Last Voyage, the Rogue's notes.

Pulling up the anchor, letting go the rope. Age rules over all things, fate rules over hope.  -Gentle Giant
 Autumn serenity overcomes a fading summer. Upriver, St.Martins. 11/2/2019

   Last nice weekend. Last fishing expedition. Last boat cruise. Last voyage. Water had cooled on the bayside as well. Launching at the usual ramp, I released the winch strap allowing the boat to begin to back off the trailer. To float the boat the rest of the way I usually end up wading in (required of SUV owners vs. pick-up trucks) and push it off. Yeah, the water had gotten noticeably colder. But, the day was calm, even the bay was calmer than usual. Less boat traffic...sure that helped the conditions on the open water. Wife and I cruised over to try our luck by the Rt. 50 bridge. South side had a strong current dragging north. Anchor wasn't a guarantee. Constantly watching our proximity to the bridge as I was slingin' the Roy Rig towards the pilings. Got stuck a few times. Finally lost a rig. Happened to see "Big Bird" Cropper plying the current as well as several other boats. Noticed he didn't stay in one place long if they weren't biting. Saw a few small non-keepers pulled in. No one really catching anything. Finally took the 'Big Bird" hint and left. Trolled the northside, wife driving...did a good job too! Kept flipping the rigs under the bridge and around the pilings until I had lost the remainder of the rigs to the flotsam along the bottom. No worries. We headed up the channel and the thoroughfare, past Harbor Island, around Fish Tales, and across the bay back to the St. Martin. Followed the river down to the county boat ramp in Bishopville. Turned back to end the voyage where we started. The Pines boat ramp. No fish, but stoked to get out on the water, even to end the season.

Final landing.

   Main Beer Company's Fall Coffee Stout. Nice warmer to keep nearby during clean up. Pour was a very dark brown with a tan, finger-plus, foamy head. Solid tan lacing and retention. Aromas of pine, roasted malt, and mocha coffee. Tasted of cola mixed with semi-sweet chocolate. Light char of burnt malts and hop bitterness did nice job of countering the sweet without making the finish overly dry. Plenty more cold brewed coffee behind it. 5.6% ABV meant another was possible without smudging the hull. Very good stout. Rated an A/A-.

"The natural path for every
gluten-tolerant adult should 

lead them to falling in love 

with beer." - P. Dawson