Outer Banks Family Fun

Monday, June 29, 2009

This week we share with you a couple of pictures from Carrol Bane of Brilliant, Ohio who was here on the Outer Banks with her clan at the Outer Banks property, “It’s A Shore Thing”, from June 6th through the 13th. Carrol tells us this is actually a picture of Santa Claus (front with the hat on) and his family! We had no idea the jolly man enjoyed the OBX as much as the rest of us, but thanks for sharing Carrol! The human beach pyramid is courtesy of Carrol’s grandchildren who obviously had a good time in Corolla as well.

Carrol said “What a blessing it was” to have everyone together. Indeed!

Carroll is now enrolled in our monthly picture of the month contest with appreciation of her sharing her precioius family memories with us here on Memory Monday. Don’t forget to send us your memories and if your entry is picked as the photo of the month you will receive $100 towards your next OBX Blue vacation.

An Outer Banks 40th Wedding Anniversary

Monday, June 22, 2009

This week on Memory Monday we are pleased to share some images from one of our rental guests that stayed with us recently! Congratulations to Randall and Christine Kilmer who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a vacation at one of our Outer Banks Blue rental homes.

Mr. & Mrs. Kilmer celebrated their 40th anniversary with their family at our property “Cara Lina” the week of May 30th through June 6th. You can see the weather was great, and we are happy to put the Kilmer’s in our Memory Monday Hall of Fame! Thanks Kilmers, and Congratulations from Everything Outer Banks!

Remember to share your Outer Banks photo memories with us as we post photos from our guests each Monday. Each month one of our entries is chosen as a winner of our monthly “best picture” contest and a $100 credit towards a future Outer Banks rental is put on the books in your name.

Dr. Beach picks OBX in his top 10 beaches AGAIN

Monday, June 15, 2009

Dr. Beach (aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) has evaluated all major public recreational beaches in the U.S. America and has recently released his his annual top 10 Beaches in the U.S. list for the 19th time.

On his website (http://www.drbeach.org/) Dr. Beach says beaches are the number one recreational destination for Americans. These sandy playgrounds that line our coasts are the most extensive natural parks in the country. Nothing restores the body and soul like a stay at the beach. We are naturally drawn to the rhythmic pounding of the waves as if returning to our primordial beginnings. His annual list of the top 10 beaches is anxiously awaited as Leatherman bases his selections on 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities.

This year’s list is topped by Hanalei Bay on Kauai, Hawaii and the beaches of Cape Hatteras are now ranked number 7 on the list of top 10 beaches. Hanalei Bay, the top selection this year is located on Kauai's North Shore around the corner from the Napali Coast, the most stunning corner of the state. One side offers lush valleys, dramatic waterfalls and sculpted mountains with peaks that rise 1,219 metres. On the other is the Pacific, where dolphins and sea turtles can be seen.

This year’s inclusion of the Cape Hatteras beaches of the Outer Banks means that area beaches have now been on Dr. Beaches’ top 10 list now for the last 13 years. In 2007 the beaches of Ocracoke were named top beaches in America.

The complete top 10 list includes:
1 Hanalei Bay, Hawaii
2 Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Fla.
3 Coopers Beach in Southampton, N.Y., on Long Island
4 Coronado Beach in San Diego
5 Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii
6 Main Beach in East Hampton, N.Y., on Long Island
7 Cape Hatteras in Outer Banks, N.C.
8 Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Fla
9 Coast Guard Beach on Cape Cod, Mass.
10 Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, S.C.

Typically each entrant on the top ten list will move up one spot each year until they reach the top spot. This is the 12th time a Hawaii beach has won the top spot since Dr. Beach started the list in 1991. North Carolina has won the award for the top spot just once (Ocracoke in 2007).

An Awesome Outer Banks Getaway

Monday, June 8, 2009

We had an awesome week at "Carolina Getaway" May 23-30, 2009.

This picture was taken from the pool area at the house, looking up to the upper deck. The kids in our group invented a creative game of "Keep-Away" in which half of each team was up on the deck and the other half of each team was in the pool below. They tossed a plastic ball either up or down to their teammates. Great fun to play and watch. This picture shows the kids up on the deck waiting for the ball to come up.

Thanks for a great vacation, Outer Banks Blue!

Shellie Mead

OBX Picked as Editor's Choice by Outside Magazine

Monday, June 1, 2009

OBX gets more recognition as a great place to stay for budget minded travelers.

Everything Outer Banks noted this past week more kudos as the OBX was picked as an editor’s choice for a great getaway by Outside Magazine!

Outside Magazine bills itself as the magazine for those that “Live the Active Life.” The June 2009 edition of Outside Magazine explores 25 of the best places to escape on a budget. The article entitled “Relax, Recharge and Find an Adventure” spoke about the Outer Banks having some of the East Coast’s best surf. Readers were also invited to climb the 248 stairs of the Hatteras Lighthouse for “endless Atlantic views.” Another suggestion for Outside Magazine readers was to spend the day hiking through the local wooded nature preserves on Hatteras Island. Outside Magazine rated the OBX as a great value. We couldn’t agree more, and don’t forget to check out www.outerbanksblue.com for the latest values for you and your family!