On The Rise, the Rogue's notes

From under my lone palm, I can look out on the day.  -J. Buffett
Lone pine looking out on the dawn from across the bay. First light's view of North OC, Ebb Tide Rd. 12/2019

   Christmas is around the bend. The Winter Solstice is near. Always 20s to 30sF at night. Days fluctuate big time. Thirties for a week or two. Then BOOM! Fifties. Sixties even. Nice pee-na-monia weather. No matter. After the 21st (solstice), the light of day starts getting longer. We might have more chill in front of us, but we're over the hump. I hope. Power of positive thought, right? Not much in the way of surf. I could use that as my excuse for not getting out lately. Wouldn't be the truth. Work, getting ready for our trip to Chicago. Truth, but excuses. I could've made time. Water in the upper 40sF. Completely true. Worth going out if there's waves. Almanac says conditions are on the rise. Water requiring a hood? Forget it. On the rise or not, I'll be waiting for Spring.

The Pines White Horse gazebo tree.

   While I wait, my next brew. Cold morning. Breath explodes in a cloud before your face. Cold ocean that seems to spark in the wake as you enter. Even with a full suit, boots, and gloves, the chill of the salted flushing through the rubber, sends a shock across your entire body as you glide into the first set of wash on the way out to the break. Doesn't make no never mind. The peace of a morning surf, big or small, is worth the momentary pain. Get home after the session's end, nothin' better than to have Third Wave Brewing's Dawn Patrol Coffee & Cream Stout waiting to warm your innards. Poured a coal black with a finger thick, brown, foamy head. Smelled of roasted malts, toffee, and semi-sweet baking chocolate. Even caught a whiff of bourbon. With the first taste the beer had a viscous feel. Strong  sweet, black coffee...like a Cafe Cubano espresso. More chocolate and bourbon in the flavors. Not overly being boozy. However, the 7.1% alcohol level made this one dangerous. Also, very smooth, although not as creamy as they boasted. Very well hopped finish at 53 IBUs. Easy to rate this one an A/A-.

"When dealing with complex transportation
issues, the best thing to do is pull up with
a cold beer and let somebody else figure
it out." - Anthony Bourdain