Galveston Day 1

Saturday, Nov 3 we took a trip down the highway to Galveston which is home this weekend to the Lone Star Rally.  This is one of the biggest biker rallies in the US with anywhere from 200,000 to 400,000 bikers descending on the community.  I'm sure its a cash cow for the city of Galveston and after spending the day there I'm also sure the residents will be glad when its over.

Everywhere you looked there were bikes, bikers and biker babes.  I'd say the average age of the bikers and their babes was somewhere in the 60's.  Well past their "best before date" but still with plenty of enthusiasm when it comes to their bikes and the biker lifestyle.  At least 95% of the bikes were Harleys and if you have ever heard a Harley, even a quiet Harley, if such a thing exists, you know the noise one can make.  And most of these weren't quiet Harleys.  Try imagining a few dozen  of these bad boys cruising in a pack down the street, each with a rider trying to out do the other when it came to noise.

There is truly some beautiful architecture in Galveston.  While I have never been to New Orleans many of the houses and old buildings remind me of watching the show NCIS New Orleans.   The drive to Galveston took about 30 minutes and was a nice relaxing drive as opposed to any drive in the other direction into Houston.  Galveston is an island.  Didn't know that.  Pretty soon we were on the causeway with water on both sides and even a Carnival cruise ship in port.

The Pleasure Pier.  Restaurants and carnival rides
It has been destroyed twice by hurricanes.  

The street along the seawall was lined with vendors

Some were customizing bikes.
Here a bike was getting some purple LED lighting.
Other vendors were installing speakers, custom wheels, hydraulic suspensions
and my favourite, exhaust systems to enhance the rumble.
The list goes on and on.  Lots of money being spent. 

Lots of choices to upgrade your wardrobe.
As long as you want it in leather.

Check out the speakers on the "God of War"

A shot of the Pleasure Pier from the balcony of Murdoch's
Murdoch's used to be a bath house.  Now sells souvenirs of all sorts. 

Jan and Lori enjoying the view

Lori posing behind this Indian Roadmaster.
Very nice custom seats.
Mark checking out his new ride

Talk about customization.
That front wheel has to be about 30"

Lots of chrome.  That seat doesn't look too comfortable. 

One of the many bike parking lots.
A double row and it went on for blocks.  

Lori checked out the water.  Ohhh!   Thats a little cold. 

Another shot of the Pleasure Pier from the edge of the surf. 

I see you. 

Bikers aren't beach people.
But to be fair it was a little cool and windy for beach wear. 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on the Pleasure Pier. 

We went to Fish Tales for lunch
Great shrimp and clam chowder. 

Many of the houses had Gargoyles on the roofs.
Can barely see this one on the peak of the porch roof. 

So pretty. Lots of others could use the Fixer Upper crew.
Perhaps when they run out of houses in Waco
they can move to Galveston. 

Catholic Church

Bishops Palace is a museum.  Website said it was open.
We walked for 2 miles to take a tour.  It was closed.
Apparently they closed it for the biker rally.   

Fabulous Spanish style house.

A little green for my liking but very cute. 

Gorgeous house.  Especially with the blue sky.  Liking yellow helps. 

This guy was sleeping on the porch below.
As I was lining up to take what would have been a gorgeous shot.
He decide to take his watchdog duties seriously.
He stood up and started baying loud enough to wake the neighbourhood.
Then he came down the steps to make sure we didn't come through the gate.  

The detail in the woodwork was amazing.
Must have been original. 

Another couple of very well restored houses. 

I can just imagine the neighbours thoughts when this guy first painted this house.
Various shades of purple, blue and white.
Just a bit much for my taste. 

That was our 1st day in Galveston.  There isn't a lot we really want to see in Houston so after a day of grocery shopping and laundry on Sunday we plan on hitting Galveston again on Monday and Tuesday.  Normally its a relatively quiet resort town so perhaps we will get to experience its true personality with all the bikers gone.

Till then.