Reflection, the Target's notes.

Morning break, Malibu's beach. 1/15/2015                                                 -photo courtesy Malibus Surf Shop

   Finished another one...moving into 2015. Like many, we too take time out annually to reflect on the past year's Journey. Was it successful or merely a mirror of the year before? Do we want to continue on this Journey, or junk it all and go out on a high note? Questions that for us are more difficult than one might think. We've seen good times and bad this past year, but how do we weigh that against the simple idea we started to act on several years ago? That it has been possible for two dudes to once a week or so seek out a surf break and/or a bar, and rate a unique experience each time is, in itself, surprising. I believe most would agree our adventures have been a major success over the years. Over the past three we have sojourned to multiple line-ups up and down the OC's Right Coast (not that we would consider that any kind of extensive surf travel), and rated over 90 different establishments and each week we seem to learn a little more about ourselves in the process. So we ask ourselves...where do we go from here?

The Globe, Berlin...top 7, Best
Fish Taco, A rating. March 

Natuckets, Fenwick Island...top 7, Best Wings, A- rating. April

Early run, Mid-Spring.

   As in the beginning, so now; we start at Smitty McGees in West Fenwick. Review our past. Plan our future. The "discussion" got quite lively at times. But, I held firm to my convictions. IF we are to continue on this Journey we must focus on new establishments and limit the repeats to a small number of favorites. Thus, the Watt was presented with the challenge to come up with 30 or so new prospects to investigate. For only a road less traveled will lead the way. After minor deliberation, the challenge was accepted. It is no secret that as the Journey progresses the number of new locales diminishes and the looming possibility of failure grows proportionately.

Pizza Tugos, West OC...top 7, Best Beer Selection, A rating
May

45th St. Taphouse, Ocean City...top 3, Best Atmosphere,
A- rating. June

Angler, Downtown OC. Best Atmosphere,
A- rating. July

Claddagh, Fenwick Island. Best Atmosphere, A- rating. August

Mid-Summer glide.

With our direction chosen we settled in to a couple of cold ones and grub as we reviewed the last year. Dead of winter usually equals dead bars, but Thursday saw a somewhat spotty, but consistent clientele as well as a band. Not bad. Our waitress brought us the well known BBQ Wings and surprisingly good Cajun Grouper Tacos. Nicely done.

Watermans, West OC...top 7. September.

Abbey Burger Bistro, North OC...top 3. Best Sandwich,
A- rating. October.

Autumnal Promise, near season end.

JCs Northside Pub, North OC. Best Sandwich, A- rating. December.

The Blacksmith, Berlin...top 3. Best Sandwich, A- rating. December.

As usual our review revealed that our ratings tended toward the erratic side. Maybe we were stoked about the waves one day, and having a shit week the next time, but it was evident that we needed to improve the standardization of our scoring methods. I pushed for the harsher rating, but DWatt wanted a more methodical approach. Regardless, we have included the Best of the Rest for 2014 and our first rating of 2015. The gun has sounded. The whistle blown. The heat started..

THE RATINGS - 

BBQ Wings: B

Cajun Grouper Taco:B

Beer: C

Atmosphere: C+

Overall Score = 2.56