The second annual OBX® Marathon, Gateway Bank Half Marathon and Kelly's Hospitality Group Fun Run will be held on Sunday, November 11, 2007. The range of running events is offered for everyone from serious competitors to novices.
The 26.2 mile event will be a USA Track & Field Association certified and sanctioned qualifying race for the Olympic Trials and the Boston Marathon. USATF has named the OBX Marathon as its North Carolina Association Championship event.
Proceeds from the event will benefit two local charities – the Dare Education Foundation and the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.
For more information, visit www.obxmarathon.org. – Shelby Kinnaird
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Bodie Island Lighthouse Reopens to Public
The base of the Bodie Island Lighthouse will reopen to the public on Tuesday, July 31, at 10 a.m. The base has not been open since pieces of cast iron fell from a balcony and upper window in 2004. The National Park Service recently completed an emergency stabilization project to improve safety at the lighthouse. The base will be open for public viewing, but the tower will not be available for climbing.
The lighthouse, built in 1873, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Volunteers will be on hand to tell stories about the lighthouse and about future restoration projects.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer months. The base of the lighthouse will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Labor Day. The lighthouse is located just north of Hatteras Island and Oregon Inlet. – Shelby Kinnaird
The lighthouse, built in 1873, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Volunteers will be on hand to tell stories about the lighthouse and about future restoration projects.
The Bodie Island Lighthouse visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer months. The base of the lighthouse will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Labor Day. The lighthouse is located just north of Hatteras Island and Oregon Inlet. – Shelby Kinnaird
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Coastal Blue Opens in Avon
Rick and I tried the newest restaurant in Avon last night - Coastal Blue. It took over the space vacated by Blue Parrot and is in the same shopping center with Ocean Air (formerly Windsurfing Hatteras).
This was a "date night" for us and we've been looking for a new special occasion restaurant on the island ever since Austin Creek Grill closed. The closest we'd found up to this point was Mack Daddy's. Ocean Blue, while not quite up to Austin Creek standards, was very, very nice. We sat by the windows and had a great view of kitesurfers practicing their aerials in the waters of the sound.
The first thing to arrive at our table was warm rosemary bread with soft butter. It was delicious. I was very sorry I have to monitor my carb intake (diabetic, you know) when they offered us a second round.
Rick ordered a goat cheese and roasted garlic appetizer ($8); I went with shrimp and grits ($10). Rick's appetizer came with some crispy seasoned bread, roasted red peppers and kalamata olives. All were very good when smeared and stacked on top of the bread. As far as the shrimp and grits were concerned, the grits were well-seasoned and very tasty (and I'm not a big grits fan). The shrimp and accompanying broth were fine, but kind of bland. The shrimp and grits would be a complete winner if they could find a way to perk up the shrimp.
One really nice thing about Coastal Blue is that they offer regular sized entrees and "small plates." Many of the entrees sounded really good. As soon as I saw the menu I told Rick I knew what he was going to order. He, of course, ordered the pork tenderloin with figs ($18). He has this thing for fresh figs, you see. I ordered a small plate of the crabcakes ($10), which is a big step for me outside of Maryland. Living near Baltimore for more than 15 years spoiled me. Most of the crabcakes I've had on the island tend to be too much filler and too little crab for my taste. Also, the crab in them is usually finely shredded. I like my crabcakes with jumbo lump crab, no filler and a nice crust. Coastal Blue did not disappoint. My small plate included one perfect crabcake that had a crispy crust made with ... potato chips! I also had some very tender asparagus and a nice pineapple salsa. It was definitely the best crabcake I've had on the island and may very well have been the best one I've ever had outside of Maryland.
For dessert, we split some tiramisu, made on the premises by none other than our waitress. Thank goodness we didn't have to lie when she asked if we liked it.
All in all, we were pleased with the food, service and atmosphere. We'll definitely go back. – Shelby Kinnaird
This was a "date night" for us and we've been looking for a new special occasion restaurant on the island ever since Austin Creek Grill closed. The closest we'd found up to this point was Mack Daddy's. Ocean Blue, while not quite up to Austin Creek standards, was very, very nice. We sat by the windows and had a great view of kitesurfers practicing their aerials in the waters of the sound.
The first thing to arrive at our table was warm rosemary bread with soft butter. It was delicious. I was very sorry I have to monitor my carb intake (diabetic, you know) when they offered us a second round.
Rick ordered a goat cheese and roasted garlic appetizer ($8); I went with shrimp and grits ($10). Rick's appetizer came with some crispy seasoned bread, roasted red peppers and kalamata olives. All were very good when smeared and stacked on top of the bread. As far as the shrimp and grits were concerned, the grits were well-seasoned and very tasty (and I'm not a big grits fan). The shrimp and accompanying broth were fine, but kind of bland. The shrimp and grits would be a complete winner if they could find a way to perk up the shrimp.
