Tag Archives: driving

Outer Banks Link Love: 2.24.12 – All Sorts of Goodies

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

We have a full docket of awesome OBX links for our weekly dose of Link Love; so no time for me to wax poetically. Let’s get down to business.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, when faced with good news and bad, I’m the type that likes to get the bad out of the way so I can end on a positive note. So, let’s start with the not-so-great.

Via Con Dios Stewart Couch
The Outer Banks lost a member of the family this week. The owner of Hatteras Realty, Stewart Couch, passed away this week while on a surf trip to Nicaragua. Here’s a link to one of the many stories about Stewart’s untimely passing. Stewart was raised on Hatteras Island and created one of the most successful businesses on the Island.  I had the pleasure of meeting Stewart on a few occasions, and his sense of humor and smile were infectious. He will be missed by many.

It’s hard to follow that announcement, but let’s keep our heads up and charge on. One more link on with a negative tinge, and then I promise we’ll get rolling with some positive OBX links.

Hurricane Irene & Manteo
Hurricane Irene just won’t go away. I’ve mentioned Irene’s lasting effects in a  recent post Link Love, and here’s another article about the lasting effects of that beast. This time we’re focusing on Manteo. Do you visit Manteo when you come to the Outer Banks? It is definitely worth the trip. An amazing little town – the real Mayberry – with art, food, history, shops, and a great waterfront. They were hit hard by the flooding from Irene, and the downtown area is still recovering. Next time you’re in town, consider a trip to Manteo – you’ll dig it, and they’ll appreciate your love.

Outer Banks Beach Driving
OBX beach driving has been a hot topic recently. There are a lot of strong feelings around the topic, and now you have a chance to take action. Here’s an online petition that is being passed around that is calling for “free and open” beach access. Take a stand.

6 Ways to Enjoy the Outer Banks
Here’s a great article from The Montrealer offering some great tips for enjoying the Outer Banks all year long. Yes, Canadians love the OBX too! :)

The Most Scenic Drive in America
While we’re on the subject of great press for the OBX, here’s an article from VisitSouth.com that proclaims that Outer Banks Scenic Byway the most scenic drive in America! Who am I to disagree?! Great choice VisitSouth.

Outer Banks Everyday Magic
Earlier this week I shared a guest post about the amazing Surfing for Autism event held on the OBX each year. I have also shared some great stories of Outer Banks Everyday Magic over the past couple months, and my favorite Magic story is Toys from God about Jordan, who also happens to have autism. While I’m at it, let’s add another level to this discussion. How about the Blue Mind ideas saying that the Outer Banks (ocean as a whole) makes us happy? Seems like a strong connection between the ocean, happiness, and a calming affect for people with autism. And here’s another great example, an article from the Autism Support Network discussing how great a trip to the OBX can be. Blue Mind indeed.

Groupon Makes it to the OBX…Finally!
Are you a fan of Groupon? Seems like a good way to get some deals. But I wouldn’t know because that trendy little site hasn’t made it’s way to promoting OBX businesses…until now! Boom! The OBX is on the Groupon map with a skydiving deal. What, you didn’t know you can skydive on the Outer Banks?! Yep…and now you can save $100 to boot. Thanks Groupon.

OBX History Buffs
The Outer Banks History Center is going to debut is 150th anniversary Civil War exhibit at next week’s (March 2) “First Friday” in Manteo.

Let’s close out with some OBX events…

  • Have an urge to jump into 46 degree water? Yeah, me neither. But if you do, the Penguin Plunge is taking place tomorrow at the Ramada Inn in Kill Devil Hills, and it is for a good cause – raising money for the YMCA. Break out your wackiest costume and prepare to freeze.
  • The Cash Pot Surf Series, sponsored by Arnett sunglasses, announced this week that they will be making a stop on the Outer Banks in August. Plenty of time to wax up the board and get a little practice in before the big event.
  • Love the Outer Banks Wild Horses? Me too. Here’s a great chance to show some support. The 3rd annual “Night at the Races” is being held on March 13 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk. It’s a fun night and a great way to raise some money for a great cause.
  • Another wedding show is hitting the Outer Banks in a couple weeks. The OBX is such a fab place to get married (or have a honeymoon)…of course we need another wedding show. Brides, mark your calendar for March 24.
  • Taste of the Beach kicks off in three short weeks. Four days of food, drinks and fun! For real, this is a great event…especially if you love food and drink…and who doesn’t?! Come on, you know you want to come. And to sweeten the deal (like that pun?), how about a free early check-in and late checkout from your friends at Seaside Vacations. You’re welcome. :)
  • Last but certainly not least, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! Are you aware that the Outer Banks has the largest St. Patty’s Day parade in NC?! I’m not sure how we measure these things, but that’s what I hear, and I’m sticking to it until proven wrong. Check out this raging parade…

Time Capsule: Here are some popular posts from last year at this time.

