A Storm Filled Week Gives Way to Gorgeous Fall Weather on the Outer Banks
September and October are usually an extension of August on the Outer Banks. Warm sunny days, mild breezes, and warm water temperatures. Sure there is the chance of a passing tropical system (hurricane, tropical storm, etc.), but generally those threats move past quickly. In fact many locals and seasoned vacationers argue the Fall, September and October specifically, is the nicest time of the year to be on the Outer Banks.
The weather last week put this theory to the test. A weather system, that did not develop enough to be a named storm, took shape off the coast of the Outer Banks, and this Nor’Easter persistently tormented the local area for the majority of the week. Winds were in the 30-40 mph range with gusts up to 60 mph. The ocean grew volatile, and water was pushed over the dunes flooding many locations. School was cut short on Wednesday and closed on Thursday due to the high winds. In addition to this locally grown system, Tropical Storm Kyle took shape in the mid-Atlantic and threatened even more damaging weather.
There is always some level of excitement that accompanies a coastal storm, but the detrimental effects that high winds combined with the sheer strength of the ocean bring to a coastal community are humbling. Luckily, the Nor-Easter began to loosen its grip on the Outer Banks and Kyle moved hastily up the Atlantic towards its landfall in Nova Scotia. By Friday the skies brightened and excitement turned towards the great beach weather and the potential to make the most of the swell/waves the passing storms left in their wake.
The weekend was gorgeous with temperatures in the 80’s and water temperatures in the low 70’s. Surfers had a challenging paddle out beyond the break, but those who braved the over-head waves found some great Outer Banks surf. Many beachgoers chose to forego the potentially dangerous waves and rip currents, but still enjoyed the great weather and the abundance of treasures that the storms washed up to shore…star fish, conch shells, sea glass, etc.
Traditional Fall weather has returned to the Outer Banks after a storm filled week. The sun is shining, the air is warm, and the crowds are gone. It is still up for debate, but this could be the best time of year for a vacation.
Weather Forecast for 9.29 – 10.3:
- 9.29: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.
- 9.30: Partly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 80. Light and variable winds…becoming east around 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- 10.1: Mostly sunny. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- 10.2: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
- 10.3: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.
Outer Banks Lighthouse Chosen as a Finalist for Restoration
Bodie Island Lighthouse, located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, has been selected as a finalist in a restoration contest sponsored by JELD-WEN of Klamath Falls, Ore., a window and door manufacturer.
The lighthouse is one of three finalists. 50 lighthouses were nominated initially, and the public poll cut 12 finalists to three last week. The finalists are Bodie Island, Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Michigan, and New Canal Lighthouse in Louisiana.
JELD-WEN will evaluate the lighthouses and determine a winner later this year.
Outer Banks Coastal Storm Event – 9.23 & 9.24
National Weather Service projected forecast for remainder of this week.
· High winds of 50/60 MPH possible starting Tuesday and Wednesday.
· High Surf with a storm surge of approximately 3 ft. during a period of high astronomical tides during midday on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday.
· Expect minor to moderate ocean side flooding.
· NC 12 will be vulnerable, including areas in the municipalities.
· Rough surf, no swimming.
· High profile vehicles should use extreme caution.
Larger Herd for Outer Banks Wild Horses?
Wild horses are a rare sight in today’s day and age. The northern tip of the Outer Banks is fortunate to provide a home to 60 wild Spanish mustangs. The horses roam freely in a 12,000 acre area on the northern beaches of Corolla (Carova Beach), just south of the Virginia border.
The horses are thought to be descendents of mustangs brought to the New World by Spanish explorers. It is believed that the horses were stranded here or swam ashore during ship wrecks.
The Outer Banks wild mustangs are a major piece of Outer Banks history, culture, and economy. The horses are a large tourism draw, and offer a reminder of the significance of the Outer Banks and horses to the growth of the New World.
It is believed by many that the horses are facing increased dangers.
The Currituck Board of Commissioners is holding a meeting in October offering residents of Currituck County an opportunity to voice their concerns and advocate changes. The meeting will focus on the herd management program that critics feel is hurting the mustangs due to its lower restrictions on herd size.
The current management plan limits the herd size to 60, but many feel that restriction should be almost doubled. There is growing concern that the current restrictions may be harmful to the horses’ long-term health.
It is believed that the herd has survived on inbreeding. This inbreeding has not adversely affected the mustangs’ beauty or health yet, but over time, this inbreeding could lead to a wide variety of issues detrimental to the mustangs’ health and wellbeing.
Horse advocates are asking that the management plan be amended to allow the herd to grow to 110 mustangs. In addition, it is recommended that an exchange program be set up with the wild horses on Shackleford Banks. The Shackleford Banks horses have the same genetic makeup as the Corolla horses, and surprisingly that herd is 120 strong covering only 3,000 acres. It is suggested that several mares and stallions be exchanged between the herds to limit inbreeding and protect the overall health of the herd.
