Long vs. Short, notes from The Target

   Hunter S. Thompson, Alfred E. Neuman, Hugh M. Hefner.  All great writers of which I am not.  However, I believe each week my theme must be carried out to its conclusion.  Our editor believes I have become a bit too wordy; my prose too long. He suggested I take a faster route, the short cut, the small wave, the easy line, the short term investment, the easy out. For this reason I took last week's blog update off and let the Watt fill the void. But, after deep contemplation over the next week I came to a moment of clarity. I will have none of this shortness! I am all about the lengthy walk, the long term investment, the hard way, the prolonged goodbye. I have held My ground on the beach all summer long, and I will do so in the written word. I will not go quietly into the night. For I am a humble Gonzo Journalist. With a Mad retort. We have arrived at the official end of the summer season. Labor Day weekend. Schools are starting back up. College football has geared up. Traffic lighter. Beaches less crowded...now that's a good thing.  The sun setting earlier. Nights getting cooler. We will not give up so easy though.  We will prevail. I'll be the first to admit we have been getting a bit soft on our reviews. The summer rush, the bar crowds;  they tend to wear us down. Sorta.

Filling the void.  Cristobal closing for the summer.  Holiday's, 66th St. 8/27/2014

Slippery lip.

   This evening's session was approached with measured anticipation. Hurricane Cristobal was off our coast near Bermuda and the Atlantic had been in a growing boil over the last few hours. Reports of several beach rescues and even a rip tide death earlier in the day only added to the apprehension.  Head high waves, deadly rips, and sectioning chop were threats all afternoon.  But, the sea had calmed somewhat by the time we arrived.  DWatt had few in the lineup with waist to chest semi clean frontsides, some steep swell, light ESE winds a 5-10kts, and mid-tide rolling through. A light rip gave him the quick clean escalator ride thru the break where set close-outs would roll two, three at a time.  Wattman was able to get position within a surge of somewhat clean stomach high sets to squeeze a couple of nice drives before the rest of the wave closed down in front of him.  The strong north bound current resulted in more than a few walks back up the beach.  As darkness fell, he pushed in for that one last ride.  The changing tide and strong current resulted in a five block struggle, with no ride to be had.  Done with the surf, which seemed to end as abruptly as the waves themselves, we headed back across the dune line to Macky's.
  Macky's, 53rd and bayside.  Been around for a while, and we were just getting to it.  Dining was on a beach.  Nice tourist attraction, but to us a cocked table in the sand to spill our beer.  So, we staked our claim at the bar and had the bartenders bring up a couple of brews.  In plastic cups and only slightly cold.  Even the fair selection and hustling dudes behind the bar couldn't fix that.  Having ordered up the Burger Sliders and Hybrid Wings (a Buffalo/BBQ cross), our food soon arrived.  The wing sauce was good, but the wings were barely warm...not a good start and no excuse. The sliders were a pleasant surprise; well cooked with a char broil taste, topped by cheese on potato rolls.  Hence, the night ended on a what could have been short note.  Longer rides, colder beer, better food.  Onward!

THE RATINGS - 

Hybrid Wings: C-

Burger Sliders: B

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 2.56

Learn To Be Satisfied, notes from The Watt

Easy rider.  Holiday's, 66th street.  8/20/2014

   An amazing late summer evening.  Warm, in the upper 70's.  Beach had a light summer crowd. Water was warm, mid 70's.  Conditions weren't the greatest.  ENE winds chopping up the swell producing mostly left breaking, knee high waves. More closeouts than peaks. But I ain't complainin'. It is always nice to be out on the sea. Salt air, terns cruising the airstream, crash of the surf behind while you scan the horizon for anything rideable. Dusk settled gradually, though as aforementioned, earlier than wanted.  Try as I might I just couldn't squeeze a decent right out of any of the morsels offered. The backsiders would jack but in the high tide, lose their power. Easy ridin'. Nothing spectacular. But fun. As the sun dipped down, so did the opportunities, which should have made it easy to exit.  Not me. No. To the Target's chagrin, I went for just one more. Digital already put away. Nothing missed.  As the night's surfing went, it wasn't a worthy spin to record or mention. Need to learn to be satisfied with the cache given.

