Close To Shore, notes from the Target

"The fish moved with grace and beauty remarkable for its size, in a cloak of invisibility fashioned from infinite silvery refractions of light. It stayed near shore, near familiar and abundant prey. It would range out in waters as deep as sixty to eighty feet and swim into waters four feet deep-or shallower, if it was chasing something. It was equipped to follow prey wherever it fled, almost all the way up to shore."
-M. Capuzzo, Close To Shore

Racing in close to shore, 8/30

  

   It's the last week of the official summer season.  The labor Day weekend is upon us.  Most of the tourists have gone home during the week and we can once again reclaim our beach.  But the surf continues it's cycle of high tides, and small beachbreak.  This week provided some tempting knee to thigh crumbs for the quick and stoke starved with the threat of a twisted limb or worse, a busted board.  Literally a crash landing on packed sand. There's a reason why no one is surfing, and DWatt seems to ignore it.  He continues to launch himself into the sea, searching... searching  for that one magical wave to satisfy the evening's stoke.  As if driven by a hidden menace, he pinched several nanosecond rights and even a backside flash or two before bailing as his stick sailed onto the beach like an errant skimboard. Gotta question his acumen at times. Not sure if he's got very clear shore perception.  But the attempts were made without injury.  Stoke was found no matter how scant.  The crusade can continue for yet another week.

On the prowl, 8/30

  

   We had company this week.  A visitor from Middle America, the land of Bears. So with DWatt's Chi-Town Girl, Lisa joining us this week, we left behind the friendly neighborhood dives and headed to the more upscale Sunset Grille.  All summer long I have heard  the radio sing out the praises of the new addition to the original West O.C. bar and I needed to see it for myself.  Sunset Grille is impressive with it's multiple dining and bar areas. We hit the newest.  "The Bridge" as in the bridge of a yacht.  Truly upscale with it's couches, glass top tables and fireplaces that frame the bar complete with a big screen TV as the center of attention.  But, it's the view of the marina and Ocean City's downtown and inlet across the bay that makes the place at night.

   Maybe it was the end of season, new servers, whatever, but  service was slooow.  And with the fair size crowd on board it seemed even slower. Beer selection was slim.  More of a fancy blended drink place.  The first round was down befor the wings arrived.  Speaking of wings, only three types... Buffalo, Asian Sesame, and BBQ.  While they were certainly large and tasty, they were not inspiring...especially not the BBQ.  Definitely would not classify this place as specializing in wings. But we were satisfied with our meal.  Upon reflection, we will return... need to check out their sports bar "Teasers." And they've gotta have among the best views in the resort.  But with upscale be prepared to bring the bank 'cause these are full-on O.C. beach prices!

THE RATINGS-

Spicy Buffalo: C+

Sweet Asian Sesame: B

TV/Music: C

Beer: C

Atmosphere: B+

Total Score= 2.70