Back In Time; 19 to 20, in the words of the Target.

South winds barrel across the barren shore of a vacant OC. Mid-January, 2019.

So take me away, I don't mind
But you'd better promise me 
I'll be back in time
Gotta get back in time.
-Huey Lewis & The News

   Once again we must take an "over the shoulder" look at the year's sessions past; back in time to our 2019 Journey. Over our most recent years I have gotten a bit melancholy, maybe even a bit wordy, which is why I took a break. So today I will head straight to the truth, and only hope y'all can handle the truth. 2019 in retrospect, was a sub par year. The surf rarely got higher than waist high on our pre-determined weekday meetings.

July had a session or two worth grabbing a few clips.

Early July, 2019.

We got rained out once or twice, though that didn't stop the Watt. Ridable hurricane conditions are always a matter of timing, and we never seemed to be on the right end of the passing storm. More than usual, LWatt and I sat for hours on a cold, wind swept beach, waiting for Wattman to catch that elusive last ride. Why so much longer was always a mystery, especially when every person on the beach (which had emptied out) knew there were no more discernible rides to be had. Maybe that's just the definition of friendship, or dedication, or failing eyesight. Its your call. And then there was the Watts' new boat. Their reason for never ever taking me on a cruise in their new ship remains a mystery to this day. But, I will not dwell on these matters, instead we will visit some of the more uplifting segments of the year. Twice the Watts invited me for dinner, and both times I had a great time during an outstanding evening. Their dog, Tucker, had recovered well from his surgery and provided additional entertainment as he was back to his playful self. In addition, LWatt continued to outdo herself this past year baking fantastic cookies, tins of which she shared with me on numerous occasions. However, it's the beach and bars that originally drove us to be the Crew and it is at this juncture we must stare down the truth. 

Marlin Moon, top Crab Stuffed Potato Skins.

2nd highest score. April, 2019.

Mancini's, top Crab Bruschetta. 3rd highest score.

Eve of Dorian, September, 2019.

   In 2019, we visited thirty-two establish- ments...the same number as 2018. No progress. And, this fell short of our all time highs. Thus we must ask ourselves- are we slipping, is our drive diminishing? Or, has the ever grinding wheel of life worn us down? I have no answers, just misguided thoughts. The year also reported  ratings that were, I believe, the lowest in the history of the Crew. Did we judge too harshly, or were the places were just that bad? To clarify, one of the three lowest scores didn't even qualify as as a Dive Bar. 

Tied for last, Boardwalk Guidos needed

to take a tip from their northern store.

September, 2019.

Fat Daddy's...no bar, no good. Tied for

 last. May, 2019.

My biggest concern was the fact that for the first time we had no "A" rating for the non food items...beer, atmosphere, or value...at anytime during the year. Also, duly noted, was a complete lack of live music at any of the venues we visited. All you need is one guy on guitar and another whaling on some bongos. Is that to much to ask? In addition, the level of plastic cup usage in which to serve beer was getting to be disappointingly high. A cold beer needs a cold glass. We get the open-air bars, or sand filled outdoor serving areas, but c'mon man! With this being said we did have some of the best food we've had in a while.

Plastic cups always threw Wattman off his game.

Early June, 2019.

Crab potato skins, crab bruschetta, and homemade biscuits with shrimp to name the top three. Thus we come to 19's end, back in time for 2020 (unlike Wattman's arrival to most sessions). We'd seen a lot and learned a lot. The two Watt maximum has become a rule to live by. Trying to put up with what I put up with, one might say, takes a saint. Hence, I am considering a new moniker in the new year (more to come). Wattman will continue to make the decisions concerning the next locale to critique which LWatt and I will intercede upon as necessary. Review duties will be shared by both myself and the Watt as we continue our Quest into 2020. The Crew: good friends searching for that primo dining establishment, dive, tiki watering hole...one beach at a time, one bar at a time. Mahalo!

Top Pick: The Shark on the Harbor. October, 2019.
Top Score, Top Burger, Top Cheese-steak Biscuits & Shrimp.