"No Surf" City, from the Target's notebook.

You know they're either out surfin' or they got a party growin'. -Jan & Dean, Surf City
Where's the party? No surf zone, 66th and Holidays, 10/18/2018.

   I am waiting as night quickly descends. Tonight it did not matter that the Watts were running late, for the Atlantic was quiet. Upon arrival, Wattman quickly embarks from the Terrain as he had talked himself into putting on the rubber top only and eating the cold for dinner. Temps had dropped over the last few days. Maybe within those last few seconds Watt was hoping to snag a ride before total darkness fell. However, it does not matter. Tonight for the first time this season there was NO surf. What laid before us was a dead calm sea with not much more than a ripple lapping at the beach's edge. While there were no waves, we were able to appreciate the last moments of an incredible sunset as the light silently slipped below the horizon. 

   With no real time spent on the beach we headed over to our dinner destination. Upon arrival at Ironweed Ale Werks it was immediately apparent that this was a business in transition (OC Brewing Company...been there, done that), not to mention the off season as well. I spotted a total of eight people in the entire place. This was formerly the original ES Adkins Lumber Warehouse, cavernous, but with plenty of flatscreen TVs and even a dual indoor Cornhole court. Finding a place at the bar was no trouble at all. Our barkeep was the new GM of the Ironweed. As peeps departed, we became as entertaining to him as he was to us. Ironweed was in the process of taking over OC Brewing and due to all the legal and illegal mumbo jumbo involved, the procedure was full of editorial garbage...we will leave it at that for now.

Still, lots of beer on tap and we took the opportunity to sample a few before making a decision. I will go on the record now: Cucumber beer has no place anywhere in our society. It may have been the sole worst tasting beverage I had ever tried. Meanwhile, Wattman was having a great time sampling their brews, while I dropped back and went with the safe bet...an original Miller Lite. LWatt chose a Sour that we agreed wasn't as good as last weeks representative. From the ample menu we ordered the Brew House Pretzel with Spicy-Sweet Mustard and Beer Cheese to start. The pretzel was average, not much better that your store brought  freezer variety. However, the mustard had a great tang on the back-end we all liked. Our next selection was the Honey Old Bay Wings.

Anytime there's honey we've had a note of concern. It would be very easy to end up with a sticky mess. But these wings featured just the right amount of honey, although the dry-rub Old Bay should have been kicked up a notch. Finally, we split the Smash Burger, a 1/2lb. of angus with provolone and bacon. We have had just an outstanding run of good burgers lately were hoping it would continue. This was again a well prepared burger, good size, but it seemed to lack a pop. While I could not speak for the Watts, it left me wanting. At this point we were the only people left in the place as we continued our conversation with our barkeep. Seemed we had visited just in time as Ironweed would be closing the following week for major renovations and would not reopen 'til Spring. Thus, while it may not be possible to stop by again in 2018, we will definitely put it on the Patrol's list for next year. 

THE RATINGS - 

Brew House Pretzel: C+

Honey Old Bay Wings: B+

Smash Burger: B-

Beer: B+

Atmosphere: B

Value: C

Overall Score = 2.75

Indian Summer, from the Target's notebook.

Snagging a shoulder as the chop began to outstrip the clean laundry.
Hurricane Michael still in the southern distance. 65th Street break, 10/10/2018.

    Due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Michael we had once again moved our beach night to a Wednesday. But, another important element remained. Though summer officially ended several weeks ago, we have been enjoying a continual Indian Summer. With air temps in the 80's, humidity in the 90% range, and the Atlantic still in the lower 70s, the jackets (and rubber suit) remained in the closet.

However, this evening's session was most likely the last warm one of our season. Cooler, autumnal temperatures are expected to come racing onto the shore next week. Chilled winds, and cold nights will mean dropping degrees in the ocean as well. Thus as LWatt and I sat and kept watch in the twilight, we took comfort in the last warm days that always seem to slip by too quickly. Wattman spent his time focused on the horizon, looking for that elusive crest point. It seemed the best wave of the night happened just before my untimely late arrival, and unfortunately LWatt missed the pic. No proof of a ride meant no said incident. Darkness descended quickly. Mid-tide and a strong northbound current combined with little sunlight made judging waves more of a guessing game than skill. But with prospects of thigh to waist, Watt didn't leave the field of battle that easily. After a number of attempts, a couple of clutch frontsides were secured and the night came to a close, as much by lack of light as by choice.

