Monthly Archives: June 2010

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Seafood Anyone?

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There are a wide variety of great seafood stores that offer fresh local seafood on the Outer Banks. Today we’re going to highlight Carawans for it’s great food and great location.

Everyone gets a seafood craving once they hit the beach, and Carawans is in a prime location to grab some food on your way into the OBX. It’s located just over the bridge in Kitty Hawk on the right had side before Walmart, and PS, if you need to stock up on some adult beverages, the ABC store is right next door.

Outer Banks Seafood - Carawans

Outer Banks Seafood - Carawans

Outer Banks Named in Top Places to Enjoy the Summer Heat

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The Huffington Post recently complied a list of the “Top Places to Enjoy the Summer Heat,” and the OBX made the list! 

Here’s what they had to say:  “the Outerbanks of North Carolina for it’s pristine beaches, laid-back appeal and awesome fried food.”

Outer Banks Sunset

Outer Banks Sunset

2010 Outer Banks 4th of July Fireworks

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Outer Banks 4th of July

Outer Banks 4th of July

4th of July Celebrations on the Outer Banks

 

The Town of Manteo’s 2010 4th of July Celebration!
Festivities start at 2:00 p.m. with performances by: 

  • Tshombe Selby – singing the national anthem! 
  • Echoes of Heritage – our local a cappella music group!
  • Ray Johnson - popular karaoke music! 

3:00 p.m. Exciting & Fun Events –  Prizes Awarded

  • Apple Pie contest - bake your favorite pie and let the judges decide! 
  • Decorated Bike Contest - decorate your ride! 
  • Wacky Hat Contest – the craziest hat wins! 

6:00 p.m. The Crowd 

  • The Hottest Party Band on the Outer Banks  Rick Ostland, Tommy Desanto, Bill Rea, Buzz Bessette, Carson Huggins and Joe McGlohan! visit: www.thecrowdband.net 

Fireworks! 

  • All performances are on the Historic Courthouse steps in Downtown Manteo. The times listed for events are estimates. 
  • The Special Events Committee does it?s best offer these events on time; however, times can vary.
  • The judging of apple pie cannot be rushed! It just tastes too good!
  • If you need more information call The Town of Manteo at (252) 473.2133 or visit: www.townofmanteo.com .

 JULY 4th - 18th ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS at the Whalehead Club in Corolla - Sunday, 6 pm to 10 pm

Fireworks begin at dusk but arrive early to enjoy food, fun activities, fabulous music and find a place for your blankets and chairs to settle in for the best fireworks on the Outer Banks!  Sponsored by the Currituck County Department of Travel and Tourism.  Admission and Parking are free.

The Whalehead Club will be open from 12 noon till 8pm on this day for tours.  Due to Fireworks display, the boat ramp at Currituck Heritage Park will be closed Sunday, July 4, 2010. www.whaleheadclub.com .

The Town of Duck’s Independence Day Parade – July 5th

Independence Day Parade 9:00 a.m.- The one-mile parade route is the same annually. It begins at the crest of the hill past the back parking lot on Scarborough Lane. The route will turn left onto Ocean Way and then turn left again onto Christopher Drive. The parade will end on the corner of Christopher Drive and Duck Road (NC12). Remember, NO PART OF THE PARADE IS ON DUCK ROAD (NC 12). And parking in Town is at a premium, so please plan to walk or ride your bicycle, and get here early!

The sixth annual parade will have an after-event following at the Town Park featuring music by Ruth Wyand & Friends. If you are attending the parade, please arrive early so you can get a good spot on the parade route.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Blue One On

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The 52nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament is one of the oldest and largest sport-fishing tournaments of its kind in the country. Based in Morehead City, boats also fish out of Hatteras on the OBX.

This blue marlin was hooked (and released) by the Ann Warrick out of Pirates Cove Marina – giving it 1st place in the Daily Release category for Wednesday. Go OBX anglers!

Outer Banks Blue Marlin

Outer Banks Blue Marlin

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Clean, Clean Blue & Green

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I’m not sure if this picture can do justice; the water on the Outer Banks is sparkling clean today with an amazing blue-green color. It is a downright perfect beach day; light wind off the ocean, clear blue skies, in the upper 80′s and this amazing water with fun little wa…ves rolling in. Why am I at the computer?…wait, why are you at the computer?…get out there!

Gorgeous Outer Banks Ocean

Gorgeous Outer Banks Ocean

Rare Sea Turtle Nests on the Outer Banks

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Outer Banks Sea Turtle

Outer Banks Sea Turtle

The 2010 sea turtle nesting season is off to a great start on the Outer Banks.

