Getting Sideways, notes from the Target

ESE Onshore = sideways contemplation.  5/22

   Seems the afternoons of clean, shapely, swell are playing hard to get. Just getting into the warmer part of the season and the on shores are back. A steady ESE wind at 20kts. with gusts a bit higher produced not only knee to waist fast slop, but a strong northerly current that was made difficult to navigate as high tide set in.  Paddle out, coast, get a ride, 3 blocks later...walk back.  Another glider in, paddle out again, one more cruise, 3 blocks past...walk back.  As much exercise walking back against the wind. Truly, a broken record.  But, in the end effort + joyrides = Stoke!  Never a wasted minute.
   The hour plus ritual of getting sideways imparted unto us the appetite for a more upscale old downtown establishment.  The Marina Deck.  More restaurant than bar, situated on Dorchester Street and the bay.  Upon entrance it is immediately apparent they are still in prep mode for the upcoming summer season. Not quite full form.  New 2nd story being added (enhanced bay view with bar...hmmmm), bar and service stations still being stocked.  Obviously bad timing for Memorial Day, but promising.  We sat at the original bar in the far corner...nice sunset bay view.  Our Barkeep was focused primarily on stocking for the weekend, not that we blamed her as we were two of four patrons at the bar. Still. We managed to procure our beers.  Coors Light in frosty mugs...a noticeable plus, regardless of the limited selection (though they did rotate a couple of local Crafts but no classics).  Ordered up our wings.  Steak style- something new, and Marina Deck- a spicy BBQ.  The SS's were garlic and pepper...fair.  MDs were better with a nice kick.  May be worth another visit when that second floor is done, but until then DWatt and I will argue the rating (a bit soft...just sayin').

THE RATINGS-
Steak Wings: C
Marina Deck Wings: C+
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: C

Overall Score = 2.13

Cruisin' Waves To Walker, notes from the Target

Short n sweet, Castles 5/16.

 










 
   Spring.  We whine.  We complain.  Uncooperative weather. Empty beaches. Sloppy surf that shuts us down.  Showers not yet working. But the skies are brightening (when there's not a thunderhead on the horizon). Late spring, early summer can see some of our best sessions.  Thursday proved this point.  We moved the show to Castles on 38th.  Castle in the Sand...like us, a motel that's a bit rough around the edges but still standing tall.  Nice thigh to waist teal-blue walls rolling mostly to the right.  Low tide with light winds out of the southwest produced some nice rides for DWatt. Even when the wind shifted directly offshore (west) mucking up the surf a tad and inviting in those damn mayflies the Wattman still emerged smiling. A first for him this season.

Nice locale

      

   Leaving the beach we headed down Coastal Highway following the Cruisers south.  Cruisers Weekenwith loud cars, loud music, and loud people.  But we had cold beer and wings on our minds.  Our destination...downtown, the corner of Wicomico and South Baltimore... the Pour House.  We stopped by once last year, late in the season, downtown and the bar were empty.  Like the waves timing is everything, and this round proved more reassuring.  

Can ya hear the Beach Boys?

     A small crowd to start, but the barkeep was friendly and set us up with a couple of craft drafts, Watt with an IPA and myself with a Strawberry Wheat (fair...most of the flavor was at the bottom of the glass).  A few other crafts were in the offering but the majority were the national beers... a bit disappointing.  We did get in our classic - Nattie Boe on tap.  Cold- a plus up.  The wings were more promising.  We ordered the Spicy Hot and a flavor they named "Walker," a deadly combination of most of their wing sauces with the Spice and BBQ dominating...like a Zombie...a Walker...hmmm.  They were meaty, well cooked, and the Walkers were surprisingly above average memorable. Atmospherewise, something seemed to be missing... a band maybe...something about an empty stage even when good jukebox music is playing.  As we headed out we checked the Boards for any future prospects.  The Journey must forge on.

THE RATINGS-

Spicy Hot: B

The "Walker": B+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: C+

Overall Score = 2.88

Gone By Summer, notes from the Target

Blown.  5/9

Nice amenities.

