Category Archives: Outer Banks Vacation Experience

Outer Banks Reality Show: Getting Away Together

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Getting Away Together

Getting Away Together

I have a love/hate relationship with reality TV…really TV in general. TV sucks our time away and reduces the quality of actual relationships.

Let’s get outside with people we love and enjoy our life rather than sitting motionless and silent as we are numbed by the tube.

I’m happy to say that my fam made the decision this passed summer to put the axe to our cable, and we are living to tell about it! Although we have supplemented with a NetFlix subscription…hey, there is some valuable info on the tube. :)

And that leads me to the “love” portion of my relationship with TV/realty TV. The vast majority of what we see on TV would fall into my “junk” category, but there are definitely some treasures out there – Modern Family anyone?…definitely a treasure. (Luckily I can watch it online. :) )

So I do see the value in some of the programs on TV, and while I think almost all “reality TV” leans heavily towards the junk pile, I find people immensely interesting. This is one reason why I love blogs so much; they offer a window into the world of someone else…similar to a documentary or reality TV.

Ok, where is all of this rambling headed?

I guess I took the scenic route to get here, but did you know that a reality TV show was recently filmed on the Outer Banks? Let’s think of this one as a documentary so I don’t put an immediate bad taste in your mouth.

A show called Getting Away Together that airs on PBS filmed the vacation experience of a large Greek family that traveled to the Outer Banks this past 4th of July. Pretty cool.

Here’s how the Getting Away Together website describes the show:

Getting Away Together is a new TV series highlighting the rapidly growing trend of sharing a vacation with friends and family. From girlfriend getaways to family reunions and milestone celebrations, the series shows diverse groups of real travelers vacationing together in some of the most fascinating destinations and staying at spectacular vacation rental properties across America.

I would definitely file this in the “worth your time” file if you’re an OBX lover. The show gives an awesome overview of the Outer Banks, and it’s super cool to see how people spend their vacations on the OBX.

And the best news…the full episode is online, so even non-TV-having fools like me can watch it. In fact, you can watch it right now! Just click the play button below, and wha-la! Enjoy…

Outer Banks “Everyday Magic:” See You in Kitty Hawk.

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Outer Banks Biplane

Outer Banks Biplane

The Outer Banks is full of an endless supply of magic. We like to refer to it as “Everyday Magic”…hence the theme for our 2012 Outer Banks Vacation Guide.

A dolphin leaping from the ocean, the first glimpse of the sun over the horizon or the last spark of light as the sun melts into the Sound, the most perfect piece of sea glass, a day full of great surf and you’re the only one in the water, hauling in your first catch at a pier, a wedding with toes in the sand, or family reunion. The OBX has no shortage of magic moments.

Since we have the awesome fortune of renting gorgeous vacation homes to our fabulous guests, we have the luxury of hearing a lot of great stories and living vicariously through some amazing magic moments…sometimes we even get to play a part in the magic, and we LOVE to be a part of magic moments!

Here is an AWESOME example as told by our Director of Guest Services…

In my position as the Director of Guest Services, I am afforded the opportunity to build relationships with all kinds of people. Some guests need special accommodations, some need extra towels, some want to have their concerns heard when they check in after a hurricane to find some sand in their pool. :) I am happy to hear them all. And sometimes, I get called upon to do something out of the box…magic even! Here is one of our OBX magic tales.

Bruce, and his girlfriend, Kristen, were our guests in August 2011. Bruce’s father, Fred, was a very successful lawyer, an unbelievably attentive father, and an avid pilot.

Father and son discussed aeronautics at every turn while he was a small child. As Bruce grew and went away to college, he and his father began writing letters, each one ending in, “See You in Kitty Hawk.”

Father and son planned to one day visit the Outer Banks to re-create the excitement of the first flight.

The passing of time allowed for plans to be made! Yes! A trip to Kitty Hawk to fly in a bi-plane, together!

Unfortunately, life has a tendency to throw curve balls, and  Bruce’s father passed away before they could realize this dream.

Kristen urged him to continue on with the original plan, and the vacation was planned for the week of what would have been his father’s birthday.

Kristen stated in her Guest Review, “I started looking at properties through Seaside Vacations and stumbled upon Luckie Tides!! The house was beautiful….perfect…everything we could need for the week. It’s right on the beach and the sunrises are to die for!! We DID NOT miss one!! Dolphins swimming through the pink and orange hues of the sunrise…..it honestly couldn’t get any better!”

What Kristen didn’t know was that work was going on behind the scenes!

Tim, Bruce’s employer, decided that he wanted to do something special; to make this trip end in happiness rather than melancholy. He had a plan. And luckily, he included us in his magic planning.

I was asked to help get them reservations at a restaurant that doesn’t take reservations (Thank you, Owen’s Restaurant!), and plan to pop-in on their romantic dinner to present them with an anonymous gift.

If Tim called me twice, he called me fifty times! “Are you sure? Can you do it? If this is too much, I’ll figure something out.” Let me tell you – there was NO WAY I was going to miss being involved in this amazing act of kindness.

