right of the building:


Just another beautiful day in the scooterhood.

Statue of John Joseph Eagan