   A mid-week night is not a busy one in the off-season. Needless to say, as we stood outside the locked doors of Brass Balls Saloon, I became cognisant of the fact that Wattman forgot to check to see if the bar would be open. After getting over his dismay and a brief discussion, we headed downtown and made a quick detour into Pickles Pub on 8th. We had been here before, more than once, the last as Spring was taking hold...always seemed to have a crowd. The Pickles following are mostly locals, service workers looking for a laid back night out. So, I was surprise when we found the innards of the bar was filled with an eclectic mix of blue and white collars. Half price specials loaded the place up as we got the last seats at the bar. This place was set up; pool tables, video games, lots of tv's and a combo big screen/stage in the corner. However, our first order of business were cold beverages. 25 plus brews on tap. Served up in fancy, chilled, beer chalices, LWatt and I both went with a sour beer while Watt got a local IPA.

We ordered the half price special, The Big Kahuna, a half-pound angus beef burger topped with pineapple, bacon, cheddar, spices, and a special sweet chili sauce on the side. We'd seemed to have had a good run with burgers lately, and this one did not disappoint. Next we had the Wing Dust, a mix of Old Bay with a hint of cinnamon. Again, we all agreed they were above average wings with an original take on the dry rub Old Bay. Lastly the major disappointment, and I mean Major Disappointment, were the Pork Tacos. The pork was very dry and hard to chew. The cheese, lettuce, and salsa inside were almost non-existent. Only one of us was able to finish...Wattman- big surprise. One must wonder how is this possible, as we have had tacos at several locations recently that were big time fails. Tacos should be one of the easiest things for any kitchen staff to make. As we finished our chow and Watt downed his second brew, we realized the crowd in the room had started to change over to a slightly younger version of ourselves. So with tab paid, the Patrol moved out. We gotta say, Pickles was true to it's name...a local legend for all locals and those in the know.

THE RATINGS-

The Big Kahuna Burger: B+

Wing Dust: B

Pork Tacos: D-

Beer: A-

Atmosphere: B

Value: B

Overall Score = 2.79

Pounded, from the Target's notebook.

Wrapped up, snapped up, surrounded. Shorebreak eruption, 66th and Holidays. 10/4/2018

   An early meeting this week, but since the Watts have not been on time recently I was in no real hurry. To my surprise they were already on the beach when I arrived. However, Wattman had yet to enter the water, so that being said, was I really late or just in time? I believe it was obvious where I stood on the issue. Even at 6:20pm, the light was fading fast as LWatt and I sat at the edge of the surf. The late season warmth had held the water temp, but the hurricane season, the season of fronts and low pressure systems, had left us with chopped conditions. Watt was getting pounded. The sets were nice size, but exploding as they hit the shore. The vanishing sun turned the skyline from  flaming reds, to pinkish orange, to light purples as the Watt struggled to paddle back out while duck diving, getting smashed by multiple waves, and generally feeling the punch of even the smallest wave. Heights tonight ranged from thigh to head high. But the key to the Watt was simple. He had paid his dues and he was not leaving until he got his fill. That may mean only two rides that count, still that is two more he can put into his reserve to carry over this winter. 

   As we prepared to leave the beach, Wattman informed us that his daughter would be joining us as we continued our tour of the senior restaurants. Nothing to do with Mexican food. More like the elderly gentry that frequented these fine establishments. Or maybe the dated decor. Thus tonight we headed to Ocean City Square Shopping Center on 118th street and Whiskers Pub, a sports bar with a big local following and lots of knotty pine. Watt and I made our last visit here in the Fall, many moons ago. This being a Washington fan-base tavern, Wattman was excited about all the Redskins memorabilia on the walls...another reason for the old folks that were here. Let's face it Washington, it's been awhile. But Watt proved that the spirit was still alive, confronting some little old man and getting some of the other patrons  to join the Watt in regaling the guy and the rest of the joint with a joyous rendition of the Redskins Fight Song. However, upon wrap up, the old guy recovered and informed Wattman that he was a Ravens fan (albeit because his wife was). Oh, well...c'est la vie.

