Dr. Beach Picks Cape Hatteras as #8

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, aka "Dr. Beach," has announced his Best Beaches List for 2008 and Cape Hatteras comes in at #8. The Tampa Tribune-Times says "Leatherman's list of America's Best Beaches has become to the seashore what the Oscar is to actors and movies."

Here's the complete list:
1. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
2. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
5. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
7. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
8. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
9. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Restaurant Changes

On your trip to Hatteras Island this year, you'll notice a number of changes on the restaurant scene.

Pickled Steamer is now Cafe 12 (Avon). They bill themselves as the "Home of the Hatteras Flat" which is similar to Pickled Steamer's flattop. They have a lot of menu items similar to Pickled Steamer, but have added more home-cooking type food.

Hodad's is now the Avon Cafe. Their menu is more interesting and they make all of their own desserts and breads.

Wahini's is now Island Perks (Buxton). Wahini's closed last Oct. and the owner of Uncle Eddy's custard opened Island Perks, a coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch. The space has been expanded and there is more seating than there was at Wahini's.

Buoy's (Buxton) is now primarily a BBQ place. Instead of being a sit-down-and-be-waited-on place, you go up to the counter and place your order, then they deliver it to your table.

The sub shop at Sandbar & Grille (Buxton) that had the world's best hot Italian sub is gone. The upstairs restaurant is still there, but the downstairs area is now a game room.

The Fish House (Buxton) is under new management and has a new menu.

New Pub in Town

There's a new pub serving Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands – publication, that is. The Island Free Press is an independent newspaper locally edited by Irene Nolan. Irene was the editor of the Island Breeze for many, many years.

The Island Free Press publishes news online about Hatteras and Ocracoke that is "up to date and down to earth." Currently there's a very interesting story about the Mirlo Beach area and the struggle between the NC Department of Transportation and homeowners there.

The Island Free Press also publishes slide shows that highlight the work of the area's many gifted photographers. You can see pictures of surfing during Tropical Storm Noel, Santa sightings, the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club fishing tournament and much more.

Visit the Island Free Press at www.islandfreepress.org. - Shelby Kinnaird

Hwy. 12 in Ocracoke to be closed Jan. 2 - March 15

Hwy. 12 on Ocracoke Island will be closed between the National Park Service campground and the Pony Pens from Jan. 2 through March 15, 2008. There will be a three mile detour on the beach for 4WD vehicles only. Other vehicles will need to use the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferries.

The closure is necessary in order to replace seven wooden bridges with wider concrete structures.

Liquor by the drink defeated

Hatteras Island residents voted on the liquor by the drink referendum on Nov. 6, 2007. Unofficial results were 855 against and 657 for. Beer and wine only will continue to be served at the island's restaurants.

Wahini's Bites the Dust

One of the best places on the island for live music is no more. Wahini's Surf Grill in Buxton closed its doors for good in late October 2007. Ruth Wyand, one of our favorites, was the last featured musical artist.

Rick's favorite Wahini's story is the one where a young waitress asked him if he wanted dessert. He said "I'd like to hear what you have, but then we're going to Uncle Eddy's for ice cream." The waitress said "I'm not going to waste my time then." Rick was, uncharacteristically, speechless. A few minutes later, the waitress walked by our table with a very large piece of chocolate cake that would make any food stylist proud. "See what you could have had?" she asked him. Boy, did she have his number.

Speaking of Uncle Eddy's ... Isaac, the owner, has opened a coffee shop called Island Perks in the Wahini's location. He features coffee drinks and all kinds of freshly baked goodies. I was in there around 3 pm today and the white chocolate raspberry scones had just come out of the oven. I didn't have one, but I certainly was tempted.

Rumor has it that some of the Wahini's folks are going to start a mobile catering business that tracks along with the surfing competitions along the East Coast. Keep an eye out for them. – Shelby Kinnaird

Another Day, another Wonderful Mystery

Another Day, Another Wonderful Mystery

September 4, 2007

Yesterday was another fabulous sunset over the Pamlico Sound here on Hatteras Island. The sun could be seen as a big red ball as it began its rapid descent into the water to the west. Through the old oaks we could see the shimmering trail of orange and pink on the dimpled water.

Slightly to the south the water was still, almost glassy, then: What was that?- something jumped. Something disturbed the surface of the water, then again, and again. There were no birds flying - no ducks or seagulls on the surface of the water. But the water was alive with ripples and splashes. We had to investigate. We walked over to the bulkhead of our rental house, Sound Mind and Body. We stood near the edge and watched. Forty feet out for the length of the bulkhead and extending to the water in front of either neighbor’s house the water was alive with random splashes and ripples. Generally, it was a quick little movement and set of ripples, as if a fish had come to the surface, turned on its side, and plunged back into the water. Once or twice we heard the slap of what we thought was something bigger, only to turn to see a large rippling disturbance of water where we had not been looking.

The sun had set; but the horizon was still light in horizontal bands of gray and orange and darkening blue. You could see the silver look of the water to the horizon, shimmering. There were a few paths of still water through that shimmering dimpled water that cut diagonally to the horizon. I could see the curve of the earth on the horizon and lines shooting diagonally to meet it. It looked like a giant exercise in illustrating the vanishing point.

All the while the water was disturbed in front of us. It was quiet except for the random plop from whatever was moving under the surface of the water. The jet skis and the birds had called it a day. Every minute or so a disturbance would emanate from a spot and there would be trails shooting in four or six directions; often in a narrow field, as if a bottle rocket had been set off and exploded just under the surface hurtling its flames in the same general direction. Were we watching one group of fish being chased by some bigger ones? Did a big fish move into a group of little ones and did the little ones all jump at once?

We didn’t know. But in the quiet and the cool of the evening it was quite a show and one that had no doubt been repeated for years and years before. Every sunset is different. Every morning brings new surprises. When I was younger I didn’t realize this. I didn’t appreciate it. Now, thank goodness, I do.

Rick Kinnaird