Sunset Stripped, the Target's notes.

Cruisin' down the Sunset Strip, there's nothing that's not, that's not within my grip.   -C.Love
Rodeway's break, a mix of semi-clean and junk. 30th Street, 9/21/2017.

   According to the weather guy, today is the last official day of Summer. Autumn starts tomorrow. But from the Solstice point of view, today is one of the best beach nights of the year.  A warm slight breeze, some clouds- mostly sunny skies,  low tide and a sparse crowd makes tonight a great way to end the summer. Its times like this that make you reflect on what makes a successful summer, The waves, sun, and friends. Having just a moment in time where there are no questions, no answers are required.  Just the Atlantic to see, hear and breathe. Bad weather cleared out late Wednesday, and by the Crew's Thursday night session, L-sa and I had a great vista as we watched the remnants of Jose drag the Watt by on a strong southern current, still able to take in all the beach has to offer. 30th Street break... Rodeways, and some waist-high right handers still coming in an otherwise junky break. DWatt must've had that filmstrip view of the beach, watching us quickly pass by over his shoulder, expelling additional energy in a feign attempt to hold position. But nightfall is the enemy that strips the sunset from the sky, and the ocean view from our position. An enemy that will always win. The light quickly faded, leaving us and the Watt in the dusk. Searching for any type of ride, night fall quickly overtook DWatt...and our beach. With only a single ride to his credit, DWatt did not want to leave the surf, however soon it became impossible to even see him in the darkness. We knew he was struggling. L-sa was not amused by his attempt at night surfing (I was) and eventually he was forced to retreat back to shore.

   Tonight was a return to Abbey Burger Bistro on 126th and bayside for a 3peat review. DWatt has made several attempts to bring L-sa to this bar. Somehow it was always closed upon arrival. Nonetheless, the warm weather has kept many businesses on island time, and this evening the Abbey was still open as we walked in and found three seats at the end of the bar. Hard to beat 24 brews on Tap and even more available in bottle. This was definitely DWatt's kind of place. They do the rinse before every pour. An obvious understanding of the proper way to serve a draft...in the proper glassware no less. A plus-up. Plenty of flatscreens with the O's on several and College and NFL football on the others. We put in for our drink of choice and reviewed the menu.

It was a burger place after all so we chose the build your own selection as our first choice. Bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato...couldn't go wrong. Always when possible, we then headed to a tangy BBQ wing to round out our selection. L-sa cut the burger into thirds and we each grabbed our slice. Myself, I do not mince words and consequently I do not mix Apps. I opted to try the wings first. Fair sized with a nice taste, the Wings were both spicy and sweet without being over-powering.

The Burger was definitely above average. The beef was cooked to order and no one skimped on the toppings we had chosen. I can honestly say, if one is in OC alone or with the family...gotta stop by Abbey Burger. It may be a little hard to find, some of the décor was still dated, but we have always left satisfied and happy with the experience. The Revival moved out and on.

THE RATINGS

Bacon Burger: B+

Tangy Barbeque Wings: B

Beer: A-

Atmosphere: B+

Value: B

Overall Score = 3.25

Wired, the Target's notes.

I'm falling so I'm taking my time on my ride.  - Ride, 21 Pilots
Kicked in the tail 'n headed on down. Holidays & 66th, 9/13/2017.

   Light's at a premium this time of year as Wattman and L-sa arrived slightly earlier than normal. Course, I may have been five minutes late. But as I crossed the dune I saw L-sa wrapped up like a Polar Bear seated in her beach chair. She had miscalculated the temp difference between Ocean Pines and that ever present on-shore wind...out of the southeast as it turned out. The transition from Irma to Hurricane Jose. I had anticipated said problem and had my coat on as I left the parking lot. No matter over a shared bag of M&Ms, we settled in for the night of close-out waves and a great sunset. Of course while we are enjoying our beach time the Watt was searching for a ride. Fast closing front-sides squeezed between multiple crushing trips over the falls seemed to be the call of nature tonight. Frustration tends to get Wattman a tad wired. Impatience swelled. Although practically in the dark, DWatt managed to conclude the night; a small right finishing up in the mush...on a positive note. 

