Sabbatical, the Target's notes.

Having to work for position. Late starting Crew time, 66th and Holiday's. 6/15/2021

     It seemed like just yesterday we were carefully walking around a Christmas display followed by six long months of hardship. The Crew did what was right and necessary to protect ourselves, and others just like all responsible people have done. And because of people like us, the virus is now under control and we can return to what should be as close to a normal life as possible. A six month Crew sabbatical of sorts. The leave of absence had cast a long, dark shadow on the Watts. Without my glimmer of sunshine, refreshing outlook on life, questionable attitude, and mindful challenges to support them they had been lost. You could tell how important our first meeting was to both of them as they arrived five minutes early. Of course, I pulled in ahead of them, waiting a full five seconds for them to arrive. We quickly fell back into our routine, walking over the dune crossing to the shoreline. One thing that never seems to change in recent years is the wind. What I would give for just a couple of weeks without a small gale blowing every time we arrived. The Watt quickly headed into the water while LWatt and I set up the beach chairs. Watt fell into that early season kook routine. Small knee to thigh high, with maybe...maybe, a waist high set. Several attempts that ended badly. Yet, you had to give him credit being it was only his second time out this year. He did manage several very short rides of which I may have even snapped a picture. Time heals all wounds. More water time should heal the Watt's surf pain.

     To start our new season, (the year of the Survival Journey) we headed to a sort of "new" place. Mother's original location is a bit of an OC landmark. The Cantina on 28th Street more closely resembles the dives we hunt. During the offseason confinement, the Cantina Crew took over the former Three Anchors after a kitchen fire ended it's existence. This new, second location is spiffy and clean so it will never be confused with the original. I need to stop and talk about the new reality of business in OC.  Help is in very short supply and prices have gone through the roof. For the first time in our existence, instead of a stated price for a pound of wings it said "Market Price." And when asked, todays price was eight wings for sixteen dollars. Now Watt and I base our lives on the enjoyment of wings. However, for the first time we took a pass. The barkeep was friendly and quick with free multiple beer samples in glass. The Watt did a local microbrew that seemed a little on the flat side, while I stood with a classic - Stella in a bottle - as always. LWatt had a cider that was quite tasty. On order were the Chicken  Fajitas and Grouper Tenders.

The fajitas came out well seasoned and sizzling however they didn't "wow" us. In addition, our bartender got the order jumbled and we ended up with Chicken Tenders, which were good, but small and only in a quantity of four. There were plenty of fries though. Overall, it was an enjoyable place. With slightly better music and more TV's, this Mother's iteration could also become a Crew tradition in OC. Yet, I fear the days of a cheap Mother's Taco are long gone. We survived stop one. The journey will continue.

THE RATINGS-
Chicken Fajitas: B+
Chicken Tenders: C
Beer: C+
Atmosphere: B-
Value: C+
Overall Score = 2.50