Last Days, from the Watt's notes.

"So hallow'd and so gracious is the time."  -William Shakespeare
The Shore's own Stonehenge takes form across the Assawoman Bay. North Ocean City at sunrise, 12/2019.

   Winter Solstice is upon us. The shortest day/longest night of the year. Although the Crew's last meeting of 2019 was Thursday, the 19th, Saturday was the actual timing of the event. So, what was the big deal? 1) It was cold. Target argued that it was really the beginning of summer. He was not too far off. As it was the shortest day of the year, from that point forward the days would only get longer. Indeed, the Solstice celebrates the rebirth of the sun and renewal. Regardless, much to Target's chagrin, more cold days lie ahead. 2) It was windy...and cold. LWatt was certainly not a fan. Especially with our Chicago trip coming up over the weekend. We could've used a fire. On the islands of the North Atlantic and northern Europe, a Yule Log was burned to celebrate this time of year. As a matter of fact, in most cases it was an entire tree. What ever was left was burned the next night and so on through the Twelve Days of Christmas. Any remains after that were used to light the next year's holiday campfire. Cool...cold actually. Lastly 3) According to Stonehenge legend,

the Solstice also supposedly holds the energy for regeneration and self-reflection. The Crew will need that energy. Mainly because it's still cold. But, I'm also gonna have to find more unexplored dives and taverns in need of our appraisal as we move into the new year. That may require some spreading out of our territory, which in turn will require more energy from Target, LWatt, and myself. And, we have the year in review (that has relied heavily upon Target's infamous "scoring spreadsheet"). Even more energy needed. Can it be done? Can we continue? Are there yet establishments out there that could escape our stringent assessment? How long will the cold temps last? Only 2020 will bring the answers to these, and other Crew questions to light.
   Whew! With all of the above to tangle with, we settled into the last establishment of the year for the Crew review...the Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound. Part of the Lighthouse Sound Golf & Country Club in Bishopville, Md., the location provided a comfortable bar and dining room overlooking the Assawoman, well decorated for the holidays, to discuss our Christmas plans over warming drinks and a hot meal.

At this point I will pay my apologies to the T-Man. Our last meal, the Crew Christmas dinner (more or less) at a country club, and Target was dressed for the occasion with combed hair, slacks, and a button-down shirt. LWatt was dressed nice as always. Myself however...t-shirt, ball cap, and jeans. Bad form I must say, but you can bet it will not happen again. It may be up to a year, but next time I will be more presentable! Upon entrance, a nine foot tree that was lit up and adorned to the nines. Making our way into the lounge area, the small bar was already loaded by several local couples, the only other patrons in the joint, so we sat down at one of the rustic tables near the fireplace.

Our barkeep-waitress was a "Jenny on-the-spot" quickly taking the orders and getting our drinks as we perused the menu; Christmas music playing in the background. Our spread consisted of Old Bay Wings, Blackened Fish Tacos, and the House Cheeseburger.

The food was served up hot. The wings were juicy and meaty and not overly seasoned, but only a six pack. The fish tacos had plenty of fish, but very fishy tasting fish (i.e. frozen not fresh). A very disappointing dish. The cheeseburger was good, not great. Juicy and well cooked, it had the usual accouterments of lettuce and tomato. We dined...discussing family plans, Christmas traditions, and possible New Year resolutions. Great friends enjoying a hot meal in a holiday atmosphere with a nice view of the O.C. skyline at night. Did I mention Christmas music in the background? Yes, an excellent close to the last days of our season.

Lighthouse Sound, 12/19/2019
THE RATINGS-
Old Bay Wings: B

Blackened Fish Tacos: D

House Cheeseburger: C+

Beer (only basics): C

Atmosphere: B+

Value:B-

Overall Score = 2.38

By Request, from the Watt's notes.

"Aaah! Fra-GEE-lay! It must be Italian!"  -Old Man Parker
Lighted holiday display welcomes all to Berlin, MD to come collect their major award. 12/12/2019

   This week's destination was by request. LWatt had been wanting to return to Blacksmith Bar & Restaurant since last fall.  The entire basis of our continued Journey has always been good friends on the hunt for ridable surf, supplemented with thirst quenching drink, and tasty food. The means to the end was half the adventure. Surf always played the principal part, but refueling was a closing requirement. Bad surf or bad food, or perish the thought, both in the same session meant someone would pay the price. Hopefully not physically nor gastrically, but rather verbally. Many times I was on the receiving end, so LWatt's request took the pressure off. A Berlin, MD favorite since 2014, Blacksmith did not disappoint this evening. Our attentive bartender was quick to get our drink orders, a couple of brews for Target and I, and an Assateague Ass (sage vodka, mint syrup, and ginger beer) for LWatt. The glass for our beer was not cold, but the selection helped make up for it. I'm not sure who says warmer temps improve the flavor profile of beer, but we would strongly debate that fact with any beer geek. LWatt's drink would have been worth another on any weekend.