   First full surf session.  Water is warming; finally hit 50 this week.  Tide came in fast.  More onshore winds.    Cool temps off the ocean at approx 10-15 kts. In reality, another chopped up, sectioning afternoon.  Tried the 47th Street break.  After an hour or so of struggle, a couple of lame rides ending up in the foam, DWatt emerged with a growing determination to find that first memorable ride of the season.  Not this particular Thursday.

Empty horizon.

 
   With the season on the rise the local Biggies are vying for that number one party spot, and Seacrets on 48th and the Bay is probably among the favorites.  "Jamaica USA" boasts 18 bars, drink rafts by day, an indoor Nite Club with a "floating" dance floor, and three band stages.  In the heat of the night, this place can rock.  They also cut out the wings from their in-season menu.  You heard right.  Gone by Summer.  We take issue.

"If all the colors are disappearing then you should take this, for what

it's worth."                                                                        -This Is It, StainD

   This time of year the place is not so jumpin'.  Riding the perimeter of the season is the only way to sample the endangered Jamaican-Me-Crazy Hot or Want Moore BBQ Wings. Before we tried 'em, it was agreed, past glories doth not a reputation keep.  Respect must be earned.  So, uh, yeah... you got the whole beachy outdoor vibe thing goin'.  Some smooth (although barely audible) raggae in the background.  Basic tap selection. Nice canned beer specials.  But Son!  Plastic cups?  No ice cold glass? You lose the chill Brah.  No matter who you are you falter when the standard is passed by. The Wings - a Souse BBQ, fair.  Nice back heat with the Hot.  Big and meaty, but a little tough.  Not very crispy either, like they were under a heat lamp at some point.  On a good note, our bartender had mixed up the order. When we said we'd take it as is, he insisted on and fixed the issue.  Good man.
   At best our wings were slightly above the average.  Not enough stoke today all the way around.  What can we say, without the crowds and bright lights to blind ya, this is what you get.

THE RATINGS-
Jamaican Me Crazy Hot Wings: C+
Want Moore BBQ Wings: C+
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: B-

Total Score= 2.37

Got Your Ticket?...notes from the Target

"I got my ticket for the next makeover.  I got my ticket for a stolen ride..."  -Seether
Organizational breakdown, 5/2.

  Springtime. What does that mean? Unsettled weather, cool temps, windy, crappy, rainy, a pesky 'Noreaster frothing up the Atlantic.  All have a say in how the Journey develops.  This week - high tide, a disheveled break, and a ten degree drop from 30 miles West (Salisbury) to the East (O City). All rides closed.  Where's the ticket booth?  Why ain't any open? Time for a makeover Brah!

   Get real.  The Journey is not one dimensional.  We can overcome any obstacle that makes an unannounced appearance in our path.  The Watt checked out the 14th street break.  Managed to find a couple of decent rinse-off possibilities. Even scouted out parking.  While the beach may not have been surf ready, the boards were open for business.  Two blocks down we got the Brass Balls Saloon on 12th.
   Brass Balls, a rare OC "Dive" landmark, established in the late 70's.  Not much has changed other than the flat screens and some decent (though low volume) satellite music stations.  They got the classic bar paraphernalia hangin' everywhere. Wings, they've had 'em, we got 'em. Cold brews...the standards and some rotating crafts.  Got them too.  Our coed barkeep on her first day back, kept us happy with a smile and couple of fairly cold ones.  Gotta say, I was in dire need of that!  We ordered up their Old Bay and Hot.  They arrived well cooked and meaty.  But the Hot were not, and while the Old Bay were better than we've had, they lacked punch...a needed "wow factor."  The real prize was the view out the front window. With an empy deck the view of the surf was unobstructed.  As evening dropped, we exited.  Refreshed.  Energized.  Ready to steal the next ride. Isn't that half the battle?

Back door.

The view.

THE RATINGS-

Old Bay Wings: B

Hot Wings: C

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.50