In For Life, notes from the Target.

Diggin' in to one of the few right's found. 47th Street, 5/20/2014

   Wattman's travelin' again, so we hit the beach mid-week. Our conditions were sunny, but continued on the cool side as the OC has found it difficult to rise above the mid-60s. The Atlantic remains around 58F, but managed to feed us some clean, fun waisties. Still with 10-15 kt. onshores outta the NE, most were lefts, which left Watt scrambling to find position in a semi-crowded lineup.  Decent conditions bring out the comp(etition) and there were a dozen or so over a two block spread. Plus, we hit 47th street this week which tends to be a popular break. This day was about lefts, which is not the Watt's strong suit. Still, like the pitbull that won't be put down he fought through several sweet, albeit short rides.  As we headed back up the dunes he indicated his discontent with the evening. I dutifully reminded him that it is the stoke of the ride that gets you jacked. It's not about a single session that matters, but rather the perception within the soul. Deep, I know. Sorta comparable to a secret society; once you're in, there's no getting out. In for life. Like being a Letterman fan. What? Yeah. May 20th. This night was Letterman's last. And, while I'll spare ya the top ten list, let's just say if you don't miss Dave...well...a Big Wednesday surf probably won't get you jacked either. You ain't in.

"Once you're a surfer you're done. You're in. It's like the mob or something, You're not getting out." -Kelly Slater

         The night's journey led us to another newbie; Guido's Burritos on 33rd. Located on the spot of the original Sandpiper Lounge, the remodel did a nice job of making it an open air bar. This place is screamin' "Mexican" but was it for real or another tourist theme? Without sounding politically incorrect, there were in fact eight folks from our southern neighbor enjoying the fare. Good enough for us.  We pulled up to the bar and had our barkeep serve us up some Chips and House Salsa, Beef Empanadas, and Sriracha Habanaro Wings, AND a couple of cold Mexican brews. Chips were outstandingly warm with a great tasting home-made medium salsa. The empandas were tasty and crisp, but they didn't have to be so chintzy with the beef stuffing. The wings, though breaded, had an excellent taste. Blue cheese on the side to help cool the heat would have taken these to the next level. Our beers were chilled. Not iced, but chilled. Place had a nice vibe.  Mix of Top 40 and Mexican music. An entire wall filled with a variety of tequilas. Go-pro videos that kept us entertained. Service was amiable though a bit slow. We agreed this would be worth a return. But for now, it' was home to Letterman. Cause once you're in, you're in for life.

THE RATINGS-

Chips,Salsa,Empanadas: B-

Sriracha Habanero Wings: B+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B

Overall Score = 3.00

Pull Up From Below, notes from the Target

Dribs and drabs, here and there. 66th Street Holiday's, 5/14/2015

  Summer lovin' has been coming in small doses so far. In the 'Bury we got three days of sun at 85F, three days of clouds dropping into the low 70s's. The beach continued to be mostly clouds with onshore winds keeping the innocent bystanders in the mid-60's. The Watt continues to suit up in full neoprene regalia. Not that it's his choice surf-wear, but 58 degrees pushes adjustments. Myself? A hat and light jacket does me just fine. I know this, our first choice would be surf conditions better than knee-high slop regardless of garb. Could it be that summer ain't here yet? We suspect it. I would venture to say the wedding troupe up the beach did not. Not that I'm any expert in nuptial rites, but you'd think we'd at least been invited to the post ceremony party. Oh well, the evening's offshores would've made for a chilled reception. Watt managed to pull up a few short sliders from the below average conditions. My attention diverted to the less than adequate chop, and after snagging a couple closing lefts, we called it a sesh and headed down road.

Bayside conditions brought serenity to a tough session.