   The night's campaign led us to another OC bastion, the Marina Deck. Another repeat as well...sorta kinda.  Last visit they were in process of building a second floor tiki bar/deck.  This time we put in an appearance to oversee progress.  The Wild Pony Bar. Named for the supposed view of the wild ponies of Assateague Island.  More like a view of the West Ocean City commercial harbor and the Rt. 50 bridge.  Again, not complainin'.  It was a spectacular bay view.  And I love the sounds and smell of the the local marina. Marine fuel and tar.  Salty bay water. The splash of wake and clunk of the docked yachts as a skiff passed by. Yellin' offspring. That's right. This bar includes a McDonald's inspired play area.  Nothing wrong with catering to families.  We got 'em.  But just 'cuz you're on vacay doesn't mean everyone else watches the kiddios.  C'mon Man!  We sat at one of those tall bar tables; the kind that usually surround a bar, as the TVs were few, and we were tryin' to work in a combo view of the O's game and the bay.  Hmm, tough nut.  Speaking of tough nuts our waitress, who looked like she was taking no prisoners (Argh!), promptly returned with menus and our beers. Brew selection was fair, and was cold from the tap, glasses were not. These deck people need to learn the art of chill. No matter, we put in for the Marina Deck Wings, a buffalo/bbq hybrid, and the Chicken Quesadilla. Both showed up plenty hot.  The wings- not big but tasty.  The quesadilla was plenty and good...not a standout, but better than some of those tacos we've had recently. Overall a nice night. Satisfying. We're learning. Still has room to improve though.  Just sayin'.  As to the Journey? Let's roll!  

THE RATINGS - 
Marina Deck Wings: B-
Chicken Quesadilla: B
Beer: C
Atmosphere: C+
Overall Score = 2.50

Fading Light, notes from the Target

   Each year as we begin our summer sessions, we look to the sky; feel the sun bathing us in it's energizing rays.  We know that as long as that sun shines, through the mid-week thunder boomers to the hazy humid evenings, we have time.  As with the tides of the ocean and most everything else in nature however, the sun does not sit still.  Each year, a line drawn in the sand.  A line that has lost ground since June.  A line that has been crossed. Sunset now occurs before 8pm.  From this point forward we must retreat while holding on to every precious second of fading sunlight.  Opportunities become more limited with each passing week.  We still savor each wave, no matter the conditions.  Just something those of us who are addicted to the Salt Life have always understood.  Some say we choose the Life, to others the Life chooses us.  The late Robin Williams (RIP) aka. John Keating, may have expressed it best:

 "Call me 'Oh Captain My Captain.' We must constantly look at things in a different way. These poets, invincible just like you feel. They believe they're destined for great things, just like you, their eyes full of hope, just like you...if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, hear it?... Carpe...hear it? Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary."

We understand that time is precious and cannot be wasted.  It is with this in mind that we once again crest the dune and take what the waters give us. Waist high and clean was the report, but the southwest winds had come upon it and some of the sloppiest swell so far greeted us. Low tide, sectioned waves. But we came to ride, and Wattman hit the chop where most would turn and call it a day.  As the fading light of the sun paled and the light purple of night began to close in, Watt spotted a set and slipped into a couple of short but nice right-handers.  Another set followed and before the sesh was done he was able to finish one into the shore and make the night passable.

Slipstreamer dreamer.  Holidays, 8/14/2104

   We took leave, the darkness had fallen around us, and we headed north to Fenwick and a newly opened Irish Pub.  Claddagh On The Shore, another Baltimore venture.  Entering the pub, the Irish music that hit did not impress. Wattman urged us on and my initial rash impression did an about face. Classic Rock well done emitted from a talented one-man band. I settled in with my Shandy as the Watt grabbed a local brew...glasses not chilled, hmmmm. We requested the Roughy Fish Tacos and Cajun Wings on the advice of the barkeep and focused on the 1st quarter of football. The food was prompt and looked good. Wings were big and meaty, but not quite the pop you'd expect from Cajun seasoning. The fish tacos were a bit bland, even a slight fishy taste to the fish that was lacking.  Little more sauce might have covered that. Overall, the place had a cool vibe; good live music, plenty of TVs, nice open air dining. Maybe some of the other dishes (and colder glasses) will improve. Worth another look sometime down the Journey's road.

THE RATINGS - 

Cajun Wings: B-

Roughy Fish Tacos: C-

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: A-

Overall Score = 2.75

"Carpe Diem"

Change In The Air, the Target's notes.

Tourons...they're everywhere.  Charging the shorties at Castles, 8/7/2014

   Another week.  Another week of people on MY beach. Yes.  I know the state says they can be here.  But, have some respect.  Do you really think you can have an open fire on the beach, 15mph winds, no permit...do you? Do you think just because you march down to the water's edge, surf rod in hand, you now own a specific section of the ocean?  And that stunt kite; learn the tricks first please! Tired of hittin' the deck every time I see a growing shadow fly overhead.  I stand my ground, nevertheless.  My ground! This past week it was at Castles. 37th Street lineup.  A busy one at times this week.  Considering the small surf, knee to thighs, high tide with a bit of a crashing shorebreak mixed in, this could be a surprise to some. Mostly groms though.  DWatt found himself navigating the traffic, trying to keep a favorable position for the next swell.  Short rides. Jumping quite a few in the setting hour of dusk.  Eyeing the line of the wave while keeping the closing shoreline in his periph.  Avoiding the near inevitable bodyslam with the seafloor that would snap his board.  Maybe that's why most of the others were riding foam boards.  Ya think?

