The Spirit Lives On, from the Target's notes.

"The Break," 67th Street dune crossing. Holidays, OCMD. 11/23/2016

   For the Crew Thanksgiving has always been an important date. Since the beginning we have met on the Wednesday night before the Holiday to celebrate with friends, laugh, and remember. And as the group got smaller over the years we still came. Finally we morphed into what we are today, and even dropping from three to two members did not detour the Crew's annual meeting. I think it became more important to us to celebrate that friendship is more than words...it's actions, being there when it counts no matter the conditions. With Wattman not living local there had to be schedule changes. This year, no celebration the day before Thanksgiving. This year we would have a new kind celebration. For this Thanksgiving weekend Wattman finally did himself right and married the lovely Lisa. And while the Wedding may have been the highlight of the night, having the Three Original Crew Members together was not a bad afterthought. 

With Cheeks (Wix), DWatt (David), and Hard Target ( Tom ) together one more time the Crew felt like it had never been apart. While the three of us may not have gotten to spend a lot of time together that night (there was a wedding going on), I think it meant a lot to all three of us to be there. For us, actions speak loudly and friendship is more just a word. It is Stoke incarnate. So, even though I am the only crew member visiting the O.City Christmas display this year, it doesn't matter. The Crew's Spirit will live on until we can get together again.

The Reception; Town Dock Restaurant.

 St. Michaels, MD 11/26/2016

THE RATINGS: 4.0
Wouldn't change a thing!

"Some call it 'the Show', or 'the Big Dance,'"
-Papa Elf

State Of Mind, from the Target's notes.

"Summer should get a speeding ticket!" -Unknown.    Desolate shorebreak...74th Street, OCMD 11/03/2016. 

   It happens ever year. No matter what you do its like a freight train coming towards you. Summer has to end. While many people think the summer ends with Labor Day, the Crew knows its not over. For those who understand the beach life it's only the lack of sunlight that ends the weekday surf sessions, our summer, and with the weekend time change our summer has officially ended. This summer has been like no other in our history. With Dwatt living in Chicago for the past year we have under performed. Many would say we didn't make the quota; failed to meet standard necessary to continue as a crew. But the Crew is more than a physical presence...it is a state of mind. So, we will continue as long as we have the will to seek out one more day with the sand between our toes. Another wave. Another ride. Thus once again I head to the beach; a single Crewman. See the surf. Smell the salt air. As luck would have it the weather is unreal. High 70's. Enough sun to get a tan. While the waves were small and the water cold it was a great beach day for anyone lucky enough to be there. 
   After a while I decided to call on one of our old favorites...the Frog Bar at the Inlet. Closed, like so may other places this time of year. Guess I shouldn't be overly surprised. Thus, I turned and headed home knowing while 2016 has been sparse in meetings of the crew, 2017 holds promise. A future waiting for the Crew and those of like minds. We just have to wait for the next set; allow the unknown to be revealed. Because out there on the horizon a swell is building, and we will be here when it arrives.

Old favorite...a must return.                     -stock photo

Accursed, from the Watt's notebook.

"Well the wind is blowin' harder now; fifty knots or there abouts. There's whitecaps on the ocean, and I'm watchin' for water spouts. It's time to close the shutters. It's time to go inside."  -J. Buffet, Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season.
         Complete lawlessness; 48th Street Break, 9/30/2016.

   Last post was in July. Here we are in September. The rain continues. Hurricane Season has decided to go into full operational mode. Like truly bad timing to try to bang out a sesh. We had Cat 3 Matthew coming up from the deep Caribbean pulling down an ornery Nor'east antagonistic squall. Very incensed woman, that Atlantic.

But the Target has gone through post stone reformation. This was the weekend I was coming. No turning back the plane. The Crew is as the Crew does. An accursed band as of late. Doesn't matter. Surf check until the last minute. Coastal flooding be damned. We maintained our collision course with the OC. It's what we do.

No quarter left to give.