   This Thursday was the start of Cruisin' Weekend in the resort. As we headed to Ocean City Brewing Company on 55th, the smell of burning rubber and dual exhaust fused with the usual brine of the Atlantic making for a busy night for local constables. So, it was surprising to find the brewpub filled more with locals than weekend race warriors. Perfect for a couple of brews and dinner. Pulling up to the bar Wattman ordered himself a flight as I tried a pint of their Orange Crush, a Belgian Style White Ale. Our dinner order was for the Sweet & Spicy Wings and the Steak Mini Quesadillas. Our Bartender got it bit twisted as we received Sweet Thai Chili Wings which had both sweet and spice, but a tad on the sticky side. No hell raising. We could see the logic of the mistake. Any wing in a storm. And, while the quesadillas filled the plate, they weren't filled themselves. The beer was fresh, but the glasses were room temp. Caught some of the NBA playoffs as the place died down. As this was the 2nd visit, we were hoping this place would become something more, but so far just a tourist attraction. We've moved on.

THE RATINGS-

Sweet Thai Chili Wings: B

Steak Quesadillas: C+

Beer: B

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.75

"When something comes up to me she don't even try, 'cause if I had a set of wings man I know she could fly!"

-the Beach Boys

Cruisin' Weekend a beach hit again in '15.

The Boys Are Back, notes from the Target.

Charging into the veil; fogged-in thigh highs. Holiday's, 66th Street. 5/7/2015

Guess who just got back today
Them wild eyed boys that had been away
Haven't changed that much to say
But man, I still think them cats are crazy.

   In the words of Thin Lizzy...The Boys Are Back In Town. Well we've been to town but after the cold snap that never seemed to end, the start of May has brought us officially back into the waters of the Atlantic; like a favorite song that calls us, we have hit the surf for another season. At the close of my trek to O City last Thursday I found my self and the town completely socked in by fog. Though there was no sun on the face and visibility less than a block, we were not to be warded off. Fifty-two degree water, low tide, and semi-clean thigh dividers were enough to keep the Wattman primed. Racked up quite a few decent rides after a couple slap downs to wake up the inner stoke. The highlight...a long right-hander that held up all the way to the beach. The surf did not disappoint.

Get rolled, 5/7/2015

Hooked in the white. Escape the slush, 5/7/2015

    As we have sat out the many cold days of winter, I have discovered something important. While on our many Journeys, Missions, and Crusades, a realization that they have all been limited by a single factor. Time. Last year; 100 day event. Tough hurdle of time to overcome. Summer 2015, however, starts today! Not to end until September 30th. For the next 150 plus days our entire existence will be measured upon one premise: did we make the most of our time? Whether getting deep into the Green Room of a gnarly A-Frame or tracing the burn of the rays from a spectacular sunset on the bay, only being as one with our surroundings can we find our place in the sun and truly overcome our hurdle. Sick bro, very sick. Feel me?
   With fog and dark closing in around us, we headed to John Fager's latest venture; Bad Monkey Burger Bar/Bar and Grill. Sub shop on the ground floor, bar and restaurant upstairs. Opened late last year with the upstairs an open air bar. Nights like Thursday were pretty vacant. But, this year they enclosed it with sliding glass panels. Much more user friendly. Great view of the Ocean Highway strip less the fog. We selected a couple of craft brews from their short but fair selection, and ordered up a Chicken Cheesesteak and their Old Bay Wings. One TV. One. Need to improve on that One. Beer needed a chilled glass, then the beer would remain chilled. Music. Decent. Good mix of 70s/80s/90s. Digging into the grub, the wings were good. The cheesesteak...the highlight. Cheesy, seasoned well. Packed. Pretty much a Dagwood of a cheesesteak. Our waiter- always Johnny on the spot, there when we needed him. Good food, good service, and a good value will bring us back every time. With our tab settled, it was settled: a return trip when the weather warms and the fog lifts.

THE RATINGS-
Chicken Cheesesteak: A-
Old Bay Wings: B-
Beer: B- (Chill It!)
Atmosphere: B
Overall Score = 3.06