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I was riding a favorite backroad of mine a while ago when I noticed the dead corn. Something said stop and take a picture. I wasn't in a hurry, so I did. I guess you could say I was in one of my "fall moods" that day, enjoying my ride, yet thinking there won't be too many more before the snow comes.
There was something about that dead corn that made me think of winter's onset even more than all the falling leaves. I rode by this corn row many times in the spring and summer, watching it grow tall and green. Seems like a long time ago.I noticed much on this solo ride. It's amazing how different it is when you're alone on the road, especially since I'm used to riding in a pack most of the time.
I go by these spots almost every day, but for some reason they were more worthy of my attention this time. An old barbed wire fence, once probably important to keep people out and maybe animals in. Now it's food for rust, and maybe in this case, a little food for thought.
This old tree's been guarding that fence line since before I was even thought of, and it will likely still be there long after I'm dust. Is it a maple or an oak maybe? I'm not much for Dendrology.
Of all the things that made me pull over that day, this is probably my favorite. An old cornerstone by a crumbling rock wall. Makes me think of the Frost poem Mending Wall. Was it the cornerstone for an old barn, long since fallen and rotted? Or, does it simply mark the end of the wall and maybe the corner of the property? There was nobody around to ask...but I bet that old tree knows.
This is a beautiful spot in the early dawn, or on a clear night at dusk, and I've seen deer out by the tree line. On a spring day under a bright sun this place appears vibrant, full of promise, but on the day I recently stood here it seemed very lonely. Who built the wall I wondered? What was here so long ago, and why isn''t the land used now? Lots of questions. No answers. Much left to the imagination.
I rode away and cherished every minute of the rest of my fall day's journey. You have to once the corn is dead.
16 comments:
"There was nobody around to ask...but I bet that old tree knows."
Yeah but apparently, he ain't talkin'. Besides, he's leavin' (get it?)
"Lots of questions. No answers. Much left to the imagination."
Sometimes its just better that way.
Nice post, Joker. Those pictures make me sad. Because I know winter is coming, and you won't be able to ride anymore until spring. I will be sure to post many pictures of us riding this winter, so you won't be so sad. :)
In my rush to slow down I don't stop to look at, or take pictures of, the interesting tidbits that line the roadway. This post is a great perspective of what doing that means.
Thanks Joker.
Great post!
There aren't many leaves left to tell, but from what few I can see and the bark on the trunk, I'd say it's a maple of some sort. (My parents took me on way too many camping trips and nature hikes as a kid, can ya tell?) Although maybe it wasn't too many...I think already having that appreciation for nature is one of the things that makes riding so wonderous for me. It is always great to stop and smell the roses, ain't it? :-)
It's a maple by the leaves under it. This is a great post Joker. Those rides are sometimes the best. Like the ones Lady R takes. Unanswered questions of the past. I always try to put myself there in the past. I'm a history freak of sorts and I'd say the corner stone is a section marker. I still have a what we believe is an orginal ceder corner post. Cir. 1836.
I’ve seen pictures like that before and I know what they mean. They mean that I’m damn glad I don’t live there! That nasty white stuff isn’t far off. Time to hibernate :(
Ah, a true rider. One that will ride even though he must go it alone. Way to get inside your own head.
Would you have stopped long enough or even noticed it in your cage?......hmmmm....
I soak in the scenery all the time. Suck in as much as I can, enjoying everymoment of my ride. Don't know if I could ever ride on my own again, I would miss the view. Besides, who would rub my leg?
I like old falling apart barns. And rusty farm quipment. Babbling brooks and covered bridges. Gotta take it all in.
there are two kinds of trees. a pine and all the rest. the are two kinds of flowers. a rose and all the rest. the are two kinds of motorcycles. a harley davidson and all the rest. :O)
i like your blog!
"Dead Corn" by Joker Frost
Can I get an 1st Edition autographed copy? It should be worth money some day.
MDJ: Yes, sometimes it is indeed.
Ann: Oh you're a f**cking riot Boston! I'm sure you will, but it's all good. You know I wanna see 'em. If I can't ride, at least I can feel better knowing that somewhere it still goes on. Kinda like when someone suggests you may be drinking too early and you say, "It's noon somewhere..."
AHD: Yes, and I don't do enough of it. Something I hope to do much more of next season.
BB: Thanks!
Mrs RC: Maple eh? Cool. Yes, there are times when you really need to pull over and take it all in.
WW: It's amazing how many cool things I think we all speed by in the course of our days, and how many of them are deeply routed in the past. I'm glad I decided to slow down and start checking some of them out.
Dave: Probably not.
Tracy: Jackson says come back to the Boneyard. He'll rub your leg for you.
WillyD: We got ourselves an indian summer. It was in the mid 60s today and will be through tomorrow. Then I think that'll be it until well into 2010. The nasty white stuff will be here soon alright. The only thing good about it is if we get enough of it at once, it's the only thing that makes everything stop...if only for a little while. That part I do enjoy.
RC: Yeah, it is. I don't come close to Chessie, but I'm trying.
redbone: Thanks for coming by, glad you like it.
Fatboy: Count on it brother.
Glad you got to get out on your own and re-discover how much more you can sometimes notice on a solo ride. At least if not that, you can much more easily stop or slow down to enjoy it and possibly take some really great photos to remember the scenery with. Not knocking the group ride. It's all good as long as you are in the wind.
Great post Joker. Mass is looking like Iowa.
Corn, Corn, Corn...look a tree! :)
Great post! You should do yourself a favor and go riding without the pack more often. (sorry Blackstone, but I'm just saying...)
I love riding with my pals too, but I enjoy the carefree attitude that comes over me when Harley and I are riding alone.
I love the ability to say... "hey, let's see what's down this road" or "how about we go over there instead."
Also, your mind is able to process your surroundings differently when your out riding solo. Just as you say it did for you.
But, never mind me. Either way... we're riding!
I enjoyed your pics, and I'm sorry your riding days are almost over till Spring. But, I'll be a smart ass like Ann and tell you I'm planning to keep you satisfied with all my rides during the next few months. I mean... what are friends for, right? lol!
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