Outer Banks - 7.14.11 - Beautiful & Windy in Kitty Hawk
Beautiful Outer Banks day. Very comfortable with temps in the 80′s and bright sun. There is a stiff wind out of the northeast though, and the ocean is rough. Swell is there, but the surf is messy. Fish are biting.
Great Day for kiteboarding!
Outer Banks - 7.14.11 - Great Kiteboarding Day
Erin James of the Virginian Pilot wrote a great article about a recent experience a group of vacationers had while skydiving with Skydive OBX. This new Outer Banks business has been recieving some rave reviews, owned by husband and wife team, Jseppi, 29, and Heather McLay, 38 opening back in April. In less than four months of business, Skydive OBX has had more than 200 people jump.
Most customers can expect to pay about $250. All jumps are in tandem with a professional, so customers need not have any prior experience. Jumpers must be 18 years old. After they sign a waiver, hopeful skydivers watch a short video that reminds them first of the danger – “there is no perfect parachute,” according to the video’s narrator – and then of the fun.
For Jennifer White of New Cumberland, it was only about an hour after she arrived she found herself up in the air preparing to jump. Jseppi delivered one more instruction-During free fall, tandem jumpers can communicate through taps on the shoulders and hips, he said. “Can that be a gentle tap?” White asked through stilted laughter. “Because we’re really sunburned.”
White – with Jseppi strapped to her back – jumped out of a plane from 9,500 feet above ground. They fell at about 120 mph toward Roanoke Island for 30 seconds before Jseppi released the parachute. They floated for seven minutes, then landed, softly, on their butts at the Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo.
White, who was vacationing with family in Carova for the week, was smiling as she walked toward a group of relieved relatives. She’d do it again, she said, then settled in to watch her husband, Jason White, fall from the clouds.
The new business offers thrill-seekers an experience they can’t get anywhere else on the Outer Banks. Jseppi, a licensed skydiver who’s jumped more than 4,900 times, said skydiving never gets old.
What do you guys think… the next Outer Banks Treasure video? 
Outer Banks: Southern Shores Map
Cruising through a new area can create that mouse lost in maze effect. Too much stimulus to take it to really discern the unique aspects of the area. The Outer Banks has this affect on visitors all the time. Where am I, what town am I in, what milepost is this, didn’t I just pass that beach access two miles ago?!
We can relate, and we want to offer some assistance. The Outer Banks is comprised of a few different towns, and while the towns may blend together as you drive down Rt 12, they really are quite unique. So, from time to time, we like to shine the “Spotlight on the OBX” towards some of the OBX towns to help you distinguish where your beach cruise has taken you.
This week, we’ll focus on Southern Shores. Located between Duck and Kitty Hawk, is the town of Southern Shores. Comprised of mostly single-family homes, Southern Shores is predominately a quiet residential paradise….hmm…perfect for an OBX vacation?
The beaches in Southern Shores are private, used only by residents and visitors to the area.
There are a variety of rental homes in Southern Shores, from grand oceanfront homes to retro flat-tops.
Southern Shores is home to the Duck Woods Country Club golf course, a semi-private facility. The town also has a wonderful bike path for walkers, joggers and bikers, and it connects to the commercial areas of town.
Let me step aside and allow Chelsea to give you quick tour of Southern Shores…
Outer Banks - 7.13.11 - Hot at Avalon Pier
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
This video was shot at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.
We are hitting the heart of summer, and it feels like it! Already hot at 9:00 AM. We’ll hit the mid 90′s today with bright sun, and a cool breeze off the ocean. Great beach day! The temps will cool a bit to the mid 80′s for tomorrow and Friday, but the great beach week will continue through the weekend.
Unfortunately, no surf to report. Flat, flat, flat. We’ll have an uptick in swell starting tomorrow to the waist high range, but it doesn’t look like the wind is going to cooperate. Hopefully things will change. We’ll keep an eye on it.
OBX fishing is in full force. Offshore is seeing yellow fin tuna and dolphin. The bridges, piers, Sound, and surf are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, croacker, spot, speckled trout, sea mullet, Spanish mackerel, trigger fish, cobia, etc.
Hope to see you soon. Have fun!
If there is one thing someone visiting the Outer Banks NEEDS to know, its how to drive in the sand. The first time I came to the Outer Banks to visit I was staying in a friends beach house up in Carova and got stuck in the sand pulling onto her “street” a.k.a sand path right near the house. I have found that the single most important thing to remember is to air down your tires but here are some additional tips straight from OBX local and pro surfer Jesse Hines, to make sure you can get where you are going without getting stuck!
