Outer Banks T-Shirt Design Contest: Time to Vote!

Posted on October 5, 2011

Outer Banks: Seaside Vacations T-Shirt Design Contest

I love t-shirts. I have way too many, and most of the t-shirts that are in my regular rotation are relics from my high school days! Needless to say my wife thinks it’s time rid myself of these ancient artifacts, but they are like my security blanket. I throw one of my fav T’s on, and I’m instantly relaxed.

A great t-shirt is priceless. That soft cottony comfort that hugs your body and lets you know it’s time to unwind. Plus, the beauty of t-shirts is that they all have a story…a memory that is worth holding onto; a high school sports team, the local fishing tournament, your favorite band, and one of my favorites, the vacation T!

Since we are lovers of the T, we wanted to spread this love, and earlier this year we started a T-Shirt Design Contest. We asked all lovers of the Outer Banks “How would you paint, draw, or sketch the Outer Banks?“:…and we got some amazing entries!

The deadline for the contest has come and gone. The final day for entry was last Friday, September 30th, and when all was said and done, we collected 26 absolutely fabulous designs.

We are now faced with the daunting task of voting for a winner…and we NEED YOUR HELP!

We are conducting the first round of voting among the entire Seaside Vacations staff. The staff is going to narrow the field of 26 down to the top 5 finalists.

Once we have the top 5 finalists, we are opening the voting process to the public for one day to choose the winner. The voting will take place next Tuesday, October 11th, on our Facebook page. The voting will be open for 24 hours; from midnight to midnight.

The winning design will be printed on the 2012 Seaside Vacations t-shirt, and the winning designer will receive a free OBX getaway!

The designs are amazing, and I can’t wait to add a new t-shirt to my collection! Please mark your calendars and help us choose the 2012 T-shirt design!

Outer Banks T-Shirt Design Entries

OBX Pic O’ the Day: October Sure is Pretty…

Posted on October 4, 2011

Outer Banks: 10.4.11 - Pretty Fall Day at Avalon Pier

Sure is a pretty fall day. In fact, October sure is a pretty month on the Outer Banks. Fall is settling in, and the pace of life seems to slow; the days are warm, but not too hot, the nights are cool, the beaches are empty, and water is warm….plus the fishing and surfing is fantastic. Can’t ask for much more than that. Happy to see you again October.

Sun & low 70′s today, but a northwest wind is keeping it cool. Surf is fading. Fish are biting. Water temps in the low 70′s.

Have fun!

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 10.3.11 – Sunrise, Surf, & Surf Kayaking…

Posted on October 3, 2011

Outer Banks: 10.3.11 - Sunrise

Good afternoon. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Monday, October 3, 2011.

This video was shot from 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, & Nags Head.

The report is out a bit late today because it’s been a busy morning! I was up bright and early to catch the sunrise, and then headed south to Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head to catch a sunrise surf session for myself, and some video of the 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking for the report. From there, I bounced north back to the office in Kitty Hawk checking some the waves at a few surf spots.

And I must say, the morning was a success. The sunrise was gorgeous, the waves at Jennette’s Pier were about as good as can be, so the surf session was a great way to start the day, and the Surf Kayaking contest is awesome.

So, here we are in October. Happy October! One of the best months on the OBX, and it’s getting off to a great start. It feels like fall…and that’s not a bad thing. Temps dropped from the low 80′s at the end of last week to the high 60′s this weekend. While that is a pretty steep drop, it’s felt great. The sun is shining, there’s a light offshore breeze, and the water is in the 70′!

Today, and the rest of the week, will continue with much of the same; sun, upper 60′s, warm water, and empty beaches. Gotta love fall on the OBX!

The surf picked up yesterday, and it was near perfect. Chest+ waves with an offshore breeze keeping the faces nice and clean. The swell dropped a bit this morning, but Jennette’s Pier has been one of the best OBX breaks recently, and it was still in the chest+ range this morning. Perfect conditions for the 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking going on there this week.

The swell will fade today, and pick up towards the end of the week, but the current forecast doesn’t have the wind matching up. Hopefully that will change and the wind will come offshore again. Fingers crossed. We’ll keep you posted.

As for fishing, fall fishing has arrived! OBX fishing is going strong. Offshore they are catching their limits of black and yellow fin tuna. The bridges, piers, surf, and Sound are all very active with a wide variety of fish – blue fish, Spanish mackerel, spot, croakers, pompano, black drum, and as of October 1, striper season is now open on the Outer Banks!

My favorite time to be on the OBX! Hope to see you soon. Have fun!

Outer Banks Treasure:Wright Brothers Memorial & Museum

Posted on October 3, 2011

Yes, we know its been a little while since our last Outer Banks Treasure series video, but fear not, we are back! What is the one thing you think of when you think of the Outer Banks? Of course the beach, but I remember when I was in grade school, the first time I heard the name “Outer Banks” it was in North Carolina History class and it was while learning about the Wright Brothers and the first flight. As you know, the purpose of the OBX Treasure videos is to really give you a glimpse at some of the amazing places that make the Outer Banks special. The choice was obvious here, the Wright Brothers Memorial & Museum is a one of a kind place that can only be found here in the Outer Banks and is a remarkable piece of history you have to visit at least once.

Like I have said a number of times, being a local you don’t always get the chance to enjoy some of the things that are the whole reason you live there! Sounds crazy but honestly I have not been to the beach in about 2 weeks. Its a disgrace but when you live and work in a place like the OBX you are busy with day to day life that you don’t have time. Well, the same idea applied in this situation, I had NEVER been to the Wright Brothers Memorial and have wanted to go for a long time but just never got around to it. After hearing some coworkers talking about doing their daily run up and down the monument I thought, jeeze, I need to get down there and do an OBX Treasure while I’m at it.

It was awesome! I wish I could of had my family there to see some of the amazing things inside the museum. There was so much history in this one little spot, it was amazing. I don’t want to give too much info because I want you all to see it for yourself, but seeing the plane reproductions, the very parts they used on the first model planes, and even the bikes the Wright Brothers made and sold to fund the experiment of flight was unbelievable.

After making my way through the museum and hanger exhibits I was ready to climb up to the monument. If you have been in the Outer Banks lately you know that the mosquito’s have been terrible after Hurricane Irene. Since I am allergic to mosquito’s I should have been more prepared for my climb but regardless it was worth every minute. The view from the top of the monument was great. You could see the beach and the sound and enjoy the Outer Banks from a completely different view. It was also pretty neat to touch the monument and read the engraved words that surround it. All I can say was it was beautiful.

I am so glad I got the chance to visit this little piece of history and even more excited to share it with you. I hope that when I move down to Kill Devil Hills I can get my morning workout here. I couldn’t think of a more perfect way to start the day. I know we use this quote alot but it is one of the most important things to remember “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”-Ferris Bueller. Enjoy the video everyone!