   Our descent  touched down at a twisted and very turbulent 47th street break that turned us away and dropped us into the back lot of Buxy's Salty Dog Saloon. The calm of a local dive. A chance to catch up again. Old friends that fall back into the same comfortable familiar line... grabbed us some much needed brews to drown the memory of another lost surf session. We had done the "Dog" some years ago. Only time we had or have ever found Old Bay Wings we didn't like...a wet rub version. Not eager to repeat the experience we avoided the Old Bay's (much to my Chicago Girl's chagrin) and went after the medium Buffalo Wings. More like a medium Buffalo BBQ style. Added to that a 1/2 pound of shrimp and the Chicken Chesapeake Wrap. Wings, like most places they boast about 'em. Their "yard bird specialty."They should consult the Crew before making such claims. Hot. Meaty. But, tasted little better than average. Short of drying 'em out, it's hard to f#%k up shrimp. The Wrap...not bad. We'd recommend. Beer was nice. Good selection. Cold. Refreshing. As it should be. Service was attentive. Atmosphere relaxing. Well appointed. Plenty of TV's. Sure this place is rockin' on Sundays. Music was lacking, however. Sound way down. Maybe, due to our early beach departure, they were still in sports update mode. Hard to say. Weather like this makes almost any dive a welcome stop. Regardless, we take no prisoners; make no concessions. We rate accordingly.

   A final note. What was most tense, disturbing, and unspoken about this session, is there is no certainty as to the next. Change is in the atmosphere. We have a wedding coming up. A preoccupation to any near future Crew activities. But we will meet again. Change is the only constant. And this particular one will make us stronger. The future looks bright. We stick. More waves. More brews. Good food. And always more destination dives that need to be judged and rated. Our journey is never over. It is a work in progress. Ever developing. Advancing. Ongoing.
'Til we meet again.

THE RATINGS - 

Medium Buffalo Wings: C+

Steamed Shrimp: B-

Chicken Chesapeake Wrap: B

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B-

Overall Score = 2.80

Conspiracy Theory, notes from The Watt.

"Hark, now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea and feel the sky..."  -Van Morrison
About all you can do in these conditions. Holiday's and 67th Street break-less, 7/29/2016.

    Living in the Midwest makes scheduling dicey at best. We try our best to work around each others schedules, but weather and unforeseen illness played huge roles in debilitating this week's session. Plans were to get into town early on Thursday. Storms, both in Chicago and Baltimore spoiled that deal. We got in 1:30 Friday morning. Speaking of under the weather, Hard Target was brought down by hard illness. Nothing he wouldn't recover from; painful though. Remained bedridden for the duration. My Girl and I tried to test the waters Friday afternoon. To no avail. Seemed like there was a conspiracy afoot. Shorebreak. not even impressive shorebreak. Ankle, maybe knee high. High tide didn't help. I had to get in. As much as I felt my frustration would overwhelm me (as poor surf usually does), being away since the end of May made me appreciate the warmth of the sun, the sand, and the Atlantic. Tried to body surf a bit of the weak swell...enough to feel surge begin to carry me to shore. Sorta. My sesh. No real pics though. Did it really happen? The elements banded together to deny any ride, however it felt good to get wet; smell the ocean's salt. So to me, it did.
   Vexation in the water meant Lisa and I had to find sustenance to overcome. However, the Crew being down a key member meant no assessment. And the spiritual challenges of the trip so far would probably have lead to distorted ratings. That in mind, we hit up a previously rated location on 45th and the bay... Assawoman Bay Brewing and Restaurant. Like the first visit, the interior was pretty much empty. A warm evening led us to the deck bar with an incredible bay view.

We  ordered Old Bay Wings and a flight of their brews. Wings were good. But done right, most Old Bay styles are. The beer was pretty good as well. Served in glass, but not very cold. Beer not cold is always due for improvement. Good crowd, although music- live or otherwise- was lacking. Our bartender was friendly and did his best to accommodate. Still, we drank and chowed our waveless blues away. Grades will have to wait... Until the weather improves. Until the surf conditions pick up. Until the Target is back on his feet. Until we return.

Chill 'dem beers, the ratings will wait.

Assawoman Brewing, 7/29/2016.

