It's Comin', the Target's notes.

"I tell ya, this evenin's swell was banjaxed fur sure!"  Irish Anklet lines, 4th Street. 3/12/2015

   Time has sprung forward. "Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day," as Pink Floyd would have it. Now on our side, so to speak. Add to it an entire week in the 50's. So even if the rains come, the fact that we can get on outside with less than five layers of clothing is something to be grateful for. Wash away the dullness. Spring training. Line-up's still right at forty degrees. As it is, very flat. No surf yet. But getting ready. The Boys of Summer are ready. Spring baseball gets me hyped. The games are just more fun. These guys take chances. After all, they're playing for position. Number 98 (whoever he is) bouncing off the fence doing his damnedest to impress. Weather. Surf. Baseball. All of it. Yeah, it's comin'!

   Another harbinger of the season is pretty much here. St. Paddy's Day. Our place of celebration this year...Shenanigans on 3rd Street and the Boards. We arrived shortly after sunset to a moderate if not mixed crowd; the majority of which if not decked in green, at least had the beads going. Off The Boat was playing giving an excellent mix of rock and traditional Irish tunes. Definitely the green crowd and Irish music made for a fierce good time atmosphere. Pulling up to the bar, Wattman ordered his Blacksmith (Smithwicks and Guinness) and I a Lite, no green. Our menu of the eve featured Hawg Wings, pork shanks with a side of BBQ dipping sauce, and an Irish Turkey Pretzel Club. I thought the shanks were pretty damn good, though Watt preferred the Club. That's why we rate 'em. As the crowds grew our night became shorter. We tabbed out and I couldn't help but wonder as joint Alum of WMC along with the bar's owner why this wasn't a freebie. Could it be that he wasn't there to make the offer? Nice place though. Definitely has our recommendation. We paid and walked out onto an empty boardwalk. A reminder... the season hasn't swung full yet. But, it's comin'!

THE RATINGS-

Hawg Wings: B-

Turkey Pretzel Club: B

Beer: C+ (cold beer/plastic cups)

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 2.81

Ye 'Ole Man's Last Gasp, the Target's notes.

The mighty Wicomico River, served up iced. 3/4/2015

   The Old Man's been purty brutal this winter. Below zero temps and wind chills in the minus across the right half of the nation fairly consistently. Our poor Lady's been driven into the lower 30's. No surf in our near future. Gotta pray that the heat keeps working; in the car, in the house. Staying warm means more than just standing still in layers. Myself, I've had to push the snow blower four times in the last twenty days. Each time, it becomes a better investment. If only my stocks did so well. Recently, this past Friday. Perhaps the final lap of the season around the homestead.

Refrigerated seafood; West OC Commercial Docks.      -Dispatch photo

   Winter Storm Thor; the last gasp of cold blasted across the country and through the 'Shore. Hammered, but not subdued (nor humbled). We have missed many a Thursday recently, further impact of the cold. With the storm the prime topic of discussion in the earlier part of the week we invoked the caveat of a day early, Wednesday... more storm parties available. Despite evening freezing rain and plowed snow, we jumped back on the groove line. We did take some measure of prudence. No need driving thirty plus miles in the sluice. Stayed in the 'Bury. Actually, neighboring Fruitland.
   Adam's Ribs Taphouse Grille. Northbound on south Route 13. Place has been around for many a year, but it had been a while since either of us had been through the doors. Place was a bit packed. Apparently restaurant week in town. Found two empty spots at the end of the bar. Service a little slow due to the crowd, but they definitely knew how to serve up our brews. Two ice cold beers in their proper glass. Just don't see that much...the ES tends to be slow on the beer culture uptake. We moved on to the grub. Blackened Mahi Mahi Tacos and Sweet Thai Chili Wings. Gotta say, DWatt and I were both happy and surprised at the combination of spice and sweet that the Mahi and mango salsa dispensed. And while I enjoyed the wings, Wattman thought they were little better than average. This being our first Journey out in weeks, maybe everything just seemed better to me. Chow and beer downed, we called it a night. Headed back out into the gray, sometimes dark abyss. The light of Spring around the next bend. We hope.

THE RATINGS-

Thai Chili Wings: B-

Blackened Mahi Tacos: A-

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: C+

Overall Score = 3.00

Let the thaw begin! 3/7/2015               -Malibu's photo