Drive with Confidence: Make sure you have a truck with 4 wheel drive! When you’re driving in the sand, keep the truck in 4 Low. Other than that, the best thing you can do is to be confident, and sometimes slightly crazy, depending on where you are. The best sand is closer to the water because it tends to be more packed down. At the same time don’t get too close because people have gone in the ocean. Try to maintain a steady speed and try not to be a nervous braker.
Keep the Pressure Low: The most common mistake that will get you stuck in the sand is not lowering the pressure in your tires. I think the best pressure is around 20 psi. It’ll make your truck feel like a pirate ship sailing through seas of sand.
Stay on Track: Another common mistake is trying to make your own tracks in the sand. People tend to roam around the beach trying to carve their own path. You want to drive in the tracks that are already there. It’s almost impossible to get stuck in another vehicles tracks because the sand has already been packed.
Start Digging: If you do get stuck in the sand, start digging. I would recommend digging out the under carriage area first because if it gets too hot under there you could have a fire hazard. Be careful though because that sand will be hot! And if you haven’t already let the pressure out of your tires, do that. It’s also a good idea to look for any driftwood or washed-up lumber. Put them under the tires for traction. If all else fails, you can start accosting other folks with a rope or a bigger, unstuck truck.
Overgunning: The absolute worse thing you can do is to start gunning it over and over again. Once you’re stuck, gunning it will only dig you deeper until the vehicle is resting on the axles. That’s pretty much the worst thing that can happen.
These are all great tips but I am going to have to add that you have to make sure you understand the tides. You don’t want to be out driving on the beach in high tide because sometimes the water goes right up to some of the houses and you will have nowhere to go. Grab a tide chart from TW’s Bait and Tackle or Google it before you make any plans to head out or into a 4×4 area.
If you need any additional advice or end up getting stuck please feel free to give our office a call and we would be glad to help any way we can. If you follow these “rules of the sand” you should be good to go and have a great time out on the beach!
This is what you DON’T want to happen!
Outer Banks - 7.12.11 - Hazy, hot, & humid in Kitty Hawk
OBX summer is in full effect. Hazy, hot, & humid. 90′s, sun, southwest wind. Surf is small, but clean. Fish are biting.
A few weeks ago we announced on the blog that www.HomeSchool.com gave their official “seal of approval” to the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations after their recent visit, and we have some more OBX/Homeschool info to share.
The Outer Banks really is a perfect match for homeschoolers. The OBX offers a tremendous amount of “educational” opportunities; the Wright Brothers first flight, Blackbeard the Pirate, wild horses, largest sand dune on the East Coast, miles of empty beaches, water sports, shipwrecks, art galleries, and the list goes on. History, culture, nature, and arts…all set in an amazingly pretty and fun location. Does education get any better than this?!
Here’s what HomeSchool.com has to say…
Guest Post from www.HomeSchool.com:
Roanoke, Hatteras and More
July 1st, 2011 by dailynews
Since I last wrote to you about our family vacation to the Outer Banks, I’ve had some time to think back on all of our adventures and family fun. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite things to do in the area, as well as some ideas for those of you who might be going to the area soon.
Daytrips! Our time in OBX was filled with day-trips! There are so many things to do, that a week wasn’t enough to take in everything the OBX has to offer. We tried to get in as much as we possibly could, but I must admit, the area warrants another trip just so we can see all it has to offer. Here are some of our favorites from the time we spent in the Outer Banks.
Roanoke Island - Everybody who vacations on the Outer Banks should make it a point to go to Roanoke Island at least once! The island is overflowing with things to see and do – being the daytrip capital of the Outer Banks, the island is home to four of the Outer Banks’ most popular attractions. For a complete guide of the area, go to www.roanokeisland.net.
Hatteras Island - If you love being outdoors and in the natural world, you’ll really enjoy Hatteras Island. About 75% of Hatteras Island is undeveloped – and much of that land is accessible to the public for activities like fishing, water sports and observing nature. You’ll be surprised by the natural, cultural and recreational opportunities. For a complete guide to this area, visit www.hatterasguide.com.
