Outer Banks Treasure: Corolla Outback Adventures Wild Horse Tour

Posted on July 21, 2011

If you haven’t got a chance to see the wild horses that roam the northern beaches of the Outer Banks, it is a must see, add it to your bucket list now! All i can say is it is absolutely beautiful to see these horses in their natural habitat, and amazing what our community does to protect them.

Since i have lived in the Outer Banks I have seen the horses before, usually one or two along the beach in Carova. I never had been on actual tour, or knew all the history associated with the reason they are on the island. I was so excited to have the opportunity to join Corolla Outback Adventures in a tour with some other Seaside employees. It was definitely a treat

It was a bumpy ride but we got to see some great landmarks and were lucky enough to see a ton of wild horses, including a baby horse that was only a few weeks old. We also got to have some fun driving through the back “roads” hitting some big hills and even trudging through some water! The best part of the trip was on the ride home….while making our way back to Corolla we saw some horses on the beach and they were…. well you are just going to have to watch the end of the video to find out!

If you are a Seaside guest you can take advantage of our Club Seaside program which includes Wild Horse Tours. Visit our page for reservations with Corolla Outback Adventures.

Guest Post: Outer Banks Photographer Stumbles Upon Wild Horses

Posted on June 21, 2011

This past Saturday, we had the Seaside Vacations’ photographer cruising around in the 4×4 area snapping some fab photos of Sail Away, a gorgeous 9 bedroom home 8 miles down the beach!

While she was out there, she stumbled upon a group of the OBX wild horses, and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture the moment. Below is a recent post from her blog, Drama Train.

Thanks for the great pictures and great blog post Whitney!

She’s a wild one

The Outer Banks is one of the strangest places on earth. Where else do you drive 8+ miles on the beach to get to your gorgeous million dollar vacation home (or slightly less expensive year-round home) all while dodging other vehicles, dogs, children, grown men acting like children & wild horses?! Carova beach is one of the strangest and coolest places on earth, I’m sure of it. Even though I have spent my entire life living here I still find myself in awe staring at those amazing giant creatures (the wild horses, not the grown men that have had one too many brewskies doing the macarena in the shore break) just walking up and down the beach living their lives even though humans have taken much of it from them. I was “working” down there this weekend so I had the opportunity to whip my camera out and take a few shots of them walking past my car. Remember if you’re ever vacationing down in Carova, North Carolina please stay 50 feet+ away from the horses, it was their beach first. ENJOY & SMILE…

Whitney Norko Photography - Outer Banks Wild Horses

Corolla Hosts 8th Annual Wild Horse Days

Posted on June 16, 2011

One of the many great things that makes the Outer Banks so amazing, is the opportunity to see wild horses roaming the beach in Corolla. I remember the first time I visited the Outer Banks- We were spending our college Spring Break at a friends house in Carova. My first concern was that my AWD Honda Ridgeline wasn’t going to make the cut in the 4X4 area. Lucky enough I made it there, and was so amazed to see a group of wild horses grazing right near our house! It truly is a unique experience especially for former city girls like me.

For the 8th year in a row the Corolla Wild Horse Fund will be offering Wild Horse Days from July 5th through the 7th. Wild Horse days is an opportunity to take part in fun events and exhibits the whole family can enjoy. You will get a chance to learn the history behind the wild horses, take a ride on a Spanish Mustang, play children’s games and activities, take part in a horse training clinic and more! There will also be a huge silent auction, live music, beer and wine tasting, food and artwork will also be featured.

If you are visiting the area this would be a wonderful event to take part in. There is something for everyone and is a unique opportunity to learn the rich heritage that is behind the wild horses. If you cant make it, I hope you get the opportunity to see at least one wild horse on your trip, because it is definitely a beautiful sight to see at least once.

If you want to learn more about Wild Horse Days or about the Corolla Wild Horse Fund please visit their website. If you are a Seaside Vacations guest don’t forget to reserve your spot on your complimentary wild horse tour with Corolla Outback Adventures through Club Seaside.

Directions: 16 miles north of Duck on RT 12 North. One block north of the Lighthouse, watch for sign.

