Halftime Adjustments, notes from the Rogue

"Surfing is the best waste of time ever."  Peter, Oakland, CA -the Surfer's Path
47th Street solitude. Knee to thigh and mellow.  10/9/2014

   This place can be quite chafing. Northeast winds blow constantly over the last few weeks, and when they finally shift, we get small surf. Dealt with knee to some thigh high waves in the hour or so of low tide I had Thursday evening. Felt the stoke in an incredible autumnal evening.  No A-Frames jackin' though. Rides were short and sweet. This weekend, Hurricane Fay offshore. Not a strong influence as a fading Cat 1. So, when I'm looking forward to at least one day in the water, clean conditions, maybe some waist to chest high swell, it rains. NE winds chopped up the Atlantic again. This morning, Sunday, both the air and water had slipped into a noticeable cool down. Winds shifted more easterly, but still a disheveled Atlantic. I didn't go. The thought of fighting to hold position in the lineup did not appeal.

   Did a drive around town after church. Grabbed a coffee. Speaking of conditions, some antique-lookin' combine was mowing down a couple of the smaller cornfields around where I live. Wow, autumn is surely here. Usually I like the change in seasons. This Fall...so far...I'm not feelin' it. I'm not getting enough water time.  The Redskins suck. Work is a bit of a stress. Been outta the gym (though last week I put in my first three days in over a month). Found myself on Public Landing's shore.  Winds blowin' ENE.  Gaping across an oscillating Chincoteague Bay at Assateague wondering what it looked like on the other side.

Freedom is found on the other side.  Chincoteague Bay, 10/12/2014

Glancing down I read the surf report. Tropical Storm Gonzalo is on his way up from the Leewards. Need to make some halftime adjustments.

   Beer review time. Little less formal this time around. Oktoberfest happening. So's we 've been drinkin' quite a few of those marzens. Started with Two Brothers Atom Smasher. A lager with the added complexities brought on by oak aging. Brought a six back from Chi-town and by brother just raved about it.  Pours a cloudy burnt copper with a one finger head and lacing similar to today's Chincoteague Bay. Tastes of toffee malt and definitive oak. The 7.7 ABV will hurt'cha if you try to finish that six.  22.6 IBUs for a crisp finish.  Rated an A.

"All I want is peace, love, understanding,

and two cold beers." - B&B

  Boulder Beer came out with what has become a favorite style of mine...Imperial! Specifically Dragonhosen Imperial Oktoberfest. A marzen at 9-f#^king-percent! Dude. Dudette. Whatever. Pours a deep, dark amber, almost brown. Nice moderate hoppiness at 34 IBUs with notes of burnt malt and vanilla. A creamy, liquory texture going down. I liked it. Another A rating.