Then Hurricane Irene showed up! The massive storm forced a mandatory evacuation and threatened the presentation, but I was determined to follow this to fruition. Dinner was cancelled due to the evacuation, but I kept the Kitty Hawk office open late so our happy couple could stop by to check out. (By then, Kristen was in on the gesture, but not the details.)

Choking back my excitement (and maybe a few tears), I mumbled, “Thanks for stopping by. I’m sorry you missed out on your special dinner tonight. But before you leave, I have something for you.”

Imagine the look on his face!

I presented them with a VERY heavy box and watched with excitement. Once unwrapped, a painting was revealed – father and son, flying in a bi-plane over the beautiful Outer Banks.

Kristen, Bruce and Tim gave me a valuable gift that day. It reminded me that people come to the OBX for many reasons, and almost all of them are inspired by their version of everyday magic.

The OBX is not just for surfing and shell collecting. It is a place where 50th anniversaries are celebrated, people are remembered, vows are taken, along with many other milestones. Sometimes a vacation is “just a getaway.” But, sometimes, it is much more.

I thank each guest for choosing Seaside Vacations, and allowing us to be a part of their magic.

Sincerely,
Colleen Almoney

PS – check out the unveiling…

Outer Banks Treasures: Kitty Hawk Kites

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Hang Gliding Lessons

Well it is pretty obvious that the Outer Banks is made up of people who have a deep love for nature, the ocean, our beaches and pretty much anything that keeps us outside and active makes us happy. Luckily there is place nestled on all corners of the island that brings the connection between us together. Offering everything from kayak tours, dolphin watching, hang gliding lessons, wake boarding, and tons of other awesome outdoor activities that keep locals and visitors engaged with the beautiful landscape of the Outer Banks.

The place I am talking about is Kitty Hawk Kites one of the great landmarks of the OBX, and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take an exclusive tour of the Nags Head store with founder and president John Harris. Showing us all the neat custom designed t-shirts, outer banks memorabilia, Wright brother’s merchandise, huge selection of Life is Good merchandise and pretty much every type of Croc imaginable, John gives you a chance to preview the store before you head down for your vacation. There is so many neat things in there that it is a must stop on your next Outer Banks trip. Not to mention the kids will love it and Club Seaside guests are offered a complimentary paddle board clinic with Kitty Hawk Kites!

There are too many things to name that make Kitty Hawk Kites a real Outer Bank Treasure, so sit back and relax and take it away John..

Pier Still Set to Open on Time…but Still a Few Bumps

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The Outer Banks Voice reports that with only three weeks to go before its grand opening, workers at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head are scrambling to wrap up last-minute details before welcoming its first visitors. The pier has been scheduled to open May 21 at 10:45 but there are still a few bumps in the road that have people concerned.

Workers are still working to repair a leaky aquarium, final paint touch ups are underway and the phone system is scheduled to be installed the first of next week. Hopefully these last minute hitches wont be serious enough to affect the scheduled opening but we all know people around the Outer Banks are all on beach time :)

As it stands now the pier will be free for sightseers and adult anglers will have to pay $12 to go out on the pier, but this is causing some commotion for locals. Since Jennette’s Pier is a state owned facility it had promised not to compete directly with privately owned piers on the Outer Banks. They intended to accomplish this by charging higher fees for those who were not fishing.

Nags Head Commissioner Renee Cahoon, who owns a grocery store just north of Jennette’s, said that pier owners had asked her to attend the meeting on their behalf. “I think you’re betraying their trust,” she said. “It’s not a good way to start out.” The piers manager said that charging a fee at a state facility would have to clear the state Rules Review Commission which could take months.

The North Carolina Aquariums secured permission to charge a fee for fishing, but the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, made the decision not to pursue a fee for sightseers who want to walk out onto the 1,000-foot pier.

Committee members believe that by charging no fee, beach goers will use the pier as a beach access because of its free parking and state of the art bathhouse. The limited number of spaces would be quickly taken so that anglers, the only people paying a fee, would have nowhere to park.

The committee voted to contact the Department of Natural Resources by phone and letter to explain the implications of the decision and to urge him to reconsider and expedite the process for approving a fee. Until then the pier plans to ask for $2 donations from walkers.

The pier facility will be self-supporting through the fishing fee and rentals of the pier house’s second floor for meetings and weddings. At $3,300 for five hours, 20 weddings have already been planned for this year and 23 for next year.

Educational programs are also planned to start in June. They include fishing lessons, collecting and identifying plankton, exploring the intertidal zone and examining wind power. In addition to exhibits, the pier house includes a gift ship, tackle shop and snack bar.

The good news is that fishing will be free on opening day so everyone in the area-be sure to check it out! We are hoping the piers committee can get through some of these speed bumps in its opening so that everyone can get out and enjoy the new pier and pay tribute to the old Jennette’s pier destroyed by hurricane Isabel in 2003.

