Outer Banks Weddings Highlighted in USA Today

Posted on July 16, 2010

Outer Banks Wedding

The USA Today travel section recently highlighted the Outer Banks in an article titled, “How to Get Married at Corolla Beach in North Carolina.”

The article does a great job giving an overview of the Corolla area and reducing the “to do” list to five steps.

You can find the article here, but here’s a quick recap with some added commentary:

Overview: Corolla offers a beautiful backdrop for your wedding.

Step 1: Find a location. The OBX has a wide variety of locations to choose from, and the beaches are public and accessible to anyone. Seaside Vacations has an array of gorgeous vacation homes to host a wedding, rehearsal dinner, or guests coming to the wedding.

Step 2: Secure an officiant. There are a number of officiants in all denominations on the OBX, but book early; they are very busy during the wedding season.

Step 3: Arrange for food. There are an endless supply of amazing restaurants and caterers on the Outer Banks. Enjoy this process…eat as much as possible!

Step 4: Book musicians and photographers. A couple of our favorite photographers are Brooke Mayo and Matt Lusk.

Step 5: Get a marriage license.

I’m going to go off-script here and include a 6^th step not mentioned in the article.

Step 6: Go to the Outer Banks Wedding Expo in January. It is a good reason to make a trip to the OBX for “planning” and a great opportunity to see all of the local vendors in one location…and there are great prize giveaways.

Have fun planning!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Don’t Believe the Hype

Posted on July 15, 2010

A quick glance at today’s seven day weather forecast for the OBX can be pretty alarming, lots of thunder boomers on display. But you can’t always believe what you read.

I won’t go on a weather report rant, but let’s just say they’re not always right, and when it comes to the Outer Banks and thunder storms, “not always” could be an understatement.

Chance of thunderstorms is a daily occurence on the OBX…especially during the heat of the summer. The good news is that this “chance” often does not arise, and when it does there’s always a silver lining.

The OBX thunder storms are genearlly isolated and brief…plus, they are fun to watch. Here’s a picture of a thunder storm rolling across the Sound last night. There was some heavy rain, but it only lasted about 15 minutes. So, don’t change your plans…but an umbrella may be helpful.

Outer Banks Thunder Storm

Rip Curl GromSearch Surf Contest Coming to the Outer Banks

Posted on July 15, 2010

2010 Rip Curl GromSearch

The Rip Curl GromSearch is a global series for the best young surfers around the world to showcase their talent…and it’s coming to the Outer Banks August 14, 2010.

In the US, the Rip Curl GromSearch brings the best surfers from across the nation to their local, regional competition with the hopes of making the Rip Curl National Final at the Rip Curl Pro Search Somewhere in Puerto Rico in the Fall.

The 2010 North American series is made up of 4 regional championship events and the winners of each event advances to the National Final to compete for the title of Rip Curl GromSearch National Champion. The winner of the premier Boys and Girls 16/Under division at the National Final wins an all-expense paid trip to the Rip Curl Pro Surf & Music Festival at Bells Beach the following April to compete in the Rip Curl GromSearch International Finals.

The first-ever Rip Curl GromSearch was held at Jan Juc, Torquay, Australia in 1999. This led to the creation of a National series including Europe, the United States, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, and New Zealand.

Entry is easy, so log on to check out dates, locations and availability, click here

MID ATLANTIC
Stop 3:

Rip Curl GromSearch OBX, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 2010

Saturday, August 14, 2010 @ 7:30am – Sunday, August 15, 2010

2010 Outer Banks Bluez & Brewz Fest Coming Soon

Posted on July 15, 2010

2010 Outer Banks Bluez & Brewz Festival

Schedule:

4 – 5pm – Mojo Collins & Triple Threat
5:30 – 6:30pm – The Crowd
7 – 8pm - Josh Preslar Band
8:30 – 10pm - Grant Austin Taylor

Mojo Collins & Triple Threat
www.MojoCollins.com

The Crowd
www.CrowdBand.net

Josh Preslar Band
www.JoshPreslarBand.com

Grant Austin Taylor
www.GrantAustinTaylor.com

Outer Banks Surf Legend

Posted on July 13, 2010

Bob Holland - MattLuskPhotography.com

On the 4^th of July, Bob Holland, 81, was gracefully gliding down the line in his classic long board style taking advantage of some summer swell on the Outer Banks. To repeat, 81 years young!…kudos Bob.

Holland has been riding waves for 71 years (wow!), and has the stories to prove it. He’s won championships and befriended legendary surf icons like Bruce Brown, the creator of the legendary surf film Endless Summer, which by the way Brown showed for the first time on the East Coast in Holland’s home…a silent version that Brown narrated while watching!

The Outer Banks Sentinel recently ran an interview with Holland that covers some of his extensive history and touches on some great stories. Holland’s example gives all surfers something to work towards as we wander down the inevitable path of aging. Keep charging.

New Outer Banks Bridge Could See Further Delays

Posted on July 13, 2010

Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks

A new bridge to replace the failing Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks is running into the potential for further delays.

The 2.5 mile Bonner Bridge linking northern Outer Banks to Hatteras Island opened in 1963 and was designed to last 30 years; quick math ends the lifespan in 1993…17 years ago! Over the years, the bridge has been battered by strong currents, even stronger storms and damaging saltwater. The structure is in need of replacement, but the approval process has been slow, to say the least.

