Good morning. Here’s your OBX Moment of Zen for Friday, January 20, 2012.
This video was shot at the Bladen St. beach access in Nags Head at 10:30 AM.
Outer Banks: 1.20.12 - Spring-like Weekend
Spring-like weather this weekend. Sun, 50, and a light breeze today, and 60′s tomorrow.
No surf. Slow fishing. Empty beach.
Hope to see you soon. Have fun!
Outer Banks Sounds
Earlier today I “tweeted” (if you’re a Twitter lover, we’re there too!) about a live acoustic music session with a local Outer Banks musician on a great OBX radio station, 99.1 – The Sound.
It’s always fun to hear great local music.
I let the smooth sounds soothe my soul and moved on. Then I noticed a post on Outer Banks This Week (side note: Outer Banks This Week is a good resource for some detailed info on local OBX happenings) discussing a fantastic idea: a local Outer Banks music showcase. And my brain synapses started to click.
The smooth acoustic sounds on 99.1 were part of a much bigger idea. An idea with the goal of shining a spotlight on the local Outer Banks music scene. Awesome idea, right? The Outer Banks has some awesome musicians, but how do we find out about them?
I love music, and I love to find great new music…especially when they are local. But I struggle to find these local acts. So I can definitely sympathize with guests visiting for only one week. How do we know who these local acts are?
Well, here’s the answer; Outer Banks Sounds.
The Dare County Arts Council and 99.1 The Sound have joined forces to present a performance series and compilation album of original, local OBX music.
Here are the guidelines for this rad project:
Local Outer Banks musicians and/or bands with original, unlicensed music. Select musicians will be asked to play one showcase that will be held every third Thursday from 7-9pm, October through April at Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern in Nags Head. Each musician selected will have one track included on the inaugural Outer Banks Sounds CD.
The Outer Banks Sounds live music showcases are held at Kelly’s in Nags Head every third Thursday of the month through April. Each night three different bands or musicians play, and the public is invited to come hear the music. Playing this Thursday night – i.e. tomorrow – are Sean Bedula, Ruth Wyand and Jug Tucker.
The CD containing a song from each of the 16 musicians will be released in May.
Apparently I’m a bit behind the curve – sorry about that. Here we are in January, so we’ve already missed a few shows, but we still have a few shows left at Kelly’s, and the great compilation CD, to look forward to.
So, if you’re on the hunt for some great local Outer Banks music, now you know. And as G.I. Joe used to say in the 80′s, “Knowing is half the battle.” Yo Joe!
Outer Banks Everyday Magic: Landing the Perfect Catch
The Outer Banks Everyday Magic series has become one of my favorite blog features. I was excited when we started it because I knew we’d discover some awesome stories, but I continue to be amazed by how much the OBX touches people’s lives.
I have the lucky position of getting to read and format every story that we get, and I can honestly say that I get goosebumps when I read how much passion people feel for their time on the Outer Banks.
Time on the OBX is waaay more than just a vacation; it’s a new adventure, time to reconnect with loved ones, a time to disconnect from everyday life, a time to bond with nature, it’s life-long memories, and this week we get to hear from Kristen who explains that the OBX is also one of the best spots to reel in the “perfect catch.”
Thanks for sharing Kristen. Enjoy…I bet you get goosebumps. 
Most OBX lovers know the Outer Banks is famous for world-class fishing. Offshore, inshore, surf fishing, sound fishing. Marlin, tuna, dolphin, stripers, red drum. It’s a fisherman’s oasis – and it’s where I landed the perfect catch.
I’ll start from the beginning.
I grew up coming to the Outer Banks (“Nags Head” as we all called it when I was young). Every summer my family rented a cottage from family friends – The Lilly Pad on Archdale. Those were some of the best days of my life.
My sister, my cousin, mom, aunt and our super cool teenage babysitter – headed to “Nags Head” for a fun-filled week of boogie boarding, shell collecting, trips to the Surfslide (I was terrified of those water slides), the Ghost Ship (does anyone remember this?!), bumper boats, crab leg dinners, early morning walks to The Donut Shop (oh how I miss those Tarheels) and nights on the deck singing Patsy Cline’s, “Walkin’ After Midnight.”
