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Guest Post: Outer Banks Surfing for Autism – The Perfect Storm of Awesomeness

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Surfing for Autism

Surfing for Autism

I’m going to turn the reins of this post over to an amazing lady with some amazing ideas, and I’ll keep the intro short.

I’ve been talking with Ms. Eileen Lowery for the past few weeks about how we can partner to promote her amazingly awesome event; Surfing for Autism. Seaside Vacations is very happy to be a part of this fantastic event, and Eileen has been gracious enough to share some the history and love behind Surfing for Autism with all of us.

So, with out further ado, “come on Eileen.” :) Sorry…I couldn’t resist.

Surfing for Autism was created in April 2010 by two parents with children who have Autism. I was running the local OBX Chapter of the Autism Society of NC at the time.  We discussed the possibility of organizing a run, but it weighed heavily on my heart that we were living at the beach with resources that could not be found everywhere that could provide a special opportunity that not everyone has…while everyone else in the country seemed to have walks and runs.

I wanted to utilize the amazing beach we have and pair up our individuals with Autism with the amazing surfers. It felt like something that would be too much, but I just briefly mentioned the thought to a local educator at a community meeting. By the time I got home, the educator had returned to the school, found another parent who had a child with Autism, who happened to be volunteering at the school that day, and who happened to be an avid surfer, and emailed me immediately with his name all of his contact information.

She wrote in her email that while I was looking to pair up our individuals with Autism with surfers, Mark had just been discussing how he would like to pair up surfers with kids with autism.

Now I had no excuse. I had to get in touch with him and pursue this idea.

We met in a local OBX coffee shop and Surfing for Autism was born then and there – I knew who could be served and Mark knew who could serve.

Our foremost concern was that regardless of if you knew how to surf or not, surfers and volunteers must have a heart for our individuals and be amazing with them.  We also wanted the event to be at no cost for the families with the knowledge that raising a child today with Autism has been shown to cost $3.2 Million…we didn’t want to add to the burden of costs.

We decided that we wanted to start with a smaller number of local individuals as we figured they may be more forgiving with the different bumps we may encounter since it was our first year and to keep the event small in hopes of being able to contain the madness.

We had an  amazing local Occupational Therapist, Jen Lunceford, Speech Therapist Becci Shealey and Exceptional Teacher Ann Sumners that I knew we would be able to recruit to help us out.   Mark had local surf shops Outer Banks Boarding Company and Whalebone Surf Shop help us out while sponsored surfers Jesse Hines, Noah Snyder and local OBBC owner and surfboard shaper Lynn Shell organize the surfers and their efforts.

Together with the help of additional teachers and therapists, many who gave up their last taste of freedom of the summer before returning to work, 30 individuals with Autism were provided the opportunity to surf. Each individual with Autism was provided with two surfers and a person who was knowledgable about Autism and together they would spend a hour in the water surfing.  Sensory activities were also provided on the beach to provide outlets for everyone who was waiting to surf and those who were done surfing.

While everyone was prepared to come out to help the individuals with Autism…what no one was prepared for was how it would not only change the lives of those with autism…but also those who volunteered.

Countless volunteers commented on how they thought they were coming for a simple surf camp and were not prepared for how it would impact them as they volunteered. The OBX community spirit was present and intimate as everyone cheered for loved ones and strangers as they each surfed. Family members were able to come together and share with others who understood.

We had such a success that we doubled the numbers for the following year to 60 individuals with Autism and had all of our volunteers and surfers return.

We still don’t want to get so large that we lose the intimacy that has been created among the surfers, volunteers and families. We also added another gathering for the night before for families to gather, while siblings were also provided an opportunity to be recognized, celebrated and afforded the opportunity to go fishing with the generosity of Jeanette’s Pier’s sponsorship.

We also found that families and volunteers were not ready to leave the event; so the second year we added a banquet to provide more opportunities for everyone to connect more while celebrating everyone’s accomplishments and also provided a silent auction led by Lesle Hilliker to help with the cost.

As a testament to how amazing the impact of this event has been is that Lesle herself doesn’t have a child with Autism, but she had to be involved and help us out (and we are forever grateful for her).

