Glory Days, tales from the Watt

Glory days, well they'll pass you by...   -Bruce Springsteen
The Alamo Court Motel circa the glory days of the 1960s. Postcard photo.

   We try to center the posts of this blog around the beach and the surf, as well as the bars and dive style cuisine. Having said that, the weather over the last month has not been conducive neither to the Atlantic warming, nor surfing it. But, the air temps have started rising with nights now above freezing and days hanging in the 50's. The water temps have been mingling in the mid to upper 40's. With more days of clouds and/or rain than sun, it may be May before we get the first ride in. However, we remain optimistic. At least I do.

No invitation without a hood. OC's inlet pier, 4/13/2019.

   So, where am I going with this? A destination of historic significance as a result of our Journey. This post focuses on a once resplendent motor hotel, the first in Worcester County, chosen by families nationwide for restful slumber after long days making memories at the beach. Days of glory that fell into neglect. A fabled joint full of rumor and conjecture. A house of ill repute. A site of a murder inquiry. A domicile of death. The Alamo Motel... now a dive on the verge of a comeback with roots dating back to the mid-1940's.

   The year was 1945. WWII Vet and "Flying Tiger" pilot Bill Weaver came home to his first two loves...the water and boating, and built the area's first motel. Designed after it's namesake in San Antonio, TX where he was stationed, the Alamo was built with family vacationers in mind providing economic lodging within a short car ride to the beach. The locale enjoyed prominence through the 60's, but failed to keep up with the times showing signs of deceleration as it cruised through the 70's, twisted across the 80's (including a duration of desertion), and then slammed into the 1990's where new management did some level of renovation including Rascals, a bar replete with

Sign 'o the past

Eastern Bloc no-tell motel bartenders. A brief resurgence, and the slide resumed into the new millennium. Less a vacationers inn. More a "contractors" and other unsavory types' charter. Shared only by local roaches. Needless to say, no Crew member or associated club member had ever been known to frequent nor sample the place during this time frame.

The destination is the Journey. Alamo resuscitated, 4/11/2019.

  Fast forward to 2019. It was just last year that the current ownership took over and immediately began making changes, most notable being the fresh coat of paint; bright pastels replacing the dingy, flaking, stained white. The courtyard took on the look of a tropical O.K. Corral. A complete island makeover of the restaurant-bar later and Caribbean Joe's Bar & Grille was up and running.

Being aware of the historic relevance of the property, this place was immediately visible on my radar. We set up to meet Target at 7pm, arriving fashionably late at 7:10. The neon outline of the historic 50's era sign was already glowing red with the resonant buzz. Topped by the signature gold sombrero. We entered through the original lobby that had been converted into additional dining space and were met by the transformed lounge. Bright yellow and teal colors with a veritable explosion of nautical, pelagic, and beach decor. The bar lit up with lights and polished teak. We were served up our beers, (cold, but in plastic cups...why? we were inside!) and put in our orders.

It was $5 Burger night. We had to do it. LWatt took the lead and got a House Burger- lettuce, tomato, no cheese. Myself, I snagged the BBQ Wings, and Target ordered himself a House Burger with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, with the necessary fries option. We'd like to say the food was outstanding. But, it was not. It was...basic. Satisfactory. No crowd cheering. Maybe just a hair above average. The true double shot by Joe's was the atmosphere. Classic rock from 70's to 80's...at just the right volume. Loud enough to enjoy, but not so loud that you couldn't hear yourself talk. Flatscreens in every line of sight. The prices were very

reasonable, and the bathroom...obviously more change spent...very nice. Clean. The pool area was an occasion to object. I'd say it was as much under discussion as it was under construction. And, there was still refurbishing to be done to the rest of the property. Hence the double, not a triple or a home run. Still, there was potential... historic potential. Even Target was pleasantly surprised at the possibilities. The OC's piece of Americana. The Crew may yet return on a future Journey, appraise the progress, listen to classic rock in an island atmosphere, and relive glory days of the past. Yeah, maybe.

THE RATINGS-

BBQ Wings: C

House Burger: C+

House Burger w/ Cheese: C+

Beer: C (plastic)

Atmosphere: B+

Value: B+

Overall Score = 2.50