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Snow Tube. Like a mask...where the snow ends and the sea foam begins. 1/22/14 -Photo by J. Cohen
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All this snow and cold gives time to stop and reflect. This past year, first time in ten years... the Crew was down to two. We've had some friends join the surf. Grab some wings. But truth be told, the burden was primarily carried by the Wattman and myself and we have felt the weight of the Journey. Each week we pushed the boundaries, looking for something more. Thirty-four different establishments. Our efforts prideful. But complete? That is the question that haunts us into '14.
The Quest became the Journey in '13. Harsh ratings brought on the dark days of February, March, and April. No waves and below average Bars did not help. While many might judge that the off season should be "cut slack" to be fair, we felt this was not acceptable. Good times were in fact found in surprising places. Crabcake Factory for example: free shots, birthday cake, excellent atmosphere. This lead into our summer charge. But as with summer, so come the crowds. And in '13 the constant winds across the shoreline.
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| Mid-summer downpour. August, 2013 |
It was the year of the Zephyr. Seemed to never stop blowing. You could drive across the bay, calm day, warm breeze. Hit the beach, and bam! Winds 15 to 20. Every week. We never had the timing down. In retrospect, Dwatt did well all conditions considered. You've heard the saying "Eddie would go"? Well this past summer, each week "Wattman would go." Wind chopped surf, lack of waves, bad weather...didn't matter. Every week, "at least one." Regardless if it appeared a waste of time, he would hit the lineup. And every week, somehow he'd catch a ride. Give credit. Credit given.
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"Water, water, get yourself in the cool, clear, water."
-California Saga/Beach Boys
Skimming the knees, Castles. July 2013 |
Two of the lowest ratings blew across our paths during the summer. Hammerheads, a mid-summer's nightmare complete with a watered down start-up brewery and August's now defunct (no surprise) Fenwick Oasis. Pity the tourist who suffered through these shipwrecks. The Ropewalk Tavern gave us hope with their unique smoked Rush Habenero and 'Bama Red BBQ Wings, and as warm weather exhaled it's last, we returned to one of 2012's highest scores; the Frog Bar. Wings worthy of Guy Fieri's Triple D. Lemme tell y'all...get rid of the plastic cups and pick up a couple of local craft beers and this place would be our Holy Grail! Gotta go...won't be disappointed.
As the seasons progressed from Fall to Winter, the ebbing sun limited the surf sessions. However, the off-season provided us with a deuce of high scores. Harborside, that featured some excellent spicy wings and one of the most urbane surprises, Watermans, a rebuilt late season arrival whose wings were the best overall of the year. No way we would have prophesied that one.
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| Why do they call 'im "Hard Target"? |
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"Oh hey, well I'll be damned. I've been around the world
and back again. From Japan to Amsterdam, with a ticket
in my hand, singin' Catch me if you can." -Gym Class Heros
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Personally, I've gone through another year of ups and downs. I have started immersing myself in books again and have come across an interesting concept. It is said that in anyone's life there is only ten truly, Truly great moments. But great moments are not what you think. We are not talking about something you claim is awesome or epic when it happens. Or one of those moments that you may have felt was life changing . No. What we are talking about here are those moments that make you feel the significance, the emotion, the gravity, the stoke years later when you think about them again. It's the passion, or the pain that for just that moment, brought the world into a clearer focus. Walking away from an accident unhurt, getting that Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model air rifle, or the high after catching the epic tube ride of the hurricane season front page. Well, I think after all these years that may be what the Journey has been all about. Not looking for the perfect wing, beer, or wave, but perhaps a combination that forms the experience. We will continue to add to our count, and that seems just fine with me.
We've started 2014. Our home base of Smitty McGees. We did some new wings and a flat bread pizza. We're tweaking the mission. We will explore other offerings that will magnify our trip thru Flavortown. Add "Foodies" to the Blog description. We will be fair, but we will be harsh. Expectations are high, especially since some of our tabs are as well. A cold beer in a chilled glass: C. Better score? Surpass the expectation. So with that being said, we have promises to keep and miles to go. We've got some serious carving to do in 2014!
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| Last Call. October, 2013 |
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