The beauty of an Outer Banks vacation is that you can bring a group – large or small – and share a beautiful house on the beach with all sorts of fun to be found. But how do you know what to do when you get here? What type of fun is your group looking for? – a whole lot of nothing, art galleries, hang gliding, history tours?
Everyone has a different type of “vacation style,” and determining your vaca style will help you make the most of your time on the OBX.
Your travel style – the type of trip you like best – is vital when it comes to booking an OBX family vacation and can mean the difference between being bored and needing another vacation when you get home! Unplugged vacationers prefer lazy days of hanging out together. Culture vultures crave the sizzle of museums, shows and festivals. Adventurers seek the excitement of new experiences such as kayaking or offshore fishing, while the some-of-everything family likes to pick and choose, combining elements of each category.
To determine your family’s travel style, take our “What’s Your Vacation Style Quiz.” These 12 simple questions may change the way you travel.
Here’s the next installment on our Outer Banks infographic bonanza – What to Pack for an OBX Vacation.
As I’ve mentioned, we’re mixing it up with groovy infographics we find hunting around online and even groovier original OBX inforgraphics created by our fantastic design team.
What?! You’re not down with this super hip way to digest large quantities of information in an easy to understand, graphical manner?!
Let me offer a little assistance. First, you’re not alone. Most people don’t know what an infographic is. They are a relatively new trend in the online marketing world. But they are super cool!
Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge. These graphics present complex information quickly and clearly.
Basically, it’s a lot of information boiled down into a pretty picture so knuckle-heads like me can understand it.
There are all sorts of infrographics out there these days. A quick Google search will turn up more than you care to look at. But since you’re here, let’s take a look at our pretty picture.
As a new blog series, I’m going to share some cool infographics that relate to the Outer Banks, vacations, the beach, the weather, vacation rentals, surfing, fishing, etc. Some will come from other sources, and I’ll be sure to credit those sources, but my goal is to create a whole bunch of original infrographics that you’ll dig.
So stay tuned; more awesomeness to come. But for now, let’s take a look at our first original Outer Banks Infrographic…drum roll please…
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.
Vacation Travel Tips: Staying Healthy on Your Outer Banks Vacation
Is there anything worse than getting sick on your vacation? You patiently (or not so patiently) wait all year, you save your precious pennies, you travel for hours, you get unpacked and start to settle into the vacation way of life, and BANG the sickies get ya. Sooo disappointing! Getting sick is always a drag, but when you’re on vacation, it’s the worst.
Last year, my parents came to visit the fam, and they decided to rent an oceanfront home rather than stay with us. It was a great chance enjoy the beach, and they planned to enjoy some alone time with the grand-kids. All was well when they arrived, and the kiddos had a great time with Grammie and Papa that first night. But by day two, the sickies were arriving.
First Mom was down for the count; on vacation, but not getting out of bed. Dad pressed on and enjoyed the next day exploring the OBX. But by day three, it was clear he was wearing down. By day four, they were packed up and headed home.
A planned week at the beach with the family turned into a day with the grand kids followed by lots of rest and recuperation. Not the best way to spend a vacation on the Outer Banks.
At least we now get to joke Grammie and Papa that they get sick when they visit us. But definitely not what they hoped for.
The moral of the story is that we all need to do what we can to make sure we are healthy…all the time – but especially on a long-awaited vacation.
The good news is that with a little prep, there’s a lot you can do to protect you and your family.
The stress and excitement of travel can make you more likely to get sick, but if you follow a few simple tips, you’re more likely to stay healthy throughout your trip.
Here are some health and safety tips to keep in mind when planning your Outer Banks vacation.
Immune Support & Prevention
Germs spread easily when people are in close contact. Plus, people often get run down and stressed out before they go away for vacation, trying to get work done and prepare for the trip.
Boost your immune system. Having a sound immune system will always help fight bugs, but adding an extra boost will also help. Consider taking vitamin supplements such as vitamin C, ginger root, and green tea. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to begin taking these supplements the week before your vacation.
Get a bottle of hand sanitizer and use it. Got a case of the ickies, but not soap and water in sight? – this is where hand sanitizers come in handy. Your hand sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol.
Get disinfectant wipes and wipe down places where germs are frequent. Doorknobs, remote controls, light switches, etc.