Perfect Set, notes from the Target

"You never know what you're gonna find. You buy the ticket and you take the ride"  -Pepper, Push
Waist high ticket to ride. Holiday's shoulder break, 65th Street. 5/31/2016

   Holidays sometimes mean extended vacations and last week's surf made two weeks in a row for the Crew. With Dwatt's vacation near end we moved the weekly session forward a couple of days. Squeezing in one more before that long drive back to the "no Ocean land" known as Chicago was imperative for the Wattman.  However, as we arrived at the beach you could tell he had more than just surf on his mind.  Needed to let go of all the crap that somehow seems to hit us all and makes life hard. Needed to get wet. Just a little water time. A simple wave. Maybe a small rush as he slips a lip over the top and pops to his feet. But to find what he needed, Mother Ocean was going to make him work. There were no short cuts, no perfect set up, or clean wave shot. As Lisa and I watch from our positions on a windy beach, DWatt charged again and again into the brink. With each pass and walk back up the beach there was little talk, just a look that said, "the ride will come." A moment when the stoke of sliding down a clean frontside wall will overcome all. Thigh to waist high. Water had warmed a bit. Here and there he snagged a few small rides. Slowly the expression on his face changed. The ocean worked its magic again.

Every wipe-out sucks...skidding, face to face. 65th St. Break. 5/31/2016

   With lots of daylight this time of year we head to the Sunset Marina in West Ocean City and Teasers Dockside Bar. Wattman and I had been there in the shoulder season but this night was the first official summer review. First Tuesday of June...first deck party of the Summer...there was a fair crowd. Live band on an elevated stage across the dock. I felt they were loud. Not impressed. Wattman however, seemed to savor the whole experience. Summer has arrived. No denying it. 

And my first Leiny Summer Shandy was cold and most enjoyable. DWatt obviously happy with his discount Dogfish IPA, and Lisa nursed a couple of Crush's (2 for one advantage of the deck party). Ordered the BBQ Wings that arrived breaded (a supreme no-no!) and had no taste, tempura battered Mahi Fingers that were good but not memorable, and Caribbean Chicken Quesadilla that was the best app of the night. With three of us eating, we do get  more food and maybe a better idea of what the real score should be in this category. But, once again the night closed in on us and the Watt and Lisa had to leave. Goodbyes- always difficult, were exchanged. Till next we return...

"Breaded wings? You're blowin' it bro!" -Dan Marino

THE RATINGS-

BBQ Wings: C-

Mahi Fingers: C+

Caribbean Quesadilla: B

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: A-

Overall Score = 2.25

In The Spirit, the Target's notes.

Skipping through the foamies, 67th Street, Holiday's. 5/26/2016

  It's the official start of summer and the Wattman managed to make it back home to the 'Shore. While his official stance was to see his nephew graduate from the Navel Academy, a Crew reunion and the first surf session of the year was a close second; sans mandatory. With the Watt living out of state the events calendar has been very limited for the Crew. Missed our annual St. Paddy's Day and Cruisin' OC reviews this year. However, the biggest loss was within the four weeks between the end of April and the front of May when our water time season usually starts. Now, I know these weeks are usually cold, windy; not the most auspicious of beach days. Nonetheless, as the pics have shown over the years- some of the sweetest rides always seemed to have come at the beginning of each season. All of these missed opportunities weighed heavily on me this offseason.

"Riding on a lifelong swell" -K. Chesney.

   Yet this Right Coast day was a new day, and the beach has special powers that few truly understand. In the spirit of these powers and in consideration of this out of state arrangement, DWatt finally told Lisa, (his future wife) about our Blog. I am not yet sure if she plans to apply to become a Crew Member...the initiation rites and hazing aspects...frightening. I mean it usually take a year or so just to become a friend of the site. But, as the three of us crossed the dune line, the temps dropping twenty degrees, she showed traces of worthiness remaining a trooper, gritting it out. Didn't matter to us. Never seems to matter to the Watt. For more than six months the stick has been dry. Today, today it once again got it's crust of ocean salt. Enveloped in the sea of life. With a very low tide and what seemed like sub-gale force winds, maybe 15 mph, the wave action was less than ideal. Sloppy, sectioning thigh or so surf. For the next ninety minutes wearing more rubber than a seal, Wattman jumped every possible wave. His need to be back in the ocean could be seen on his face.  A mix of rusty struggle, profound joy, determination, and maybe even some relief that he was back in his element- the sea. 
   After finally snagging the last ride of the night, we headed into the second half of the evening's Journey. As his position from within the crew requires, Watt had picked Steamers on 45th and the bay for our foodie review. We arrived. The place was closed. This seems to a recurring problem for Wattman. Several of his choices over the past year had been closed upon arrival, though he claimed to have checked them out in advance. So after some rerouting we end up at Ocean City Fish Company, formerly Captains Galley. A dockside institution on the south-side of the commercial fishing wharf in West OC. It had come under new ownership in the last year, been remodeled, and thus was on our radar. We headed upstairs to the bar and got ourselves seated with a view of the harbor. Still not quite into the holiday weekend there were few customers left in the place. Service was good and we quickly got a cold beverage in a sweet take home glass. The improved Galley (as it was known) is a year round restaurant so we expected the meal to be good. We ordered the Old Bay Wings, "Off With Their Heads" Whole Steamed Shrimp, and Bacon Wrapped Scallops, getting caught up while we waited. An immediately apparent issue we noticed was no music or TV at this bar (though there were several flatscreens around the inside bar). On the other hand, the food arrived quickly and we jumped in. The wings were pretty damn good, and the scallops not bad. But, the shrimp with the heads still on were over cooked and a bit dry. Beers were cold. Conversation buzzing. Nevertheless, the night had to come to an end and we headed our separate ways. Back to the 'Bury. Till next week. It seems holidays allow for extended stays.

