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!"