Ocracoke Island - If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, this island is for you. Ocracoke is all about simple activities – building a sand castle, crabbing from a dock, pedaling aimlessly on a bicycle, peeling your own shrimp, poking in and out of shops, and actually having very little to do. For a complete guide to this area, visitwww.ocracokeguide.com
**Need to know ferry info**
A ferry service links Hatteras and Ocracoke islands with a relaxing 40-minute trip. During the summer, the wait can be long. Reservations are not accepted, and when getting in line for this ferry, make sure you’re not in the locals’ lane -usually the shortest line.
May 30 – September 6, departures are every hour from 5-7am and every 30 minutes from 7:30 – 6:30pm. It changes back to hourly departures from 7pm – midnight. September 7 – December 31 it runs every hour from 5am – midnight. For more information, please visitwww.ncferry.org or call (800)BY-FERRY.
Next time I’ll share information about Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk!
Stay Tuned!…
PS. If you’re looking for a home to rent while you’re in the area, be sure to check out www.outerbanksvacations.com .
Outer Banks - 7.11.11 - Great start to the week in Kill Devil Hills
Good afternoon. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, July 11, 2011.
This video was shot at the Sutton St. beach access in Kill Devil Hills at 9:00 AM.
Happy Monday! Great start to the week. Gorgeous day and gorgeous week ahead. Bright sun and temps in the upper 80′s today. There’s a light onshore wind out of the southeast pushing in warm water and adding a cool breeze to the day. Water temps are very comfortable in the low 70′s.
Not much surf to report. There is a knee high swell coming through, but the onshore wind is not helping to clean it up. Although, it is light, so there’s a decent longboard wave. Tomorrow, the winds will switch offshore out of the south west, so the longboard wave will be nice an clean.
OBX fishing is at full force. Offshore is seeing dolphin and yellow fin tuna. The piers, bridges, Sound, and surf are all very consistent with a wide variety of fish – spot, croaker, speckled trout, blue fish, Spanish makerel, etc.
Hope to see you soon. Have fun!
One of the great things about Seaside Vacations is our Club Seaside program, which offers our guests a unique opportunity to experience some local culture and really add to their vacation experience. We have been working with Kilmarlic Health and Racquet Club for some time now and have had such great feedback from our guests, that we wanted to include them in our Outer Banks Treasure series and allow people to see some of the things that make it such a great place to visit during your time here in the OBX.
Even though we are at the beach, having a pool at your vacation home is always a fun way to get out to enjoy the sunshine and keep the kids having a great time, but it is not always easy to find availability in homes that have pools. The good news is that for only $5 per person (free on Saturday’s) you can enjoy all day access to Kilmarlic’s state-of-the art facility featuring the highest quality equipment, personal training, group fitness programs, a junior Olympic-sized pool, four Har-Tru clay tennis courts, four hard tennis courts, a basketball court, a poolside café, upscale locker rooms and more.
Club Seaside also offers a 50 minute Abs & Arms class, taught by a certified trainer to help keep you keep that bikini body looking fabulous! If you are a tennis lover, like myself, you can enjoy a cardio intensive tennis clinic on Kilmalic’s US Open style courts with tennis director Rob Peterson. No matter what your interests are there is something great at Kilmarlic Health & Racquet for you.
For more information visit our Club Seaside page or Kilmarlic’s website to learn more about their great facilities.
Stop in and see what all the buzz is about at 101 Wimbledon Court, Powell’s Point, NC 27966.
Don’t forget if you are stuck in summer traffic Kilmarlic is right on the way in so skip the wait and go take a dip!
Nothing is better than giving back to your community, so why not help raise some money for local scholarships and educational programs while enjoying a fun day out on the beach with great prizes, food and paddle battles! The Surfrider Foundation, Outer Banks Chapter raised over $5,000 last year and want to do it even bigger this year.
With more than 50 competitors, there’s a division for everyone (groms to grown-ups, short boards to SUP’s). Raffle tickets will also go on sale for this event with great prizes that include: Stand-up Skate/Stick and a custom surfboard shaped by Mike Rowe from Hooked Surfboards! If you’re up for the challenge or just want to come hang out be at Ocean Bay Blvd (aka the KDH Bath House) in Kill Devil Hills on July 23.
Don’t miss this event and if you can’t attend but would still like to purchase raffle tickets, please contact brent@obxsurfinfo.com or call 252-256-0423. For more information about the Surfrider Foundation, Outer Banks Chapter, or if you are interested in donating to this great organization, please visit their website at http://outerbanks.surfrider.org/
