After Dark, notes from the Target

Crumbs, 11/15

      Not much goin' on in the way of surf.  Knee high or less.  Disorganized. Sound like we're justifying not being in the water (besides the dark)?  You're right.  Winterfest to tide us over?  The Holidays already? Seriously?  Damn, it was just Summer!  Mmmm...bring on the lights...

      With sundown before we leave work, the Crusades have entered the off season full on whether we want it or not.  After dark now.  Always after dark. We need some light.  We need comfort.  A place to call home. A friendly smile.  A neighborhood bar.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  Kirby's Pub in the 93rd street shopping village.  A literal hole in the wall, or rather hole in the strip mall.  Ya walk in... clearly an locals dive.  We've done this before.  Friendly barkeep, scattered tables and chairs, small scale bar.  Everything smaller. Even the flatscreens.  Music. Big.  They've done the Bose.  Volume perfect. Loud enough to feel the beat, but not so that you've gotta yell over it. Internet jukebox...perfect selection.  Okay, okay, enough.  We're here for the wings. And beer too!  A nice selection on tap.  We snagged a couple of cold Evolution Jacques au Lantern drafts and sampled their advertised "Best of OC" wings-  BBQ and "Bangin.'"  Good size, well cooked, decent taste.  No real distinction here in our heads.  No "Wow factor." In addition, a little pricer than we've had it in a while. In the "Out Season" no less. Where's the off season specials? Small crowd. Lame game (Virginia vs. U of NC...Really?!).  We must move on.

THE RATINGS-

Bangin' Wings: C+

BBQ Wings: B-

Beer: B

TV/Music: B

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.75

Out Season Siren Song, notes from the Target

Can you hear her song?  Curvaceous mini-slab, 47th st., 11/8.  Photo courtesy Malibus Surf Shop

    It may not be winter yet, but Sandy's passing sure has made a strong case for it's preparation to land.  Chilly week, though a brief respite through the weekend, but more falling temps to come.  And the Atlantic has not gone unblemished.  Waves struck big and somewhat clean last week, and like the Sirens in Homer's Odyssey the swell called to us.  Resistance was not too difficult.  We have felt the chill and seen the early sunsets. This time of year,  low 50's salted just don't give night surfin' the same appeal. Now is the time for the heat of good wings, the ice of a chilled beer, and good friends.
   The Crusades took the high road (i.e. from Salisbury), through the lower shore to Pittsville, MD and Station 7.  Upon entrance, we were underwhelmed with the tiny eight to ten person bar stuck in the corner... no patrons, no bartender.  But, soon enough a ditty but chatty Barkeep arrives takes orders.  Would you believe in this destitute bar they had two dry taps? Out of beer? Seriously? But once you saw her pour the beer, one could discern as to why- beer would flow and flow until no head was left. Could've probably gotten two+ for every one poured.  Never waste beer, dear!  We came for wings.  Ah, alas, uneventful as well.  The Hot Buffalo, average. Spicy BBQ, a bit on the cumin side... a little better.  A little.  Like the TV... little screen with no game.  But get this, about 2/3's thru the evening the Bartender tells us there's a big sports bar upstairs... complete with multiple TV's... with football on... and people... and full, running taps!  Thus, the end of our first Out Season session.  We may have been lost in the desert, but we will never stop marching towards our next oasis.  Forward!

THE RATINGS-
Hot Buffalo: C
Spicy BBQ: B-
Beer: C-
TV/Music: C-
Atmosphere: C-
Overall Score = 2.08

Post Sandy Perfection, notes from the Target

Post Sandy perfection-11/1

  The end of a season is always bittersweet.  Another year of surf, sand, and sights reserved for the sun and beach.  But, the last weekday evening on the sea this year had been dramatically impacted by the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Loss of sand from the beach head and dunes put a sandbar directly offshore.  Combined with a low tide and light offshore winds, DWatt,the sole surfer for miles, entered the water and had plenty to smile about (with the exception of added boots and gloves) capping a couple of stomach high A-Frames to end the night.  Yeah, he was done in by the dark, less quality time - more shadows than pics.  Two rides ain't much, but it put closure on our In-Season and the stoke allowed us to ease into the weekly hibernation of "Standard Time " Out-Season.  We were grateful to have escaped the damage incurred by Jersey and New York. For us a bit of flooding.  Minor sand and water damage.  Up north, devastation.

Inlet Pier damage, 10/29

Beach erosion was common up and down the OC's beaches.  G. Whaley Photo, 10/30

Bayside flooding. 10/29

  
 












 
   For The last In Season night, we end where we began.  Smitty Mcgees for another round.  We expect a certain quality from this pub, and though we had been indisposed for the last three months we expected the same. Smittys delivered.  Beer in frosty mugs and the wings that call us back... Medium Hot and BBQ.  Say what you will, but some places understand the nuances of preparing good wings and Smittys is among the best.  That is why we keep coming back. Live music, football on the TV (a few new flatscreens ta boot!), Good surf, good food, good friends, good times. Bring on Winter!

THE RATINGS-
Medium Hot Wings: B+
BBQ Wings: B+
Beer: B
TV/Music: B+
Atmosphere: B+
Overall Score = 3.10

Shadows And Dust, notes from The Watt

"We mortals are but shadows and dust.  Shadows and dust!"
-Proximo, Gladiator

10/25
   Hurricane Sandy was comin' on up the coast, wreaking havoc along it's way, not sure whether to be a Tropical Storm or Cat 1 'Cane.  Thursday evening, and we were just starting to feel the effects.  Conditions exposed a mid-high tide with sloppy thigh to waist slop.  Water was still in the low 60's but the night air was cool enough to warrant a full suit.  No boots or gloves yet.  The sun had set very fast with twilight hitting hard by 6:45pm.  By the time the Targetman found the beach I was but a shadow in the dusk.  At one point I would have been glad to sneak one outta of the growing mess. Course, after that first backside I wanted another and another.  Don't get me wrong... weak, brief rides.  But only a surfer knows the feeling.  It's hard to stop at one.  Short night, short session, short rides.  The dark walk back and we speak of the inevitable... one session left.
   As one might have noticed, this post as well as the next are coming a bit late.  Technical (i.e computer) problems.  So pics will show later.  No $hit need be heard.

10/25, the Lull before the Storm

 











     This night's wing session took place at a true locals dive.  Coins Pub & Restaurant.  Part of the 28th Street Triangle, Coins has been bringing in local families, friends and old timers since 1988.  No doubt... the decor goes back farther than that!  The pub is known for it's crabcakes but true to the Crusade, we were there for the wings.  Hot and BBQ on order.  2 cold drafts to start.  Beer cold, glasses not.  Wings were big, meaty and well cooked.  As close to a Smitty's order of Medium and BBQ as any we've had.  Good taste. Nicely marinated in their respective sauces.  The only catch to the night...a bit of a wait for the tab.  This didn't help in the ratings. However, definitely worth a return trip.  Onward Souljas!

THE RATINGS-
Hot Buffalo Wings: B
BBQ Wings: B
Beer: C (Frost 'dem Mugs!)
TV/Music: B-
Atmosphere: C+ (Tab please!)
OVERALL SCORE = 2.60