Bright With Stoke, the Target's notes.

Sunny. Bright. Deserted. 66th and Holiday's, 11/25/2015

Enter always with anticipation...

   It's the Holiday season. From near and far friends and family return home. The Crew is no exception. We have always met on or near the eve of Thanksgiving no matter our numbers; to give thanks for another year of beach, surf, wings (all grub actually), and friendship. With the Wattman and Lisa no longer living local, this year afforded only one trip to the shore for the closing season. But taking a long weekend does have its advantages. Having the extra time during the week means an afternoon at the beach is now possible no matter the date on a calendar. Although the day may have been sunny and bright, OC and it's beaches were completely deserted. However with his surf season being cut short this summer due to the Midwest move, Dwatt needed one last surf session and a late November chill was not going to stop him. Thus, Lisa and I hunkered down in our beach chairs with our hats, hoodies, blankets and towels to keep the cold wind out while the Watt headed out to surf.

The water temps only in the mid 50's. Winds SSE. Low tide but coming in. And small semi-clean to slightly mushy thigh, maybe an occasional waist set breaking dead center. Still, Wattman joyfully entered the sea. For a day at the beach... in the water... getting wet (full suit of course)... is special no matter the chill. Small but plentiful sets and Dwatt charged wave after wave. Headered quite a few (the rust was showing). After more than an hour in the surf the smile on the Wattman was frozen into place, but there was no doubt it was smile indeed.

"You need only three things: your body, a surf board, and a wave." -Naima Green

   This time of year the choices are very limited to grab a bite to eat. As our first choice was closed, we headed to a long time local hang out that stays open all year; Kirby's Pub on 92nd and Ocean Highway. With only a small local crowd we pulled up to the bar. As old friends do, we settled back into our familiar places. Decided to try the Kirby special: a seafood club sandwich made up of a crab cake, shrimp, and bacon... three of world's best foods and we were not disappointed. Added to that steamed shrimp and Kirby's Bangin' Wings, a combination of their spicy and BBQ. Good food, good friends, and good conversation. The evening flew by. 

THE RATINGS-

Shrimp: C+

Kirby Special Seafood Club: B+

Bangin' Wings: B

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 2.80

All about Cheer.

   One place left. We had to go. For the Crew each year, there cannot be a Holiday without a visit to the annual Winterfest display so we headed north to 128th street to catch the lights. The night was mild compared to years past. Like that last sweet carving bottom turn looking up into a clean wall of color, the lights were bright with stoke as we took our walking tour. Unfortunately the night did have to end. While there will be no Christmas party this year we are ok. We can live with it. For the crew is more than a party. We are more than a bar. We are "THE CREW."  And that is enough for us. So as Dwatt and Lisa drove out of sight I believe I heard him exclaim, "Merry Christmas to all and to y'all a good night."

More than a Party!

"Merry Christmas to all and to y'all a good night!"  

The Sun Goes Down Alone, notes from the Target

Lonely Break...somewhere off the coast of Ocean City, MD. Late October, 2015.

"No body on the road
No body on the beach
I feel it in the air
The summer's out of reach.
Empty surf, empty streets;
The sun goes down alone."
-Don Henley, The Boys of Summer

   It's the last week. We change the clocks and fall back into Autumn. Just like the first week of the beach season, the last week is a must event. Each member of the crew realizes that the last week must somehow last for six months, must somehow warm the soul through out the winter that will seem endless. With this in mind I head early to the beach this week. I need to soak in the sea. As I drive, a wonderful show of fall colors brighten my window; the air has a warm, soft bite and I listen to beach songs on the car stereo. I am the first to arrive and walk over the dune line to a perfect day of bright sun, light breeze, and a small but rideable set. Evening comes quickly this time of year and soon it becomes apparent, DWatt will not be coming. He is stuck out West working for the man. "Trying to make a living and doing the best that he can." He will have to live with the memories stored in his DNA for how ever long he is gone. But, I have one last night for this year. The Boys' Summer one last time.
   Slowly driving away I head to Fat Fish in West OC, a new place Wattman had picked out for this week's choice. While there can be no single member reviews I can at least look over the place for a future Crew visit. Fat Fish's location means its a locals only place. It's attitude from its signage means the people inside are our kind of people and perhaps a return in the winter when the entire Crew is present needs to be planned. With this I head home knowing the Boys of Summer once again, are gone for the year. We can only HOPE they somehow make it back to the beach again next year.