For more information visit the Jennette’s Pier website or keep following our blog as we continue with updates.

The Whalehead Club Easter Egg Hunt

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What better way to get out and enjoy Good Friday than a good old fashioned Easter egg hunt? We hit the road down to Corolla today to check out the Whalehead Club’s Easter extravaganza to get us in the Easter spirit and let you guys be part of the action.

From horseback riding, to sack races to the Easter Bunny, everyone seemed to be having a great time and enjoying the beautiful scenery the club has to offer. We got some great pictures and video and are excited to share it with you.

Have a great Easter and keep watching for more videos on all the fun things to do on your Outer Banks vacation!

Oakley Surf Shop Challenge Coming to the OBX

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Surfersvillege Global Surf News is reporting that after a stop in Seaside Heights, NJ Surfer Magazine will be stopping in Kitty Hawk on April 14th or 15th for the 2011 Oakley’s Surf Shop Challenge.

For the second year in a row, shops in the Mid-Atlantic region are getting their own qualifying stops. Each shop will be competing for this year’s best surf shop and will be separating some deep-rooted rivalries, for a chance to compete in the National Championships in September.

In our region Wrightsville Beach’s Sweetwater Surf Shop will defend their title against local Outer Banks and Virginia Beach surf shops. All the major OBX surf shops were invited including Wave Riding Vehicles, Coastal Edge, Outer Banks Boarding Company, The Pit, 17th Street and Whalebone Surf Shop. From Virginia Beach, Wave Riding Vehicles, and Freedom Surf will also be attending.

Although we are a fan of all our local surf shops we are hoping that we can find out which is really the BEST. Of course we expect an Outer Banks surf shop to win the challenge because we all know that our surfing is the best and it is represented by only the finest!

SURFER Magazine’s OSSC event series teams shop employees with shop pros for a chance at $10,000 and the title of the best surf shop in the U.S. This year will see 280 surfers from 70 shops around the country compete at seven regional stops before culminating at the Huntington Beach pier in September for the National Championship.

Undoubtedly, all the teams will be hungry for a comeback in 2011, and another chance to claim the national title, the $10,000 prize purse, and an entire year of bragging rights. For previous year’s photos, video footage, results and more check out SurfShopChallenge.com.

OBX Pic O’ the Day: We’ll be having some fun, under the boardwalk

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Soak up the sun because it is back! Temperatures at 52 degrees with a WSW wind at 8 mph. Heating back up to  the 70′s tomorrow. Not much for surf in the area until this weekend. Tuna still biting. Hopefully will be fishing out of the surf soon.

Share Your Opinion on the Outer Banks Plastic Bag Ban

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There has been a lot of discussion since the ban on plastic shopping bags here in the Outer Banks. Many local businesses are claiming it is necessary to have plastic bags and they encourage the use of recycling those bags to their customers. Others believe this is a necessary step in protecting the natural environment here in the OBX, extending to our ocean, wildlife and reduced pollution.

But what do you think? Students from the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort are conducting an online survey on how citizens feel about the plastic bag ban in coastal counties. The Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce reports that the survey is part of a larger project researching environmental management.

Results of the survey will be published in a report, available on the Duke University website, but individual responses will not be published, the chamber said.

The bag ban went into effect in coastal areas of Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties in 2009 for larger retailers. It was expanded last year to include all retailers. This year a group of Republican lawmakers filed a bill to repeal the ban, claiming it has increased the use of paper bags which have their own effect on the environment, rather than encouraging the use of recyclable bags.

If you would like to give your opinion on the plastic bag ban, the survey can be found here.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 10.22.10

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Good afternoon. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Friday, October 22.

This video was shot at Avalon Pier this afternoon at about 1:15PM.

Fall is definitely settling in. The summer “feel” is gone, but it’s nice to see the change of seasons.

It’s a gorgeous fall day on the OBX. Bright sun, blue skies, and temps in the mid 60′s. This weather should stick around for a few days; mid 60′s to mid 70′s and bright sun.

Unfortunately, there is no surf to report, and judging by the extended forecast, it doesn’t look like we’ll get any OBX surf for the next week or so. We are in the waiting period for the annual Battle of the Banks surf contest, so hopefully we get a big day soon.

However, the OBX fishing is great right now. Fall is the peak fishing season on the Outer Banks. The other day I posted a video of some trout fishing at Kitty Hawk Pier, and today we have a stiff wind out of the North at about 10 mph that is bringing a whole bunch of Spot into the area.

The beach is empty, but the pier is full of people hauling in Spot.

Enjoy.

Outer Banks Vacation Experience – Feelin’ Groovy

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We recently gave a Flipcam to a group of guests, and this is their Outer Banks Vacation Experience.

They did a great job of capturing a full vacation; enjoying the beach, the waves, and surfcasting, some free activites at the national park, a train ride, dolphin tours, and time at Nags Head Pier.

We are looking forward to welcoming them back to the OBX soon!