We are looking forward to another great year with our upcoming 3rd Annual Surfing for Autism event on August 10 & 11 with the amazing support of our local community, the volunteers and those who donate to make this event possible for the individuals and families that we love and cherish.

The ripple effects from this one day are felt throughout the year and have a lasting impression on everyone involved!

Seaside Vacations is honored to be a part of this event. Thank you Eileen for sharing this great blog post, but more importantly, thank you all that you do to make Surfing for Autism possible.

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: 2.3.12 – Island Happs

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

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 are the results from the 34th Annual Frank Stick Art Showshowcasing the art of OBX locals. 110 entries! And here’s the best in show…congrats Ray Mathews.
    Frank Stick Art Show - Best in Show - Ray Mathews

    Frank Stick Art Show - Best in Show - Ray Mathews

    Time Capsule:

    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.

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 Everyday Magic: Sound-side Love

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Outer Banks Everyday Magic - Sound-side Love - Sunset

Outer Banks Everyday Magic: Sound-side Love - Sunset

Gorgeous, sunny, 60 degree OBX weather in January?! Yes, please. Seems like the perfect day for some Outer Banks Everyday Magic.

This week we have the pleasure of getting a sound-side perspective from Barb, who has enjoyed years of fun-filled family life on the OBX Sound. Thanks for sharing Barb, and yes, you may just be lucky enough. :)

What’s that saying?  If you are lucky enough to live on the water.. you are lucky enough!

I may just be lucky enough.

The Outer Banks is famous for mile after mile of gorgeous beaches, and rightfully so. However, there’s a secret on the other side of the island that is pretty special but often goes unnoticed – the Sound.

When our kids were young we spent endless hours playing in the Sound – swimming, crabbing and fishing. Jet skiing, boating, and tubing have entertained us indefinitely.

As our children had their own families, the Sound became a haven for weekend fun and family get-togethers. Lots of laughter, squeals of joy and wonderful discoveries have been shared along the shallow waters of our Sound-side paradise.  From the little ones chasing minnows with nets, to digging clams from the sand, to chasing or running from crabs, there is always continual motion…and unlimited fun and smiles. If we got bored on the shore, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing offered endless entertainment for all ages.

For years our family has enjoyed Indian summer fishing off the Sound front pier. When the summer temperatures begin to drop a bit in the evenings, it’s the perfect time to enjoyed a late summer evening on the water. A northeast wind blows the water out to make for some great croaker, flounder and drum fishing. We have always been pretty competitive about who would catch the first fish, the biggest fish and of course, the most fish.

But the highlight of the evening is always the unique sunset with it’s amazing display of color. To witness the beauty of a huge sun rapidly sinking into the water always takes my breath away.

Some people find their everyday magic along the oceanfront of the Outer Banks. And I don’t blame them, the OBX oceanfront is just as breathtaking, but If you’ve never explored the Sound-side of the island, you’re missing out!

This is where I continue to find my everyday magic, regardless of the time of year.

And yes, I am lucky enough!

Sound-side Love: Crabbing

Sound-side Love: Crabbing

Sound-side Love

Sound-side Love

Check out those awesome retro pictures! Actual prints, not just a quick digital snapshot. Who knew prints still survived these days?! :) Thanks for sharing Barb!

I’d love to hear your story of Outer Banks Everyday Magic too. Please use the form below to share your story with me.

 

 

Jordan’s Words: On the Hunt

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Jordan's Favorite Discovered Wave

Jordan's Favorite Discovered Wave

It is a lot of fun to be able to share Jordan’s awesome art with y’all. Thanks to Jordan for sharing, and thanks to y’all for caring.

In the Toys from God post, Jordan discussed how he moved from Ohio to the Outer Banks without ever setting foot on the OBX before before he arrived! Pretty daring. But I guess that’s Jordan – someone willing to take risks to follow their passion.

In today’s installment of Jordan’s art, we have the fortunate opportunity to get a glimpse inside Jordan’s mind before he knew where he was going or what he was looking for – still on the hunt for those Toys from God.

Below are four poems that Jordan wrote while he was still in Ohio. He was still on the hunt for his direction, but it’s clear that the ocean (or more precisely, the Outer Banks) was calling.

From Jordan:

These poems are important because anything in these and those about the ocean, I wrote long before I moved to the Outer Banks; which shows that it was meant to be that I was to end up here.

Enjoy Jordan’s words…

“Still Looking for My Rainbow”
Where am I going?
What do I need?
Where am I headed?
Where am I going to plant my seed?
What’s this life of mine coming to?
Why am I here?
What storm do I have to get through,
To overcome this fear?
My heart pounds but no one can see
Because my heart is covered by layers.
But those layers aren’t even me.
So I constantly recite these endless prayers,
Hoping these empty prayers will set me free!
But I’m forever held by these chains.
Chains that are tested by fire,
Holding me where it constantly rains.
Where all I wanna do is fly higher!
All I seem to find is the color of gray.
I’m looking and searching but where do I go?
All I want is to find where the palm trees sway
All I want is to find my rainbow….

“Mother Ocean”
Everyone is looking for treasure.
Some find it, some never do.
You can look and see who is still looking.
They go by colors – the ones still looking are blue.
But there isn’t just blue, all colors of the spectrum fly.
Some change color when they see their treasure.
Tell them goodbye.
See me, it took awhile to figure out what I was looking for.
I never realized I was just knocking on the wrong door.
But behind that door I found the rainbow.
Beyond measure.
And at the end of it there you were, my love, my treasure.

“I’m a Dreamer”
I am a dreamer.
On a cloudy day I see the stars.
I am a dreamer.
I wear my heart on my sleeve.
So I easily pick up scars.
I am a dreamer.
I always hear the waves of the sea.
I am a dreamer.
My mind is a love story that lives inside of me.
I am a dreamer.
The moon and stars keep me company at night.
I am a dreamer.
A dark room I fill with bright light.
I am a dreamer.
You can see my soul through the window in my light brown eyes.
I am a dreamer.
They say my dreams aren’t real
But I won’t believe those lies.
I am a dreamer.
And no one can kill my dreams.
No matter how hard they try.
Because since I’m a dreamer
I’ll never stop dreaming about my home in the sky….

“Gravity”
Baby, baby
Can you hear those waves?
Darling, darling
Can you feel the current?
Pulling through the tides of the sea.
Causing the attraction of the moon’s gravity.
The moon constantly missing its ocean.
But the love between them causes them to forever be set in poetic motion.

Well honey
I’m the moon and you are the sea.
Because all I ever want is to pull you closer to me.
Or you could be the moon and me the tides.
Because you loving me would set me in constant motion for a beautiful ride.
And it’d last forever because it’d be just me and you.
It’d be forever like the waves caused by the gravity of the moon….

Outer Banks Link Love: 1.20.12 – Lots o’ Local News

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

Here’s this weeks love for all of the links I couldn’t get to. A bunch of local OBX news to pass on.

Enjoy the link love…

  • Congrats to local Outer Banks surfer, Kim Diggs for landing a full-page spread in the new Surfing magazine. Always great to see an OBX local hit the big time.
  • New Outer Banks bridge one step closer to being a reality. The final environmental impact study was just released for the Mid-Currituck bridge. What do you think, does the OBX need another bridge?
  • The Bodie Island Lighthouse restoration is back on! After almost a year in hiatus, the additional funding for the project has been approved, and work should start at the Lighthouse by late February. Hopefully we’ll be climbing to the top come fall!
  • The Coast Guard earned their pay this week, and hauled in a sailor from a sinking sailboat off of Hatteras.
  • There’s no doubt Lowe’s is on the OBX. And now that they are here, they are bringing 125 jobs with them.
  • Looks like NatGeo is going to do a feature on the Outer Banks. We have to wait until June to see it, but pretty cool.
  • Are you aware that the Outer Banks has some fantastic golf courses? And you can setup an OBX golf package so you can play them all! Sweet.
  • Check out this awesome story about a horse trainer working with the Outer Banks wild horses. The wild horse whisperer?!
  • Got any OBX Civil War artifacts? The Outer Banks History Center is on the hunt for OBX Civil War memorabilia for an upcoming exhibit.
  • Any country music fans out there? How about Randy Thompson fans? Seems that good ol’ boy Randy enjoyed New Year’s on the Outer Banks. Love OBX celebrity sightings!
  • We’ve been sharing a lot of Outer Banks Everyday Magic stories recently, and here’s a great OBX story that wasn’t so magical…then again, maybe an adventure that turns into a lifelong family story is magical.
  • I’m not sure if the OBX needs saving, but just in case, here’s your chance to save the Outer Banks.

Outer Banks Link Love: 1.13.12 – Potpourri

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Outer Banks Link Love

Outer Banks Link Love

This week’s edition of Outer Banks Link Love is a bit of a potpourri; a big question, a book review, amazing pictures of the Sound, some free music, and a new school.

A mixed bag of love, but some good OBX jewels. Enjoy…

  • The Big Question: Here’s a great story about a wedding proposal that took place on the Outer Banks for a couple from Washington DC. A delicious way to pop the big question!
  • Outer Banks, The Real Treasure Island: In early December we share an amazing Outer Banks pirate tale. It turns out Black Beard wasn’t the only OBX pirate! John Amrhein, Jr shares this awesome story in his new book, Treasure Island: The Untold Story, and here is a great book review of his work.
  • Snapshot of the Sound: Here’s a very cool website I stumbled across this week; Earth Snapshot – “A Daily View of the Planet.” Very cool idea. And it just so happens that last Sunday’s snapshot was of the Pamilco and Albemarle Sounds. They are a great view from the air (space?), and give a very informative description.

 

Earth Snapshot - Outer Banks - Pamlico & Albemarle Sounds

Earth Snapshot - Outer Banks - Pamlico & Albemarle Sounds

  •  Free Music: How about some free music?! As an added bonus, it’s live tracks recorded at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. Sweet! The Muckrakes have decided to kick of 2012 by giving away their music. They are a fun rock band with alt-country roots. Definitely worth a listen…it is free after all. :)
  • New School headed to Corolla? The Waters Edge Village School, a proposed charter school in Corolla, was approved by the NC Office of Charter Schools. The first new school in Corolla since 1957 is one step closer to becoming a reality. Next month it will need to be approved by the NC State Board of Education.

 

Outer Banks Everyday Magic: Mountain Girl Turned Beach Girl

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Outer Banks: 11.8.11 - Gorgeous Day & Great Fishing at Kitty Hawk Pier

Outer Banks: 11.8.11 - Gorgeous Day & Great Fishing at Kitty Hawk Pier

The Outer Banks is infectious. Once the OBX has entered your system it is impossible to shake it loose. It grabs hold of your inner child and won’t let go.

I love seeing the reactions from guests that visit the Outer Banks for the first time. It’s love at first site. It’s amazement, smiles, and laughter, and it’s a longing to return as soon as possible.

For many people, this longing to return motivates multiple beach trips every year, and for some (myself included) it turns into life altering experience that changes a vacation into a new lifestyle.

Today’s edition of Outer Banks Everyday Magic comes to us from a West Virginia mountain girl that is happy to say she’s all beach now. Thanks for sharing your magic with us Melissa.

Growing up in West Virginia, I would look forward to our summer beach vacations all winter long. I love the mountains, but escaping the cold and icy winters in the mountains was my fantasy.

In my senior year of college, I vacationed in Duck, NC, and I fell in love. Smooth white sand and a gorgeous beach almost entirely to myself. Yes, please.

The local restaurants were something I had not been accustomed to, as many back home were chains and did not have the same ambience. The laid back mindset of the locals left me puzzled.

So this is what the beach is like?

I reluctantly returned to work and school after that week at the beach, but I couldn’t get the Outer Banks out of my head. As soon as I completed my degree, I came down for another visit, staying with a friend. She let me know about a job opening at a property management company on the beach and I applied and interviewed while visiting.

As soon as I returned to West Virginia, I received a call that I was hired. I packed as much as I could in a couple of suitcases and was off on my beach adventure.

Now, after four years on the beach, I bought a home and have a great job at Seaside Vacations. I still fly or drive back to West Virginia a couple of times a year, but I now call the Outer Banks home.

The Outer Banks is an alluring place, more so than other beaches I have visited. Everyone should experience the Outer Banks magic at some point in their life…although, it’s hard to leave once you experience it.

Make sure you bring some strong willpower on your next OBX trip; otherwise the magic may hold you hostage. :)

I’d love to hear your story of Outer Banks Everyday Magic too. Please use the form below to share your story with me.