One really nice thing about Coastal Blue is that they offer regular sized entrees and "small plates." Many of the entrees sounded really good. As soon as I saw the menu I told Rick I knew what he was going to order. He, of course, ordered the pork tenderloin with figs ($18). He has this thing for fresh figs, you see. I ordered a small plate of the crabcakes ($10), which is a big step for me outside of Maryland. Living near Baltimore for more than 15 years spoiled me. Most of the crabcakes I've had on the island tend to be too much filler and too little crab for my taste. Also, the crab in them is usually finely shredded. I like my crabcakes with jumbo lump crab, no filler and a nice crust. Coastal Blue did not disappoint. My small plate included one perfect crabcake that had a crispy crust made with ... potato chips! I also had some very tender asparagus and a nice pineapple salsa. It was definitely the best crabcake I've had on the island and may very well have been the best one I've ever had outside of Maryland.
For dessert, we split some tiramisu, made on the premises by none other than our waitress. Thank goodness we didn't have to lie when she asked if we liked it.
All in all, we were pleased with the food, service and atmosphere. We'll definitely go back. – Shelby Kinnaird
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Piping Plover Controversy Heats Up Again
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed closing a significant portion of Hatteras Island beaches in order to supply an appropriate habitat for the wintering population of the piping plover, an endangered species. "Wintering" can run from July to May.
The three closures would be:
- a significant part of Pea Island
- from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse jetties to ramp 49 (Frisco airport)
- the southern part of the Hatteras Inlet
Closures would mean no driving on the beach and no fishing. Walking along the beach would also be prohibited in the designated areas.
The piping plover is a small shorebird that winters along the coast of the U.S. from North Carolina to Texas, along the coast of eastern Mexico and on some of the Caribbean islands. We wrote an article about the piping plover in our March 2006 e-zine: http://www.halfvastenterprises.com/ezine/2006_mar/feat2.shtml.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting comments on their proposal. You have until July 30, 2007 to make your voice heard. For more details about the proposal, please visit http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/piplch/piplch.html. Send your comments about the proposal to ncplovercomments@fws.gov. - Shelby Kinnaird
The three closures would be:
- a significant part of Pea Island
- from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse jetties to ramp 49 (Frisco airport)
- the southern part of the Hatteras Inlet
Closures would mean no driving on the beach and no fishing. Walking along the beach would also be prohibited in the designated areas.
The piping plover is a small shorebird that winters along the coast of the U.S. from North Carolina to Texas, along the coast of eastern Mexico and on some of the Caribbean islands. We wrote an article about the piping plover in our March 2006 e-zine: http://www.halfvastenterprises.com/ezine/2006_mar/feat2.shtml.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting comments on their proposal. You have until July 30, 2007 to make your voice heard. For more details about the proposal, please visit http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/piplch/piplch.html. Send your comments about the proposal to ncplovercomments@fws.gov. - Shelby Kinnaird
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
About Hatteras
We're in the process of putting up a new website about our rental house, Sound Mind and Body. Shelby managed to snag www.hatterasislandhouse.com for the url - pretty cool.
Any rate I was writing a piece that explained things to do and places to go for the web-site. I just started making a list and I put an explanation up at the top. We are planning on filling in specific names of places later, this is a list of the type of activities you can do. Take a look, see what you think and get back to me if I missed something.
About Hatteras
If you talk to anyone local for more than five minutes you will be asked one question for certain, “Do you fish?” If your answer is, “No” you will no doubt be quietly dismissed. If you don’t have a rack on the front of your vehicle to hold fishing poles and another on the back to hold a cooler, if you don’t have a four wheel drive with oversized tires, then you will be viewed with grave apprehension.
To come to Hatteras is to fish and it has been that way for as long as people remember. Recently, in the last half century, people have showed up with surf boards, wind surfing gear and most recently kite boarding equipment. It’s one of the windiest spots in the United States. The Pamlico Sound with its shallow depth and sandy bottom is the perfect place to learn to windsurf or kiteboard because, in most places on the Sound, if you fall off your board you can stand up with your feet firmly planted on the bottom.
Sound Mind and Body has a house fully equipped to meet the needs of fishing folk, kite boarders and wind surfers. It features lockable outdoor storage with racks to hold your surf boards and high enough to leave your windsurfing sails completely rigged while they dry over night. For the adventuresome nature lovers there is a two person kayak to explore the many channels and nooks to the north or the harbor and Canadian Hole to the south.
Things to do and Places to do them:
Fishing – Charter (for ocean or Sound), Pier, Surf, or just cast a line off the bulkheaded yard into the Sound.
