U.S. News Loves the Outer Banks

Posted on March 31, 2011

Outer Banks - 2.16.11 - Sun Up on the Sound

The U.S. News Travel Section recently highlighted the Outer Banks. The article gives a quick overview of some great OBX attractions, and then goes on to list their Top 11 “Best Things to Do in the Outer Banks.”

Here’s what U.S. News had to say:

“The Outer Banks have activities for relaxation and for adventure. The quiet beaches are the main draw to the area, but others visit OBX for the horseback riding, hang gliding and water sports. Touring the shipwrecks off the coast, sightseeing at Corolla’s Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Kill Devil Hill’s Wright Brothers National Memorial or Nag’s Head’s Jockey’s Ridge State Park make a happy medium for recent vacationers who desire a more balanced getaway.”

U.S. News Top 11 “Best Things to Do in the Outer Banks”:

1. Outer Banks Beaches
2. Jockey’s Ridge State Park
3. Cape Hatteras National Seashore
4. Pirate Adventures of the Outer Banks
5. Stop-N-Shop Beach Shop
6. Wright Brothers National Memorial
7. Roanoke Island Festival Park
8. Currituck Beach Lighthouse
9. Bodie Island Lighthouse
10. North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island
11. Tanger Outlets Nags Head

Outer Banks: Fly Into Spring & Easter Eggstravaganza

Posted on March 31, 2011

Fly Into Spring & Easter Eggstravaganza
April 22nd & 23rd, 2011

Outer Banks Kites at Jockey's Ridge

Did you know April is National Kite Month? Pretty sweet, right? Who doesn’t love to fly a kite? And the Outer Banks is pretty much the king of kite-flying destinations…just ask the Wright Brothers.

To celebrate National Kite Month, Kitty Hawk Kites kicks off spring with the annual “Fly Into Spring and Easter Eggstravaganza” event! This annual spring event will be held on April 22nd and 23rd from 10am to 4pm at Jockey Ridge State Park…a perfect spot for some windy windyness.

The Kite Festival is a free event and is open to the public.
On Friday and Saturday, spectators can enjoy large show kites on Jockey’s Ridge, including animal kites over 50′ in size!
Kitty Hawk Kites is offering free stunt and power kite lessons throughout the day on the dune. Just find a staff member and they will direct you to the proper area/person. Learn to fly dual line stunt kites and power kites!
Spectators will also have the opportunity to see kites of various shapes, styles, sizes, and colors decorate the sky throughout the day.

In addition to the festivities at Jockey’s Ridge, the Kitty Hawk Kites store in Nags Head (directly across from Jockey’s Ridge) will host the Easter Egg Hunt which will ONLY be on Saturday, the 23rd, from 11am to 1pm! Easter Eggstravaganza is the LARGEST Easter Egg Hunt on the Outer Banks! The Easter Bunny will be at Kitty Hawk Kites for photo opportunities and over 2000 plastic eggs will be hidden for egg hunts, which will begin at 11am. Several hunts will be held from 11am to 1pm.

Outer Banks: Serendipity Retreats 2011

Posted on March 31, 2011

Outer Banks Sunrise

serendipity retreats

Art, yoga & the sea – nurturing the playful & the sacred – October 19-23, 2011

A series of full and half-day classes, each with a focus on some playful, sacred, and at times practical, aspect of self-expression be it writing, mixed-media, photography, yoga, altar creation or well, dress-up!

Stay in houses on the beach, and watch as the sun and moon rise over the sea. Let four women, each with a unique passion, serve as guides – Pixie Campbell, McCabe Russell, Kate Inglisand Michelle Madden Smith (who will also be the hostess!).

Where will the retreat be held? Guests will be staying in large, beautiful cottages on the beach in Nags Head on North Carolina’s Outer Banks – a string of barrier islands gracefully sweeping out into the Atlantic Ocean. Meals, classes and rooms will all be in the same places.

When is the retreat? October 19-23, 2011 The retreat will be held Wednesday afternoon October 19 with registration and runs through breakfast Sunday morning October 23. There are two full days of classes on Thursday and Friday and on Saturday the classes are half-days – you can choose either a morning or afternoon class and the rest of the day will be for exploring, visiting, playing or perhaps sleeping in. The final dinner together will be on Saturday evening.