The Outer Banks & Seaside Vacations Receive Homeschool.com’s “Seal of Approval”

Posted on June 10, 2011

OBX & Seaside Vacations Receive Homeschool.com Seal of Approval

Homeschool.com recently announced that the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations have received their official “Seal of Approval.”

In early May, Homeschool.com partnered with Seaside Vacations to send Chief Marketing Director, Katherine Whiting, and her homeschool family to the Outer Banks for the first time. The goal of the trip was to demonstrate the remarkable educational opportunities available on the Outer Banks, while at the same time enjoying an incredible family vacation. It is safe to say this goal was accomplished.

After the weeklong trip, Whiting had this to say; “As a family consensus, it’s our favorite family vacation yet – which says a LOT since we’ve been all over the US with the kids.”

As a result of the trip, Homeschool.com has featured the Outer Banks and Seaside Vacations in their “Family Travel Guide,” complete with travel tips and an accommodation guide.

According to the Homeschool.com Family Travel Guide, the Outer Banks is the perfect destination for a beautiful, educational and fun family vacation. Seaside Vacations was featured in the “Where to Stay” section of the Homeschool.com guide, as the guide highlighted the hospitality of the staff and the benefits of Club Seaside.

“The best decision we made when planning our vacation was to use Seaside Vacations,” said Whiting. “The staff was so friendly and helped us find the perfect home.”

The hospitality showed by the Vacation Specialists made a lasting impression. “They helped us to plan excursions for the kids, recommended companies to use for kayaking and even gave us information about what grocery store to use.”

The seven day trip was filled with days at the beach, fishing from the pier, sightings of wild horses, a kayak excursion, a number of OBX educational trips, and an abundance of smiles and laughter. A fun-filled, educational trip that can be shared by all vacationers, especially homeschoolers.

One of the great features of an Outer Banks vacation for homeschool families is the fact that the spring and fall seasons are considerably less crowded than the peak summer season. Since homeschool families are not limited by the traditional school calendar, they can take advantage of the slower times of year to have easy access to attractions but still enjoy gorgeous Outer Banks weather and a significant price savings from the high-demand summer weeks.

For more information about an Outer Banks vacation, please visit Seaside Vacations at www.OuterBanksVacations.com.

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, townhomes 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 866.801.3653.

Outer Banks: Road Trip to Duck

Posted on March 10, 2011

Outer Banks Road Trippin'

Don’t just take it from us…Raleigh based Fifteen501 magazine encourages a spring visit to the Outer Banks too!

Boasting the amazing OBX history – one of the first settlements of Virginia Dare, Blackbeard, shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic and the first in flight – Fifteen 501 encourages travelers to make the trip to the Outer Banks.

But there’s more than just history…

The wild mustangs still populating the island of Corolla are said to be the descendants of those aboard Spanish shipwrecks and are just another great site on more than 130 mile stretch of beaches.

With a wide array of quiet spots to sit back and enjoy plenty of relaxation and recreation, the Fifteen 501 believes the entire Outer Banks is worth visiting but there is one place of the beaten path. Duck, NC.

Inspired by its uncrowded beaches, friendly locals, beautiful views and artistic feel, Duck is an island town that continues to move residents and visitors alike. High class amenities, delicious coastal cuisine, locally owned shopping and amazing vacation rental homes are some of the great reasons to plan a spring or summer trip to the Outer Banks.

Thanks Fifteen 501…please, come back and visit again soon. :)

Outer Banks “Night at the Races”

Posted on March 7, 2011

Outer Banks - Night at the Races - 2011

Great food, great friends, and a great cause!

Get a group together and join the Corolla Wild Horse Fund, as they present their 2^nd Annual Night at the Races. The event will host former Jockey, Jeffrey Carle, for a fun-filled night including heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, prizes, raffles and more.

With 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Colonial Spanish Mustangs, come out and help keep them wild and free.