Fat Fish awaits it's Crew trial.

"The sun goes down alone .... after the Boys of Summer are gone. "

 

Keeping The Crew Alive, notes from the Target

No glass ridden...only foam; nor'east head-plus choppers. Holiday's and 66th Street. 9/27/2015

   DWatt and Lisa flew in for a long weekend. So we met on a Sunday to regroup. After more than six weeks of being gone Wattman was showing the effects of leaving the land of pleasant living. His skin... pale, and his hair seemed to have lost some of its vigor. There was only one cure and Watt knew the answer, so we headed to the beach and the magic of the Atlantic Ocean. Upon arrival it was clear; the ocean was going to be mean. After a quick review it was obvious that just to get out past the break would take a huge effort. It was not possible to ride the stick today, but Wattman came prepared. From the bag came forth the old reliable OCBZ Body Board and he headed out to sea. With the swell foaming, waves crashing and the wind blowing there was the question- how many rides would he get? With each ride there followed a small rest period to catch his breath (and stop heaving) before returning. However, from the smile on his face it all seemed worthwhile. As we left the beach, Watt's color had returned to normal or as close as he could be. So we three headed to a new location.

The Watch for the Crew

     Ropewalk OC On The Bay, the Baltimore transplant in OC is the newest of their seafood restaurants. We have visited its sister location in Fenwick so we had high hopes as we arrived. I was amazed with the transformation that has taken place. This place has one of the best views in all of OC.  Every seat, from the expanded outside seating to the inside bars, you have a choice of the great bay views or multiple TVs to view the game. As we watched the Bears lose yet again we enjoyed Hickory Smoked Old Bay Wings, Bada Bing Shrimp, and Reda Rockfish Taco's with a fine selection of cold beverages. We all thought the wings, smoked not fried, were great. And the shrimp were a surprised. But the fish tacos needed something and were below average compared to our standard. Wattman also ordered up a plate of raw Chesapeake Bay Oysters on the half shell... off the chain (or boat); couldn't be beat. 

With happy hour prices and all this stoke in effect, the evening ended much too quickly. Lisa and DWatt (once again reborn) headed back into the night and Chicago. But I...I carry on here keeping the keeping the Crew alive!

THE RATINGS-

Smoked Old Bay Wings: A-

Bada Bing Shrimp: B

Tacos: C+

 Chesapeake Bay Oysters: A

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 3.25

Empty Lineup, notes from The Watt

A packed Labor Day OC. Plenty of cracked heads in this lineup. Upper downtown? Lower midtown? 9/6/2015

 -Dispatch photo

  Maybe for the Town of Ocean City the turbulent Atlantic was not so empty over the weekend, but we’ve been missing it. Okay. Maybe I spoke out of turn for the Targetman. I’m missing the Ocean. I mean severe withdrawals. The salt air. Sand on my skin. Watching the sun go down while I’m drifting in the lineup.

Stoke for the taking...we can hear it calling. Malibu beach, 9/5/2014

   The Lineup. Empty now. Somewhere a bar. Devoid of any Crew activity. And, I believe HT misses the mid-week break as well. I could see it in his face as we shook hands adios last month. Wishing luck into the wind. Bound to landlockedness for a while. I am coming back at the end of the month. The Lineup calls. Hoping to get together for an evening surf. Maybe some wings and brews. And then, maybe, if only for the session, the turbulence will calm. You see, the Crew doesn’t disband...we're just in a state of flux.

