The Outer Banks: A Value Laden Beach Vacation

Monday, March 30, 2009

Recently the North American Press Syndicate provided the Outer Banks some nice publicity in distributing an article about value laden vacations. The subject location of the article you ask? The Outer Banks!

The article reads in part…

Travelers are increasingly finding that vacations -- even beach vacations -- don't have to break the bank.

For example, visitors to North Carolina's Outer Banks can experience 120 miles of beach from the undeveloped Cape Hatteras National Seashore to crowd-pleasing Nags Head -- for very little cost. Plus, the Outer Banks area offers attractions (many of which are free), from a climb of Jockey’s Ridge (The largest Sand dune on the east coast), to admission into the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

The Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry gives beachgoers the opportunity to explore the uninhabited beaches along Ocracoke Island. Travelers can also head to Corolla to view Banker ponies that swam ashore after Spanish explorers were shipwrecked off the coast and continue to reside on the island since the 1500s.

For a blast into the past, the Outer Banks allows history buffs to experience life before America declared independence to the day where Sir Walter Raleigh led explorers to the new world to establish the first colony of settlers. On Roanoke Island the longest running outdoor drama “The Lost Colony” chronicles the story of those brave settlers who disappeared hundreds of years ago on these mysterious shores. Flying fans will also want to take time to visit the place where powered flight began, as the Wright Brothers National Memorial is centrally located in the heart of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills. There visitors can see first hand the conditions that the brothers from Ohio braved some 106 years ago to come to the Outer Banks and fulfill their dream of creating the first powered flight.

Dangling like a delicate strand of pearls off the coast is one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the world. The islands take a curious southward curve, blessing the Coast with beaches that course east and west, making it possible to admire the dazzlingly bright sunrise to greet the day and then slip into the shimmering translucent blue waters in the evening during a spectacular sunset.

On North Carolina's Outer Banks, families can enjoy a beach vacation that doesn't break the bank.

We here at “Everything Outer Banks” appreciate the plug that NAPSI gave the Outer Banks. We happen to agree with all they wrote!

Until next time...all the best from the beach!

Traveling with the Stars: Tiki Barber

Monday, March 23, 2009

In a recent USA Today Travel Section article former NFL All-Pro Running Back Tiki Barber identified Pine Island in Corolla on the Outer Banks to be his favorite vacation spot. Barber, who played for 10 years for the New York Giants, and currently works for NBC Television as a correspondent for the Today show and an analyst on Football Night in America first discovered the Outer Banks when he went to college at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA.

In a question answer interview regarding travel habits in a recent edition of the USA Today Barber commented as follows on Pine Island:

Q: What's your favorite vacation spot and why?

A: Pine Island, N.C. We rent a house right on the beach and go down every Fourth of July week with four other families. It's so relaxing to spend the days on the beach with the kids, and take turns cooking dinner, but most importantly, to escape from New York without an agenda for seven days.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: If you're thinking about booking a house for the week at Pine Island, do it "yesterday." The good houses go quickly. And if you get a chance, get a four-wheel drive vehicle and go see the wild horses at the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge.

Pine Island is of course one of the premiere vacation rental home locations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Outer Banks Blue offers some of the finest homes in the area in its inventory of homes. The homes in Pine Island all have access to the multiple community swimming pools in the subdivision, as well as tennis, bike and walking paths, playground, and private beach access. The majority of homes in Pine Island boast private pools, and hot tubs, and many include elevators, media rooms, pool tables, and many other high end luxury amenities.

In his illustrious 10-year playing career, Barber set virtually every career offensive record for the Giants, while being voted to three NFL Pro Bowls. He holds the Giants all-time mark with 10,449 career rushing yards - good for 17th all-time in NFL history. Barber's 586 receptions and 15,632 yards from scrimmage also are Giants career bests. His 2,390 yards from scrimmage during the 2005 season ranks 2nd best in league history. Barber saved his best for last. In his final regular season game, Barber rushed for 234 yards in a victory over the Washington Redskins, setting a franchise record and helping the Giants clinch a berth in the playoffs. He is one of only three players in NFL history with at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 yards receiving in a career.
Tiki Barber is a native of Roanoke, VA and is a 1997 graduate of the University of Virginia. While at UVA, he was selected as a Top Eight recipient by the NCAA Honors Committee for achievement in athletics, academics and leadership. Barber resides in New York City with his wife, Ginny, and their two sons, A.J. and Chason.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from the OBX

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from the OBX!