The Outer Banks is So Much More Than A Day at the Beach

Posted on March 31, 2010

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The Outer Banks is best known for pristine beaches, hot summer days, and delicious seafood, but the OBX is so much more than meets the eye.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently ran a story highlighting many of the aspects that make the Outer Banks so unique…history, nature, entertainment, and the list goes on. Here are some great suggestions from the article:

Historic Lighthouses:
The Outer Banks is home to some of the most magnificent lighthouses on the East Coast. These lighthouses have served as a means of navigation and a beacon of hope for hundreds of years. Some of the famous lighthosues in the area are Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Pea Island, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. All of these Lighthouses are free admission and will hope this week for the Easter Holiday

Wild Horses:
Colonial Spanish Mustangs have lived wild in the northern beaches of the Outer Banks since the arrival of colonists hundreds of years ago. The herd has since been relocated to prptect the herd from dangers. Since 1989, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund has raised money to protect these animals from harm. Something important to remember when seeing the horses is the fact that it is illegal to come within 50 feet of them.

The Lost Colony at Waterside Theater:
During the late 16^th century, English settlers arrived on the Outer Banks with the goal of settleing the brave new world. After the colony was established unknown circumstances arose and the colony dissapeared. To honor the memory of the Lost Colony, an outdoor play is held at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, where the original settlement is located. The play has taken place since the 1930s. For more information call 252-473-3414 or visit www.thelostcolony.org

Wright Brothers National Memorial
The Outer Banks have witnessed many firsts, but this one made it onto the license plate: “First in Flight.” The dune in Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk where the famous flight took off in 1903 is still there, but it has shifted a few hundred feet since then due to constant winds. Vegetation was planted to keep the dune stable, and it’s now capped by a monument. There’s a museum filled with displays that tell the whole story — and then some — concerning the importance of what happened at this site. 252-441-7430, www.nps.gov/wrbr/index.htm

“Night at the Races” on the Outer Banks

Posted on March 15, 2010

Outer Banks Night at the Races

Construction Projects Raise Alarm for Outer Banks Wild Horses

Posted on January 29, 2010

Outer Banks Wild Horses

Residents of Corova have historically been resistant to commercial construction on the northern beaches of the Outer Banks. This resistance stems from the desire to keep the area as pristine and natural as possible, but also to protect the wild horses that are a main attraction of the northern OBX beaches.

Shops in Corolla sell t-shirts and other horse related items by the hundreds. Truckloads of visitors have made the trek into the dunes to catch a glimpse of the wild horses.

In fact so many people have shown interest that the county will support a $300,000 project that will make major improvements to Ocean Pearl Road on Corova Beach.

Most of the residents of the area are in favor of the project (it will be funded with county occupancy taxes). However, the fact that the wild horses often wander along the sides of these roads is a concern to some locals.

Another cause for concern is the fact that not far from the beach in Swan Beach, a developer proposes a commercial district of 31.71 acres that would include an inn, shops, restaurants and residential units. Also in the same plans is another small commercial area of 5.86 acres that would include a fishing pier to the ocean and a bait shop.

Original plats done in 1969 set aside these tracts for commercial use. County zoning calls it residential. The commission turned down an application for a similar project on the same tract in November 2008 after residents protested.

Northern Outer Banks – History of Corolla

Posted on December 22, 2009

Corolla (pronounced Kuh-RAH-Luh) is a small town on the northern tip of the Outer Banks. With such a unique name, many wonder what it means and where it came from. Pilotonline.com is offering some help to these questions. So, what’s in a name?

Corolla is a destination for tens of thousands of vacationers every year, but it hasn’t always been such a vacation mecca. It is believed that the town was a sort of whaling community some 200 years ago. For more than a hundred years, residents made their living through hunting and gathering. By the late 1800s, wealthy businessmen from the north would pay locals to show them the best hunting spots in the area. The Currituck Lighthouse was constructed in 1875, and soon after The United States Lifesaving Service built stations along the beaches to help spot ships that were in trouble. At this time in Corolla’s history, only 150 people lived there, according to “The Heritage of Currituck County” published by the Albemarle Genealogical Society.

The town officially took the name Corolla in 1895 when a post office opened in the community. The name was chosen to refer to the botanic term for the petals of a flower.

The area remained sparsely populated until 1984 when the state began to pave the existing roads. After that it was only a matter of time until construction took off, and the town grew from a few dozen homes to 3174 homes…and the rest is vacation memory history.

Corolla is an exceptional vacation destination with wide, clean beaches and a great balance of peaceful relaxation and fun local activities/attractions, including wild horses, lighthouse tours, quaint boutiques, great local dining, and much more.