It’s a beautiful Friday afternoon, which means it’s time for our weekly Outer Banks Link Love tradition.
Let’s get down to business.
Outer Banks Fire
As I’ve mentioned, I like to start with the bad news so we can end on a positive note. Unfortunately, we have some sour news to share from the OBX this week; a massive three house fire. But to look at the bright side, thankfully there were no injuries.
2012 Town of Duck Events
The Town of Duck puts on some great free events every year, and they just released their schedule for 2012. Fun, free, and family-friendly. Get out and see what Duck’s up to!
5 Cool Places on the NC Coast You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Here’s a cool article from the Charlotte Observer that mentions the Outer Banks a couple times.
Outer Banks Beach Driving
The beach driving debate on Hatteras Island rages on, but the permitting system is in place, and permits are being purchased. I was surprised to find out that almost 3400 Hatteras beach driving permits have been purchased so far – the majority being year-round permits. I guess this system is a reality – for now anyway.
Hurricane Irene Retired!
I am psyched to pass on this love. Hurricane Irene is officially retired! We will never have to deal with that beast again. Good riddance Irene!
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.
Here’s this week’s edition of Outer Banks Link Love – all the stories/links I couldn’t get to on the blog this week.
When I’m faced with a good news/bad news situation, I’m the type of person that likes to get the bad out of the way first so I can end on a good note. So, let’s look at the not-so-great links first.
Five months after Hurricane Irene wreaked havoc on the Outer Banks, her effects are still being felt. Sands that shifted during Ms. Irene’s visit have created some of the worst shoaling conditionsthe ferries have seen between Hatteras and Ocracoke. Add this channel to the list of dredging needs on the OBX!As a reminder, here’s what Hurricane Irene looked like:
While we’re on the subject of that nasty lady Irene, the news broke this week that a decision on how to find a “permanent” – permanence is all relative on a sand bar – solution to fix the breaches on Hatters after Irene’s visit has been delayed. It was determined that the engineers need more time to assess a possible 7 mile bridge that would run from the Ranger Station Inlet, currently spanned by the temporary bridge, to the village of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island. Hmmmm…so how do we access all of the PUBLIC conservation land then?
In a previous edition of OBX Link Love, I shared the news that Corolla is getting pretty close to getting it’s first new school since 1957. Eh, not so fast. Seems the NC State Board of Education may wait another month to make their vote on the new OBX charter school. Bureaucracy at its finest.
Here’s a nice story of an islander visiting another island – from Maine to the Outer Banks. It’s a good description of an OBX trip and the hospitality they encounter. It’s interesting the think that “island life” is a different sort of existence…but I guess it is.
Should I close with food or art? Tough one. Let’s start with food and close with art…
Did you know there is an Outer Banks chowder? Yep, we have our own chowder, thank you very much. Here’s a list of 7 Popular Chowders Across the US. ”Outer Banks” Clam Chowder does not include cream. Instead, the standard recipe is thickened with flour and seasoned with plenty of pepper.
Here’s the beach report from 2.4.2011. It was definitely a chilly winter last year, but the FISH WERE BITING! Not so much this year. And my winter beard was giant…and awesome. Makes me want to bring that beast back. Hmmmmm.
Awesome event for a great cause set to take place Saturday, October 9th at the Kitty Hawk Skatepark, with proceeds benefiting Hurricane Irene victims through the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Honorable, in conjunction with LACED Clothing, proudly presents the “LACED & FLOODED” benefit Skate Jam. The weekend will kick off Saturday, October 8th at Moms Sweet Shop in KDH for a meet and greet with Jake Brown and Peter Smolik from 12-2pm. They will be premiering LACED clothing as it hits the racks at Moms and make sure to stop by and pre-register for the Skate Jam.
On Sunday registration for the days event will be from 11am-12:30pm and the contest will begin at 1:00pm sharp. There is a $10 entry fee, and two age brackets of 16 & under/16 & up for the game of SK8, and a street-league style best run contest. There will be tons of awesome prizes donated by 158 Surf & Skate, and other great vendors. Lucky 12 Tavern donated a cooker, pig and sides for a good old fashioned pig pickin’ with plates being sold to raise funds for OBRF. The Bad Bean Baja Grill will also be around with a fresh juice bar, and treats.
If youre in town make sure to stop in and check this out. Should be a fun time and is for a great cause! If you have any questions regarding the weekends events please feel free to contact MomsSweetShop@gmail.com or call 252.441.MOMS (6667).
Usually when vacationers head to Hatteras they get there by crossing Bonner Bridge and heading south on Highway 12- but thanks to Hurricane Irene there are two large inlets and several others, that have forced no land access for the area. Since N.C. 12 is still impassable north of Rodanthe, the only way for visitors to get to the island’s southern communities is by making a reservation on a ferry from the mainland or driving through Ocracoke and taking the free ferry to Hatteras Village.
With the ferry system booked beyond capacity, tourism officials urged Dare County Thursday to reconsider the decision to open lower Hatteras Island to tourists. The ferries are booked through next Tuesday. Saturday reservations, when most rentals turn over, are also booked solid.
Scot Leggat, a Hatteras Island real estate executive, asked the Dare County Tourism Board to pass a resolution seeking another look at the call to reopen Hatteras Village, Frisco, Buxton and Avon. Re-entry for tourists started Thursday morning. County Manager Bobby Outten said Thursday that he and members of the Board of Commissioners made their decision in the interests of people in Dare County who faced losing their jobs if some business did not return to the island.
He acknowledged that officials were aware of the potential problem with ferry access, but they weighed that against the prospect of layoffs by businesses struggling in the three weeks since Hurricane Irene and believes this decision couldn’t be rescinded now.