The Outer Banks Music Showcase – Upcoming Events
The Outer Banks Music Showcase would like to thank everyone for helping make 2008 a great summer season.
Upcoming Events:
· This year’s regular season show, “Flashback,” will continue through Oct. 15th. “Flashback” is one of the Outer Banks Music Showcase’s best shows yet. If you haven’t had the chance to see it, be sure to catch it during the fall on any Tuesday or Thursday evening.
· Several specials will be run during weekends in the fall.
· The always popular Elvis Tribute Show returns on Saturday, October 18th and tickets are on sale now.
· The Ozark Jubilee, straight out of Branson, Missouri returns for two shows on Friday, Oct. 17th at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are on sale now.
· On Friday, October 10th, at 7:30pm Ron Block, the guitarist and banjoist for Alison Krauss and Union Station will be in town for a special show that evening.
o Ron will also be conducting guitar, banjo, and mandolin workshops during the day for anyone interested.
· Finally, this year’s Christmas Show is just around the corner! Rehearsals have begun, the show starts on Nov. 13th, with over 30 shows scheduled to run from November through December. Tickets are selling fast.
Please check The Outer Banks Music Showcase’s website at www.outerbanksmusicshowcase.com for further information and a complete schedule.
Arrrggghhh…It’s Pirate Week on the Outer Banks!
September brings the end of summer, the start of school, gorgeous fall weather, and hopefully some surf to the Outer Banks. It also marks the start of a week long celebration of a short, but culturally and historically significant, period in Outer Banks history…the Pirate!
The Outer Banks enjoys a rich history, and was once a favorite haunt for pirates. The period from 1710 – 1718 was ruled by pirates on the Outer Banks, including the infamous Blackbeard. During his career as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships and was killed in battle at Oregon Inlet in 1718.
Blackbeard’s Pirate Festival – This week-long event kicks off on Monday September 15th and continues through Saturday September 20th. The headquarters for the festival is Kitty Hawk Kites (MP 12.5, Nags Head), and community events are scheduled all week throughout the Outer Banks.
Enjoy Pirate history, storytelling, reenactments, shows. The culmination of a fun filled week of events will be on Saturday September 20th at the Kitty Hawk Kites Store, MP 12.5, Nags Head. Enjoy everything Pirate; entertainment, reenactments, get your picture taken with a Pirate, etc
Monday
Jack Sparrow visits Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head for a Treasure Hunt.
3pm-5pm
Tuesday
Sparrow travels south to Hatteras Island to visit Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves, Avon, and Hatteras Village. 10am – 3pm
Wednesday
Sparrow travels north the visit Kitty Hawk Kites in Corolla for a Treasure Hunt
2pm-4pm
Thursday
Pirate Invasion at the Jolly Roger – 6pm-8pm
Friday – “National Talk Like a Pirate Day”
12pm – Pirates invade Big Al’s in Manteo
2pm-5pm – Pirate Invasion at Roanoke Island Festival Park
8pm – Movie Night at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head – “Pirates of the Caribbean”
Saturday
10am-4pm – Pirate Invasion at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head
Blackbeard’s Crew, Captain Jack Sparrow and Blackburn perform impromptu skirmishes, games, amusement, and more!
Arrrggghhh….It’s Pirate Week on the Outer Banks!
| Blackbeard’s Pirate Festival – Kitty Hawk Kites (mp 12.5), Nags Head. This week-long event kicks off on Monday, with community events happening all week, all over the Outer Banks. Enjoy Pirate history, storytelling, reenactments, shows. The culmination of a fun filled week of events will be on Saturday September 20th at the Kitty Hawk Kites Store, MP 12.5, Nags Head. Enjoy everything Pirate; entertainment, reenactments, get your picture taken with a Pirate, etc. |
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Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday – “National Talk Like a Pirate Day” Saturday
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Harvest Moon Shines on the Outer Banks – September 14 – 15
September 14 – 15, 2008 – Moonrise at approximately 6:30.
This weekend brings a great opportunity to view the Harvest Moon rising over the waters of the Outer Banks. A large full moon rising over the ocean is a site worth seeing.
In the northern hemisphere the full moon coming closest to the September 22nd autumn equinox is referred to as the Harvest Moon.
At this time of year in the northern hemisphere the moon rises at a point opposite to the sun, or close to the exact eastern point of the horizon.
The Moon rises only a few minutes later each night, offering several successive evenings with an attractive moonrise close to sunset time and strong moonlight for the majority of the night if the sky is clear.
The strong moonlight after sunset is useful to farmers in northern latitudes who are harvesting their crops, thus the term “Harvest Moon.”
With the gorgeous weather on the Outer Banks at this time year, it should be a very comfortable night to watch the moonrise…maybe even have your toes dipped into the 70 degree water!
