November 4 – “Motorcycles and Puerto Rican romance”

The roar that is motorcycle weekend in Galveston has begun.   Cyclists actually began rolling into town earlier in the week, but as of yesterday, they are most assuredly … here.  The din is, I am sure, much louder the further east on the Island one goes, so we will be doing our best to stay west. 

I did have to experience a bit of the preparations on Thursday when I went to physical therapy.  I decided to drive down the seawall to get to the hospital clinic building.  From 25^th Street to about 19^th Street the westbound side of the street was completely blocked off and vendors of all types were setting up shop under massive tents.  I saw everything from t-shirts to leather jackets to motorcycle stereo components (Apparently there is such a thing).  Fortunately we have been able to avoid the Strand area where most of the activity is.  Thousands of motorcycles park there so their riders can walk around and see each other’s bikes.  I read an article this past week about how some people are apparently worried that the noise and vibrations from all the motorcycles will have a damaging effect on the historic buildings.  I guess that is conceivable.  Not sure why they are worried so much about it though.  Most of those buildings have already undergone restoration anyway. 

Our strategy to stay away from the noise adjusted a bit yesterday to include a trip over the San Luis Bridge into Lake Jackson.  I was asked to officiate at a funeral of a really sweet 98 year old lady.  She attended our home group several times some years ago with her niece.  Incredible lady.  Born in Puerto Rico.  She was the lighthouse keeper’s daughter who married a U.S. serviceman.  Quite the romance.  Made me smile in light of the other Puerto Rican romance in the news this past week (Houston Astro Carlos Correa proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of being interviewed on national TV after they won the World Series).  They (The lighthouse lady and the serviceman, not Correa) ended up living in Galveston via New York City (She didn’t like the cold, and Galveston reminded her of her Puerto Rican home). 

Chris noticed something unusual as she drove back into Galveston.  Several of the motorcyclists we saw would point to the ground as they crossed paths with the cyclist behind us.  Not all of them did it, though.  We were just wondering what that meant.  Anybody have any ideas on that?

1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

Father, please watch over the motorcyclists this weekend.  There have already been too many accidents involving them.  Amen.