There is a saying around town that we now know things are getting back to normal after Hurricane Harvey. Evidence of regular is as follows:
The popcorn machine and coffee pot are back in operation at the ACE Hardware store.
The lights at Alister and Avenue C are now working.
The Belt Sander Races are on again at the Gaff. The truck in the foreground is the Gaff delivery vehicle or a chicken coop. No one knows for sure.
Here is a photo of the race contestants.
Here is the track. Notice the extension cords running the length of the path. That’s so the belt sanders can keep going.
The spectators are fueling up for an afternoon of racing. There is music as well. The one thing that is missing is the roof. Last year there was a roof.
The announcers stand.
A warning to parents about rowdy kids.
Pit crew
A bold statement but as far as I know totally true.
One last look at the contestants.
Fiction Favorites 
I remember seeing this last year – didn’t get it then, either. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have become too French to get it. Not to worry. Most people don’t get it either. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mind you, pigs racing over a course with obstacles of upturned broomheads as ‘jumps’ is another matter altogether.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see that for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Try this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qss7GIUAo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Americana at its best. The announcers’ stand looks like an inspiration for a Norman Rockwell painting. Soooo, who won? Fingers crossed for the sander with the frog and sunglasses. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t stay for the end. (Two hours worth)
LikeLike
Great pictures, John. I love the sign on the side of the truck, “Nice Try Harvey”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzanne. 😀
LikeLike
This is a riot – and also a great family day!!! (as long as you keep track of your kids!!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can get an order of crabs to go if you lose track of them. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, is there a way to modify belt sanders for this? I’m guessing the grit is important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looked pretty heavy duty for sure (the grit that is)
LikeLike
I am loving this…quirky and so much fun. Thanks for sharing John…this may be unique to Texas for all I know! Hugs Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Jane. Never saw it anywhere else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the message on the pick-up truck and the sign about the unattended children. LOL! Being a lover of popcorn, it’s always nice to see those old popcorn machines. I’m happy things are getting back to normal. One thing that didn’t change…the beautiful blue sky. Happy Sunday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes the sky has not changed and always welcome. thanks, Jill.
LikeLike
This is quintessential Port A. We may think we’re hot and all up here on Galveston Bay, but we don’t have belt sander races. The crab races down in San Leon are okay, but a little sissified. Crabs don’t make noise, and if one runs amok, it doesn’t cause the kind of damage one of these could.
Is the incline at the beginning or the end of the course? I’m inclined to think it’s at the end. That’s a nice touch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is at the end so therein a stopping point.
:-D. Thanks, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HaHa! Belt sander racing. That’s a new one for me. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
As you can see it is a real thing here. 😀
LikeLike
Thanks for this great tour, John. Maybe a short video of the sanders in racing mode? I’d kill to see that! Bravo, Port A!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a good idea, John. Next time.
LikeLike
Check the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qss7GIUAo
LikeLike
Wow! They really boogie down the lane in a hurry! Thank you good sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, John.
LikeLike
And that just goes to show that people can be entertained by anything! Good one, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well almost anything. Most men folk take their belt sanders very seriously. You and I , not so much. 😀
LikeLike
Quite true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
I keep checking our local paper for the Belt Sander Race results. So far, nothing. Is the problem on your end?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. We don’t publish results. No one cares who wins. The fact that the race is run is another fine point lost on most of the spectators.
LikeLike
Tee-hee! I had forgotten about this. I love the “Nice try Harvey” line on the old pickup. That was a terrific opening to this post, John. The Captain America sander looks mighty cool, but you know I have to root for the cat. 🐱 Have a sensational Sunday. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Teagan. I’m with you on the cat. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recognize the brands (I’ve owned two) and I have participated in an unapproved variant of this sport in shop class, many years ago. I like the guy that added roller bumpers – never trust “auto-belt-tracking.”
I am glad to see the normal (and Texas normal) things coming back to life in town. Great recovery. I hope you have an uneventful summer/fall to reap the rewards of all this hard work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Dan. I think a lot of us are going to be wary when named storms start forming up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Toes too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, John,
“coffee pot … back in operation”: now that’s good news for me! What can I say? Maybe, “Port A, here I come!” 😉 Well, not too soon yet, as we’ll be going on a road trip in the middle of May.
As to the Belt Sander Races: that sounds so eccentric that I was thinking only the British could have something like that! 😉
Have a great Sunday,
Pit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mad dogs and Englishmen are residents of Port A.
LikeLike
LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Such an eclectic vibe. And I am glad the ACE hardware is back to serving up java and popcorn, that’s always a perk . . pun intended.
As for the belt sander races, I had no idea this was a thing! But I am putting my money on the Black and Decker sponsored team . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Good bet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always bet black (and decker)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right behind you. Check this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qss7GIUAo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy Hardware Hemi! Those little buggers really move!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do. They lay sand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bwahahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not much popcorn left in that popcorn machine, John. I’d love a popcorn machine the size of that one. Good to see things getting back to normal. I must have missed the belt sander race last year. That’s a unique event to me. Hope you had great fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
People watching is the best part. On the popcorn, I took the photo just before closing time so they were not making more. Thanks, Hugh
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks like huge fun – and who needs a roof with that fine Texas weather! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, Jan. Thanks.
LikeLike
So glad to see things are getting back to normal, John. I’m guessing there must be prizes for the victors??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope. Just the honor of still standing.
LikeLike
I found a video from the 2017 races: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8qss7GIUAo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Misha. 😀
LikeLike
Everybody has to be someplace! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so.
LikeLike
🙂 ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
So glad to see things getting back to normal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy for you that things are returning to “normal.” Hopefully this year will be gentler. It’s fun to get a virtual tour of a place. I’m kind of doing that with my post this week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good. 🙂
LikeLike
Definitely a unique event, but I could see it going over well in KY.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say so. Thanks, Teri
LikeLike
Always something going on. This day sounds relaxing, yet exciting. 😀 🙂 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly was relaxing. What is it about the smell of sandpaper on a beautiful day? Thanks, Tess.
LikeLike
I love this!
LikeLike
Ha, ha! I didn’t know belt sander races were a thing. Looks like fun as long as you keep your children close. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are a thing for sure.
LikeLike
😀 xx
LikeLike
Great photos, John, and I love the warning to parents about unattended children. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you , Lauren
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yet another fun event in Port Aransas! Thanks, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person