Irma NW of Florida, Jose off the coast. Md in a pinch.

   We proceeded north to Bourbon Street on the Beach.  It's a place that has had several different names and themes over the years but has been in this New Orleans variation for some time. Located under the pool deck of the Fountainhead condos. Blink and you'd probably miss the place completely. As we entered we got the Dive Bar vibe...low ceiling, slightly musty, old guy on a synthesiser...that we so enjoy. With this one-dude show playing funky 70s and 60s cuts we wondered what type of time warp we'd found. And as the night wore on we realized just how bad, as at times we had to take a good guess just to figure out what he was trying to play.

Our barkeep for the night seemed to be one cigarette short of a full pack but he was able to get the job done, if only in slow motion. Watt and I ordered our usual brews and while the glass may have come from a refrigerator the temperature of the liquid was cool not cold. We soon placed our order of Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Cajun Wings, and Grilled Chicken Quesadillas. Waiting for almost an hour, we questioned a waitress about our order. Seems there was only one chef/cook in the place and everything was made from scratch or so they claim. We all thought the wings were just average and a bit over fried. The scallops were wrapped in under-cooked bacon and had little flavor. Their one distinguishing feature was they were too hot to eat. So, then we came to the best and worst of the meal. The Grilled Chicken Quesadillas. Had to be one of the year's best. The texture, taste and ingredients all were great.  The only thing missing for me was maybe a little veg of some kind between the shells. I did mention ingredients didn't I? Well, as L-sa was enjoying her quesadilla, the waitress stoped by and asked how we're doing. At that moment L-sa bites into a piece of wire and shows the waitress. L-sa said she was fine. However in perfect Hostess/Host fashion, both the barkeep and the waitress said our entire meal was free. I was thinking about this later. If we found one piece of wire in the meal shouldn't they have taken the rest of the quesadillas away just to be safe? DWatt may have objected. Instead, we finished the food and left the barkeep a nice tip. Introspect...maybe we need to reconsider the rankings to include the possibility or avoidance of death. The perils of a Revival.

THE RATINGS-
Bacon Wrapped Scallops: C
Cajun Wings: C
Grilled Chicken Quesadillas: B- (minus)the wire
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: B
Value: B
Overall Score = 2.50

Good Mojo, the Target's notes.

Salted crush. Squeezing the mojo, 30th and Rodeways. 9/7/2017

    We began the second season hopeful good fortune would return. After last week's dismal outing we were looking for some good mojo in both weather and surf. A beautiful day, but not the warm summer start to September we had hoped for. The sun had been shining, however it was jeans and jackets for both Lisa and I as we took our seats on the beach. The crowds tend to thin out this time of year and tonight... no exception. Just a small group flying kites. Small kids dashing in and out of the water. Atlantic is still warm (lower 70s). DWatt spent every second of the remaining light trying to squeeze out one decent ride. Semi-clean, albeit sectioning conditions, and a hard breeze.

Offseason thinning, 9/7/2017.

 













Hurricane Irma's subdued effects provided the swell and current. Thus, it was once again two attempts, then a long walk back up the beach. There was a level of pleasure Lisa and I derived from watching her husband having to walk by time and again although we did give him credit for his positive attitude. The rides may have been short and infrequent, but they were memorable. Really, that's all that mattered.

Irma's path, 9/6/2017.

    As the last rays of light faded into deep shades of purples and blues, we cruised over to the Embers on 23rd and Blu Crabhouse (apropos). Previously rated a few years ago, its outdoor space with palm trees swaying above surrounding tables like so many tropical brooms sweeping the sky clear for the stars. A slightly covered, two sided bar that was just behind the regular dinning space. They had added speakers for music and a couple of large flat TVs since our last visit. Definitely helped the total vibe of the place. 

