Monthly Archives: March 2009

Great Value of Vacation Rentals Gets National Attention

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A recent article in USA Today highlights the great value that Vacation Rentals offer guests; especially in a tough economic period.

 

Vacation Rentals are a relatively new concept and a somewhat misunderstood idea for most travelers.  A recent survey conducted by a renowned travel research agency shows that only 10% of US travelers have stayed in a vacation rental in the past few years.  This statistic indicates that either travelers are unaware of vacation rentals as an option, or travelers do not understand the great value vacation rentals offer in comparison to hotel stays. 

 

The USA Today article does a great job of demonstrating the great value vacation rentals offer:  very attractive pricing, much more space and living areas, fully-equipped kitchens that help keep food and bar tabs low, and private pools and hot tubs, plus the advantage of variety and great proximity to amenities such as beach front access.

 

Seaside Vacations has gorgeous homes that start as low as $30 per night / per person!     

 

HQ Power Kites Coming to the Outer Banks

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On April 18th, the HQ Power Kites World Tour will stop at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC on the Outer Banks. 

 

Stop by to test fly new power kites.  BBQ and refreshments will be served that evening and the Blue Crab Tavern.  The tour will then head to Hatteras, which is one of the best kite boarding destinations in the country.  Join them for test rides and a deck party at Kitty Hawk Kites’ new location. 

Surfing is More Than a Sport

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Surfing is more than a sport; it’s a release from stress of daily life, it’s a connection to nature, and it’s a way of life for the deeply committed.


A recent article on BleacherReport.com highlights the amazing surf on the Outer Banks and the awe-inspiring, yet nurturing, aspects OBX waves offer. The author, Steven Ward, grew up and learned surfing in Florida, but he has very fond memories of surf on the Outer Banks; including one bout with hurricane swell estimated by locals at 20 feet that humbled him to the sheer force of nature.


Speaking of the OBX surf, Ward went on to write, “It wasn’t the wave that filled me with an unsurpassed awe, but the waves in general; a collective gathering of large and small, each one in possession of its own identity.  The sport of surfing rescued me when I was a fledging teen and allowed me to claim something very special, very personal, and a link to nature at its various and tedious strength.  Indeed a force of nature.”


The Outer Banks has had a profound effect on many lives; vacationers come for a week and never leave, locals spend their entire lives on the barrier islands. Surf may only be one aspect of the profound nature of the Outer Banks, but it is an aspect that is renewed for surfers and non-surfers alike every time Mother Nature sends swell towards the thin strip of land protruding into the Atlantic. Gazing out at the waves crashing along the shore is an immediate reminder of how much nature and the Outer Banks have to offer us all.

Outer Banks Land of Beginnings Festival

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March 27 thru April 6 Land of Beginnings Festival
Tickets and event info: (252) 473-2127.

The Land of Beginnings Festival is an annual celebration of Outer Banks Originals which defines who we are as a community. Events planned at various sites that week include a long list of exciting cultural, educational and entertainment activities. Participating sponsors include both nonprofits and businesses that subscribe to promoting the future of the Outer Banks by preserving its past.


Experience a nine-day festival that promotes the uniqueness of the Outer Banks with exciting cultural, educational and entertainment events for residents and visitors. Various entertaining activities throughout the festival celebrate the history, culture, and people of the Outer Banks.  Events include Living Legend Community Luncheon, Children’s Fun Faire, Story Telling, Black & White Ball and more. Participating sponsors include both nonprofit organizations and businesses that subscribe to promoting the future of the Outer Banks by preserving its past.

Schedule:

FRIDAY

3-27-09

Children’s Faire
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.,  Wright Brothers Memorial Pavilion—Kill Devil Hills

FREE ADMISSION
252-473-2127

The Night Before Take-Off
(a satirical drama)
7:00 p.m., Roanoke Island Festival Park—Manteo

TICKETS: $7.50
252-473-1571

SATURDAY

3-28-09

Storytelling: Hatteras Island Oral History
7:00 p.m., Hatteras Village Civic Center—Hatteras
Featuring Ken Mann, Allan Smith of Dream Quest Productions, and Tom Crouch of the Smithsonian Institute.

FREE ADMISSION
252-475-2655

The Night Before Take-Off
(a satirical drama)
7:00 p.m., Roanoke Island Festival Park—Manteo

TICKETS: $7.5
252-473-1571

SUNDAY

3-29-09

The Night Before Take-Off
(a satirical drama)
2:00 p.m., Roanoke Island Festival Park—Manteo

TICKETS: $7.50
252-473-1571

MONDAY

3-30-09

Living Legend Community Luncheon
12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Wright Brothers Memorial Pavilion—Kill Devil Hills

TICKETS: $18
252-473-2127 x 223

TUESDAY

3-31-09

Storytelling: Outer Banks Oral History
7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Roanoke Island Festival Park—Manteo

FREE ADMISSION
(Seating limited
to 250)
252-473-3761

American Masterpieces
(North Carolina Dance Theatre)
7:00 p.m., First Flight High School Auditorium—Kill Devil Hills

TICKETS: $15 252-473-5558

WEDNESDAY

4-1-09

Storytelling as an Avocation: An Authors’ and Producers’ View
7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Wright Brothers Memorial Pavilion—Kill Devil Hills
Featuring Ken Mann and Allan Smith of Dream Quest Productions and Tom Crouch, Smithsonian Inst.