What is the schedule? {subject to shifting with the tides a bit…}
WEDNESDAY
REGISTRATION beginning at 3p
WELCOME Nibbles at 6p, Dinner at 7p
opening CEREMONY 8p

THURSDAY, FRIDAY
Breakfast 7:30 – 9:00
CLASSES 9:30a-12:30p
Lunch 12:45p
CLASSES: 2:15-5:15p
Dinner at 7p

SATURDAY
Breakfast 7:30 – 9:00
CLASSES 10a -1p or FREE EXPLORATION
Lunch 1p*optional – you are welcome to eat at one of the many fun local places, just let me know ahead of time for planning purposes, please.
Afternoon CLASS: 2:30-5:30 or FREE EXPLORATION
Dinner at 7p

SUNDAY*checkout is 11am
Breakfast – 8a

Please contact Michelle for more information.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Foggy Start at Kitty Hawk Pier

Posted on March 31, 2011

Outer Banks - 3.31.11 - Foggy Start at Kitty Hawk Pier

Foggy start at Kitty Hawk Pier, but the sun should be coming out soon. The wind is out of the north to start, but it should swing west around lunch, and it should clean up the swell in the water. Afternoon chest high surf? Longboard wave tomorrow? Tuna are biting offshore and puppy drum in the sound. Hopefully some surf catches soon.

@ Kitty Hawk Pier

Outer Banks Bridge in Need of Support?

Posted on March 30, 2011

Outer Banks Mid-Currituck Bridge Preferred Alternative

The Mid-Currituck Bridge has been a long time coming. Stops and starts, much debate, rumors o’ plenty, and questions about funding.

Until recently, it seemed like the bridge was a go, but the lackluster economy and the elections last November may have shifted the tides. Reports are starting to circulate that the Mid-Currituck bridge is in need of immediate support to assure the North Carolina General Assembly allocates the appropriate funding necessary for the project.

The bridge is meant to decrease the amount of traffic congestion for travelers during vacation season as well as for hurricane evacuation routes. The bridge would also save up to 36 miles in driving distance and up to an hour in driving time. Funding for the bridge has always been a debate, but project coordinators insist that the bridge would create jobs and significant tax revenue for North Carolina through toll revenue.

Although the North Carolina Department of Transportation has elected to go forward on building the Mid-Currituck Bridge, supporters want to make sure funding continues without significant delays. Any changes to NCDOT appropriations may cause a possible vote for continuation or non-continuation of the funding for this particular project. With no other project having such a leverage of tax payers’ dollars, the importance of the said “gap-funding” for the project is still being debated.

If you are interested in helping you may simply pass this on, write letters (for sample, click here) or send e-mails to those state representatives listed in this link. When sending a letter or e-mail please carbon copy the following local elected officials:

Honorable Bill Owens
(Bill.Owens@ncleg.net, 919-733-0010)
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 611
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Honorable Timothy Spear
(Tim.Spear@ncleg.net, 919-715-3029 )
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 402
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Honorable Stan White
(Stan.white@ncleg.net, (919) 715-8293)
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1121
Raleigh, NC 27601-1121

Outer Banks Whalehead Club Preparing Some Great Updates

Posted on March 30, 2011

Outer Banks Whalehead Club

The Whalehead Club, in Corolla along the northern stretch of the Outer Banks, is an amazing attraction. A historic hunting club sitting on a breath-taking piece of property along the Sound that has been restored to its original condition. It is a fantastic piece of OBX history…feels like you are stepping back in time. Unfortunately, history doesn’t always offer much “sizzle” in today’s fast-paced culture. Attendance could be improve, and great changes are in the making.

The Virginia Pilot is reporting that the Whalehead Club board and Currituck County commissioners are considering plans to make some new additions to the club in hopes it will bring in more locals and visitors to the historic site. These plans would include adding a new caretakers house, an amphitheater and vendor area.

The new caretaker’s house would be used for weddings, classrooms and meeting space as well as connecting new walkways to the Currituck Lighthouse and Center for Wildlife Education.

Plans for the vendor area include setting up white tents on the grounds near NC 12 that would be a great resource for local artists to sell their art or local fisherman to sell their catch of the day. It would provide the hometown feel that residents and visitors enjoy.

With music events like the Marsh Grass Music Festival right around the corner, commissioners look for the new amphitheater to be home to future music events like these. Music festivals are just one of many great ways to draw families and the community together and the new theater would be another way to keep travelers visiting the area.

The Whalehead Club currently hosts guided tours, wine tasting, and other local events and draws in over 17,000 visitors annually.

PS – We are proud to partner with the Whalehead Club to offer complimentary tours to Seaside Vacations’ guests through Club Seaside. A great opportunity to see an amazing piece of OBX history.

Update: By a unanimous vote, the board of directors of the Whalehead Preservation Trust has agreed to discontinued consideration for placing vending areas for merchants within Heritage Park in Corolla.

For more information visit http://www.womacknewspapers.com/obsentinel/

Another Wind Turbine Proposal on the Outer Banks

Posted on March 30, 2011

Outer Banks Brew Station - Wind Spill, No Damage

The wind on the Outer Banks is pretty relentless. A continuous stream of wind flows through the OBX, some days stronger than others, and it shifts directions, but almost always there. The Wright Brothers chose the Outer Banks wisely.

It almost seems like a natural fit for wind power to be generated by the endless breeze. But can a 500 foot wind turbine be considered a “natural fit?”

