Angry Diversion, notes from the Watt.

Readying to exit and keeping an eye on the horizon as the next set crashes in. Holidays and 66th, 9/22/2021. 

     The sun was out in the AM, but by the afternoon the clouds had moved in. We had moved the day to Wednesday, as the next day was looking like a rain-out. Still humid. This was the front that was going to rid us of the humidity. But for this evening, another session dealing with it. Winds were running about 10-15mph, with air temps in the upper 70s F. Water was still comfortable at just under 75F. But, as LWatt put it, the ocean was looking kinda angry. With a rip here and there, I found it easy to get into the empty lineup (Target would remind me, "it's empty for a reason").There was a hard current moving north, and the swell was heaving and choppy, making it difficult to get position, much less hold position. Seemed like for every shoulder I'd try to grab onto, the bottom would drop and I'd find myself dumped into a closing section. LWatt and Target's situation didn't pan out much better. Sitting in their low profile beach chairs, the wind was blowing sand, the tide was coming in, and though we had planned a little time before sunset, the clouds pretty much covered that up. The humidity and the cool winds made for a damp night on the beach. Needless to say, we folded up early. Even that exercise was a challenge for me as I had to keep one eye on the incoming as I wrapped the leash and exited the churning surf. We finally crossed to the other side...the streets of OC, with lighter winds, and the promise of a cold beverage...or two. 

    We headed to a well known establishment for the Crew; one block up and over, the Longboard Cafe in the 67th Street Town Center. We've been there a couple of times, the last of which was about two years ago. Sorta a favorite for us with all of the surf paraphernalia. And, the food is consistent. Although the joint was still somewhat full, we managed three chairs side by side at the bar. Our bartender was on the spot, but not too knowledgeable about the beer offerings. Fortunately, we could read, and managed to ascertain our drink preferences on our own.

Target's first issue was his beer...a Stella...cold, but no glass offered. My IPA was good...and cold...and in a glass...probably because it was a draft. Putting our order in we readied ourselves for a Crab Quesadilla, the Longboard Wings, and the Huntington Pier Cobb Salad. The salad came out plentiful, with chunks of veggies and grilled chicken. The wings were hot and came out with their house "addiction sauce" and blue cheese crumbles. However, the wings could have used more of the sauce which included honey, and made for a dry yet sticky experience. The star of the night was the quesadilla. Loaded with crab, our only suggestion would have been a little less cheese. No real music was playing and with only two TVs, the entertainment was limited. However, as usual our conversation was lively and we enjoyed the evening. Our surf season's end is fast approaching. Days are shorter, cooler weather's coming, and I for one, am hoping for better waves. There is always the promise of next week in this Journey.

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B-

Crab Quesadilla: B+

Longboard Wings: B-

Huntington Pier Cobb: B

Atmosphere: C+

Value: C+

Overall Score = 2.71 

Stingy Surf, cuts from the Target.

Using the force- anything to squeeze that next ride. Holidays and 66th, 9/16/2021.

     In an unusual precedent, I was a couple of minutes late...cat sitting for a neighbor. Some might say I had my priorities mixed. I would disagree. My decision was well thought out. The ocean was as it had been most of the season, and now into the 2nd Season- shorebreak, with little to no ridable waves. A stingy surf that left little for the Watt to choose from.  And, what was available were fast burners landing on packed sand. So, one could argue that my choice should end up being the best for everyone. Once there, Wattman was stubborn when it came to searching for at least one ride, and insensitive to those waiting. However, it was a very pleasant evening on the beach giving LWatt and I an opportunity to catch up on current events. In fact, it may have been the best weather night of the whole season, which made the earlier sundown a little more bearable. Regardless, darkness came barging in. With little light left in the evening sky the Watt was forced out of the water, and we soon were headed back over the dune.

