Fall Equinox...'Tis the Season, Maria/Ophelia's Swell -notes from the Rogue

Maria's touch, 9/17

 





 



   Watching the Eagles-Giants game this weekend, I witnessed QB Michael Vick's injury to his non-throwing hand.  And it hit me.  Here is a guy with all this talent and athletic ability, and for the 2nd time this year he is knocked out of the lineup.  No matter who you are, no matter what sport you pursue, age'll find ya.  I fight it's touch everyday, frustrated by it's ability to obstruct me with new aches and pains with each exercise I employ to overcome it's advance.  I see these T-shirts and hats in the surf shops that say "Old Guys Rule."  I refuse to let the "Old Guy" rule me! Ok...Ok...enough ranting.

 





   A slow moving tropical storm off Puerto Rico, Ophelia's contribution to this hurricane seasons' swell was dwindling by Thursday.  I got some thigh high rides outta her, with a waist line to carve here and there.  Hurricanes, tropical storms, ...Shore surfers long for these conditions.  The Equinox, it signals the firm landing into the 2nd season, but the warm (low 70s) water and humid evenings still give hint to an unconscious refusal to let loose of summer.  Football season (go Skins!) and overcast days have me feeling the creep of autumn.  Ocean City's Sunfest celebrating this season on the shore just occurred this weekend and the ride to the beach gives hint to the change (slow as it may be), thru a tinge of color along Route 50. Opposing forces battling.  God knows.  Nature has already chosen.  Just a matter of time.  Make the most of it!

Skimming Ophelia's leftovers, 9/22

  This is also the season for fall ales.  The Eastern Shore has a few, and Evolution's Jacques Au Lantern is an exceptional one.  Made with roasted local pumpkins and nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove spices, the ale hits the mark as a premier Pumpkin Ale.  Available only on tap or by growler this cloudy, deep amber orange brew drinks with  slight hop muscle.  About a finger's worth of head, with little lacing.  The carbonation is more than enough to refresh, but less than the ordinary so finish that growler in 2 (days), or flatness sets in. Definitely drink a few at 6+% ABV.  One of the nicer beers of Fall.

                                                               

Katia's Kick, notes from the Rogue

Katia off coast 'bout 12:50pm 9/9.

Kickin' it up, 47th St.

   Haven't been out since the Sunday after Irene.  And next in line racing up the coast is Hurricane Katia, a Cat 1 storm that kept it's distance from the States, but kicked up the surf nevertheless.  Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee coming up from the southwest combined with Katia to keep us humid, overcast, and in rain most of the week, so the partial clearing this evening was a nice treat.  47th street.  Semi-clean lines with chest to shoulder and occasional head high swell on tap for tonight's session.  The majority were lefties (though as seen below the occasional right hander could be grabbed).  Water's still in the low seventies...very comfortable.  Especially after the workout required to enter the lineup.  Hard for me to describe the rush of instant speed on the take-off.  Pure.  F^#kin' pure rush!

   Next round...Fisherman's Pumpkin Stout, courtesy of Cape Ann Brewing Co.  An almost black pour with little lace, but a nice cream 1 finger head.  Gotta say I am partial to the pumpkin and related spice that are noticeable in both smell and taste.  Light for a stout...def not the heaviness of a meal beer.  Makes 'em easy to drink more than 1... or 2... or 3.  Nice opener for the 2nd season.