Last Attempt, session notes from the Rogue.

Near or far, shorebreak be shorebreak. 47th Street empty break, 9/14/2024.

     Packed up for naught. Last attempt was not to be. Water had warmed considering the repetitive upwelling. Maybe 70F? Yet breaking on the hard pack. No Bueno. Skunked for the year. Gotten in the habit of quelling the surf appetite with some good cookin'. Not sure how well the evening's choice would make out considering the potentially painful tab. Regardless, the Wife and I have been targeting this choice of bite, and The Hobbit Restaurant has been around for awhile. From a locals hot spot to a locals exclusive spot. Can honestly say this place has ratcheted up the scale over the years. Sweet meal. Sweet evening. Not so sweet tab. Sweet sunset to offset.

Espresso Martinis, pan seared Dayboat Scallops, and Lollipop

Lamb Chops led into a nice catch of the day-  Swordfish steak 

dinner. Well prepared. But, prepare your wallet for sticker shock. 

Shorebreak, limiting surf- surely. Savory, delicious food- absolutely. Stunning sunset- definitely!

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme... time in a bar line
 hangin' by the planters. "We didn't realize we were
making memories, we just knew we were having fun."
-College memories. 

Kona Brewing, Big Wave Golden

Ale. Clean, clear pour. Finger thick,

fizzy, white head. Honey, and

 berries in the aromas. Light fruit,

grains, and distinctive 21 IBU hop

 hit in the flavor. 4.4% ABV made

 for an easy sixer. Rated a B+.

 

Summer Pin, session notes from the Rogue.

Findin' our shoreline, Sinepuxant Bay- 8/31/2024.

I need a day on the water

Ass in a float or a motorboat ride

SPF this blue collar
Turn boots into bare feet, find a shoreline
'Til we're chillin' like Buffet on a blue sky bender
Workin' on nothin' but a Busch Light
I need a day on the water
'Fore I up and lose my mind. 

            -James Barker Band

     Summer reachin' its pinnacle. Surf has been a wash. But between the SUP, and the Jet, have managed to stay on the water.

'Pines Swim Club lane.  Sunset paddle, 8/22/2024.

Heaven Hill bonded. Kentucky Straight

Bourbon Whiskey. Cherry Smoked 'Ol

Fashioned. Colors of amber and dark

cherry. Flavors of  rich caramel on the

 backbone. Notes of vanilla, honey,

 char, and oak. Cherry wood smoke.

 50ABV. Another A Rating.

Frecce Tricolori - The Italian Tricolor Arrows commemorates Verrazano's 500th anniversary to America.
Bayside seats, 8/24/2024.

De Lazy Lizard Marina, 8/31/2024.

Handouts?

Laughing Fish. Northern Golden

Ale. Upper Hand Brewery. Straw

yellow pour. 2 finger white foam head.

Apples, honey and crackers in the

aromas. Bready malts, and sweet

white grapes in the tastes. Crisp,

light hop finish. Estimated

20 IBUs. 4.9% ABV. Couple

cans for a mellow end. B rating.

Gateway to sunset's end. Rt 50 Bridge, 8/31/2024.

Off Hiatus, session notes from the Rogue

"Enticing white marlin to bite takes practice and finesse, but once hooked, the fight is on, as these fish are
 known for their acrobatic leaps and intense battles." -Fish In OC
Registration Day...anticipation of the return. Lotsa prep, big crowds, busy marina. Harbour Island, OCMD. 8/4/2024

      After 2 years (2022- the last WMO qualifying White Marlin brought to scale), the star of the White Marlin Open was finally off hiatus. Several brought in, but only two that qualified. Waste Knot outta NC brought the winner in on Day 1 at 77.5lbs. The 2nd placer weighed in at 76lbs. No biggies, but a triumphant return regardless. Hurricane season was making itself heard with Debby coming up the coast creating high seas on Friday (no one out). Up front, the tournament was extended to Saturday. Imagine. Having to wait five more days to see if you won. Captured $3.8 mil. I'd say it was worth it. As for our Crew. While Whitey was sittin' up front, we kinda' hung back. Debby was gonna make the weather during the week a bit erratic. Except for those invested, intermittent dark skies would keep many away from the scales. Good thing the Whim-O has a web-cam to monitor the incoming. Still got an up front view of all the prep action on registration day. Luv this event! It's like gittin' wet! Sorta.

Bait up!

 

Comeback claimed.