Motion Sickness
Motion sickness can occur whether going by car, train, plane, or boat. Its effects include nausea – which could lead to vomiting. This is usually preceded by yawning, salivation, cold sweating and dizziness. People prone to motion sickness should have a light non-fatty meal before the journey and avoid alcohol. Reading and writing should also be avoided during travel. Tablets are available to help combat motion sickness.If you are traveling by car, it is advisable to take a rest from driving every two hours. A short walk will refresh you and help to maintain your concentration.
Sunburn Control
Bright, sunny days seem like the perfect recipe for a great Outer Banks vacation. However, if you aren’t careful, the summer sun can be too much of a good thing. During the summer months, the sun’s rays are especially intense. The reflection of the sun off of the ocean and sand can increase your chance for sunburn.The tanning effect of the sun is largely caused by ultraviolet rays which reach the skin. Excessive exposure to these rays leads to burning with redness and swelling. Check out our Beach Safety page for more information.
Bites and Stings
If you are bitten by mosquitoes, sandflies, or other insects while on vacation you should apply an antihistamine cream or, if none is available, prompt application of ice and a cooling lotion, such as calamine, will ease the pain considerably.
Other more dangerous injuries can be caused by a number of creatures. If you are stung by a jellyfish, try to remove the tentacles and stingers. This is best done by gently rubbing the area with a handful of wet sand. Alcohol applied externally to the skin and cooling lotions will also help.
Hangover Help
A few too many cocktails combined with lots of sun (dehydration) can bring on that undesirable hangover. How to avoid? Drink lots of water while you are having cocktails and before bed have a glass of water and banana. Take a supplement with guava leaf extract – the compounds in guava help your body process alcohol more efficiently. Go easy on the Tylenol, while it helps the headache, high amounts are hard on your liver and so is the alcohol. If you feel queasy the next day, avoid alcohol and have some ginger and lemon tea.
Overeating and Indulging
Overeating can lead to bloating, gas, heartburn and weight gain. Avoid this unpleasant feeling by eating smaller meals (try to avoid the buffets), choosing your foods wisely, taking digestive enzymes before you eat and having a cup of green tea afterward to aid digestion and support your metabolism.
Other Helpful Hints
Pack a first aid kit. It’s a good idea to bring a “travel” first aid kit with you on vacation containing the following items: aspirin, travel-sickness pills, insect repellant, sunscreen, and creams or sprays to relieve the effects of stings and bites.
Trust your instincts and use common sense. We come into contact with germs every day, and that’s just life. Living in a bubble is silly and will rob you of great experiences, so you have to take risks sometimes.
Consider buying vacation insurance. Trip insurance covers a variety of issues that could impact your vacation and save you a lot of heart ache, should unforeseen circumstances occur. Check out our Policies and Procedures for more information vacation insurance.
With a little advance preparation and common sense, you can ease any worries that your trip will be spoiled by unexpected health problems.
When was the last time you felt butterflies in your belly? Such a cool feeling.
Sure, there are times we get butterflies due to an uneasiness, but for the most part butterflies indicate excitement, anticipation, curiosity. A first kiss, your wedding day, a baby being born, waiting for that big wave.
Anything that gets us excited offers the potential to stir up our gut, and in my opinion, that’s a great thing…magic even. We should all strive for more butterflies in 2012. Let’s get excited about life!
In this week’s installment of Outer Banks Everyday Magic, Brittany explains how the OBX Butterflies jump into her belly each time she crosses the Wright Memorial Bridge…you may know the feeling…I know I do.
Everyday magic to me, is something you feel, something that gives you that “butterflies in your stomach” feeling, something that makes you…..happy!
My love for the Outer Banks began my senior year of college. I started dating my boyfriend, who was an OBX local. Somehow, he managed to get me out here almost every weekend in the summer. And I absolutely loved it.
The dorky part is that we never really did much. Our daily activity was cleaning pools, which was his summer job, and I just kind of tagged along for the ride.
The thing that stood out to me was that “feeling” I get when I cross the Wright Memorial Bridge and how happy it made me. It’s hard to explain, but I was excited to be here and I felt that energy coming over the bridge.