We set ourselves up with their Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, the Nashville Chicken (crispy fried chicken on white bread with spicy "Nashville Sauce"), and the House Bacon Burger. The crab cake had big chunks of backfin lump meat. Seasoned with just the right amount of old bay, mustard, and pepper, we only wished it had been bigger. The chicken was thigh meat, bone out and plenty crispy. The sauce seemed little more than a Louisiana Hot Sauce. Good taste, but not the greatest presentation. The burger we've had before. Actually a double-pattied sandwich layered with crispy bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, and home-made pickles, it was served with homestyle fries. Juicy, medium-well cooked, it went down the fastest (and messiest) of all three. We didn't wait long for the food, and our bar service was excellent. The decor, like the menu, was eclectic... almost funky. As was the music... classic rock one second, pop club the next. No TV, this place was about the social vibe they were advocating. The tab kinda took a little air out out of the night, but we overcame and came up with the dough. The three of us are rarely without banter, comments, or opinions. This week was Target's turn to open gifts, receiving a rare MD Terrapin ornament for the tree, and a tin of cookies. Good times. We enjoyed each others company and the food, and Blacksmith is always worth a trip back. At least after payday.

   The week has been quiet on the beach, although cooler temperatures have definitely moved in. Our ocean waters have dropped into the upper 40s, so even weekender surf has been out of the question. Our next destination will have big expectations as 2019 comes to a celebrated end. The Christmas Session is on the horizon, and I for one, am looking forward to it like the next carvable wave rolling in.

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B-

Lump Crab Cake: B+

Nashville Chicken: B-

House Burger: B+

Atmosphere: B-

Value: C

Overall Score = 2.79

Kickoff, from the Watt's notes.

Lit up and seen for miles...Winterfest is the kickoff of our Christmas sessions. Northside Park, 12/5/2019.

   Two weeks passed since our last session. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and that means that the Christmas season is officially upon us. To misquote Dave Barry, "once again we come to our holiday celebration, a deeply religious time that the Crew observes, in our own way, by making our annual pilgrimage to the OC's Winterfest of Lights." However prior to our self guided tour, we met at Alley Oops, the beach's answer to Dave and Buster's.

Bright lights and big games ...duckpins, swimming black tipped sharks, virtual reality, and the latest video/arcade games...were the framework of the bar at which we sat. The menu had plenty to chose from. Primarily sports bar type food, the more upscale entrees featured local favorites such as Crab Cakes and Chicken Chesapeake which we did not partake, nor were we there for. Let's face it, the appetizers are the first impressions, and the ones of which our choice locations are judged. We put in for the Reda Rockfish and Tuna Tacos, the Epic BBQ Wings, and the Bavarian Pretzel Twists.

Our bartender was quick with the drinks. LWatt ordered her signature Grapefruit Crush which was well made, and a note here: served in a glass tumbler. Target and I pulled in a couple of beers. Very nice selection, however we were inside, yet the brews were still served in plastic. And, Stella in plastic is just wrong. Food took some time to come out which might explain that most of it was warm, not hot. The Rockfish Tacos were a bit fishy, probably frozen stock. The Tuna was pretty good...shoulda, woulda, coulda ordered three. The wings had a very good taste and were meaty.

The pretzel was average; just didn't wow us. There were plenty of TVs to catch the game (da Bears playin!). The music was a great selection of  classic "Big Hair" rock. We gave props to the manager as he gave me a free game on the virtual reality system...very cool. Got to save the world from zombies. Prices were reasonable for both the gaming and the menu which meant the place qualified for a return visit. It turned out to be a perfect kickoff for the evening. Prior to leaving the parking lot, Target was found to have come bearing gifts. Not quite gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but just as valued and appreciated. Plants, housewares, and toys- Target was getting as good as Santa at covering all the bases.

THE RATINGS-

Bavarian Pretzel Twists: C

Rockfish Tacos: C

Tuna Tacos: B-

Epic BBQ Wings: B-

Beer: C+

Atmosphere: B+

Value: B+

Overall Score = 2.61

   We moved on to the Winterfest of Lights. We look forward to this session each year. Despite the fact this set-up looks like it's run by a big Eastern Syndicate, we still did the walk through, took the photo ops at several Instagram locations, and made our donations to corporate tourism with additional purchases at the Village Pavilion.

 Overall, a seasonally cool night, in the upper 30's, lower 40's. Good food, an atmosphere full of stoke, great friends. T'was another memorable holiday sesh for the Crew.

Mau la Hau'oli from the Crew!