    Good beer to mellow out to, and enjoy the festivities. Old Nation's Lemon Shandy. 4.8% ABV makes it a sixer worth carrying around. Pours a copper-yellow. Nice finger+, white head. Sweet, citrusy aromas. Sweet lemonade, backed up with an ever so light bitterness at 7.0 IBUs on the palate. You at the Open? Need to drink and repeat, and enjoy without slurring. This is the one. Rated a solid B.

    Bourbon. Small Batch. "Most admired." That's Michter's. Flavors of stone fruit, touch of charred oak and vanilla. Copper color. Aromas of apple, smoke, more vanilla and oak. 45.7% ABV. One of my top bourbon's so far. Perfect toast to the return of "Whitey"!

Rated an A.

Crowded lineup; ready to release the horses. WMO 2024, 8/4/2024.

Sunset Stick, session notes from the Rogue

Placid sunset evening. Ideal for a stand up stick cruise. St. Martin River, 8/1/2024.

     An outdoor rack for our SUP boards make it very convenient to just grab and go. Then why don't I do it more? Unlike our lower than average ocean temps, and shore break that has limited surf time, when it comes to a paddle... no excuses. Really need to get out more. Very chill. Helps to stem the stress of the day. And good for the core. Tonight was a quick trip around Tern Island, the bird sanctuary right off the residential areas of Tern Circle. East-Southeast and back, with a quick side trip down Moonshell/Lookout Canal. The paddle back put me right in line with the orange, red, and pink glow of the sun drop. Like a exploding dissipation of the strain of the day. Could feel the atmosphere let out a sigh and settle down. Me? Same. Really need to do this more often.

Well it ain't no mystery

Just laid back and feelin' free

And if you wonder where I'll be

Just keepin' it low key.

-Jesse Rice

Fancy Papers. Pretty sure a nod to the Tampa Cuban cigar industry. When I think of Hazy, I think of warm waters. Summer temps. Cigar City Brewing. Tampa, FL. Cuttin' grass. Tangerines. White Sangria. Nose full of the South. Flavors of lime, melon, guava. Telltale citrus with hopped resin playing the yin yang thang with subtle malts.  6.5 ABV. 60 IBUs. Fresh finish that left me wanting after the evening's paddle. B+ rating. Bring on another. Cheers!

Life On The Water, session notes from the Rogue.

Guarding the waters... and the boat. Harbour Island, 7/27/2024.

I'd like to go where the pace of life's slow

Could you beam me somewhere, Mister Scott?
Any old place here on Earth or in Space
You pick the century and I'll pick the spot

-J.Buffett, Boat Drinks

     Summer going full speed. Back bays churned with the crowded boat traffic. Occasional spray of the wake on your skin. Smell of salt in the air. Early dinner at the Reel Inn dock bar. Another stoked weekend of Jet cruisin'. Life on the water.

Bacon wrapped shrimp...how can you go wrong?

 

      After washing the boat down and rinsing off, it's nice to end an evening with a backyard bonfire, salted winds off the river, sippin' on a bourbon, or... a Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout. Ok, ok. Know what you're thinkin'. Heat of the the summer. Fire. Heavy beer. Dude! It's bourbon barrel-aged! Mellows out the day. Besides, it'd been sittin', agin', callin' my name. Firestone Walker's Paraboloid. Smooth. Obsidian black pour. Dark,  Coppertone-tan head. Thick, sticky, tan lacing. Notes of mocha, cherry, and vanilla in the aromas. Flavors immediately morphed into burnt oak and bourbon, fudge, and continued hints of vanilla. Bitterness of dark chocolate combined seamlessly with the 43 IBU hop finish. Not gonna lie. At 13% ABV, one was enough to close the night. A+ rating. Sweet!

"Psst, here I am..."

-the Calling

Celebration- Hola Olivia!, session notes from the Rogue.

"Every day is a blessing. A new life and a new hope." -Anon
Malibu Beach, 7/6/2024

     It's been expected. Felt like forever comin'. Life's stoke. A celebration! We welcome into the fold, the newest Wahine of the O'hana. Olivia Anne!

New wave Wahine, 7/5/2025.

Reelin' In The Mondos, session notes from the Rogue.

"There are some fish that cannot be caught.

It's not that they are faster or stronger than

other fish, they're just touched by something extra.." 

                 -Ed Bloom, Big Fish

Not these fish. Double booked on

 the Assawoman, 7/5/2024.

     Big fish. Mondos. Those that are elusive. For my luck with the Bay... that could be just 'bout all of 'em. Taking our Granddaughter and Daughter out for an Independence Day weekend day on the water. Neighbor - DP, best advice: small hooks, fishbite baits, guaranteed catch. She was yanking 'em up one after the other. Counting the catch from late morning to mid-PM. Dine in at the Reel Inn. Late afternoon- lines back in the water. News in about the next fis... I mean Granddaughter's birth.  Lines out. Head back. The Circle of Life keeps us goin'.    

