the Skeleton Coast: Stave 5: The End of It, the Rogue's notes

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Stave 5: The End of It, the Rogue's notes

December tranquility, Mid-Town OCMD 12/7/2015. -Malibu's Photo

The post title has nothing to do with ending this Blog. Nothing to do with ending time in the water (although it will be severely restricted). Nothing to do with ending it all. Really, nothing to do with ending anything other than this year. Actually more of an encapsulation of the holidays. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years. Little bit of this. Little bit of that. The post; more pictorial than literary. Towards the end; moving forward; a lot of changes. In address. In surroundings. In opportunities. I'm not sure if I should be in dread or anticipation. In the 1970 movie Scrooge, The Ghost of Christmas Present said it best, "There is never enough time to do or say all the things that we would wish. The thing is to try to do as much as you can in the time that you have. Remember Scrooge, time is short, and suddenly, you're not there any more." In life, as in surf...make the most of every ride. A resolution?

Thanksgiving Day chaos gratefully welcomed. Smyrna, DE 11/24/2015.

14 months...time flies.

Over Thanksgiving we chose a Winter Warmer for the featured beer of choice. Great Lakes Brewing's Christmas Ale. Poured a deep amber-red with a finger head and fair lacing. Aromas of nutmeg and spice. Tastes of honey with a light hop bite (30 IBUs). At 7.5% it'll keep ya warm. Rated a B+.

Ocean City's Winterfest tradition. Northside Park, 11/25/2015.

Tandem Mantas

Chicago goes wild at Christmas.

Christmaskindlmarket, like canned tuna. Chicago, 12/5/2015

Festival of Lights, Aurora, IL

New Belgium's Accumulation; a White IPA. A Christmas refresher. Poured a straw yellow, like a lighter brew, but at 6.2% it will make for a heavy head. One and a half finger head and plenty of lace. This 'un was filled with hops...55 IBUs worth. Notes of grapefruit and herbal-pine and plenty of carbonation. Plenty of citrusy taste and bitterness, but in a good way. Very good White IPA. Rated another B+.