FREE ADMISSION
252-473-5558

THURSDAY

4-2-09

Create the Future:
A Community Conversation
9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Wright Brothers Memorial Pavilion—Kill Devil Hills

FREE ADMISSION
For info:
252-473-2264 x235

Storytelling: Outer Banks Oral History
7:00 – 8:30 p.m., Black Pelican Restaurant—Kitty Hawk
Featuring Mildred “Miss Millie” Perry Foreman, Bill Harris, and Sam Beacham

FREE ADMISSION
252-473-2127

SATURDAY

4-4-09

Black & White Ball: A Global Affair
6:00-11:00 p.m., Wright Brothers National Memorial—Kill Devil Hills
l> More info

TICKETS: $100,
Corporate Tables: $1,500
Tickets/ info:
252-473-2127

MONDAY

4-6-09

Time Capsule Burial
11:30 AM, on the lawn in front of the Commissioners Meeting Room, Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall Collins Drive—Manteo

FREE ADMISSION
252-473-2127

Successful Outer Banks Polar Plunge

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The annual Outer Banks Polar Plunge was held on Saturday. 

To help make it a true “polar plunge” the air temp was in the 50’s and the water was choppy and in the 40’s.  Much fun was had by all and funds were raised for the YMCA Open Doors program. 

 

Keep warm until next year.

     

New Outer Banks Webcam

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Update: We just installed a new webcam in Nags Head. This beach cam is located on Sandy Oasis just north of Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The cam offers a great view of the Nags Head beach, a perfect Outer Banks surf break, and the new Jennette’s Pier. Enjoy!

Dare County recently installed a new webcam.

The new cam provides viewers a glance at the Bonner Bridge that crosses Oregon Inlet on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. 

According to the Virginia-Pilot, the camera will provide 35 second peeks to the browser.  The Webcam should be up and running on Monday.  The Webcam will provide views of the historic Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station, the inlet, N.C. 12 and the bridge.  Two other Webcams provided by Dare County have been extremely popular. 

Bluegrass Music on the Outer Banks

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The Ozark Jubilee, a great bluegrass band, is taking the stage at the Outer Banks Music Showcase this weekend. 

 

The Ozark Jubilee is a five piece band consisting of a steel guitar, drums, fiddle, base and keyboards.  The will be playing at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday March 13, 2009. 

 

The Music Showcase is located on MP 4.5 off of US 158 in Kitty Hawk. 

 

The price of admission is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $8 for children 12 and under.

Blackbeard to Sail the Outer Banks Again?

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Kevin Duffus, an author, researcher, and filmmaker has spent 35 years researching Blackbeard’s life. To other historians, he is known simply as the “Blackbeard Expert.” 

 

Duffus recently published “The Last Days of Black Beard The Pirate” where he explains his well-researched theories of the infamous pirate’s life.  Blackbeard is the source of many tales and legends on the Outer Banks. 

 

To honor the memory of Blackbeard, Duffus hopes to build a full size replica of Blackbeard’s famous ship, The Adventure. The Adventure was a Jamaica sloop, a common merchant vessel of the times that Blackbeard captured and converted to a pirate ship.

 

On March 5th, Duffus made a presentation for funding the $5.2 million dollar project to The Committee of 100’s.  His ideas for the project were enthusiastically received by the members. The Duffus plan would have a team of marine craftsmen, augmented by skilled volunteers, take about a year to build the vessel.   When completed, the ship would be used for dockside tours and demonstrations; corporate and special-event charters; festival and re-enactment events both within and outside of the state; and sailing and seamanship instruction.

 

The ideas are in place, all that remains is getting $5.2 million in funding in a difficult economic climate.  Good luck Kevin; we hope to see The Adventure setting sail soon. 

See the Space Shuttle Launch from the Outer Banks

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The Outer Banks offers some amazing sights, but the Space Shuttle?! 

It’s true, the OBX offers low light pollution and an ideal coastal location to witness nighttime space shuttle launches.  As the shuttle ascends towards space, it travels up the East Coast creating the opportunity to see the flame from the booster rockets about 6 – 9 minutes after launch.  Look east about 140 degree up from the horizon and the shuttle’s burn should be visible moving rapidly south to north.

The next nighttime launch is scheduled for 3/12 at 9:20, but be sure to check the launch time as it nears because delays are not unusual.    

From www.space.com, here are the details of the proposed launch time.

Discovery is now officially poised to lift off for its STS-119 mission from a seaside launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Wednesday at 9:20 p.m. EDT (0120 March 12 GMT). Commander Lee Archambault will lead a crew of seven astronauts on a two-week construction flight to the International Space Station to deliver a new set of solar array wings.

Here’s another online tool to prepare for what the night sky offers:  http://spaceweather.com/flybys/

Thanks to OBX Journal for sharing this great OBX opportunity.