Outer Banks Link Love: 2.17.12 – Juicy Links Galore

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

It’s Friday! And you know what that means…time for some Outer Banks Link Love! Let’s roll through some great OBX links that I haven’t had a chance to mention yet this week.

  • Outer Banks beach driving has been a hot topic recently, so let’s start here. New regulations (paid permit & mandatory training video for Hatteras) went into effect this week, and the new regs are far from loved. Change is never easy, but is this change a positive move?…positive for who? Here are a couple well thought out opinions that offer valid arguments opposed to the new Hatteras beach driving regulations.
    • As I’ve mentioned, I’m a lover of all things surf, so this article definitely hits home for me. Here’s a link from ESPN discussing the impact that the beach closures and new driving regulations have on the surfing scene on Hatteras…spoiler alert: this is NOT a good change for OBX surfing.
    • This a well balanced article that points out that the Outer Banks has a large amount of land set aside for conservation for wildlife…in fact, an entire National Park. A large portion of Hatteras Island (Pea Island) is already off limits to beach driving. So, where’s the balance between the interests of people and animals? Well, it seems the National Park Service decided this back in 1937: the park’s own strategic plan makes clear what was known and stated from the park’s beginning, also in 1937: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore was created for “the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” 
  • Dredging. Not the most glamorous OBX topic, but definitely crucial. Thanks to that beast Hurricane Irene, there are a couple spots on the Outer Banks in desperate need of dredging…but that costs dinero. In past editions of Outer Banks Link LoveI’ve shared the issues with shoaling and the need for  dredging at Oregon Inlet and the ferry route between Hatteras and Ocracoke, and we have some good news on both fronts.
    • Oregon Inlet to receive $4.5 million to continue dredging efforts. Sweet! Safe bet this is not enough, but it’s something. Let’s keep that waterway open!
    • Dredging to start for the ferry route within two weeks thanks to $2 million in aid. Nice, we can still get to Ocracoke.
  • While we’re on the subject of Irene, let’s take a peak at another under-the-radar effect on the OBX. “Birder’s Paradise” on Pea Island is left with huge hole and a lack of birds this year due to Ms. Irene. Add it to the list of reasons why I will not be naming any future children Irene. (No, Mom, that does not mean we’re having a baby. :) )
  • Congrats to local OBX surfing pro Brett Barley for scoring a two page spread in the April issue of Surfing Magazine. Keep ripping Brett!
Outer Banks: Brett Barley - Surfing Magazine

Outer Banks: Brett Barley - Surfing Magazine

  • Have you considered hiring a fishing charter to hook up with some of the amazing fish on the Outer Banks? Great idea; there are some awesome OBX charters out there. But how do you know who to hire, when to go, what’s biting, etc.? It can be a bit confusing, but here’s a great article offering the “In’s & Out’s of Charter Boats.” Tight lines!
  • In need of a little OBX history lesson? If feel ya; what’s more exciting than history?! Well, here you go; the New York Times offers a great perspective of why the Outer Banks was so important to the Civil War.
  • The Outer Banks is an awesome wedding destination. Brides and grooms flock to the OBX every year to tie the knot. But CNN wants you to know that it’s also the perfect spot for your honeymoon…and a great way to save some of that wedding money!
  • Ok, you’re a loyal follower of our blog because you love the Outer Banks – the beach, the waves, the surf, the sun – but are you a golf lover too? Did you know that beyond the OBX beaches there are some amazing golf courses? Yeah, for reals. Check out this description of the great OBX golf courses.
  • Let’s wrap up with some great upcoming OBX events…

Time Capsule: Here are some fabulous posts from last year at this time.