     This being Bike Week and all, I was unsure as to Wattman's downtown pick for dinner. Parking can always be a problem near the boardwalk, but you have to give the Watt some credit... he does know all the little back alley spots. The Brass Balls Saloon on the boards has been around for a long time. Tonight it was filled with at least eighty percent bikers. It's a saloon...called Brass Balls...we had a feeling. As we pulled up to the rustic bar, the night started well- two craft beers (the Watt got his IPA), the most important being my Leiny Summer Shandy, both in a very cold glass. I couldn't help but think maybe most of the places we have been to this year could take a lesson from this place. It's not that hard to get the beer right with just a little effort. LWatt even got a fancy Key Lime Crush.

After review of the menu we put in for the Old Bay Wings, Chicken Quesadilla, and their famous Burger with bacon. We had to say, the wings were outstanding. Large, juicy, just the right amount of Old Bay spice, hot in temp, and reasonably priced. The quesadilla was filled with plenty of chicken but needed more fixings. But, it was the burger and fries that disappointed. This place is known for its burgers, and if...and I mean IF the burger and fries were hot it may have lived up to it reputation. Since both were barely warm, it was hard to judge how good it might have been. With lots of TVs (had football on 'em!), excellent classic rock music, and a friendly bar staff, Brass Balls made the night (and the poor surf) easy to survive in our Journey. I do not believe we will be waiting another 8 years before we check 'em out again.

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B+

Old Bay Wings: A-

Chicken Quesadillas: B

Bacon Burger: B-

Atmosphere: B+

Value: C+

Overall Score = 3.04

Coming In For A Landing, notes from the Watt

Morning found us calmly unaware

Noon burn gold into our hair

At night we swim the laughing sea

When summer's gone

Where will we be?

-The Doors, Summer's Almost Gone

Screeching down a waist-high line. 46th-47th Street, 9/2/2021.

      It was the first surf of September; the last surf of our summer season. Labor Day weekend coming up, school's starting, so pretty much summer's end for our resort town. We're not complaining though. The area becomes our quiet time. No parking issues, no crowded beaches or lineups. The number of memorable mid-week sessions have been limited this year, but this evening held promise. Hurricane Ida had worked it's way from the Gulf, across the Ohio Valley and was now a tropical depression, hanging inland off our coast, but giving just enough push to produce semi-clean, surfable thigh to occasional stomach high sets, even at high tide.

The Atlantic was a comfortable 80 degrees, with the humidity having cleared out enough for lower 70s temps on the beach. We hit up the 47th Street Break where the jetty seemed to divide the incoming enough to keep the shorebreak to a minimum. Tonight it had done it's job as the waves were breaking about twenty yards offshore. LWatt and Target were set back in their recliner chairs, chewing on M&Ms, and taking in the salt air. I paddled out into a mild southerly current. I had three others in the lineup with me. But, it was a chill crowd. After a few squirrelly attempts, I finally found a line and squeezed out a couple frontsides and lefties. The lefts weren't pretty (they never are), but came with quick drops that I managed to hold onto. Hitting a front just right always comes with that sound of rushing water as the wave folds behind you. Smooth night on the water that finished with a floater into the mush. Nice way to land the night. Wrapping the leash signaled the wrap up of the surf session, and we folded up the chairs, commenting on how nice the evening had been both on the beach and in the water. I'd call it casual stoke as we headed back between the condos and across the dunes.

     We tried it the week before, but it was not to be. This week was a change of luck...14th and bayside. There are few better places to touchdown and bring an end to the night than on Harbor Island and the Reel Inn. Covered in angler lore and full of locals, we took no issues in pulling up to the first high top table near a flatscreen. Football highlights caught my eye, with previews of the upcoming pro season. A hostess brought us the menus and a waiter, who seemed like he stumbled upon us by accident, took our drink order. LWatt was taking it easy this evening, however I had a Lot 3 IPA draft and the Target, in hopes of getting another cold one like the last time we were here, got a Miller Lite...can. Target quickly asked for a cup, yet our waiter seemed to walk away with that look of trying to remember what he was going to get. Dude...cup!

