There’s a new kid on the block, and they are worth a try.
Thai food is one of my favorites; light, healthy, and spicy. When I hit a new area, I keep an eye peeled for Thai because there’s a good chance of being satisfiend with the meal. So when I noticed the Vilai Thai Kitchen the other day, I was sold.
Up until now, there’s really only been one Thai restaurant on the OBX, and while that restaurant is great, a little competition is a good thing…and this one is close to the office for lunch! The lunch portion is huge and tasty.
The Vilai Thai Kitchen is located in Kitty Hawk in the plaza across from the Hilton Garden Inn on the “Beach Road.”
If you’re a fan of Thai, it’s worth a try. And while you’re there, stop by Outer Banks Yoga next door…if you’re a Seaside Vacations guest, you can have a free yoga class courtesy of Club Seaside.
North Carolina recently passed the 2011 budget, and included in the newly passed budget is the approval for a new Outer Banks bridge – the Mid-Currituck Bridge crossing the Currituck Sound from mainland Currituck at Aydlett to Corolla on the OBX.
The proposed bridge has been in the works for years. It is estimated that the bridge could shave about 50 miles off the drive to the Northern Outer Banks.
The bridge is estimated to cost over 650 million dollars and open in 2014, and it could cost drivers $10 to $15 each way.
A limited ban on plastic bags (prohibiting major retailers from distributing lightweight plastic bags) began on the Outer Banks in the fall of 2009, and beginning in the fall of 2010, the ban is being extended to include all businesses in Currituck, Dare, and Hdye Counties. OBX businesses will be required to use recycled paper bags or reusable cloth bags to consolidate customers’ purchases.
The new provision will ban plastic bags of any weight — flimsy or not — from being used by any business on the Outer Banks beginning on Oct. 1. The goal of the ban is to help protect the OBX water and wildlife and reduce litter along the Outer Banks.
Wikipedia: The Purple Martin is the largest North American swallow. These aerial acrobats have speed and agility in flight, and when approaching their housing, will dive from the sky at great speeds with their wings tucked.
That is a pretty interesting description; a large swallow that is fast and agile and will dive at high speeds towards its housing…plus, it’s a purple bird! Now, create a mental image of 100,00 of these large, fast birds diving with wings tucked towards a shared housing location. Pretty cool.
The Outer Banks is best known for gorgeous beaches, a wide variety of historical relevance, and natural wonders. However, some of the natural wonders area bit hidden from the beaten paths near the beach, and the fascinating roost of purple martins at William B. Umstead Memorial (“Old Manns Harbor”) Bridge is one of these hidden treasures. The roost takes a little effort to get to, but it is worth the trip.
It is difficult to believe the sight when you are witnessing it with you own eyes, never mind trying to convey the spectacle in written words. 100,000 (this is not an exaggeration!) martins converge on the bridge every night from July through August (the roost is active from mid-June to mid-September but with fewer birds present).
After nesting, some martins may travel up to 150 miles from their breeding colonies to reach this location! Arriving at sunset, they sleep under the bridge. At sunrise they depart to feed for the day, building up fat stores in preparation for their annual 2,600 mile migration back to Brazil.
The Mann’s Harbor Bridge roost is so large that the bird’s morning departure can be seen on Doppler radar!
Outer Banks Purple Martin Doppler
The martins have selected their OBX home because of the abundant insects made available by the vast agricultural fields, national wildlife refuges and wetlands of North Carolina’s coastal plain. They roost under the bridge (only along the western end) on its many support structures, I-beam girders and cables because martins prefer to roost over water where there are fewer predators to contend with.
There are boat tours available, or you can venture to the bridge on your own around sundown to see an amazing display of nature.
It never fails that as soon as you have your spot set up on the beach, you realize that you forgot a necessity…sunscreen, sunglasses, a football, some water, etc. It’s almost impossible to have every base covered…especially when kids are involved.
Well, Winks has your back; a variety store with anything and everything you could need…and it’s just a quick run over the dunes.
Winks is an Outer Banks classic. Back in the day, Winks was one of the only grocery stores in the area, and it’s still providing necessities to needy travelers today.
If you’re in the Kitty Hawk area and have some beach needs, head over to the “Beach Road” and keep an eye out for the smiley face winking at you.
Kitty Hawk Kites and the Wright Brothers National Memorial sponsor the 32st Annual Wright Kite Festival, held July 10-11 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial (mile post Eight) in Kill Devil Hills, NC.
The Wright Kite Festival offers endless amounts of aviation fun. Held Saturday, 10am-2pm, and Sunday, 10am-2pm, the kite festival celebrates the history of aviation with two days of flight.
Large animal shaped single line kites fly above the Wright Brothers Memorial throughout both days. Several other large kites of various shapes and sizes are also displayed.
In addition to large kite displays, members of Kitty Hawk Kites will offer free stunt and power kite lessons throughout Saturday and Sunday. Kite flyers from kite companies, like HQ Kites, and kite flying organizations also attend this festival and offer free flying lessons.
Inside the pavilion, Kitty Hawk Kites offers children’s kite making, beginning at 11AM each day. Individuals and families are encouraged to join the festival by flying their own kites during the event.
The 32nd Annual Wright Kite Festival is free and open to the public, but entrance to the memorial is $4 per adult. Children 16 years of age or younger receive free admission. The Wright Brothers Memorial Park grounds are open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and the Visitor Center is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The memorial is part of the National Park Service and offers a variety of programs and exhibits. Donations to the memorial are welcome.
For more information on the 32nd Annual Wright Kite Festival, or other events held by Kitty Hawk Kites, please contact Nick Barrett, our Events Director, at events@kittyhawk.com.
Sponsored by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Wild Horse Days celebrates the presence and significance of the wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs living on the Currituck Outer Banks.
Activities will take place at the Wild Horse Museum, Currituck Heritage Park, and the Corolla Light Town Center.
Tuesday, July 6: Starting at 10 a.m. at the Wild Horse Museum:
Games and painting activities for kids of all ages; see beautiful silver jewelry being crafted by a local artisan, Lynne Wilson; enjoy a variety of food and sweet treats; wine tasting for adults; vote for your favorite wild horse photo for the 2012 calendar; hair braiding and face painting; live music; carriage rides.
Wednesday, July 7:Starting at 10 a.m. at Currituck Heritage Park:
10 a.m to 11 a.m.. – Kids (or adults!) ride the North Carolina State Horse,
the Colonial Spanish Mustang
11 – 11:20 Police K9 unit demonstration
11:20 – 11:45 Dressage demo on Cayuse Gold, a Colonial Spanish Mustang
11:45 – 12:15 Wild Horse Training demo by Mill Swamp Indian Horses
12:15 – 1:15 Colonial Spanish Mustang rides
1:15 – 1:35 Dressage demo
1:35 – 2:05 Wild Horse Training demo
2:05 – 3:00 Colonial Spanish Mustang rides
Animal Lover’s Assistance League will have adorable, adoptable pets.
Wednesday, July 7: Starting at 11 a.m. at Corolla Light Town Center:
Giant silent auction with over $10,000 worth of merchandise. Just to name a few:
One week at an oceanfront beach house in Whalehead ($3450 value)
Two night stay plus breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn ($500 value)
Wine Tasting for up to 18 people from Native Vine ($360 value)
Green fees for four at the Currituck Club ($400 value)
Portrait session and one 11×14 canvas portrait from Lorenz Fine Photography
($545 value)
Restaurant gift certificates from North Banks, Route 12, Mike Dianna’s Grill Room,
La Dolce Vita, Flying Dutchman and more
Gift certificates from Ocean Treasures, Farmer’s Daughter and more
Gift baskets from Bacchus, Corolla Wine Cigar and Gourmet, Lovie’s Kitchen
Lots of horse related items including a horse quilt from The Cotton Gin ($300 value), Barbara Livingston horse photos, ceramic horse lamp from Dolphin Watch Gallery
Games for children, music.
Thursday, July 8: Starting at 10 a.m. at the Wild Horse Museum: Games and painting activities for kids of all ages; see beautiful silver jewelry being crafted by
a local artisan, Lynne Wilson; enjoy a variety of food and sweet treats; wine tasting for adults; vote for your favorite wild horse photo for the 2012 calendar: hair braiding and face painting; music; carriage rides; pet a gentled Mustang.
Currently, there are eight companies operating tours that are comprised of 45 vehicles with the capacity to carry as many as 324 people. Permitted tour businesses include a golf cart tour in Corolla, two kayak tours along the Currituck Sound shoreline, and two Segway tours. In addition, a company with two 24-person buses is seeking a permit.
The drawback is that County Commissioners are finding it difficult to keep track of these budding businesses, and as a result, they are considering a moratorium on new horse tours to give an opportunity to assess the number of people on the tours and the number of vehicles.
The Outer Banks is one of the few locations to glimpse the magic of wild horses, and a balance must be struck between allowing access to these gorgeous animals and preserving the private setting for the horses…and the local residents.
Summer is definitely here, bringing with it perfect beach weather; 95+ degrees, bright sun, Carolina blue sky, sand that will scorch your feet, beautiful blue-green water, clean, small, fun waves, and 70 degree water.
Can you think of a better place to be than on an OBX beach?!
You get more than just a house when you stay with Seaside Vacations…You get a true Outer Banks vacation experience. A vacation should be more than just a house at the beach. It should be time with friends and family, a chance to relax and unwind and an opportunity to experience the local culture.
Below is a picture of today’s surf lesson with Club Seaside partner Outer Banks Boarding Company. The weather was gorgeous, the water is warming up (in the 70′s), and a great time was had by all.