Outer Banks - 2.12.11 - Great OBX Weather Returns

Outer Banks - 2.12.11 - Great OBX Weather Returns

Outer Banks Link Love: A Bonanza of OBX Love

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

This week’s Link Love is chock full of all sorts of good OBX info. Good wild horse news, multiple top 10 lists, breaking news on the beach driving issue, nature, gardens…lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my!

Lets get to it!

As I mentioned last week, I like to get the not-so-great news out of the way first so we can focus on the positive.

  • It’s part of nature, but it’s always sad to see a beached whale. This story doesn’t offer too much detail, but you can get the basic gist; a deceased whale washed up in Nags Head this week. I guess it’s the Circle of Life, but always a bit heartbreaking.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s move on to some goodies…

  • The Outer Banks lands on two Top 10 lists this week…
    • Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Coastal Living named the Outer Banks to their list of “Top 10 Romantic Escapes.” Their description is great: “The Outer Banks offers the most elementally “out there” experience of any bridge-accessible U.S. destination. Standing on a thin ribbon of sand, with the mainland out of sight over the western horizon and burly Atlantic Ocean waves thundering in from the east, you truly feel untethered from your everyday world. Such towns as Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills offer plenty of tourist pleasures. But it’s also easy to sneak away and find your own private stretch of beach, with vivid stars overhead, moonlight-silvered surf at your feet, the sea breeze tousling your hair―and magic ready to happen.”
    • The OBX also made Coastal Livings list of “Top 10 Shelling Beaches.” This one is particular to Ocracoke…But we’e all one big, happy family on the OBX. :)

How about a little wild horse love?

  • Check out this cool documentary video about “Alonso,” a Corolla wild horse that is being moved from the Corolla herd to the Ocracoke herd to help improve diversity.

Let’s stick with the nature theme…

  • Are you garden lover? History lover? All around lover of the OBX? Have you ever been to the Elizabethan Gardens? No?! It’s a must. So worth the trip. Here’s a great article that gives you a brief history of the Elizabethan Gardens, and as the title says, it “offers far more than greenery.”
  • The Outer Banks is one of the premier locations for birding. The OBX sits in a prime location that cross the migration paths of a wide variety of birds. This has been a slow year for birding though – I can’t speak from experience, but the article I’ll link to mentions it is probably due to the warm winter weather. However, even with a slow birding season, the OBX offers some rare gems, including a Golden Eagle!

Here’s a pretty interesting idea for all your OBX vacationers that return year after year…

  • Tired of lugging all of that OBX beach gear in your car year after year? How about a convenient storage “beach box” to keep your goods on the Outer Banks? Brilliant, right? Add that to the list of “why didn’t I think of that.”

Let’s close out with the heated topic of Outer Banks beach driving…but there’s a twist…some breaking news…

  • I agree that the new beach driving rules are no fun. I love the freedom to drive on the OBX beaches – it’s one of the many aspects that make the Outer Banks so special. However, here are some thoughts to consider…
    • The rules are similar to those already in place at other seashore parks.
    • Those fees — and an accompanying requirement to watch an educational video — aren’t unusual.
    • Tourism figures don’t reflect a downturn in overall visitors to the Outer Banks, despite the recession and a couple of wildfire-plagued summers.
    • The plan acknowledges the importance of beach driving and fishing to the local economy. Popular areas such as Cape Point, South Point and Bodie Island Spit will have ORV routes that are open at least seasonally.
    • Special-use permits will be available for commercial fishermen to reach some areas ordinarily closed to vehicles.
    • Park officials also plan to seek funding for additional ORV access ramps and to consider allowing businesses to offer beach and water shuttles to fishing areas.
    • The Outer Banks is still open for business.
  • Now, with all of that said, check out the news that just broke late yesterday afternoon; an OBX beach access group just filed a law suit to stop the Park Service’s ORV (off-road vehicle) plan. There’s still hope yet.

Time Capsule

Here are some popular posts from last year at this time:

Outer Banks Link Love: 1.27.12 – OBX Beach Driving Restrictions?!

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

Happy Friday! Time for a little OBX link love.

Here are all of the Outer Banks stories that I couldn’t cover this. Let’s jump right into the fire with one of the most controversial topics the OBX has dealt with.