El-Galeon Andalusia in the OC port.

     Beer of choice- Old Nation Brewing. New Orthodox beers. Few better summer refreshers than those with Grapefruit. Which sets this brew up for summer. Grapefruit B-43. Clear. Crisp. Dry. How can you get more summer than that? 7% ABV makes it a party'r. Slappin' you aroud a bit with 65 IBUs. Says, "Hey Barney! Pay attention!" But, if'n you're in control, s sweet yet dry refresher that'll leave ya satisfied after one...maybe a couple. No more! Hazy yellow pour that clears up fairly quick. Nice lace. 'Bout a finger and half fluff of head. Aromas of grapefruit, obviously, and pine. Zesty limes and lemons in the taste. Hints of orange. Grapefruit mix with piney, resinous finish. Hop pop in the mouth. Rated an A.

Sunset Zen, session notes from the Rogue.

Zen on the river. The Point, 6/27/2024.

     Slipped out into the river on a last minute decision to go for an evening paddle. Headed southeast- around Tern Island. Into the canal between Lookout Point and Moonshell Drive. Back to the dock. Focused on balance and the route in front of me. Felt the resistance of the paddle... three strokes on the left. Two on the right (stronger on the right side). Back and forth. Hearing the shrill warnings of the terns, the smell of the salt in the warm air (high 70s this particular evening). The whole Zen of the exercise drained away the stress of the day. Throw in a sunset on the river. Stoked. 

     Ice cold Belgian Wit. Perfect sesh closing brew from Heavy Seas. Clear golden pour. Light carbonation. Finger and half white, fizzy head. Sweet tangerine and citrus aromas. Tart, bitter orange rind in the taste. Some pepper zest. A little acidic. Light hops. Fresh close. 5.2% ABV. Maybe 25 or so IBUs. Rated a B.

"It's a fair wind that blew men to ale."

-Washington Irving

First Attempt, session notes from the Rogue.

"A shore break is a wave that breaks right on the beach, has no room to ride.
We've also called them pounders as they also pound the sand (and anyone nearby -ed.) on the beach." -Otter Pro
Surf check: Waist high shore break peaking above the beach. 48th Street break, 6/20/2024.

      First time time loaded up with the Shell Shape stick and a spring suit. Semi clean break listed on the report. Ocean temps in the high 60s. Clear mid-70's late afternoon. Winds about 5-10 mph. First day of summer. First attempt. Could hear the waves crashing against the sand, rollin' up to the beach. Shore break. Has been the local in-town coastal epidemic since last year. No major storms have come through, so the shoaling has been minor. Tide has to hit just right, and I'm thinking that my break is gonna be a' changin'. In the mean time, Plan B. Feed the machine.

Tapped into the Tiki.

     45th Street Taphouse Tiki Bar. Spectacular sunset to take one's mind off of the lack of surf time. Chilled IPA. Crab-stuffed Avocado. Old Bay Wings. Korean BBQ Potstickers. Wife and I were stoked as soon as we laid eyes on our choices. Lump crab loaded up over corn salsa in a ripe avocado consumed immediately. Wings were meaty, hot, and perfectly dusted with Old Bay. Potstickers were our least favorite, but were tender with a tangy BBQ sauce over a spicy slaw. More sticker than pork (hint). Regardless, enjoyed the dinner overall and refueled, we headed back to base.

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay

Watching the tide roll away

Sittin' on the dock of the bay

Wastin' time  -Otis R.

     Next evening, sippin' on a tequila inspired Paloma. Bada$$ Strawberry Moon (also known as a mead moon... Salude!) over the St. Martin as an added garnish. Thumped first attempt, but still grateful to be livin' the life!

Old Irving Brewing. Beezer Hazy IPA.

6.9% ABV. 45 IBUs. Dense orange haze

pour. Finger and a half foam head.

Mangos, orange, and pine in the nose.

Melon, grapefruit, and more resinous

pine flavors. Great hop bite in the finish. 

Smooth. Not heavy goin' down- hence 

dangerous. More than a couple and it'd

thump ya like the surf. Rated an A.

Grey Wolf Lobo Agave Spirit Tequila. 

43.5% ABV. Add grapefruit juice, lime juice, 

+ soda over a sea-salt rim. Gotcha a Paloma. 

Had a couple. A sipper for howlin' at the moon. 

First Lunasea after Solstice. Hangin' at the Point on the St. Martin, 6/21/2024.