Patience Rewarded, notes from the Target

"Company, always on the run.  Destiny is the rising sun."         - Bad Company

First ride.  66th 'n Holiday's, 5/15/2014.

   Patience.  A virtue.  So, they say.  In fact, I believe it is one of my best virtues.  Almost "Job-like."  But, this winter tested us like no other.  The Wattman will tell ya...he's no Job.  He's been done.  Probably since March. Been in need of the salt in our face.  Sand under our feet.  We got it this week.  After two weeks of business trips and above average temps, the ocean waters veered into the mid 50's.  We got air temps in the lower 60's. The Watt had the full suit of rubber including hands and feet.  Conditions weren't much more than blown out thigh-highs.  Not much energy as the15kt. on shore winds pretty much fizzled 'em out after the break. But patience was rewarded with a short ride less than 10 into the session. With a smile the Watt turned to paddle out into the next set.   An empty line-up with a vacant applause.  Such is our existence.  We don't care.  All bets are off- the season has begun!

   We celebrated opening day during the beginning of OC Cruisin' Weekend and a return to a locale that has been a source of intestinal animosity and palatable joy over the last 10 years for the Crew.  It was one of our high-score bars two years ago.  The Bull on the Beach.  Our plan: to see if the previous ratings were a fluke or they have have stood the test of time.  Thru the doors and into the bar we are greeted with the deep bass of Bad Company as we take our seats and are immediately greeted with that most important of questions, "what's to drink guys?"  Two very cold, iced glasses, I mean you can see the cold mist rising, yanked from the freezer and Miller Lite poured in.  Craft or no (and a good selection), this is as good as a first beer gets!  Makes it easy to settle in.  An order up of spicy BBQ wings and a classic pit-beef sandwich.  The Wings weren't bad, a hair front end spice.  The Pit-Beef was well seasoned but a bit dry...should have ordered extra sauce on the side (we were offered, but in our cold beer delirium, we turned it down). This night we hung for a while.  Another cold one.  Orioles game on several flats. Excellent music on a strong system. Summer is near.  We could feel it...and it felt right.

THE RATINGS-

Spicy BBQ WIngs: B-

Pit Beef Sandwich: B-

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.00

Okay To Be Gray, Notes from the Watt

"To be alive I say the colours must swirl.  And I believe that maybe today

 we will all get to appreciate the Beauty Of Gray"           - Live  

Rare barrel. 30th Street, 5/1/14

    It had been one of those "partly sunny"days.  Overcast with a brief discharge of solar relief here and there. For the ride down from the 'Bury I watched the Terrain's outside temp monitor drop from the low seventies to the low sixties as I crossed the Assawoman Bay into OC.  The barrier island carried it's own cloud cover with a stout nor'east wind blowing in. The Atlantic's waters seemingly heckled us holding at 48 to 49F.  The surf was rough and disorganized.  Like being heckled by a bad comedian. Regardless, even bathed in gray the sea reflects a natural beauty.  Can't help but feel that longing.

After this winter's storms the Beach Replenishment Crew has remained lurking offshore.

   This evening's incursion took place at a 2012 hi-score location...Pizza Tugos Tap House in Trader Lee's Village, West Ocean City.  Every few stops, good or bad, we need to follow Ronnie's motto: "Trust But Verify."   Tugos delivered with one of the most extensive selections of craft brews on tap at 54 different beers.  A dozen different pizzas, nine different wing styles.  That many sauces to choose from, we had to do the wings again.   HT ordered the BBQ and I settled into the Sweet Thai Chili.  Neither of us were disappointed.  If there is a match to Smitty's BBQ Wings it is this place... a bit over sauced, but still mouth watering.  The Thai were excellent though we both agreed they could have used more heat (had very little). Brews were first-rate.  A Fin City Sneaky Wheat- little dryer than a Summer Shandy, and an Oxbow Freestyle #22 Saison- refreshing with just a touch of a Hop bite.  Our barkeep, spotty service but well informed, was like many, attentive 'til it came time for the tab.  The flatscreens were plentiful. The music, barely audible.  However, we got to go back just to continue the trip down the taps.  For now - the Ocean calls.  Next trek will be the first surf.  Most definitely!

THE RATINGS - 

BBQ Wings: B-

Asian Thai Chili Wings: B+

Beer: A

Atmosphere: B

Overall Score = 3.25