Gotta say, it is supposed to be an upscale crab house and in the two visits I have never seen anyone picking and eating crabs. Good thing I had dressed warm as the night air quickly cooled. After flagging down our barkeep we ordered our refreshments. Plastic cups...I guessed due to the sand filled yard in keeping with the beach theme... I just called dumb. I understand the case made for concerns over broken glass. Our case has always been beer is better from a glass. And while the beer selection was fair to middlin' I was able to have my Summer Shandy so there was a small bright spot to be had. 

This night we went big in our choices. Clams Casino, Old bay Wings and Blu Crab Dip was our dinner this evening.  Wings were nothing special. Fair sized, however lacking that Old Bay bite and seemed to me to be slightly over-cooked. But, it was the clams that disappointed.  Lisa's first time trying and she was not impressed. To be honest they were small clams in a bland casino mix. The topping held no real appeal or flavor. The Crab Dip surprised. Served with a pretzel roll and flat bread crackers, covered in cheese, it had that nice crab aroma and flavor and a texture that was the highlight of the evening. 

Mirrored view...Blu's Canal.

Our bar keep tonight while pleasant was not the most efficient. We repeatedly had to wave her down to get what we needed. You would think silverware and napkins would be something hard to forget but somehow she did.  A nice atmosphere, decent value, and somewhat cold beer was overshadowed by the end of summer blues brought about by average service and average food. It's been 4 years and Blu is still not my gold standard. That's okay. This is the revival. Next!

THE RATINGS -
Old Bay Wings: C+
Clams Casino: C
Blu Crab Dip: B+
Beer: B-
Atmosphere: B
Value: B-
Overall Score = 2.67

Backside Thumpin', notes from the Target

Last of the Summer Sessions. Type 10 chaos, 66th St. OCMD 8/31/2017.

   The last sesh before the second season begins. End of the summer beach life. Tropical Cyclone 10 off the coast on it's way to the UK had promised head high waves and clean sets for the night's meeting. We were hoping to continue the three week run of good beach weather and now bigger rideable surf. It would be the original Crew. With Lisa away on business it was just Wattman and Hard Target once again.

In the sights.

 Targeted Gull, 8/31

Over two years since the we were hitting the coast. Hoping for a memorable night. Unfortunately, the weather does not always deliver as promised. Crossing the dune line led to a sight of much concern. The counter-clockwise rotation of the system stirred up a northeast swell giving Wattman an evening of lefts. A backside thump. The surf obviously not playing favorites to the preferred frontside slice. In short, what we had was another wind driven day of sand and waves that made each of our nights very unpleasant. The Watt fought to find anything resembling a controllable drop. After an hour in the water with only four attempts he called it a night. Unsatisfied. Taking it on the head from several sets. Beat up by a 10. But we've said it before...any night in or near the water is considered a success. We'll be back. 

The impact zone is calling out my name.   -Surfing In A Hurricane, J. Buffett
The drop before the fall. Holiday's zone, 66th St., 8/31/2017

    Tonight's destination was referred to us by a previous surf member as a genuine local dive establishment. Beach Barrels on 133rd Street; a small combo place. Part package store and part twelve seat bar that has no kitchen. A lone barkeep runs the place single handed. We ordered our beers from the small selection of tap handles up front. DWatt put in for a specialty beer and was served in a nice glass while my domestic only came in a plastic cup. With no food in house we ordered from the Primo Hoagies shop next door...part of the same set-up. The Turkey Diablo, a sub with home style turkey, hot pepper cheese, spices and all the trimmings. Sat back, relaxed, enjoyed our brews, and watched the game merging in with the several locals talking among themselves. This was a true local hangout with the majority of customers within walking distance I would venture to bet. If you're in the area stop by, its a nice casual place for anyone. The revival continues...

THE RATINGS-

Turkey Diablo Sub: B

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: B

Value: B

Overall Score = 2.94