Just An Illusion, in the words of the Target

Warm and inviting; clean barrels ready for the slicing. Or, the frigid waters of a shin-high beachbreak?
 The illusion of winter swell. Malibu Beach pic, 2/2/2020

But don't be fooled by the radio

The TV or the magazines

They show you photographs of how your life should be

But they're just someone else's fantasy

So if you think your life is complete confusion

Because your neighbors got it made

Just remember that it's a Grand Illusion

And deep inside we're all the same.

We're all the same...

-Styx

   We are in the cold, lifeless, grasp of winter. Fall is a memory and spring is just a hope for the future. Warm sandy beaches are an illusion in my mind. Ocean water temps hover near 40F degrees. A day here and a day there of any kind of swell. The weather can't seem to decide on rain or sun, so we keep the clouds around. If you haven't realized it yet, I dislike winter. Though we have had a very mild offseason so far (no snow), nothing has escaped it's chilly, drab existence. As usual, I was in route making great time to this evening's destination when suddenly my phone rang, breaking my concentration. It was Wattman, claiming to be early and waiting on me. This was a grand illusion. Upon arrival there was NO evidence of the Watts. I walked inside and still no sign. I was forced to call and ask their whereabouts. Watt claimed he had been waiting in the parking lot and in a few seconds they appeared. Another illusion? I could not help but ponder, "After the tide rolls in, where does it go when it slips out? Can you really hear corn grow?" and of course the most obvious as it related to the moment, "If you are not at the the front door or inside the tavern waiting, are you really on time?" Things that made me go, "hmmmm."

   This week's locale of choice was Boxcar 40 in Pittsville, MD. A transmutation of a previous establishment Watt and I had dropped in on many moons ago and now under new ownership, it was a bit more agrarian than the previous week's stint. Despite of the illusion of someplace new, and as with many of such situations we had come upon in the past, the setup and look remained basically unchanged. I guess there's not much you can do with an old fire house. Regardless, the place had a nice presentation. The bar was the same very small corner I remembered, and full. So, we took up habitation at a table. Service response was speedy, and soon we had our beverages in front of us. I ordered my usual Miller Lite and Watt, his local brew.

The beers were a little off. I for one, was offered no glass (like I was in a dive bar or something). Wattman didn't seem thrilled with his either. Our menu choices tonight started with the Crabby Pretzel, an LWatt favorite. More or less a soft pretzel with overly cheesy crab dip on the side, the cheese seemed to hide the flavor of the crab. Next were the BBQ Wings. Nice tang in the sauce, and if the large chicken wings had been served warmer they would have been the hit of the night. However, it was the Boxcar Burger (which was the night's special) that was our top choice. With bacon added, it was juicy and cooked the way we liked, medium-well. Then we got the tab. A little off the billing charts to charge three bucks for bacon. In fact, the entire tab was a little pricey and that was no illusion. Not really a bar, Boxcar was more of a small town locals eatery. For most in Pittsville, I am sure within walking distance, it was more a restaurant to get a nice meal in a friendly environment without driving forever. Thus the lack of TVs and music that we could barely hear. Quaint and clean, yes, but worthy of a near time return engagement? I doubt it. So the Crew headed out into the night, the next in our Wicomico Quest yet to come.

Boxcar 40 American Eats, 1/30/2020
THE RATINGS-

Crabby Pretzel: C

Barbecue Wings: B-

Boxcar Bacon Burger: B

Beer: C

Atmosphere: C

Value: C

Overall Score = 2.29