Outer Banks Beach Driving Restrictions
This has been years in the making, but it seems the hammer has finally been dropped. Permits are now required for Hatteras beach driving. And as the icing on the cake of disappointment, drivers will also be required to take a short “educational program.” Yikes! I love nature and birds as much as the next guy, but I’m not a fan of snatching our freedom and adding bureaucracy to our lives. Oh well. Life rolls on. But make sure you get your permit before you hit the beach on Hatteras. Fines are no fun.

Oregon Inlet Debate
While we’re on the subject of a sticky situation, let’s discuss the debate surrounding Oregon Inlet. Over the past few months, we’ve shared posts discussing the fact that Mother Nature is gradually – or not so gradually – closing the channel at Oregon Inlet. Oregon Inlet is crucial to the Outer Banks. It is a necessity to get boats out of the Sound and into the open ocean. Without Oregon Inlet, the OBX fishing industry – commercial and recreational – would change drastically. Question/debate is who pays to keep it open. Thanks to a great interview by the Outer Banks voice, long-time OBX resident Moon Tillett helps us understand that this debate is nothing new.

Wave Energy at Jennette’s Pier
Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head is super cool. Gorgeous architecture, live examples of local fish from the NC aquarium, great fishing off the pier, a pretty sweet surf spot, and a whole bunch of “green” energy going on. Check out this video of a new wave energy conversion tool they recently tested off the end of their. Rad!

PS – Checkout our webcam focused on the Pier…and the sweet surf spot. :)

Outer Banks Beach Driving

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Outer Banks - FourWheeler.com

Outer Banks - FourWheeler.com

The southern beaches of the Outer Banks have been locked in an ORV (Off-road vehicles) court battle with governmental agencies for a few years now.  The federal agencies want to limit the use of off-road vehicles on some stretches of open beach.  Their reasoning is to protect varieties of animals they feel could be in danger.  While this is a noble goal, there are varying opinions about the factual basis of their beliefs and even more opinions about the execution of the vehicle restrictions.  Many residents, business owners, and vacationers question the validity of the government’s position, and share strong feelings about the negative impact the ORV restrictions are having to the area.

It’s a passionate topic for both sides, with no easy answer.  Hopefully a common ground can be found.  However, sometimes lost in the battle is the fact that the Outer Banks still has numerous areas that offer wide-open beaches free of any restrictions.  The OBX is one of only a few beaches along the East Coast the offer the opportunity to drive on the beach, and from firsthand experience, I can say it is a lot of fun, and in many instances, it is the only method to access remote areas…prime areas for fishing and surfing.

FourWheeler.com recently ran a great article highlighting a spring trip to the OBX by a North Carolina-based club of Toyota 4×4 enthusiasts, the Old North State Cruisers.  The club enjoyed a long spring weekend cruising on the beaches, from Corolla to Ocracoke, and taking in the many sights and sounds of the Outer Banks.

  • Beach cruising
  • Fishing
  • Wild horses
  • Lighthouses
  • Wright Brothers Monument
  • Kayaking

It’s a great read for 4×4, and OBX, enthusiasts.

Surfer Magazine Looks Into Off Road Vehicle Driving on the Outer Banks

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Surfer Magazine

Surfer Magazine

Surfer Magazine recently ran an article discussing the issue of off road vehicle (ORV) driving along the beaches on the Outer Banks.  It’s a controversial issue with locals, business owners and tourists who believe beach driving is a way of life on the OBX and a large draw for tourists pitted against environmental groups attempting to save nesting birds.

As a general theme, surfers usually side with environmental groups; afterall, the beach and the ocean are treasures that surfers want to maintain and preserve.  However, access to the same beaches and oceans they want to preserve is cruical…there isn’t much sense fighting to preserve a secluded break if you can’t get to it.  So, this is one issue where it seems surfers and environmentalists are parting ways. 

Surfer takes the opportunity to interview local OBX surf pro Jesse Hines to get his thoughts on the matter.  Here’s a great quote from Jesse:

“To me, driving on the beach defines this place. It gives you a sense of freedom and adventure that only the Outer Banks can offer.” 

No Texting While Driving in North Carolina

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Beginning December 1, 2009, a new law banning drivers from texting while driving in North Carolina goes into effect.  Violators will be fined $100 for typing or reading text messages while driving a motor vehicle.  

North Carolina is not the first state to enact such a ban; 19 others and the District of Columbia have all outlawed texting while driving.