*Note- the scores I believe were too high. DWatt had been gone too long. Gotten soft in his scoring. Just my opinion. But I am almost always correct. We'll see next week.

THE RATINGS-

Old Bay WIngs: A-

Bacon Wrapped Scallops: C+

Steamed Shrimp: C-

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: C+

Overall Score = 2.65

Bar with a view, West OC Commercial Harbor.

Reconnect, the Target's notes.

Semi-clean conditions, low tide, 47 Degrees...hoods still required. Roadways lineup- 30th Street, OCMD. 4/8/2016

   It's been a while.

   While usually we take a small break to recharge each winter, this year everything has been different. With the Wattman living out of state its been hard to connect; the crew, while never out of mind was certainly out of sight. But, DWatt and Lisa put together a long weekend to take care of some local business and it was time to reconnect. You can say what you want, the 'ol adage applies... once you have sand between your toes, never being able to leave. What I do know is the need to be at the beach again meant DWatt spent an entire day shopping at surf shops in OC, Lisa in tow. Could be the smell of salt air was like a high octane rush that he couldn't leave. He just wandered from place to place getting that beach fix his soul required.

High-octane rush. 4/8/2016

K-Coast, 35th St.

   This time around however, my requirements would mean we would be need to stay in the "Bury," and we were fortunate enough to have a new place in town to sojourn to. Hoppers Tap House, part of a restaurant complex on the Southside by the college. Bordering several eating establishments around a center court, the place had only been open a couple weeks. A lot of kinks need to be worked out. But one can see the idea has great potential. It was a good mix of young, old,and cool people like us. Add live music on a corner stage, and the place started jumpin'. While it was a bit loud, the service disorganized (problems handling the crowds), and slow (more like self serve you have to keep checking on), we decided to sit at a table in the bar and get a Primo Hoagies sub and wings from Wingin' It with our cold brews. Now summer may be a bit on the horizon, but here on the Shore we have not yet received our first shipment of Summer Shandy. DWatt keeps telling me how they already have it in ChiTown. Thus, I settled in with a local brew as did Wattman and Lisa after trying several samples from the numerous draft choices. Let me state now, while the beer was cold... the glass was not. Multi-selection taps mean it is a must to chill the glass if they're ever going to fix this type of problem. Yes, I do have an attitude. Its been many months since I have had a good cold beer. And for the prices we payed, I want things done right or you can expect your score to reflect our discontent. However, food order problems notwithstanding, the night was a success. Just being with friends you have missed means a lot. You don't really have to talk a lot. Just hangin' out together once again brings back the energy that has been missing. So, as we walked off into the night we planned our next meeting in several weeks. Next time its the beach, and salt air. We can argue later who needs it more.

THE RATINGS-

Wingin' It Bourbon Q Wings: C- (speed it up!)

Primo Hoagies Turkey Sub: B

Beer: B- (chill it!)

Atmosphere: B+

Overall Score = 2.69

Tumultuous End; Uncertain Future, notes from the Watt

Jonas has left the building, Holiday's 66th Street. 1/24/2016

"Talk is Bullshit. Ya want to know the truth? Get a board and paddle out there. Point your board down the face of a grinder and make a commitment. That's where you'll find the truth."  
-Greg Noll, "Da Bull"

   Beat us up all ya want. We are late on the "Year In Review" post. I'm out west. Well, Midwest. Target's maintaining vigilance over the MD coast. It's tough to stay on top. We do what we do. Best efforts. HT put together an impressive spread sheet. Once again. So I will attempt to summarize. Best and worst of 2015, regardless of the tumultuous end (and uncertain future).

