October Close, notes from The Watt

Peeling 'em off, 10/27

   Bringing in the close of October, Thursday past and we could not have ordered up a better evening.  Warm 70 degree winds across the beach, 63F water that keeps the feet bare, avoidin' the layer of rubber that deadens the feel of the deck, no gloves...sweet.   Building waist high frontsides rollin' in three at a time....stoked.  Surfed till post-dusk. The Target couldn't even pick up the last glide into ankle high shorebreak.  Dark.  Niiiice.

Holiday break.

 











 
   Post session Wing Quest brought us back to Pickles on 8th to catch Game 6 of the Series.  Short and simple, disappointing.  We ordered the BBQ and the Hot...well done (last time a bit under cooked).  Neither tasted that good.  The Hot, not so hot.  The BBQ...thin sauce, odd taste.  Still one of the better establishments in terms of beer offerings, service, and atmosphere.  Wings...a weak pop fly....didn't even make it outta the infield. The Search...
goes on...

 




 


 
   Final note,  as I had mentioned earlier, nice calm night with light SW breeze.  Same when we sat down at Pickles.  At tab time- rain, cold, high winds.  Like "that's it boys, pack it in and head on out for the winter!" We've got one weeknight session left before Standard Time.  Could get interesting...may need to pull out the boots.  Maybe.

Darkness Falls, notes from The Watt

 














 
   Not much time left in the day by the time we reach the beach during the week.  Sunset hits by 6:25pm and with gettin' off work at 5, a 30 mile drive, touchin' down in the sand by approx. 5:45, you have an hour roughly.  On tap tonight was a front heading our way outta the west, so darkness falls even quicker.  Nice waist to neck high semi-clean walls.  A couple of frontsides stroked.  Short night.

  

      Short rides, short night;
10/13

 



   Post surf destination found us across the street at Dead Freddies Island Grill.  Nice deco considering the cheesy animated pirates and skeletons, but hey...we are the Crew!  Service fair, wings plump, hot, and well cooked.  We ordered up the Old Bay (fast becoming Sinjin Walstonian's favorite), and a Spicy Barbecue.  Only the BBQ brought a noticeable critique.  I felt they could have been BBQier, and HT felt they were not spicy enough (it's been a while).  So we paddle on. An aching agenda yearning to be filled (?)...

Free cheese at entrance

Fading Fast, notes from The Watt

  It didn't take long for Autumn to firmly establish itself.  Since feeling the initial blast of temperature drops into the lower 60's last week, we finally got a reprieve back into the 70s.  But the evenings and early mornings remain in the upper 40s to 50s seemingly whisking away summer before anyone could mount a debate.  I mean Damn!  I've even gotta wear the full suit.  Not because of the water...still upper 60s warm, more the cool evening winds, tonight, outta the Northeast.  Nothing stopping the sun from setting a few minutes earlier each day leaving no doubt our weekly surf sessions are fading fast.  On a sweet tip - this time of season provides consistent surf.  We've had waist+ bangin' since the last weekend and this evening's session, no exception.  Not the cleanest.  But fun...even more so once I git acclimated to this f#%kin' rubber again.

NE onshores, Backsides provided 10/6

  Target and I came to a revelation tonight.  We are not so much in pursuit of wings that exceed Smitty's tradition (which we do value), but rather enhance our experience.  Not so much a replacement as an addition.  What is life without choices, eh?  More choices = Enhancement.  An augmentation to our post session experience, so to speak.  Tonight...Blue Ox Bar and Grill.  

Endless Summer Cruisin' thru the weekend

   A restaurant tryin' to do the sports bar thing, not quite pulling it off.  The bar was airy, but a bit bright.  Slow tonight.  Definitely off-season here.  The bartender called it "winter."  I mean C'mon Man!  Next thing ya know you'll have 'em puttin' up Christmas lights... actually the town Has already started.  The music play, a poor mix.  All over the board.  No focus (but no Christmas music either...good thing).  Beer selection fair, but more importantly cold.  Service was good.  Pricey though, getting only 8 wings an order vs. our accustomed 10.  But...they were good.  The Maryland style (Old Bay) were excellent.  Hot.  Crispy. Tender.  The Spicy Honey BBQ - I liked.  HT not as enthralled.  They were fat.  Well cooked. Just couldn't get past the Stoke Killer lack of football on the main screens (Oregon tonight!).  This is the life we live.  The hunt continues into yet another week...

Squeezing Out the Last Drops of Summer -notes from The Watt

 
   Evening air temps near 80 degrees, water in low 70s.  I'd say that is still pretty warm for us.   Squeezing the last few drops of summer outta the early fall, the sessions swell offered up some thigh highs with a rare waist here and there making for promising rides.  Problem was I didn't catch $hit until the sunset had turn the sky a near orangy purple.  Our Sony Digital is off for repairs, so a decent shot has literally become a "hard target" for HT using an older model Olympus.  Regardless, he does manage some artistic shots, no thanks to me.  The rides began pumpin' as I strung a few together in the waning moments of twilight. And, this led me to make that wave smashing, ride denying request..."one more ride."  Not tonight.

Early Fall summer squash, 9/29

 















   Post surf's search led us to Duffy's Tavern in Montego Bay, 130th street. I am being truthful in saying that as patrons, we were the youngest in the house (that's sayin' somethin'...just sayin').  A local shuffle bowl league of retirees was in full swing when we got there, but that only seemed to enhance the atmosphere.  A true old OC locals bar, Duffy's had a nicely priced menu and decent selection of drafts.  The dark paneled interior added to the feel.  Our bartender, Ryan, excellent service.  The wings...we ordered Mild and "Kickin' Hickory."  Meaty, well cooked, very good taste.  Could have been bigger...maybe little more variety of sauces.  Still a great stop.  Very pleasant night. But like the summer, I do do not believe we want the quest to end just yet.