Good friends always stick it out.
Watt 'n the Target 8/2015

Last Call, notes from the Target

No show, No go. Holidays, 66th St. 7/30/2015

   It was suppose to the last gasp. One final meeting of the group. Just a group of guys finding their place in  the sand. This week Cheeks Wix was coming out of retirement, and straddling a board for the first time in 8 years. What man can plan God sometimes sees the need to change. With no ridable surf at our 66th Street break, the swell just seemed to swat at the beach. Like literally on the beach front. Wattman dragged his girl... Lisa... up and down the OC coast but found no rides in sight. I think Cheeks may have had a sigh of relief. But...we knew he still had some gas in the tank. In either case it would have been fun to watch. It would have been just Epic.

   With no beach time tonight what could we do but take on an Ocean City classic. The Angler down under the shadow of the Route 50 Bridge. Miller Lites and old times. It has been more than six years since Wix's last time with us due to his self imposed exile. We all quickly fell back into our place  with cold brews and wings. 

Night passed us by as a light rain fell. We all enjoyed the evening. But as with all things, the time came to leave and one last round of pictures were taken. We three have come full circle. From start to the end we always understood what others may never understand. So with no sadness, just memories of the good times, we walk into the night. Friends no matter where we may be. Last call? Naw!

THE RATINGS-
Buffalo Wings: C
Tuna Melt: B
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: B+
Overall Score = 2.63

Epic!

Last Writes?, the Target's notes

Castles moat at 39th. 7/22/2015

   It was a perfect beach day. Bright, warm sun; a gentle breeze. People everywhere just enjoying themselves. Best day of the year on the sand and that somehow seems fitting. Waves clean. A bit small-scale... knee high in a shallow low tide. But, it doesn't matter the conditions today. An anything goes type of day and DWatt is in the hunt. No matter how good or bad the last ride he wants...no, he needs one more ride. Today crowds, conditions, or time of sunset doesn't matter. Just one more tasty wave to savor. "Just one more ride, 'cause it may be the last ride." For a while anyway.

Clawin' for every ounce, 7/22/2015

    A little over fifteen years ago a bunch of guys who worked together decided to test the waters of a raging Atlantic the day after a Hurricane passed off the coast. Grabbing their BZ Bodyboards they headed out. May not have been the best idea, but they had such a good time several of them decided to go again several weeks later. Wattman was one of those guys. After several more weeks I, along with several others were brought into the fold and Team OCBZ was formed.

2001- "Glory Days, yeah they pass you by. Glory Days, in the wink of a 
young girl's eye."    -Bruce Springsteen.

  Week in and week out eleven or more guys appeared on the beach and afterwards we all headed to Smitty Mcgee's for dollar Yuenglings and wings.  To be truthful the next 8 years were really just an excuse to drink for most of the group but a good time was always had by everyone.  As time passed  the group got smaller; layoffs, job changes, relocation's all played a factor but a core group stayed intact until the day in September, 2008 when the plant closed and all of us were put into the wind. Truthfully, by this point there were three of us left standing. The Skeleton Crew was actually born. Cheeks, DWatt, and Hard Target.

2004

For the next couple of years the three faithful showed up every week. Rain or shine. Rippin' the waves. Feeding the post-surf machine with Wings and Beer. Then Cheeks' path took a change of course.  It happens. We keep in touch. But, now the Skeleton Crew was down to two.  