It wasn’t long before those innocent weeks on Archdale turned into weeks without a babysitter, my cousin and I cruisin’ behind the wheel (only after I begged my mom to give me the keys – I WAS 16 after all), and hot summer nights hanging out at Foosball Palace. (Again, does anyone remember that hole in the wall on the beach?!)
Then it was “Beach Week,” with a group of 10 high school friends – all under one roof for one wild week of post-high school “celebrations.”
These were the days. (As Van Morrison so wisely sang.) Or so I thought.
Fast forward eight or so years. I once again found myself frequenting the Outer Banks. This time, I was a recent college graduate (go Hoos!) with no career in sight. So, with a close high school friend (and my love of the Outer Banks still solid), we road tripped it to the OBX pretty much every other weekend during the summer of 2000.
At first these weekend jaunts were just quick carefree getaways – a little dancing and a lot of sun bathing. But after a few trips, the question arose, “Why don’t we just move here?” Without a solid career path for me in VA, I agreed that a move to the OBX would be the perfect “in between” option. I mean, it would only be for a year or two – and then I would come back to reality, move back to VA and find a “real” career path.
That’s when fate reeled me in.
It was the last night of one of our whirlwind weekends. We were headed back to our hotel – another crazy weekend spent at the OBX. Time to say goodbye and plan our next adventure. And that’s when I landed the catch of my life.
I met the man who would become my husband that night. (And, yes, one of the reasons behind the title of my story. He fishes for a living.)
It wasn’t long before my brief stint on the Outer Banks turned into 12 years of a life I never imagined living.
Sure, I grew up going fishing with my dad – on lakes, ponds, etc. – but now I was really in the mix. Hanging with the “big boys.” Charter boats, billfish tournaments and “fish” talk. I quickly became “in tune” with all things related to charter fishing and the fishing lifestyle on the Outer Banks. Tight lines. Rigging baits. Sea witches. And SUPER early mornings. And I loved it. I was proud to call myself “the girl” of a charter boat fisherman.
And now? The catch of my life has brought me more joy than I could ever have imagined – even back during my carefree days on Archdale. We have two guppies of our own, Luke (5 years) and Anna (7 months), and I’m proud to say while one has already reeled in plenty of fish on his own, the other has already held a fishing pole. (And yes, we’re already counting the days until the 2012 Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament!)
So there is my story of the “everyday magic” I found on the Outer Banks. After all, there aren’t many things more magical than going down to the marina to watch your daddy’s boat come in. Especially with a 500 lb. marlin in the cockpit.
Tight lines!
Tight lines indeed! Such a great story. A lifetime of Outer Banks memories.
I’d love to hear your story of Outer Banks Everyday Magic too. Please use the form below to share your story with me.
Outer Banks: 1.6.12 - Gorgeous January Day at Jennette's Pier
It’s January. The sun is shining, the skies are blue, the ocean shimmers like a sea of diamonds, and the temps are in the 60′s. Winter perfection.
Of course, it could be 35 degrees with winds blowing at 25 mph two days later, but that’s the beauty of the Outer Banks. All four seasons reveal themselves on the OBX, but even the nastiest chill is leveled off by the potential for spring-like conditions around every corner.
Since we have the pleasure of sun and 60′s in January, I was motivated to get out and make the most of it. Yesterday I ventured down to Jennette’s Pier to take in the perfect weather and empty beaches.The pier was quiet. And the beaches even quieter.
Such a peaceful winter scene. Summer on the Outer Banks is amazing, but the serenity of the winter months are tough to beat.
Since you weren’t able to ride shotgun on my trip, I whipped together a quick video.
Enjoy a gorgeous winter day at Jennette’s Pier…
Outer Banks: 1.6.12 - Gorgeous January Day at Jennette's Pier
Good morning. Here’s your Outer Banks Moment of Zen for Friday, January 6, 2011.
This video was shot at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head at 10 AM.
Gorgeous Friday, and a gorgeous weekend ahead. Sun, 60, and a light southwest wind.
Knee high surf.
Slow fishing, but a great day to be outside casting. Stripers are o the way.
Hope to see you soon. Have fun.
Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/outer-banks
Outer Banks: 12.16.11 - December Perfection
Good morning. Here’s your OBX Moment of Zen for Friday, December 16, 2011.
This video was shot just north of the Nags Head Pier at the Bladen St. beach access.
Two days in a row of perfect December OBX conditions; sun, 60′s, offshore breeze, and great waist to chest surf.
It will cool off a bit for the weekend, but the weather is looking good through Christmas.
Outer Banks fishing is slow, but the stripers are stating to arrive.
Hope to see you soon. Have fun!
Outer Banks: 12.15.11 - Perfect OBX December Surf Day
Note: Sorry about the lack of audio. Not sure what happened there. But if you forward to about the 1:50 mark, you can get a look at the beach and waves. Enjoy!
Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Thursday, December 15, 2011.
This video was shot at the Nags Head Pier at 10 AM.
Amazing December day! Sun and temps at 65 degrees. Temps will dip back to 50′s looking ahead, but looks like great OBX weather all the way through Christmas.
Big news for the day is the surf. Perfect weather, a light southwest breeze, and clean chest high surf. Hit it if your on the OBX. Tomorrow looks like more of the same, but the wind will be stronger and the swell will fade through the day. Water temps at 52 degrees.
OBX fishing is slow, but stripers are on the way; so we should have a great striper bite soon.
Hope to see you soon. Have fun!
Did anyone get a chance to go to the carnival in Nags Head last summer? It was awesome and a huge hit for locals and OBX visitors. The Outer Banks Voice reports that the carnival may be returning next summer for an 8 week run at the soundfront Windmill Point site. The Dare County Tourism Board is considering a June to August return, as well as building or renting an outdoor stage for entertainment shows and events.
Boardwalk Attractions, the company who brings in the carnival has mentioned that they would hire and train local workers to head the carnival and consider bringing in more rides. The tourism board continues to research more permanent uses for the 14 acre site but it seems like this would be great way to use the land in the mean time. Potentially create jobs for locals and be another fun thing to do here on the beach, seems like a great idea!
Outer Banks: 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking
September went out, and October arrived, with a bang on the Outer Banks. Actually, it was more of a splash…a big splash; a worldwide splash.
Fall on the Outer Banks is awesome. Empty beaches, warm weather, warm water, and fantastic surf. The perfect time to bring a huge surf kayaking contest to the OBX!
For 10 days, from September 29th – October 9th, the 2011 World Championships of Surf Kayaking were held on the Outer Banks, specifically at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, NC.
This is a huge contest. It is held every two years, and the last event was in Brazil; we are very happy that it found its way to the Outer Banks. 10 days worth of events, contestants from all over the world, a wide variety of event categories, and the Outer Banks provided some perfect conditions. The weather and waves varied a bit over the 10 day period, but there was plenty of sun, a lot of great waves, and some amazing kayaking.
I was able to make it to the event five of the ten days. It was great to see so much excitement and energy on the beach…and in the water. I couldn’t get there everyday, but I made sure to get there when all of the fickle surf ingredients lined up to throw some great waves our way. And there were plenty of gorgeous waves to go around.
I’ll let the official website of the event (http://www.worldchampionshipsofsurfkayaking.com/) offer the full recaps, including opening and closing ceremonies and list of winners, but I do want to share some of great surf kayaking highlights…and amazing OBX waves.
Sit back, kick up your feet, enjoy the scenery; the waves and kayaking are mesmerizing…and don’t forget to turn up the speakers, I think you’ll enjoy the jam from Foster the People – “Pumped Up Kicks.”
Hope to see y’all kayakers back on the OBX soon!…thanks for the show.
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!