NEST (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) is reporting that they have already confirmed two nests.  This is the earliest nesting on the OBX in about seven years.

One of the nests is from a Loggerhead, and a NEST volunteer had the pleasure of discovering the nest as the mother turtle was covering the eggs; it’s relatively rare to catch a glimpse of the mother.  After covering the nest, Mama returned back to the Atlantic.

The second nest provided an even bigger surprise.  The next morning, a rare Kemp’s Ridley mother climbed ashore to nest.  Kemp’s are known to migrate through the North Carolina waters, and some have washed ashore, but it is very rare for one to nest on the NC beaches; only two Kemp’s Ridley nests have been documented on North Carolina beaches, and none along the Outer Banks.

This is a great indication that the Kemp’s Ridley are fighting their way back from the brink of extinction with the help of great programs like NEST.

Outer Banks Named in List of Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches

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Outer Banks Dog Friendly

Outer Banks Dog Friendly

FIDO Friendly magazine (http://www.fidofriendly.com) just released its Top 10 Sizzling Summertime FIDO-Friendly beaches. The list was compiled of those beaches that have little or no leash restrictions, and the Outer Banks made the list!

Here’s what FIDO Friendly had to say about Duck:  Town of Duck Beaches, North Carolina – Beaches aren’t public access, so for those traveling with Fido, you’re in for unleashed luck in Duck! Dogs are permitted to play on the town’s beach under voice control of their watchful guardian. Fido is allowed off lead on Duck’s beach year-round. Due to their lack of public access, the beaches tend to be less crowded and more intimate. In fact, the Travel Channel’s annual America’s Best Beaches List ranks Duck’s beach amongst the highest. With its miles of clean beaches and surrounding shops and activities, not only is this a Fido-friendly beach town but a great vacation getaway. www.townofduck.com/pets.htm

Here’s a recap of all OBX dog related information, including leash laws by town/beach and some beautiful vacation rental homes that love their four-legged guests:  http://www.outerbanksvacations.com/PetFriendly.htm

Outer Banks Angler Scores Big at the Big Rock Marlin Tournament

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Monday was day one of the Big Rock Blue Marlin Competition in Morehead City, and it was quite a day for an Outer Banks angler.

There are 156 boats in this year’s competition, all hoping for the big catch that will help them land the $1.66 million in prize money.   The boat Citation from the Outer Banks was the first to catch the big blue, and the catch gives the Citation a large lead early in the tournament.

Citation didn’t get to the weigh station until about 7 p.m., but it was worth the wait.  The word spread pretty quickly that something big was coming in, and huge crowds stayed to see Citation bring back the tournament’s first blue marlin, and it was quite a show.

Citation hauled in a marlin weighing in at 883 pounds—a Big Rock tournament record.  With Monday’s catch, Citation reels in $318,000 for bringing the first fish over 500 pounds to the docks.

The video below shows the impressive catch. 

Outer Banks Lighthouse Restoration Progressing, But Hitting Delays

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Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration

Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration

Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration Progress Report

The Bodie Island Lighthouse, located in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore just south of Nags Head, is undergoing a massive restoration project, and it seems the estimated timeline may be extended.

The beacon, visible on the horizon as you travel on Hwy. 12, is currently encircled by an extensive 2,000-piece scaffolding system and a protective covering made of nylon-reinforced, weatherproof fabric.  It is an impressive sight, especially for engineering lovers, but lighthouse lovers will need to wait an additional six months to a year before the lighthouse is open again.  Workers found more structural damage than expected after sandblasting the 156-foot structure.    

Although the site is a busy and active construction area, the Bodie Island complex remains open to the visiting public. The park visitor center and Eastern National bookstore are open and offer a variety of programs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, seven days a week.

Work accomplished to date includes:

  • Sand blasting of exterior metals is approximately 40% complete
  • Stripping and priming of interior metals is approximately 80% complete
  • Paint removal on the interior masonry is 85% complete
  • Priming of metals on four levels of stairways is 70%
  • Metal sample patterns have been approved
  • Negative air machine and vacuum system with compressor are in place
  • A security fence installed around the construction site is 100% complete

The project is managed by the National Park Service in conjunction with restoration contractors, United Builders Group, LLC from New Bern, NC, the prime contractor, Progressive Contracting Company, Inc. from Edenton, NC, and the metal restoration work will be handled by Enberg Mold and Tool from Jacksonville, FL.

For more information on this project, contact the Public Affairs Office at 252-473-2111 ext. 148.