Tale Of Two Weeks, from the Rogue's notes.

"It was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness..." -Charles Dickens
Turning into the wind under the dim of evening; chop 'n slop at 66th and Holidays. 10/11/2017

   Two weeks whose conditions couldn't have been farther apart for this area. This time of year dusk is a blue-grey streak that accelerates with each passing day. Time in the water during the week (post workday) means heading out just a bit earlier than usual. Truly losing the advantage of DST. Week of the 11th. Overcast most of the day. Rainy. Offshore winds whipping in multiple directions. A sloppy mess out in the break. Water still warm. Around 70F. Air about mid-70's with 90+% humidity. Waves jacking up, then losing power with the backwash echo of swell bouncing back from shore. Really had to be quick jumping on these. Set up for a frontside takeoff and suddenly the wave would reverse direction and break left...on my head in some cases. As the sky dimmed (there was no sun) I saw a fast right outta my periph, spun, and managed to snag the curling lip as the wave began to collapse on itself...pretty frontside that I entwined myself around, slashing around the tight wall before finishing off close to shore. This one was a loner. Muscled a couple quickies thru the session, but spent most of my time shuffling up and down the lineup trying to get position. I remember thinking that despite the wind, rough conditions, and pelting rain, this was somewhat of a fun surf. Never really got frustrated as I had other times.

Leftovers after the door has closed. Finishing up in the mush.
Holidays, 10/19/2017. 

   The week of the 19th. Frustrated. Semi- clean. Thigh plus. Breaking right...when they weren't closing out. Power loss as they neared the low tide shorebreak. Water had now dropped into the upper 60's. About 68. Wife had advised to stick with the rubber top. I went with the spring suit. Should have listened to the Wife. Not comfortable in the spring suit. Add the fast fade of the evening sunlight... I just could not get position. Either too far past the break, or too close as the next set jacked in front of me. Did manage a couple tweeners (between a waist and a knee). Missed on quite a few. Late and then dumped on quite a few. Again. That inner kook. Been a rough season getting back in the water. Have loved every second. Not over yet. 

   Two nice beers this time 'round. guaranteed to take the chill off. Harpoon's Flannel Friday. An ode to the autumn cool down. Their 5.7% fall seasonal. Poured a hazy amber with a finger and a half white foam head. Fast dissipating lacing. Aromas of toffee, with light citrus. Tasted of toasted caramel malts that provided a light sweetness the finish. At 35 IBUs, enough bitter pine hops on the back end to crisp this one up good. Not always a Harpoon fan...but I really liked this one. Easy drinkin'. Rated an A.

I had the Gulden Draak (namesake of some gold dragon on top of a belfry) at a tap house after a surf session earlier in the month. Now this one will really take the chill off at 10.5% ABV.  A dark Strong Belgian Triple with a cloudy ruby-brown pour. About a half a finger tan head. The scent of banana, toffee and the all too familiar Belgian yeast. Really hung there with the first taste. Some chocolate covered cherry. Some coffee. Roasted malts. A little spice and clove. More of the Belgian yeast. Somewhat boozy (big surprise). Rounded out with a light 18 IBU hop finish. Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge. Be vewy, vewy, careful... quick with the hammer to the head! Rated a B+.

"There's only one thing I hate
more than lying...Bud Light, which

is water lying about being beer." 

-Ron Swanson