Water Sports – windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing, wave runners, skim boarding, boogie boarding, body surfing, swimming (ocean, pool, sound),
Drinking and Pool –
Restaurants –
Coffee Shops and Ice Cream –
Shopping
Mini-golf, Go-Karts, Amusement Parks,
Museums, Historic Sites – Bird Ranch, Indian Museum
Music – Live at
Nature, Birding, Kayaking,
Rentals – Bikes, Beach Equipment
Galleries and Crafts –
Beach Access, parking, ramps, and elsewhere
Flights and Ferries, Limos and Taxis
Bakeries
Hardware
Golf
Crabbing and Cruising
Fitness and Spa
Hair and Nails
Bringing in the catch
Parasailing and Pontoons
Children’s Activities: ranger programs, fishing class, soundside treasure hunt
Painting Pottery
Historic Tours
Cooking Demos
Storytelling
Horseback Riding and Scuba Diving
Life Saving Station and Weather Service
National Seashore, Pea Island, Hatteras Lighthouse
Tattoos and Motorcycles
Massage and Advice
UFO’s
Winter Retreats – for business groups, for writers, artists, musicians
Nights in Rodanthe
Any rate I was writing a piece that explained things to do and places to go for the web-site. I just started making a list and I put an explanation up at the top. We are planning on filling in specific names of places later, this is a list of the type of activities you can do. Take a look, see what you think and get back to me if I missed something.
About Hatteras
If you talk to anyone local for more than five minutes you will be asked one question for certain, “Do you fish?” If your answer is, “No” you will no doubt be quietly dismissed. If you don’t have a rack on the front of your vehicle to hold fishing poles and another on the back to hold a cooler, if you don’t have a four wheel drive with oversized tires, then you will be viewed with grave apprehension.
To come to Hatteras is to fish and it has been that way for as long as people remember. Recently, in the last half century, people have showed up with surf boards, wind surfing gear and most recently kite boarding equipment. It’s one of the windiest spots in the United States. The Pamlico Sound with its shallow depth and sandy bottom is the perfect place to learn to windsurf or kiteboard because, in most places on the Sound, if you fall off your board you can stand up with your feet firmly planted on the bottom.
Sound Mind and Body has a house fully equipped to meet the needs of fishing folk, kite boarders and wind surfers. It features lockable outdoor storage with racks to hold your surf boards and high enough to leave your windsurfing sails completely rigged while they dry over night. For the adventuresome nature lovers there is a two person kayak to explore the many channels and nooks to the north or the harbor and Canadian Hole to the south.
Things to do and Places to do them:
Fishing – Charter (for ocean or Sound), Pier, Surf, or just cast a line off the bulkheaded yard into the Sound.
Water Sports – windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing, wave runners, skim boarding, boogie boarding, body surfing, swimming (ocean, pool, sound),
Drinking and Pool –
Restaurants –
Coffee Shops and Ice Cream –
Shopping
Mini-golf, Go-Karts, Amusement Parks,
Museums, Historic Sites – Bird Ranch, Indian Museum
Music – Live at
Nature, Birding, Kayaking,
Rentals – Bikes, Beach Equipment
Galleries and Crafts –
Beach Access, parking, ramps, and elsewhere
Flights and Ferries, Limos and Taxis
Bakeries
Hardware
Golf
Crabbing and Cruising
Fitness and Spa
Hair and Nails
Bringing in the catch
Parasailing and Pontoons
Children’s Activities: ranger programs, fishing class, soundside treasure hunt
Painting Pottery
Historic Tours
Cooking Demos
Storytelling
Horseback Riding and Scuba Diving
Life Saving Station and Weather Service
National Seashore, Pea Island, Hatteras Lighthouse
Tattoos and Motorcycles
Massage and Advice
UFO’s
Winter Retreats – for business groups, for writers, artists, musicians
Nights in Rodanthe
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Leave your bottle rockets at home
If you're thinking of heading to Hatteras to celebrate July 4th with your own fireworks display, think again. As of June 1, possessing and discharging fireworks on Hatteras Island became illegal. This includes bottle rockets, Roman candles, firecrackers, cherry bombs, and even sparklers.
Most rental companies now include language in their leases stating that, if you violate the fireworks laws, you will be asked to vacate your rental home immediately (no refunds). If the police get involved, you may also have to pay a $250 fine.
The ban came about because of an incident that happened in Brigand's Bay in Frisco last January. Someone shot off bottle rockets in winds that were gusting over 30 mph and caught their neighbor's lawn on fire. The yard was destroyed, but fortunately, there was no damage to the house.
There will be public fireworks displays on July 4th at the Avon Pier and at Ramp 55 in Hatteras Village. Festivities in Avon will begin at 5 pm with a pig-pickin' and fireworks around 9:30 pm. The Hatteras fireworks will begin just after sunset. – Shelby Kinnaird
Most rental companies now include language in their leases stating that, if you violate the fireworks laws, you will be asked to vacate your rental home immediately (no refunds). If the police get involved, you may also have to pay a $250 fine.
The ban came about because of an incident that happened in Brigand's Bay in Frisco last January. Someone shot off bottle rockets in winds that were gusting over 30 mph and caught their neighbor's lawn on fire. The yard was destroyed, but fortunately, there was no damage to the house.
There will be public fireworks displays on July 4th at the Avon Pier and at Ramp 55 in Hatteras Village. Festivities in Avon will begin at 5 pm with a pig-pickin' and fireworks around 9:30 pm. The Hatteras fireworks will begin just after sunset. – Shelby Kinnaird
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