September AI (Autumn Incognito), notes from the Target

Ambivalent Atlantic, Holidays at 66th.  9/4/2014

  The September run begins, and DWatt's Chicago girl Lisa joined us for the month.  A month. Wow.  I know the Wattman was happy, and her presence is always welcome on my beach.  I mean, just how much excitement can one get watching the Watt walk back up the beach as big time side-shore currents are a common occurrence this time of year. Hard to hold position in the line-up...I get it.  She's a great conversationalist, and this is what I need to overcome said hubbub.  Major reconfiguration however.  We must go into stealth mode.  Breakout the "Cone of Silence." After all, it is avowed that "Spy vs. Spy" has no end. The Journey is not known to all.  Many just don't see it, even when it is right in front of them. A man and a bar is such a simple concept, but difficult to understand by some.  We're good with it.  We've gone incognito.  Transparency. Traveling in the shadows.  Thus our reviews are delayed, but concise. Two weeks, combined.

   Now in view of the Summer solstice we've known that the days have been getting shorter, but it seems that since Labor Day the curtailed sunlight has become much more noticeable.  DWatt's frustration with this is obvious especially when conditions are not optimal (as if the're ever optimal).  But no matter how close or small the shorebreak is or how big and sloppy the Nor'east winds churn the swell, Wattman still ventures out and finds the Stoke.  September is fickle like that.  The hurricane season has been quiet this year and 9/4 exemplified this with ankle to knee high mini rollers.  I mean we crossed the dune line at 66th and were like, "nothing today."  Watt still found 'em.

Shorebreak shorties, 9/4

  It wasn't the quality of the rides that stood out.  It was the number.  Had to give the man credit.  Post sesh was set to impress as we crossed Ocean Highway and launched into the Skye Bar.  Located atop Galaxy 66, this place is touted for it's open air atmosphere and great views of the Ocean City skyline.  Nice open air, but unless you sat on the perimeter, the views were obscured,  Thursday Night Football was the highlight and the flatscreens made for clear viewing.  We ordered up a couple of drafts, Lisa got her martini, and brought on Mahi Mahi fish tacos, steamed shrimp, and Spicy BBQ Wings.  For the price, no atmospheric match.  The fish tacos had a good taste, but were more black beans and cheese filler. Ya gotta work hard to mess up steamed shrimp, and the wings...meh.  No real heat.  Nothing stood out.  Even the beer was served in the perverse plastic cup.  Return trip would be doubtful.

Charging what the Nor'easter gives ya.  Holiday's 9/10/2014

  The next week we surfed a Wednesday.  Our coast has been blown by northeast winds most of the month and it all started in this week.  Surf jumped up to overhead early on, but had dropped to about chest to head by 9/10.  The evening was chilly on the beach as I was ready with a jacket, but Wattman did the big fail and did not prep Lisa.  Miserably blown by the humid spray and cool on shore winds, she was forced to cover up with towels.  DWatt? Well, he got plenty of work in with a north-south sideshore current and a heavy break.  He was plenty warm, as the waters were still in the lower 70s.  The rips, prevalent with these conditions, gave Watt the help he needed to get into the lineup, which featured only one other lost soul willing to take it on. Mostly lefty's, the Watt's weak backside, he took a few on the head but amazingly managed a couple including the rough-hew of a decent frontside.
    This time, we hit on a repeater: Waterman's Seafood Company on 50 in West OC.  We toured this place last year within the first month of it's reopening after a fire nearly wiped 'em out. A year later we called up another round of frosty drafts. Nice selection of crafts to choose from. Ordered Maryland Style (Old Bay) Wings, Grilled Fish Tacos, and the Crab Pretzel.  The wings were big, meaty, and seasoned just right, the tacos had a huge strip of fish and the pretzel was laden with tasty imperial crab.  The big screens had the Orioles, and Wattman's only complaint last year...lighting too bright, was dimmed and fit the atmosphere to a T. Watermans does a nice job.  The Journey will ride by this break again, no doubt.

SKYE BAR RATINGS-

Spicy BBQ Wings: C+

Mahi Tacos/Steamed Shrimp: B-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.50

WATERMAN'S SEAFOOD CO. RATINGS-

Maryland Style Wings: B+

Fish Tacos/Crab Pretzel: B+

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.25