It's here - the 2009 Lone Star Rally in G-town! As of this time, 10:30am, I can tell you that my somach has not yet begun to shake, the buildings are not yet rattling, but these people are ready to roll.
The vendors are set up and ready to hock their wares. Wares - and horribly delicious, terrible-for-your-body, "I won't fit in my Santa Claus (for crying out loud!) halloween outfit" eats such as "Texas-sixed" funnel cakes. Seriously, people - they are right outside our door: Luckily I can't smell it yet.
This is the first time Michael and I have been this close to the action while at work. The first year of the bike rally we remember being loud and fun and new as all the bikes sped past the old shop on 23rd and although we didn't do much business, it sure was fun to watch and we knew it was great for the Island. After that, for whatever reasons, we missed the bike rally every single year - not becuase we wanted to, just crazy scheduling conflicts I guess... Then after Hurricane Ike, we were still chest-deep in the recovery effort - in December the bike rally decided "the show must go on" so we got to be here for that and, if you remember, the sight of all the people on Strand was quite a welcomed one.
Now we're on the cusp - of the edge - of being in the middle - of the action. One side of our corner at 22nd and Mechanic is closed to traffic and is vendors-only and the Mechanic-street side is for parking. Across the street is command center, otherwise known as where all the cops - and paddywagon - hang out.
(Try not to visit this particular area of the festival if you can help it)
So, we're ready to enjoy this firsthand - from the dark, poorly-lit comfort of our little corner of the Strand-Mechanic world.
The weather is beautiful - hope everyone can come check it out!
PS. Motorcycles NOT required - you don't have to be a biker to join the fun!
Have fun with all the head trauma! (: