12.23.10 - Bright Sun, Good Swell, No Surf
This shot was taken this morning at the Hayman St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills.
Bright and sunny. But the wind is howling out of the north. Good swell, but no surf. Looks like Santa could bring surf on Saturday!
Beach Dollar Sign
Earlier this month we reported that the city of Chesapeake, VA is considering an increase for the toll leading to the Outer Banks.
The Outer Banks Voice is now reporting that the Dare County Tourism Board has come out against the proposed toll increase, and has put their thoughts in writing for the city of Chesapeake.
The Board’s written resolution says that commuters and vacationers would be hurt by a toll hike, and that the increase would unfairly target visitors to the Outer Banks by requiring them to shoulder most of the increase. The resolution went on to state that a toll increase would be counter-productive because it would reduce traffic.
The Outer Banks Camber of Commerce has also contacted the Chesapeake City Council asking them to carefully consider any increase and its impact on tourism and commerce between the two states.
Nags Head Woods
A couple years ago I wrote an internationally acclaimed article about Nags Head Woods. The article was such a big hit that it spread around the world overnight!
Nah, I’m just kidding. I wrote it for our 2008 brochure, and it might have spread up the east coast over the course of a year. Dare to dream!
I was reminded of my article a couple days ago when I saw a similar piece in the Charlotte Observer titled “Nags Head Hides an Oasis.” The Observer points out much of the same information I did, but that striking point to me is that this “oasis” is so little known.
Nags Head Woods is such a hidden gem. It’s well known (but under utilized) by locals, but I’m not sure that many vacationers know it’s there. There isn’t much signage, and it’s hidden behind a neighborhood, but it is easily accessible…and free. (As a side note, it is on the same road as the amazing Outer Banks Christmas House. Just drive by the Christmas House, and you’ll drive right into Nags Head Woods.)
Nags Head Woods is such a stark contrast to it’s surroundings. I would hardly classify the Outer Banks as overdeveloped, but there is a short stretch in Kill Devil Hills, aka “French Fry Alley,” that does give that overdeveloped feel. Yet, in the heart of French Fry Alley is the turn off for a 1,400 acre wooded, nature preserve! And please allow me to stress wooded. We’re at the beach! 1,400 acres of woods at the beach seems to defy nature, but there it is, awaiting your relaxing stroll.
The Observer article is well worth the read. As it points out, there’s a lot to see and do in the woods…assuming you like all that nature junk.
You’ll be hard pressed to find more natural diversity anywhere else on the East Coast.
Outer Banks - Nice Day, Decent Surf
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, December 22, 2010.
This video was shot in Kitty Hawk (at The Pearl) at 9:00 AM.
The chill is still in the air, upper 30′s to lower 40′s, but the wind has died downs, so the wind chill isn’t nearly as bad. Starting a bit overcast, but hopefully the sun will show through. The weather should stay like this for the rest of the week. I’ve heard some rumors of snow flurries for Christmas! But we’ll see.
The light wind is great. It’s out of the WNW at about 10 mph today, and it’s cleaning up the surf pretty nicely. We’ll have swell most of the week, but it’s not clear if the wind will match up to clean it up. But today is looking pretty decent. Waist to chest sets coming through. The wind isn’t perfect, but it looks like a fun day, and I haven’t see anyone in the water. Hopefully we’ll get another surprise day of surf by the end of the week, but we’ll see
As for fishing, the rock fish are here. I’ve heard a few reports of decent catches, but I haven’t heard of any big runs. Hopefully we’ll see a good run in the near future.
Three days until Santa arrives. Happy holidays.
Enjoy!
Bonner Bridge on the Outer Banks
After 47 years of use and two decades of planning/debating, the replacement for the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge that connects the northern Outer Banks to Hatteras Island was finally approved last night.
The Virginia Pilot is reporting that the Federal Highway Administration made the approval official Monday night by signing a record of decision giving the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) green light to move forward with construction of the replacement bridge.
The planning and debating have been on-going for years, and the Bonner Bridge has far exceeded its expected 30-year life span. Now that an approval is in hand, a sense of urgency is taking over…rightly so. The Bonner Bridge is the only access to Hatteras Island by land, and nearly 2 million vehicles cross it every year (11,000 per day during the summer!). The bridge is vital to maintain tourism to the area, but it is also essential to safety since it is crucial for evacuations.
The replacement bridge will be designed and built under the same contract, and NCDOT already has three eligible design-build teams expected to compete for the contract. Bids for the $300 million project will open in June 2011, construction will start in early 2012, and the new bridge will be open to traffic is 2015…assuming all goes well.
The plan is to build the new bridge parallel with the current span, through the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Total Lunar Eclipse
There’s a lot of activity in the sky these days, and the Outer Banks is an ideal stargazing spot to take in the heavenly displays. Remote, quiet, dark, few tall buildings to block the view, and even fewer people to share the empty beaches with.
Last week we had the pleasure of watching the Geminids meteor shower, and this week, we have the opportunity to witness the first full lunar eclipse to occur on the winter solstice in 372 years…not since 1638! Pretty cool. And there won’t be another total lunar eclipse visible from North America until April 2014.