The bridge is currently rated poor, but the state has spent millions for repairs to keep the span safe until it is replaced. However, even these repairs have a lifespan that ends around 2017.

Planning for the replacement began 20 years ago, but the project has been slowed by environmental challenges, government agency disagreements, controversy about the design, and threats of lawsuits. An environmental assessment was released in May, and most people have assumed the planning marathon was nearing the end and the construction would start soon. But those assumptions are being called into question after a recent public hearing.

Transportation officials are hesitant to commit to a timeline before reviewing all of the comments on the current Environmental Assessment to determine whether there are any significant changes from the previously–approved plan. If there are changes, another supplement to the environmental plan would be required, which would then require additional public review period before recording a final decision.

Some comments submitted by environmental groups have indicated that impacts have changed significantly and that an important environmental review in the plan is flawed. This seems to lead to the potential for further environmental assessment…and more delays.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS

If you missed the public hearings, you can still submit comments until Aug. 9.

Citizens who did not speak at the meetings but would like to provide comments can mail them to Drew Joyner, Human Environment Unit Head, NCDOT, 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598. They may also call or e-mail their comments to Drew Joyner at (919) 431-6700 or djoyner@ncdot.gov.

NCDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and other agencies will review the comments received and then determine if additional environmental studies are needed.

To read the Environmental Assessment and view the project maps, visit the NCDOT Web site or the Outer Banks Task Force Web site.

Forbes Names Outer Banks One of America’s Island Paradises

Posted on July 13, 2010

Outer Banks Sunrise

Forbes.com recently compiled a short list of America’s Island Paradises, and the Outer Banks made the cut.

Forbes mentioned that “For gorgeous beaches and affordable vacation homes, many East Coast travelers opt to spend a few days in the Outer Banks in North Carolina.”

Beautiful vacation rental homes still available: www.OuterBanksVacations.com

Bing Travel Includes the Outer Banks on List of Awesome Vacations

Posted on July 13, 2010

Outer Banks Sunset

Bing (as in the Microsoft search engine) Travel is featured on MSN.com today with its list of “Awesome Vacations in All 50 States,” and the Outer Banks is highlighted for North Carolina.

Here’s what Bing Travel has to say about the OBX:

50 Awesome Vacations: North Carolina

The Outer Banks are a 200-mile-long string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. The Wright brothers’ first flight in a powered, heavier-than-air vehicle took place in 1903 on the Outer Banks, at Kill Devil Hills near the seafront town of Kitty Hawk. Explore these islands by renting a beach house.

Great vacation rental homes still available: www.OuterBanksVacations.com

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Dawn Patrol

Posted on July 12, 2010

Summer surf on the OBX is relatively nonexistent, so when I checked the surf report last night and noticed that it was calling for waist high, clean surf, I figured it was worthy of an early start to the day.

A little bump was there, but not worthy of much exuberance. However, it’s July on the Outer Banks, the water is in the mid 70′s, and the beach was practically deserted in the early morning sun; so it’s worth getting wet to see if a fun ride can be had.

A few quick rides, but nothing remarkable. However, the lack of remarkable waves didn’t impede on the remarkableness (is that a word?) of the morning itself. I’m not sure there is a better way to start the day than with a swim in the warm Atlantic, and a deserted OBX beach is always a pleasure.

One of the most peaceful times on the beach is in the early mornings…don’t forget your coffee. If you’re patient enough, you’ll probably see a few dolphins enjoying the morning as well.

I can see some more dawn patrol in my near future.

Outer Banks Dawn Patrol

Outer Banks Recycling Facts

Posted on July 12, 2010

The Outer Banks Voice recently ran a story written by Willo Kelly, a representative of BlueGreen Outer Banks, that points out some great facts about recycling on the Outer Banks. Did you know you can get free crushed glass to use in landscaping?…freelicious! The list of facts is below, and at the end of the list is a link to a survey about recycling on the OBX…the survey takes less than five minutes.

Outer Banks recycling facts:

It is illegal to put aluminum cans, plastic water bottles/other plastic containers and oyster shells in North Carolina landfills.
Establishments that sell alcoholic beverages are mandated by state law to recycle all of their glass.
Dare County is the only North Carolina county that has its own glass crusher. The crushed glass can be picked up free and used for landscaping, driveway surfaces, etc. Look at the sparkling entrance to Jockey’s Ridge.
Out of 100 North Carolina counties, Dare County ranked No. 1 last year for per-capita recycling. This ranking is somewhat skewed because it is based on the weight of recyclables per year-round resident and does not count seasonal population numbers.
Recycling is the easiest way to reduce waste in our landfills. Considering the environment of the Outer Banks, you might wonder why recycling is not mandatory. The Towns of Duck and Southern Shores provide curbside recycling service. Other Dare County towns have recycling “centers” and have contracted with a vendor to provide curbside service to those who voluntarily pay for it.

There is still so much more we can do to increase and improve recycling on the Outer Banks and your help is needed. BlueGreen Outer Banks – Tomorrow Matters Inc. has worked with East Carolina University’s Center for Sustainable Tourism to develop a survey to find out what Outer Banks residents and visitors think about recycling.

The BlueGreen Recycling Survey – click here.