'Tis The Season, notes from the Rogue

 
  The Redskins played the Cowboy's today.  Some would say, "Hey they're improving.  They didn't get blown out."  So we've been reduced to one of "those teams."  They lost, I don't care if it was in overtime. Now 3 and 7...THREE AND SEVEN.  Had opportunities and couldn't cash in.  It's been their storyline for a while. F#@K! They break my heart!  Close or no, a loss is a loss.  Not unexpected though.  Did I watch..Hell No!  I went surfin'.

11/20, Clean knee high dribs and drabs.

   Last third of November and the water is still fairly warm at 55F.  Yeah, wearin' full rubber garb including boots and gloves, but a light offshore wind and temps in the upper 60's made for a gratifying afternoon.  Not much swell at knee high, however very clean.  Very relaxing.  Pulled out the Town & Country..just right for the occasion.  As I've said...a need to get wet.

 





   On the drive out the lights were up everywhere.  Truely. 'Tis the season for excess.  I like it!  Thanksgiving is upon us...overeating.  Black Friday around the corner...overshopping. The season for over the top.  It should be...even if it's only a little.  Like today's waves...little rides, big stoke.
  Did a Winterfest drive by.  The Ocean City Public Works Dept. does a decent job considering the town government's best efforts to disrupt thru cuts. Light it up, and they will come.

Big Brother's got an eye on you!

 














   On the way out, I grabbed a Starbucks...the Eggnog Latte. HEY! Don't knock the Nog!  Good $hit! Plus, with the extra expresso shot it boosts the Spirit and kills the chill.

  Speaking of spirits, I got a couple of 'em tonight.  Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale.  One of the more disappointing brews I've had.  Light overly effervescent pour. No head (that alone is bad).  Very little pumpkin or spice smell or taste.  Almost a cider-like sweet aftertaste.  Almost thought it was.  No good.  D+ rating and the + is only for the label.

 Next up, a much needed replacement.  Flying Dog's K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale.  Dark brown pour with a finger head that left light lacing as it dissipated. Nice balance of malt and hops (30 IBUs).  Definitely a warmer at 7.4% Abv. Nutty sweet taste with light tone of chocolate.  Hops lend a pleasant dry finish.  A local brewer, Frederick, Maryland's Flying Dog has no bad pooches (I wanna try their Imperial Pumpkin - gotta find it first).  I rate this one a solid B.  Not the best, but good enough to get
another.

"They who drink beer will think beer."
                                    -Washington Irving

A Need to Get Wet, notes from the Rogue

Ya can always find somthin' to ride./  Pic courtesy Malibu's Surf

  A few years ago I used to travel a lot.  In the states.  Sales job.  I miss it sometimes. Anyway, I remember that the one thing I would look forward to when I got home...during my surf season of course ( anytime the water temp is above 49F)...would be hittin' the surf.  I'm jonesin' big time.  Definitely got a need to get wet. A bit small today; ankle to knee at 56Fwater, 57 air...windy too..20kts.  Building tomorrow.  This eve, while enjoyin' a slower, lower eastern sho' sunset, I drink.

Snow Hill Road, 11/12

 

   
   A British-Style offering from Boulder Beer.  (British-Style: a lower alcohol...ie. watered down IPA? not so here)  Cold Hop pours a light translucent honey hue with a herbal fruit scent.  Finger and a half of head with sectioned lacing.  Surprisingly creamy, though I would suppose that is typical for the Brits with a carbonation that brings out the hops. Abv of 6.3%, and 46 IBUs.  Refreshing.  Not my norm for this time of year, but begs a 6 pack purchase.  A- rating.

Sunday's Funday Charlie Brown, notes from the Rogue

Grinding Pavement, 11/6

   Peanuts are great aren't they?  Just sayin'.  Always put me in a good mood.
   Did another 5+ miler this afternoon.  Workin' through the Standard Time and Redskin losing streak blues. What better way than the wind in your face on an intensely sunny day; full of stoke.  The countryside around here is just exploding with color this time of year.

Road 's namesake: Nassawango Church

The stretch

Trail's end...Home

  The label reads "after rakin'."  Works after bikin' too.  Breckenridge Brewery's Autumn Ale pours a dark amber-brown with a thin head.  Nice nuttiness with just the slightest hint of chocolate. Actually a Brown Ale vs. the usual Octoberfest offering. ABV at 6.7%...nice kick. At 21 ibu's the hops and malt are well balanced.  Not a bad offering for this time of year.  A head turner?  No.  But refreshing after the ride today.  New...a rating!  B+                
                

Racing The Sun, notes from the Rogue

   Sun sets 6pm, work ends 5pm.  30 miles to the coast.    Hmmmmm.   Should I run this last blueprint before I leave?  Only take a min. or two.  Hit print on the 'puter...the sharp sound of scraping metal gears and parts... LOCKED -UP...printer malfunction...F#%K! 5:15 as I'm startin' the TBlazer (no print by the way...f'ing copier still sits idle as I write this entry).  Now I find myself racing down that 30 mile stretch east, looking in my rear-view as the sun slips into the horizon at a relentless, almost mocking pace. Racing the Sun.

                                             Get 'em while they're hot, they won't last long!  11/3

 



 


                                                     

   5:50pm as I turn onto 66th street.  Not bad.  Run up to check the surf.  Not good. Sideshore current moving south.  Tide's goin' out, but the SW winds have picked up. Strong rips.  And it's twilight by the time I change into the full suit...and boots and gloves.  Oh yeah, the water is now 55-56F. A few below freezing nights'll do that. 

Last night of Holiday's at 66th

First of November.  Last of of the weekdays.

     So I charge in, catch a rip, and am out past the break instantly. And seem to keep moving out.  I paddle parallel and in. Position for a frontside.  Why do I do that.  This swell is clearly moving left.  I'm up! and the wave section's in front of me complete with backlash from the shore and into the washer I go.  From this point on the light quickly dims, can't get position, and I take one after another on the head.  Short night. First surf of November, last week night of the year.  Watch the 'tude dude.  Always good to get wet.  Always.  No worries.  I got weekends.
 
   Post surf brew - Heavy Seas (appropriate) Hop Haarvest Ale, an American Porter brewed with Maryland Wet Hops...not sure exactly what goes on here, but wet hopping supposedly adds a lightly spicy, bolder flavor...if that's so, it works.  This one is wet hop-brewed by Clipper City Brewing out of Baltimore.   Porters got their start in London brewed with dark malts.  Just like Americans to "hop" it up.  Roasted barley present in the aroma, but the hops give it a citrusy, earthy tone that adds to the robustness of a Porter. A nice 2 finger, velvety tan head that leaves thick residual lacing behind.  Pours a very deep dark brown. As I said, the taste is bold, but not overly bitter. Light chocolate aftertaste.  At 5% abv, a nice mid-autumn offering..,perfect for when the cold sets in.