The Earth’s shadow will begin to block out the moon at 1:32 AM EST. During totality, when the Earth is directly between the moon and the sun, the moon will turn a rusty orange-red for 72 minutes from 2:41 AM to 3:53 AM EST. It will be a chilly night, so if you’re only looking for a quick glimpse of the eclipse, bundle up and look up at 3:17 AM EST when the moon will be in deepest shadow and displaying its best orange glow.
And in true infomercial format, “Wait, there’s more!” Not only can we enjoy a full lunar eclipse, but there’s another meteor shower! A two-for-one deal!
The Geminids meteor shower is more well-known because it tends to be more visually pleasing, but there is also another notable meteor shower that occurs during December, the Ursids. The peak of this meteor display usually occurs on the night of Dec. 22 to Dec. 23. While the Ursids would normally be difficult to see during this time because of bright light from the full moon, the total lunar eclipse could offer a chance to catch a glimpse.
The Ursids meteors will appear around the North Star. So, if you’re taking in the rare lunar eclipse and see a shooting star coming out of the north, congrats, you just saw a total lunar eclipse, on the winter solstice, and a meteor shower all in one night!
Awesome.
See you on the beach! Well, probably not, it will be dark, and the beach is a big place, but hopefully you see some fun displays in the sky tonight.
2010 Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing Chart
Outer Banks - Lillian St. Beach Access
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, December 20, 2010.
This video was shot at 9:00 AM at the Lillian St. Beach Access in Kitty Hawk.
Five days until Christmas. Pretty day on the OBX. Chilly, but pretty.
Bright sun and blue skies on the Outer Banks today, but temps are in the upper 30′s. We’ll be lucky to hit 40 degrees by the end of the day, and the wind is adding to the chill. Winds are out of the north at about 10 – 15 mph. The rest of the week will be pretty similar to today; sunny with temps in the 40′s.
The good news is we have surf and fishing to report.
The ocean is active today, and should stay that way all week. The winds won’t cooperate most of the week, but tomorrow afternoon looks like it could be a good day for surf. From lunchtime through sunset tomorrow, the waves should be in the chest high range, and winds will be about 10 – 15 mph out of the west. The sun will be out, and the waves should be clean. Could be a fun afternoon to be in the water. The swell will stick around all week, so hopefully it cleans up again towards the end of the week….perhaps a great Christmas gift from Mother Nature.
As for fishing…the Rock Fish have arrived! There were reports over the weekend that an inshore boat caught it’s limit of Rock for the day! So, they are here. It’s just a matter of being in the right spot at the right time. Good luck.
Enjoy.
Outer Banks Hayman St. Beach Access
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, December 17, 2010.
This video was shot at 9:00 AM at the Hayman St. Beach access, just north of the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills.
Feels almost tropical today compared to the past few days. Temps are in the 40′s, and the wind has died down. Winds are out of the north today at about 10 – 15 mph.
The day is starting off with overcast skies, but the clouds are clearing off this afternoon to let some much needed sun shine through. The next week looks like decent weather. Temps in the 40′s, some chance of rain here and there, but sunny for the most part.
Unfortunately, no surf to report, but that could change next week. It looks like a nor’easter to slide into the area early next week and hang off the coast pushing some giant swell our way. The forecasts are calling for head high to double-over head waves by Wednesday. It will be messy, but hopefully we’ll see some clean waves on the other side of the weather system…possibly a Christmas present of surf?!
Not much fishing to report either. Still hearing reports that the rockfish are in Crolla, but I haven’t heard of any big runs just yet. They should be slowly moving their way south as the water temps continue to cool. Water is about 50 degrees now.
8 days until Christmas.
Enjoy!
Seaside Vacations - Sandy Oasis
Arthur Frommer published his first travel book in 1957! Since his first publication, the Frommer’s collection of travel products has grown to over 300 guidebooks, and a popular travel website, www.Frommers.com.
Based on 50+ years of travel guidance, Arthur seems like a pretty good analyst of the travel industry. In his most recent blog post on Frommers.com, Frommer pulls out his crystal ball and gives some predictions for the 2011 year in travel, and a surge in vacation rentals is what he sees.
Coming in at #1, here’s what the wizard of travel has to say about vacation rentals:
1) A Greatly Increased Use of Apartments and Vacation Homes in Place of Standard Hotels
It’s the most pronounced trend in travel…because of the skyrocketing popularity of such alternative accommodations. Large segments of the traveling public are today convinced (and they’re right, in my view) that apartment/home rentals cost much less than hotels and improve the quality of the stay.
When the wizard speaks, we should listen. Thanks for the words of encouragement Arthur.
Outer Banks Frozen Sound
Good morning. Here’s your Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, December 15, 2010.
This video was shot is Kill Devil Hills at 8:30 AM.
Brrrr….
It’s another chilly one. Temps in the 30′s and wind chill in the 20′s. But the sun is shining, and despite the cold, it’s a very pretty day.
We’re stuck in a cold, windy weather pattern, and it should stick with us for the next week or so. Winds are heavy out of the northwest today at about 20 mph.
Outer Banks Cold but Pretty Day
No surf to report. A little swell coming through, but the wind isn’t helping. Not really worth it to brave the cold for sloppy waves.
The silver lining is the this cold spell should continue to push the rockfish south. The rock have been spotted in Corolla, so hopefully we’ll have a good run on fish soon.
10 days until Christmas.
Enjoy and stay warm.