2014

   It's a wonder how two such different people, Wattman and myself, Hard Target, could form any type of crew. Watt is outgoing and spontaneous, sometimes boisterous. I'm quiet and reserved; a thinking man's thinking man. Never one to be part of a group. But what we have here is more than just two guys that like the beach, and a cold beer. Just a good 'ole fashion friendship.  None of that faux Bro crap. None of that, "if you help me, some day I might help you." Just two guys who are always straight up with each other and never had to ask for help because it was always offered before the question came out. Two guys who celebrated the good times; enjoyed the fun times. And when the bad times happen, the hard times hit, which we have had our share, we were still there. Real Friendship is a funny thing, you know it when you see it but its hard to replicate.
   We have had several versions of our blog over the years. A website, MySpace, and the Blog. Only a few people have known about our site. Those who would appreciate our journeys. Over the years many more have somehow found us on the web. We thank all who have followed. During the early years DWatt did all the heavy lifting; writing and publishing the website all by himself. During the last five I have taken over most of the of the writing. I also handled the "target shooting" (picture) duties. Thus, the majority of what has been posted has started with me. Each week, a theme and a review based on our Journey for that night. Watt's job as editor has been to punch up my writing, making any corrections but never changing the theme I had chosen. Watt has also taken pride in picking the beach location and the night's Bar/Restaurant. I can honestly say that I have been to places I would have never even thought about entering.  We have partaken in birthday parties, free shots from our barkeeps, talked to complete strangers about every topic under the sun, seen bathrooms that belong in third world countries, listened to great music, and watched countless games on TV...some even memorable. And no matter how good or  bad the  place was we always had a good time. We hope our readers have enjoyed our Journeys and adventures each week. We never took ourselves too seriously. It was always about the Stoke.
   However, another change is afoot. This time it is Wattman that will be following a new path. Moving to Chicago. A new job, and a marriage in the future. So for now, our weekly soirees are coming to an end. Yeah, we'll do visits (like maybe next week), reunions, and occasional updates to the blog. And the Watt's plan is to move back within seven years; reboot the Journal. I have no problem with that. Time will tell. For the rest of the evening there was only one thing to do. Return to the womb. Smitty's, the place where it all started. One more for old times sake. We ordered our Miller Lites and BBQ Wings. Reminisced over the past 15 years. Hours passed and like the end to a movie, people faded as the bar emptied out. Time for us to leave. Headed out into the night. Not "goodbye", but "until next time." 

The Womb, 2015

   I'm closing with these two thoughts: First- we hope that sometime in their lives, others can find their own Crew. No matter how big or small having this type of ride is amazing. Second- I will always be grateful to be part of our Crew. It was an incredible journey that I will never forget.

THE RATING: A

WE WERE AT ONE TIME ELEVEN STRONG. BUT, ONE BY ONE THEY HAVE FALLEN OFF UNTIL ALL THAT IS LEFT ARE TWO...  THE LAST ONES STANDING.... THE SKELETON CREW!

Come Get Yours, cuts from the Target's notepad

The floater that didn't. 66th St. Holidays. 7/16/2015

   Waves! Beatings! This week we had lots of both. Big pounding waves. Waves that rolled in semi-clean, jacked up, and then swallowed you whole. Well, the Wattman anyway. He had no problem making it into the line-up. Again and again turning into the next swell only to come up empty. And if he had been in need of a good beating, this session provided it. Lisa had again joined us and I gotta say, a nice night, good conversation... I for one, didn't mind the thumping Watt was getting. At this point, of our season we are losing more than a minute a day of sunlight, so the ass whupping was on a clock. Darkness setting in was his, and our sign to make the call and head on in.

   Headed on over to West OC Harbor and Crab Alley. A previous Journey destination of about two years prior. No one in the bar, but as we heard they were out of crabs upon entering, this was no surprise. Small talk with our barkeep revealed it had been a slow summer so far as well. However, the 80's music and cold drinks took us away from the impending drabness.  Ordered up the BBQ Wings, Old Bay Wings, and the Fish Tacos. Hmmm... Wings were hot and meaty. Average good. Not bad, but no charm to be found. The tacos, well; go buy fish sticks, some lettuce and cheap salsa, throw it all in a soft tortilla. Like I said. Good music. Nice view of the harbor and city lights. Cold beer. But...early night.  No highlight reel here. The Journey moves on.

THE RATINGS - 

BBQ/Old Bay Wings: C+

Fish Tacos: C-

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: C+

Overall Score = 2.25