Did you know that the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the state of North Carolina resides right here on the Outer Banks? Yep, that is right. The annual Kelly’s Hospitality St. Patrick’s Day Parade is it, and it was held this last weekend in Nags Head. Stretching along a parade route of approximately 1 mile on the beach road at the 11.5 milepost were thousands of fans, friends, and fabulous folks from the Outer Banks cheering on all of the paraders in this 20th annual edition of the parade.

This year the theme was “The Wearing of The Green,” and as you see by the pictures there was a lot of green on the parade route! It was a well organized and orchestrated event with Nags Head Police in control and lots of volunteer Marshalls helping keep the order along the route.

This year the weekend celebration included the first ever running of the Leprechauns 8 K. The Outer Banks Running Club did an outstanding job of making a fun event that raised awareness of the need for the OBX Food Pantry with this race.

After the celebration there was a true American and Irish celebration with hot dogs, libations, and music inside and outside under the tent at Kelly’s Restaurant. The hot dogs and musical entertainment were provided by Kelly's at no charge. In 2008, there were 2,470 hot dogs enjoyed at the event.

We are already looking forward to next year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade here on the Outer Banks. In the mean time Erin Go Brah (Ireland Forever)!

No Consenus Reached on Beach Access

Monday, March 9, 2009

The committee tasked with assisting the National Park Service in the development of a long term management plan governing beach access in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area has failed to reach consensus and has adjourned. The committee, which includes 29 members selected by the National Park Service and representing various stakeholder organizations, has been meeting routinely since 2007 to reach unanimous consensus for a preferred alternative to manage the country’s first National Seashore, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area, located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

It was hoped this final meeting of the group would produce a consensus agreement, but in the end varying interests were unwilling to compromise to a point where consensus could be reached and deadlock was the only achievement of the committee.

After the final committee meeting, Dare County Commissioner Chairman Warren Judge looked to the future. “Although we are very disappointed with the outcome of the negotiated rulemaking,” he said, “We cannot give up. Our residents, visitors and business community all depend on open and accessible beaches.” Judge added, “We urge people everywhere to stay involved in the issue through websites such as PreserveBeachAccess.org.”

Management of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area is currently under a consent decree resulting from a lawsuit filed by the Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center. The consent decree remains in effect until 2011 when the long term management plan becomes effective, unless legislation introduced in Congress returns control of the area to the Interim Management Plan of the National Park Service (House Bill 718).

Outer Banks Blue urges all interested parties to visit http://www.preservebeachaccess.org/ to see how you can get involved in the effort of returning conscientious access to our beaches to all citizens.

OBX Taste of the Beach 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009

Excitement is building in anticipation of the upcoming Outer Banks Taste of the Beach (March 5th through March 8th)! Ticket sales are extremely brisk, and many events have already sold out, but some of the prime events still have room and the weather is supposed to be great!

What a great excuse to make your way to the Outer Banks for the weekend.

There are 49 scheduled events in all culminating on Sunday night with the Taste of the Beach Expo at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk from 6:30 PM until 9:30 PM. Whether it be Ladies MMM & M Night (Martinis, Margaritas, Mimosas, and Manicures) at Kelly’s, the Chef’s Tasting Menu at The Left Bank Restaurant in Sanderling (The Outer Banks’ only AAA Four Diamond Restaurant), The Kill Devil Hills Tapas Crawl, or an evening just for the love of chocolate at Tommy’s Market in Duck there is truly something for everyone at this year’s expanded event.

Here’s a link to the latest schedule of events for this weekend with links to each of the events and status of tickets.

http://www.obxtasteofthebeach.com/scheduleofevents.htm#TOBE

Outer Banks Blue has select accommodations available for any last minute weekend trippers that want to enjoy a true “Taste of the Outer Banks!”

Don’t miss this truly outstanding OBX event!