If the sky is clear and you have the time, take advantage of this great opportunity…remember to bring your camera!
Outer Banks Hits the Big Screen – “Nights in Rodanthe”
A recent article by Catherine Kozak in the Virginia Pilot (http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/outer-banks-small-town-makes-debut-big-screen) points out that the Outer Banks is soon to get national and international attention.
“Nights in Rodanthe,” a major motion picture version of Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling book of the same name, will hit theatres nationwide on September 26th and abroad in November.
Outer Banks residents will have a pre-screening two days prior to the national release, and just two days after the premiere in New York City. The pre-screening will be held at the R/C Kill Devil Hills Movies 10 on September 24th. There will be about 210 seats available to residents who worked on the movie in someway while it was being filmed on the Outer Banks – extras, consultants, security, musicians, caterers, etc.
Scenes from the movie will show a wide variety of footage from the Outer Banks, including; particular houses where scenes were set, the Hatteras Fishing Pier, the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry, Ocracoke Island, Manteo, gorgeous beaches, wild horses, and aerial footage of the Island(s).
This is sure to be a great “date movie,” and a tremendous boost to exposure for the Outer Banks.
Outer Banks – Bring Your Dog Along on Vacation
Your Four-Legged Friend Deserves a Vacation Too
By Will Shields, General Manager, Seaside Vacations
As a dog lover, I can relate to folks who don’t relish the idea of leaving one of their best friends at home in a kennel or being cared for by a neighbor. The thought of not hearing the whap, whap, whap of his tail banging against the wall when he sees me in the evening is unnerving. The click of his nails on the hardwood floor is my reminder to get moving in the morning. Maybe, like me, knowing that your buddy is miles away (without his favorite ball) leaves a hole in your perfect vacation.
The Outer Banks is the perfect place to bring your furry friends. Many of the vacation homes available for rent now welcome canine guests. While we make bringing your best friend a breeze, it is important to remember that there are pet rules specific to each town (see inset for details).
Here are some tips I’ve picked up over the years:
* Don’t assume our love for canine friends is shared by everyone. All dogs should be controlled by their owner at all times. Just because you know your beloved pal is friendly doesn’t mean that the toddler building a sand castle will welcome his playfulness when your friend chases down his ball in the toddler’s work of art. Mom and Dad usually are not too thrilled either.
* Be sure to pick up after your dog. Bags are absolutely necessary, without exception. Many beach access areas provide bags for you. Be sure to properly dispose of the bag.
* If your pal has a barking problem, he might not be appreciated by the neighbors or the folks sharing the next beach blanket. Respect the privacy of your neighbors.
Be aware that dogs face special risks in our giant sand box. First, the sand can be searing hot in our summer months. You may not notice the hot sand (unless you forget your flip flops), but your canine sidekick may burn his pads, so watch that hot sand. Here on the Outer Banks we also have “prickers” or sand spurs. You will immediately know when Rover steps on one. He will suddenly stop, raise his paw and yelp. Often they will lodge between toes and stop Rover’s happy romp. They are usually easy to remove and typically have no lasting effect.
Let’s say that you have just had a great time exercising Rover, and he runs into the ocean or sound to cool off. Try not to let him drink any of the water. Saltwater or brackish water may upset the canine digestive tract and leave Rover with a slightly upset stomach. If your pal doesn’t seem to be feeling better within 24 hours, I’d recommend a quick stop by one of our local vets (check out or website for names and locations).
A beach home is the perfect spot to enjoy a beach vacation with your pet. Dog-friendly homes come in all shapes and all sizes. Some even have fenced exercise yards attached to the pool area. How cool would it be to swim in your own private pool and watch your pal romp in his play area? Now that’s a vacation the whole family will enjoy.
| Corolla | Year-round pet-friendly beaches. Leashes are required but there are no length requirements |
| Duck | Year round pet-friendly beaches. Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in length. Pets are allowed to play unleashed on the beach under close supervision of owner. |
| Southern Shores | Animals are prohibited on Southern Shores town beaches from May 15 to September 15. Leash laws enforced remainder of year. Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in length. |
| Kitty Hawk | Year round pet-friendly beaches. Leash law requires leash not to exceed 6 ft. in length between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm from the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day. At all other times the leash may be extended, but must be retractable to 12 ft. Well trained dogs may be unleashed under close supervision of owner, not to exceed 30 ft. in distance between owner and dog. |
| Kill Devil Hills | No dogs shall be allowed on Kill Devil Hills town beaches from the hours of 9:00 am through 6:00 pm each day from May 15th through Sept. 15th, except those aiding a handicap person. Leash law requires leash not to exceed 10 ft. in length. |
| Nags Head | Year round pet-friendly beaches. Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in length. |
| Cape Hatteras National Seashore | Leash law at National Parks requires leashes not to exceed six (6) feet in length. |
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