   With the place being packed, the service seemed a little slow but we eventually got our cold drinks served in glasses that were not chilled. This being the off season and a local place, our expectations are at minimum that our glass be chilled and not just clean. The Watt's daughter ordered the Steamed Shrimp. We went with Barbeque Wings, Rockfish Fingers with a Sweet Chili dipping sauce, and Sweet Potatoes Fries with Tiger Sauce. The Rockfish was light and flakey with a nice crunch, but the real flavor was in the dipping sauce. Sweet, with a chill kick on the back side, the chili sauce finished off the fish nicely. The wings were just wings...average. We could have gotten the same quality at a dozen other places. The fries, an LWatt selection, were crisp, with a good flavor and texture. To that what could I say? I'm not a fan. A good Idaho potato fry, when done properly, is hard to beat in my opinion. Regardless, we enjoyed the night. Nice senior vibe. Add Friends and Family and stir (or sing). That's what the Patrol is all about.

THE RATINGS-

Rockfish Fingers: B

Barbeque Wings: C

Sweet Potato Fries: B-

Beer: B-

Atmosphere: C+

Value: B-

Overall Score = 2.58

A footnote. It was that time of year again, and the Endless Summer Cruisers were in town again. Another nice thing about this week's venue. We had Cruisers all out on display in the front lots lining Ocean Highway. Made for a nice way to walk off our meal.

When I take her to the track she really shines

(Giddy up, Giddy up, 409)

She always turns in the fastest times

(Giddy up, Giddy up, 409)

-Beach Boys, "409"

Into The Shadows, from the Target's notebook.

The path of Kirk, 9/27/2018

   Wattman assured me he and LWatt would be meeting me at Rodeways on 30th by 6:15pm. Sun's faded by 6:45, gone by 7pm. And the day was a cloudy one, so not much sun to begin with. But combined with all the extra police measures due to the unofficial H2Oi car week, and getting a late start, by the time they arrived it was almost dark. Settling into our chairs, we watched Wattman stride a couple blocks north to overcome the strong southbound current. Tonight's (that's right, evening was over) sectioned surf was brought to us by Tropical Storm Kirk down in the Caribbean, and as Watt drove into the surf it became very apparent there would be no pictures. The heaving swell fused with rapidly encroaching darkness made judgment and position near impossible. It was at this point I reminded LWatt that if Wattman was to be lost at sea, I got half. She gave me a look as if to question the arrangement, one that was made during ancient times, back in OCBZ days, as payment terms for the stressful photo-journalistic job I do. As we strained to watch, at times Watt was an obscured shade. Then he would disappear into the shadows of the spray, til we could no longer see him. I was thinking maybe one of those fluorescent rash guards instead of black would be helpful for future night surfing, however I dismissed the idea. Last thing we needed was for people to mistake him for a construction worker surfing. And again, there was my "half." Wattman finally emerged from the froth, more drained than satisfied. Hard to say what he dealt with out there as neither LWatt or I saw much of anything in the gloom. 

Surveying the field, looking to make a break for any kind of lineup before nightfall. Rodeway's OCMD, 9/27/2018. 

    Rehab came in the form of one of the OC's classic dives, Coins Pub located on 29th street. This place has been a favorite in Ocean City and has a loyal following. With the crowd in there this evening one could easily mistake it for a senior hangout. LWatt certainly did. Not overly crowded...as we entered there were a few people at the bar and several tables filled on the restaurant side. We took our places at the bar and were quickly served by our barkeep. While the beer was served in a glass, the selection was just average and the glass itself, not cold. After some discussion we decided on the Old Bay Wings, the House Cheeseburger and Baltimore Style Steamed Shrimp. 

The wings were well prepared, but lacked the salty spice of Old Bay flavor. We agreed that they really were little more than naked wings, nothing special. All of us enjoyed the cheeseburger. It was well cooked, and met our order requirements with a nice beefy flavor.  I had to say I enjoyed the steamed shrimp the most. Baltimore style meant steamed in beer and onions. LWatt picked over the onions, but Watt and I enjoyed the seasoned mix. The streaming music in the background was classic Classic Rock, meaning late 60s early 70s. TVs were plentiful and convenient with a variety of programming to choose from. The decor was a hair dated. Yes, an older crowd, but made for a pretty chill environment. Something Wattman needed after his session. The Patrol was done for the night, although our local patrols were very busy as the evening ended just as it started...with screaming little cars racing up and down the Ocean Highway strip. 

THE RATINGS -
House Cheeseburger: B
Old Bay Wings: C
Bal'mer Style Shrimp: B-
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: C+
Value: B
Overall Score = 2.54