   But hell, it don't matter.  For today the world rights itself.  Many of you have felt the change.  Some have even heard the whispers around the office. Some even have calendars marked.  The NFL Preseason has started. Specifically, Thursday Night Football!  Several flat screens.  More than one game. A proper bar. Fitting selection of brews. Good food. We found it all at Anthony's Liquors on 33rd and Philly.  Formerly Anthony's Beer & Wine, this place has been a mainstay for 45 years. Since people have thought they've bought liquor from here since opening the idea of an expansion was in place. The desire for a liquor license went hand in hand with the need for a brand spankin' new 10+ person bar.  Well laid out, three flatscreens, and about eight rotating craft taps.  Nice street view, reggae on the speakers.  Sweet. As they have always had a fantastic deli, their superb subs were obvious menu selections. We got the Trawler.  Turkey, roast beef, swiss, 'maters, lettuce; basically all the fixins' on a classic hoagie. We were full after this one.  Okay, no wings here...we allowed a little forgiveness.  Besides, our barkeep ran a tight ship.  The craft drafts poured in appropriate glass, domestics in bottles, and service top notch. As we feasted on good drink, good food, and good football we wondered why so many of the bigger places get it so wrong and this little gem got it so right. Their OC experience, plain and simple.  Games in hand, appetites satisfied, and spirits lifted we headed out.  A successful Journey.  Another one comin'...

THE RATINGS - 

The Trawler (Sub): B

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.17

"I gotta get ready, make everything right.  'Cause Thursday Night Football's
comin' on tonight!"  -Hank Williams, Jr.
Redskins rookie Lache Seastrunk, 4th quarter, Washington vs. New England, 8/7/2014

Summer Stagnation, the Target's notes.

"Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do. 'Cause there ain't no cure for the summertime blues."   -Alan Jackson

   Summertime blues.  A time of inherent boredom that I tend to face in August.  Part of the lazy hot days of a waning summer. My problem is I just can't find the excitement in anything.  Each week I look forward with mild anticipation to a great beach time/surf session, but become overwhelmed with the sameness of it all this year.  Cooler air temps, overcast skies, rain every third week.  Being late this week, DWatt reminded me of the diminishing daylight and shorter evenings.  Couldn't help it, with skies overcast again I take my position along the shoreline.  That's right, I have a position.  One that is versatile enough to allow me to move to and fro, back and forth.  Tactile strength within the constant motion that allows me to follow the surf action (or lack thereof...i.e. steady current drift) of the Wattman.  The wanderers of the beach know to stay out of my way.  Do not invade my space, walk, or stand in front of me.  I have put a stake on my territory.  I do not share.  Constantly scanning the incoming swell for that one ESPN moment if it ever comes.  This week, not so much.  DWatt had little to work with.  Thigh to waist closeouts.  A hard right current that made it a challenge for the Watt to stay in position within the lineup.  With effort, comes fatigue, then the repeated walks back up the beach.  Burs up the water time.  It seemed within the time drifting, a rideable set would come through and Wattman would jump on it.  Quantity over quality seemed to be the key to success this session.  Multiple attempts led to several short rides.  No shutout tonight.  A good thing.  We moved on. Really needed to.

Holiday's, 66th.  7/31/2014

   Old school this evening.  An Ocean City icon.  The Angler Restaurant and Bar. Literally sitting on the dock of the bay in Olde Towne OCMD; in the shadow of the Route 50 bridge.  View of the ebbing sunset. Fishing yachts rocking in the tide.  Jet skis lined up on their launch.  The smell of salt water and marine diesel.  Dude, ya gotta love this area!  Not busy this night so seats at the newly remodeled tiki bar area were readily available.  Listened to the final three of the solo musician's last set and then classic rock piped in through the sound system.  While the draft selections were fair, they did carry local craft brews and a cold glass goes a long way.  We continued our semi-tradition of wings and fish tacos.  As we waited our bartender offered up free beer ordered in error.  He claimed many in the past would have turned them down as it wasn't their brand choice.  A Corona and a Miller Lite.  REALLY?  We're from the Eastern Sho.'  It's free beer.  Always our brand.  Food up.  The Grouper Tacos... good, but not much above average. Did not stand out.  The Key Lime Wings... nice taste.  Sweet with a kick.  But at twelve bucks for eight... pricey for this low tariff Journey.  I mean seriously, the damn chickens are raised right up the road; shipping and handling couldn't have been the reason.  Finished up and took our leave.  Walked off the extra beer on the boards while scouting out future locations.  'Til next week.

THE RATINGS-

Key Lime Wings: C+

Grouper Fish Tacos: C+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: A-

Overall Rating = 2.81