It literally felt like I was on vacation every weekend. And now that I live here permanently, it still feels that way. It’s funny because my boyfriend and I joke all the time about how it feels like we are on vacation every day, except for the whole working part
The Outer Banks is truly a magical place, and that’s why we decided to move here after college. The people I have met here are amazing. I am so fortunate to work with such a great group of people and I love how everybody knows everybody.
Growing up in a big city, the small community feel of the OBX was like a twilight zone at first. I have grown to appreciate it now and wouldn’t have it any other way. When I first moved here I was in shock that there was no real mall here, very few chain restaurants and pretty much just how different it was. As time has gone on, I have discovered all the hidden treasures the OBX has as far as shopping, restaurants, fishing spots, places full of history, and some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen.
I love the OBX, and I continue to discover more of that Outer Banks magic every day.
I’d love to hear your story of Outer Banks Everyday Magic too. Please use the form below to share your story with me.
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.
We are soooo excited to share this gorgeous piece of Outer Banks art with you to help you plan your 2012 OBX getaway.
You can get a Personalized Vacation Guide that is tailored to your specific vacation needs, and we are happy to include the full 2012 Outer Banks Vacation Guide as well.
Or, if you’d like to do some vacation hunting on your own, you can search Outer Banks vacation rental homes at: www.OuterBanksVacations.com. You can also reach us at (877) 255-2641, and one of our Vacation Specialists will be happy to help with your search.
As the old OBX fishing saying goes, “the early fisherman gets the fish.” I just made that up. But the idea holds true with great OBX vacation homes. The best houses go early and quick. If you have a good idea of your plans for 2012, it’s always a great idea to start the hunting and booking process early. It’s great to know your vacation is set and avoid that “where are we staying” pressure.
Every little girl dreams of their wedding day, dressing up in a beautiful white gown, walking down the aisle to the perfect man, and basically just being a real princess for one day. Although this idea has never seemed to fade, the big to-do of a wedding has gone down, and the popularity of “destination weddings” is at an all time high. Today’s brides are cutting their guest list and combining vacations with the big event. In many cases, bride and groom will book one or more vacation homes for the wedding party and family during a week-long stay at the resort. Several event homes on the Outer Banks have been built for just that purpose.
The wedding season is longer and more businesses are offering services. About ten years ago, there were only about 40 vendors that catered to weddings on the Outer Banks, in both Dare and Currituck counties. Now there are more than 300 vendors in our area. The wedding industry is huge to the Outer Banks and is great for our local economy. Beach weddings can range from $15,000 to $100,000, depending on the bride and groom’s budget.
Hope Quade Anderson, who married on the beach last year, said she budgeted $25,000 for a “simple but elegant wedding.” The price included a week’s stay for the bridal party and family members at an 18-bedroom oceanfront home and a catered dinner by Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk for 80 guests. She believes a little goes a long way in such a beautiful place.
The tourism department recently launched a new wedding website that lists 78 Currituck vendors for everything from photography to catering. The website offers tips for planning a wedding and allows a couple to create their own mini-website. With so many options and the perfect setting for a small but beautiful wedding, many couples from all around the country are saying “I-Do” to the OBX. For more information on Seaside Vacations event homes, or planning an Outer Banks wedding visit our website.
Any American Idol fans out there? You love Scotty McCreery, don’t you? Country singers seem to do well on Idol.
If you’re not familiar with Scotty, he’s an 18 year country singer from North Carolina who recently won the American Idol signing competition. So, overnight, he’s become a super star with hit country songs traveling around the country doing shows. Pretty amazing at any age, but definitely great for an 18 year old. Hats off to Scotty for his success.
One of the nice things about McCreery is that despite is quick success, he still seems very grounded and down-to-earth. Last week he had an interview with Fox News, and we were pleasantly surprised to hear how much he loves the Outer Banks!
Scotty is from NC, and he’s been vacationing on the OBX since he was a little boy, so he knows the beach inside and out. During the interview, he was talking about how much he loves to get back to the Outer Banks when he needs to relax and de-stress…see, celebs are just like you and me.
McCreery shared some great Outer Banks tips during the interview – it’s clear he knows the OBX well. So we figured we’d pass on Scotty’s OBX tips to y’all.
Stack ‘em High is a great spot for huge chocolate chip pancakes.