Empty sand, dead palms. Must be

out-season. 1/24/2016

   I will start by saying that  I was back in town in January, but try as we may we were not able to connect for a meeting of the minds to discuss this review. Still, as Jonas, the first major Winter storm moved thru, I was able to hit ye 'ole Crew Break at Holiday's and do a surf check of the both shore conditions and wave heights. Major miss, I will admit. And, as aforementioned, the Targetman does spreadsheets as the Targetman does. First stop of the year was a fun one. Not a great foodie stop, but it is hard to beat team trivia. Matteo's Salsa Loco. Target had it right. Made to feel at home as soon as you walked in. Perfect local dive for a winter Crew sesh.

Bus to Matteos, 1/22/2015

The newbies shined in '15 as established Maryland restauranteurs opened some real stoked dining opportunities for the Crew to rate. Our top rated four were newly opened slammers. Needless to say, we took advantage. First surf session of the year finished off with a fogged-in lineup and John Fager's Bad Monkey. Classic dive-pub grub done a bit upscale. A handful of micro's on tap, and a chicken cheesesteak that was out of bounds! 2nd floor view was majestic...of OC's main drag, Philly Ave. Overall a 3.08...second highest. Cool place.

First surf always puts you in the groove, Holiday's 5/7/2015.

Third waves of the year took us to 47th Street and some decent chest highs. I struggled to find my groove, but still found the Stoke. We Cruised into Guido's Burritos after the fact. Airing Go-Pro videos put this place in the running from the jump. And, the Sriracha Habanero wings would have been the best had they come with some blue cheese, hell, any dressing to cool the heat. Mexican flare done well. Number three in our ratings with a 3.0.

Lifer dispite the struggle. In pursuit of the Groove, 47th Street break, 5/20/2015

July. Summer purty much in full swing. Typical surf for that time of year. Knee-high small fries. Like picking through a bucket of Thrashers for the crunchier bites, I still managed to snatch out a few shortie rides. Hooked, a restaurant full of seafood goodies caught our eye this evening. While they tried to get fancy serving us whole wings instead of cut at the joint (the Targetman was not impressed), the bacon wrapped scallops, crab dip, and beer more than made up for it. Chill short bar outside made for a relaxing close to the night. Number four at 2.95.

Summer search party. Holiday's and 67th, 7/9/2015

The week before, we hit the fifth highest rated. An Ocean City icon. Classic beach/boardwalk dive. Following a righteous day on the water at Holiday's where in addition to waist high plus swell and some decent rights, I managed to get hammered as well, there was no place better to find medicinal treatment through a tap than at the Cork Bar. Iced glasses filled with golden healing helped relieve the muscular pounding. Decent BBQ Wings and a dynamite local atmosphere rounded out the score... 2.94.

Iconic infirmary.

Come git yer poundin' boy! No mercy shown. Holiday's at 66th. 7/1/2015.

Numero Uno for '15 was a Baltimore based restaurant whose sister ship we had visited in Fenwick Island. Their newest venture, Ropewalk Ocean City was our first review after my first return visit from the move to the Midwest. Sort of a homecoming for me including a much needed surf session. As my trip was nearing, HT had to text me and let me know it was "blowin' a gale" on the beach. This was not keeping me out of the water. Still warm (around 70 F), I was determined and pulled the BZ outta the closet as my vehicle of choice. Gotta say, Ropewalk was a welcome stop after the beating I took just to get into the lineup. Smoked Old Bay Wings, spicy Badda Bing shrimp, top choice, shucked, bangin' oysters and a nice selection of craft beer made this an easy first place finish with a 3.25 rating. Based on the stoke we were feeling afterwards, worth every point.

Sprayed and dusted. Holiday's 66th. 9/27/2015

Feel the joy. Ropewalk in OC. 9/27/2015.

   Nowadays, I'm looking forward to the next trip back to the Right Coast. The Targeted One is keeping a hard watch on the shore. The usual suspects seen. Gulls. Terns. Plovers. The quiet season. Working on a plan to stir things up. To get wet again. To set the Crew loose.

The lineup awaits... somewhere on the OC's Right Coast, 2/21/2016.