Roll Tide, the Target's notes.

Dusk on the Sinepuxent, White Marlin Marina. 7/15/2021

Now I'm just gon' sit, at the dock of the bay
Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh yeah
Sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

-Otis Redding

     Is it possible? According to the calendar, summer is half gone. Remember being a little kid and summer just seemed to skip by while a new school year just appeared out of nowhere? Well, after last year's virus-fueled, slimmed down version of summer, we needed an extra long recovery this season. Hence, the Survival Journey. But, like the rolling in or out of the tides, time just keeps ticking away. Speaking of tides and time, if the Watts would roll in on time who knows what great adventures could be accomplished. We may never know. Upon hitting the beach, LWatt and I found ourselves seated among an ample evening crowd as the Watt entered the lineup. A warm, yet breezy night was our stage for a little summer entertainment. A group of middle aged women posted themselves for more than a few selfies, about knee deep in the wash, moving about. Just so happens they were right in Wattman's line...obstructing any attempt at his next ride. Next to his admitting defeat within the argument as to whether or not the water was cold enough to warrant a rubber top (it was not...he got too hot and changed), this had become our best enjoyment of the session. Much to everyone's, especially the Watt and the rest of the lineup's joy, the selfies ended and the line opened back up. This being the half-way point of summer, usually the dead flats take over and there's nothing to ride. Yet, while small...knee-high or so... this was the second week in a row there were semi-clean, rideable waves. Navigating through a scant lineup as the tide rolled in, for the second week in a row the Wattman was able to squeeze out several nice long frontside rides.

Frontside echo- enough rides to go 'round and 'round. 47th St. Break, 7/15/2021.

     Floating on a self-induce high, we called it an early night and sailed back over the dunes. This evening we headed to an old favorite in a new location. The Frog Bar lost the lease at the inlet and took the opportunity to move down the street to a much larger bayfront/dockside scene. I must say, this locale was a large step up in appearance, and while the view may never be as good as the inlet and it's traffic, it was pretty chill overseeing the reflection of the bridge and passing boat lights while "sittin' on the dock of the bay, watchin' the tide roll away." Another cause and effect of the pandemic has been the employment issues and resulting limited staff that has plagued Ocean City this summer. Tables that were closest to the bar were self serve from the bar. So, we went for the best view and got the bar service. The brew order- I got a my first Leinie Summer Shandy draft of the summer, Watt got his IPA. All was well, except...plastic cups...this could have been a great start, yet thanks to plastic, the beer was only cool not cold. Yeah, we were outside, on a deck, not sand, or the ground. Why not glass? From the menu we moved to the Kickin' BBQ Wings, the Frog Bar Burger with Bacon, and LWatt got a Mixed Greens Salad with Ahi Tuna.

The wings were large, and well cooked with a honey barbeque flavor that had a nice spice kick on the back end, but their temperature could have been warmer. The burger was kind of a disappointment. While large, it was bland...

no seasoning or bite to set it apart. The salad greens were just just that...mixed green lettuce. The Ahi however, was cooked just right. No TV's as on the deck we're there for the view. Our bartender was attentive. He even brought food out to us instead of just placing on the bar for pick-up. Two small speakers behind the bar provided the music. We did discover an indoor bar and dining area (not yet open) upstairs, and that area also packs quite the view. We were sad to see the old location close, however in the off-season, the new Frog Bar may definitely be worth a return check-in. Our recovery continues...

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B- (Plastic)

Kickin' Honey BBQ Wings: B+

Frog Bar Burger: C

Mixed Greens with Ahi Tuna: B

Atmosphere: B (the View!)

Value: C-

Overall Score = 2.63