ROT Motorcycle Rally, Austin, TX 2013

Okay I don't know if you really call parking on asphalt surrounded by 30,000 people and 5000 motorcycles camping- but at least we had our own bathroom and shower!  We've been involved in ROT for the past three years and it will be our last employment in Texas prior to our great adventure.  Although staying in a hotel was enticing it just makes more sense to be on site.    

Kathy drove the rig up to Austin alone while I worked a couple of more days in Houston.  She parked behind the Thunderdome along with about 8 other RV's used for staff and performer housing.  When you work 16 or more hours a day you don't want to drive to a hotel so staying on site during the rally is the norm.  

This year Kathy helped the ROT owners with conducting fraud and trademark infringement enforcement.  People try all kinds of things to steal from business like ROT, like creating fake wristbands, copying trademarked t shirts and other merchandise. 

Joy helps out where ever she is needed.  This year she managed the back gate while the performers arrived, most notably Dee Snyder and Twisted Sister.  She also helped usher in MMA fighters, managers, referees, and doctors for the Saturday night fights.  When you're in the middle of it ROT occurs to you as organized chaos; but with the professional and dedicated staff it somehow all works out with everyone on time and mostly satisfied.

Dee Snyder

With the rig backed up to the party zone sleep was in short order.  It seemed as though the roar of motorcycles never stopped. During out last night we finally smartened up and used ear plugs.  Duh!  We'll NEVER leave home without them again.   In fact it was tempting to drive through the camping areas at 7:00 am when we got up blasting horns or a stereo to repay the neighborhood hospitality but alas, we were just too tired to be mean.

Joy was able to find time to visit friends in Austin.  Chris is an artist and fellow public school teacher who's website, www.heartlessmachine.com, is a must see. Liz is a designer, author, and blogger whose awesome blog, www.cinemasips.com, is fresh and funny.  As previous next door neighbors, we became good friends when we fostered a pair of cute little fur ball pups, one of which became their wedding present, Pickles Marie Hasselhof. 

Joy got to spend the evening gazing upon David's head (a sculpture) in their back yard while enjoying cocktails.  We will miss them all of them next year (not David)

Arlen Ness

Sunday at ROT is really quiet as most are packing up to go home.  Joy followed Kathy home driving the GTI and we talked on our little walkie talkies as we traveled.  They have a great range, almost a mile, and it allowed us to feel more connected as we were in separate cars. It's always great seeing our ROT friends but climbing into our own Sunday night, where it was nice and quiet, was pure bliss.