We’ve mentioned the quest for OBX wind power in previous posts. Up to this point, those wind projects have run aground for various reasons, but a new project is in the works. The Virginia Pilot is reporting that another attempt at an alternative source of energy is making headway.

An experimental wind machine that could reach 500 feet into the Outer Banks skyline will be the subject of a public hearing April 18. Gamesa Energy and Northrop Grumman have partnered for plans to build a one turbine control group near Skyco on Roanoke Island. The turbine is part of a broader plan, aimed to perfect offshore wind-energy generators. Plans are also in the works to build an additional experimental turbine somewhere off the coast.

In a presentation last month, Gamesa representative Todd Hopper said that Skyco is the ideal place for the project’s land-based turbine because of its proximity to water and isolation from development. He asked Dare County commissioners to consider amending zoning laws to accommodate the project.

The news comes as no surprise to Dare County, as there have been wind turbines put in at Jockeys Ridge State Park and the Outer Banks Brewing Station, as well as previous plans to build a wind farm along the Outer Banks by Duke Power last year.

Gamesa intends to sell the electricity generated by the wind turbine to recover costs of the design and building costs. With costs of $20 million, the company aims to install the turbine next year.

What do you think? Are these wind turbines productive “gentle giants” or do they take away the gorgeous OBX views?

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 3.30.11 – Chilly & Wet. Surf tomorrow?

Posted on March 30, 2011

Outer Banks - 3.30.11 - Chilly & Wet in Kitty Hawk

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

This video was shot at the Saltaire Cottage Court on the beach road in Kitty Hawk at 9:00 AM. We had a request from Darren in OH for a look at the beach access at the Saltaire, so thanks to Darren for the request…happy to oblige.

Yuck. Chilly and wet. Temps in the low 50′s and rain today. Luckily, the sun should return tomorrow, and the temps will warm up a bit as we head to the weekend.

Some swell is starting to build in the area today, but the wind is blowing out of the northeast at about 15 mph, so no surf today. However, the wind should swing around the west tomorrow and die down. So, it seems like there could be decent chest high surf tomorrow. Based on the wind forecast, it seems like the surf should clean up around lunch time and be decent through the end of the day.

OBX fishing is going well. Still getting a lot of reports of blue fin tuna catches offshore, and we are starting to hear reports of yellow fin tuna as well. We are also getting decent reports of puppy drum catches in the Sound. As the water continues to warm (50 degrees now) the fishing activity will continue to improve. Hopefully we’ll have some catches out of the surf soon.

Enjoy!

2011 Outer Banks “Land of Beginnings” Festival

Posted on March 29, 2011

Land of Beginnings Festival

The Land of Beginnings Festival is an annual celebration of Outer Banks originals that define who the OBX is as a community. Events planned at various sites throughout the week include a long list of exciting cultural, educational and entertainment activities.

The dates for the 2011 Land of Beginnings Festival are set for April 4-9. Festival events are geared toward diverse interests and ages and will be located throughout the Outer Banks from Kitty Hawk to Hatteras.

The Land of Beginnings Festival
April 4-9, 2011

Living Legend Community Luncheon

Noon, Monday, April 4, Ramada Plaza
Author Suzanne Tate will receive the Fifth Annual Living Legend Award
East Carolina Bank Living Legend Scholarship will be presented
Cost $25; advance reservations required.
To purchase tickets online CLICK HERE; to order by phone, call Lost Colony Theater Manager Brandon Smith at 252-473-2127.

Storytelling

Sit back and rest a spell while listening to tales about the ‘good ole days’ on the Outer Banks Kitty Hawk.
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, Black Pelican Restaurant
Manteo, 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, at the Dare Center in Manteo preceded with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m.
Buxton, 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Fessenden Center
Storytelling events free; require no reservations

Footprints in the Sand

Ever wonder about the area’s history and the sites that interpret it? Learn all about the sites, their program offerings and the history of the area.
9 a.m. on Friday, April 8, at the Russell Twiford campus of College of the Albemarle-Dare in Manteo.
Great program for new residents, history-lovers and for customer service employees who work with visitors. This program is free.

Lost Colony Fire and Ice Gala

The festivities will end on a high note with the annual The Lost Colony Gala
7 p.m.-midnight on Saturday, April 9, at the Wright Brothers Memorial Pavilion in Kill Devil Hills.
Food, drink, entertainment, silent auction, and more!
CLICK HERE for more details and to purchase tickets for this favorite party!

OBX Pic O’ the Day: Sun Up on the Sound

Posted on March 29, 2011

Outer Banks - 3.29.11 - Pretty Day

Sun rise on the Sound. A little chill in the air, but pretty day. Temps around 50 degrees today. There is a light north wind at about 10 mph and no clouds in the sky. No surf today. Blue fin tuna are biting offshore and puppy drum in the Sound. Hopefully some catches out of the surf soon.

@ The Sound