Finally, after Target's beer had warmed, he came over with a cup and took our order as well. We put in for the Maverick Wings, a combination of Old Bay and honey, the Mahi Fingers, and the Crab Pretzel. The pretzel came out covered in melted cheddar with a plentiful container of crab dip. Not bad, the pretzel was plenty hot, but the dip could have had bigger chunks of crab and the Old Bay dusting made it salty. The fingers...a tasty, crispy crust, but they seemed like fancy fish sticks. The winner of the meal was the wings. Really nice taste, and not overly messy considering the honey, but in this case the Old Bay got hidden a bit. Like finding position in the lineup...sometimes too close, sometimes too far, sometimes too much, sometimes too little. We can be a fickle Crew, but that's what helps us survive the Journey. As I finished my 2nd draft we hung out, talking about what our plans were for the long weekend; listening to music that was a hair loud, catching some football on the tube. Good friends, great camaraderie. Finally it was time to take off again. Next stop was the off-season...I better call ahead.  

THE RATINGS-
Beer: C- (Cups, Warm beer)
Maverick Wings: B
Mahi Fingers: B-
Crab Pretzel: B-
Atmosphere: B
Value: C+
Overall Score = 2.58

Reminder- Late Summer Blues, the Target's notes.

Warm water and knee high rollers = evening stoke. 47th Street break, 8/262021.

     I arrived early, walked over the dunes and saw no waves. Then I wondered if the Watts would ever arrive on time. This being late summer, each minute late means less surf 'n beach time and less time to fulfill our souls. That's right, we had noticed the sun setting noticeably earlier. It served as a reminder of our season having surpassed it's apex...late summer blues. Upon arrival, we hit the beach. LWatt and I settled on our watch. It was a nice (maybe the best of the year ) night on the sand. Light southeast winds kept the mayflies away. While there may have been almost no waves when I arrived, a small swell had appeared with enough of a bump to give Wattman a few fast knee-high right hannders before they broke in the 78 degree short waters off the beach. Even with the warm ocean temps and comfortable breezes, the sun set quickly and sent us on our way.

     For the evening's dining experience, the Wattman had chosen an old favorite- the Reel Inn. Watt and  I had one of best cold beer nights in our history here many years ago and we were eager to try again. Due a history of closed tavern picks, the Watt had called ahead the day before to confirm Reel Inn's hours. But, fate was not on Wattman's side. That's right, as I arrived the guard told me the bar was closed due to a CV-19 outbreak. Another reminder of our continued stonewall by this virus. I phoned the Watt with the news he was completely disappointed and even had to walk around the bar to confirm the information. At this point his mind shut down and I had to come up with an alternative bar. Pancho and Lefty's was a new restaurant nearby; just on the other side of the Rt. 50 Bridge. Though it was our second week in a row doing Tex-Mex and the Watts had been before, I had not. So, with no better ideas...we were off.

The place was surprisingly small...booths and a few tables tables surrounding a horseshoe shaped, albeit relatively empty bar. We saddled up and our barkeep started out well with friendly service  and cold craft beers in glass that arrived in no time at all.

This was to be the highlight of our service as we had to ask for napkins, plates, forks and finally our tab before the night was over. With the kitchen set to close soon we ordered Chips, Guacamole, and Salsa, Chipotle Shrimp Skewers, and the Grilled Mahi Tacos. There were nine shrimp, yet we weren't tasting the chipotle spice and they were small in size.

The fish tacos had a good taste with a light spice, but they could have had more fish. The bar setup was nice for watching the TVs, however not well placed for anyone at the tables. There was music, like walking down Miami Beach, but not really my style; not terrible to listen to, not overly loud, yet it seemed mostly just background noise. Our tab wasn't bad, although we only had two entrees and chips. Thus while Pancho's was a nice set-up, next time maybe we will take a Lefty and try somewhere else. Till next week...

THE RATINGS-

Beer: B

Chips, Guac, and Salsa: C

Chipotle Shrimp Skewers: C+

Grilled Mahi Tacos: B-

Atmosphere: C+

Value: B-

Overall Score = 2.50