Complicating any decision is that some travel insurance no longer is valid if a mandatory evacuation order is lifted. So in many cases, vacationers who have already paid for their rentals cannot get to them and may not be reimbursed.
The emergency ferry from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe is reserved for residents, property owners, essential personnel and vendors. Opening that ferry route to tourists would likely mean losing FEMA funding to keep it running. The decision has also created a backlash on Ocracoke Island because Hatteras vacationers are now competing for limited ferry reservations.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is making $10 million in emergency repairs that include building a temporary bridge over the largest inlet, which is in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, and filling the rest with sand. Transportation officials say the road could be re-opened sometime in October but no decision on permanent repairs has been made.
The Surfrider Foundation is gearing up for their annual Big Sweep/Trashfest event and after Hurricane Irene this is coming at the perfect time. Volunteers will be collecting as much trash as possible from both beach and sound accesses. The clean up will be from 9am until noon followed by a “Trash Fest” after party at the Outer Banks Brewing Station from 12-4.
Surfrider Outer Banks Chapter is still looking for zone captains for the Chickahauk Access and Southern Shores Fire Department. It is going to take all of our community to join together to preserve the beauty of the Outer Banks. After Irene and seeing all the devastation to our area, this event will bring us one step closer to bringing the OBX back to life. Spread the word and get involved!
Seaside Vacations is joining local efforts to assist Hurricane Irene victims by promoting their “Vacation with a Purpose” campaign.
Seaside Vacations, a leading vacation rental company located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is using their “Vacation with a Purpose” program to support those in the community that need a helping hand due to Hurricane Irene. They are encouraging employees, homeowners and guests to join their mission by participating in the program.
Seaside Vacations guests can make a difference just by booking an Outer Banks vacation. From September 1 – 30, 2011, Seaside Vacations will donate a portion of its revenue for all September vacations to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. By booking an Outer Banks vacation with Seaside, guests will be helping hurricane victims rebuild their lives and helping the Outer Banks rebuild their community.
In addition, guests and homeowners may also donate directly to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation by sending a check made out to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation to Seaside Vacations, Attn: Hurricane Irene Relief, P.O. Box 3339, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949. Any amount would be greatly appreciated and the donation is tax deductible.
“Each of us has an Irene story. Many of us have suffered damage, seen strange things, lost valuable stuff and even experienced injury. Regardless of what our own individual situation may be, even those who may have come through relatively unscathed, we have all experienced individual and collective trauma. The loss in our tight-knit community is extensive and the need for assistance is great,” says Gordon Jones, President of Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.
For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals, visit http://www.OuterBanksVacations.com – where you can search a wide variety of homes, book online with real-time availability, view up-to-the-minute Outer Banks specials and check out local Outer Banks events.
About Seaside Vacations:
Founded in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in 1990, Seaside Vacations is a full-service vacation rental management company representing homes from Corolla to Nags Head. Seaside Vacations offers a complete selection of Outer Banks vacation rentals. Guests can choose from 1 – 10-bedroom private vacation rental homes, condominiums, town homes and villas. Explore our homes in Duck and Corolla as well as numerous vacation rentals in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head.
For more information on Seaside Vacations and their wide selection of vacation rentals, visit http://www.OuterBanksVacations.com or call one a Vacation Specialist at 877.816.9576.
If anyone is here in the OBX this week they know that the outbreak of mosquitoes in the area is terrible! Dare County announced today that they have scheduled an aerial spray operation this week for over 50,000 acres to help reduce the number of mosquitoes in our area. The abundance of mosquitoes comes in the aftermath of hurricane Irene and the amount of standing water she left behind.
The aerial application will begin Thursday evening, September 8 at approximately 6:30 pm and continue until about 2:00 am, weather permitting. September 9th and 10th will be back up days in case of bad weather. The aerial application may take 2 days to complete. Dibrom® is the pesticide being applied at the rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre. Aerial spraying is necessary to combat and control mosquitoes where ground spraying is less accessible and effective. This is the first aerial treatment this year in Dare County NC.
Vector Disease Control, Inc. (VDCI), a mosquito control company operating out of Dare County Regional Airport will be conducting the aerial spray operation. VDCI holds contingency contracts with multiple Counties and FEMA to provide application of adulticides on an “as-needed” basis.
VDCI will be using multiple twin-engine aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet to conduct the aerial application. Each aircraft is equipped with an aerial spray guidance system specifically engineered for mosquito control operations. The planes are able to receive in real-time, meteorological conditions such as temperature, wind speed and wind direction. “This onboard equipment allows us to optimize the application within the intended treatment areas, while minimizing drift outside the target zone”, according to Malcom Williams, Manager and Chief Pilot Aerial Division VDCI.
Residents and visitors are asked to dump any standing water, as mosquitoes like to lay eggs in flowerpots, cups and old tires. Hopefully these spray treatments will help reduce the mosquitoes in the area and allow people enjoy the outdoors-scratch free! We will keep you updated on any further information released by the county. Remember if you are spending an ample amount of time outside, make sure you apply bug spray, especially during the evening.
Plan on visiting the OBX from the 9-11? Outer Banks Sporting Events, sponsor of the Outer Banks Triathlon are in need of volunteers from September 9th through the 11th to set up water stations, work the expos and offer support to runners from start to finish. Unfortunately Hurricane Irene caused a number of previous volunteers to withdraw from the event.
OBSE’s proceeds from the event are split between the Outer Banks Community Foundation and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. As you can imagine these organizations are expected to show a significant increase in requests for financial aid from their community in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. The triathlon is just another small way to help rebuild our area.
If you will be in the area or would like to know how you can help please visit the Outer Banks Triathlon site for more information.
