All of us Outer Bankers thank you, the Bikers, for making the 8th Annual Outer Banks Bike Week the most successful ever! I am going to miss the “thunder” of bikes passing non-stop by our office on the 158 bypass. I used to ride – on the back of a boyfriend’s bike. I know, to most of you that’s not riding at all, but it sure was fun.
The Outer Banks is a special location to bike as you have so many choices of places to go to actually “ride.” You can go from North to South on NC 12 from Corolla to Hatteras. You can go from the Currituck Mainland on Hwy 158 through Kitty Hawk to Nags Head and over to Manteo and Manns Harbor via Hwy 64. All of those rides include crossing over bridges with breathtaking views of ocean, sound, marsh, and marinas. If you happen to be on one of those bridges at sunrise or sunset – well – that’s a special bonus.
Yes, when you come here you can ride for miles and miles and not just be on a “busy commercial strip” rolling along in traffic, often with your feet on the ground. I am going to share some of the great rides you might want to take while exploring the Outer Banks.
The heart of the commercial area on the Outer Banks is the 17 mile area from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head, with the town of Kill Devil Hills nestled in the middle. There are 2 roads through this area: the five laned 158 bypass with a speed limit of 50 MPH and parallel to that a few blocks toward the ocean is Hwy 12, better known as the beach road. Hwy 12 is actually the original road before the bypass was built. The speed limit on the beach road is 35 MPH.
From this heart of the Outer Banks you can branch off in four different directions. First, if you go north on NC 12, you will ride from Kitty Hawk for 20 miles on a 2 lane road through Southern Shores, Duck, and Corolla to where the road ends at Carova Beach. That is where the 4 wheel drive area begins and you would find wild Spanish mustangs. I don’t think you can ride a motorcycle in that area though some may have tried. This ride from Kitty Hawk is a beautiful ride through live oaks and outer banks windswept bushes. The speed limit varies from 45 MPH to 35 MPH. The Village of Duck has a 25 MPH speed limit for a couple of miles. There are many S curves in the Corolla area that you must respect when biking. This is not a high traffic area and allows for an enjoyable journey. For that person on the back of your bike, there are quaint shops and restaurants all along the way.
The second expedition you might wish to take is the southern route on NC 12 from Nags Head to Hatteras. That is about a 60 mile trip on Hatteras Island through the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and the town of Hatteras. At the end of the road in Hatteras is the sound. You can take a ferry over to Ocracoke Island if you wish. The speed limit on Hatteras Island varies from 55 MPH through unpopulated areas to 35 MPH through the villages. The greatest thrill of this ride is over the Oregon Inlet Bridge which is a high span with a view of ocean, sound and a strip of island for miles and miles. Once you cross the bridge into the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge you will ride for miles through nothing but nature and get a feel for the real beauty of this Outer Banks landscape and wildlife.
The third excursion you would surely take is on 158 north across a bridge to the Currituck Mainland to farmland and wine country. There is also a large Harley Davidson franchise which has lots to do and see during bike week. The speed limit on 158 through Currituck is 55 MPH. By the way, that area is home to the famous Grave Digger Monster Trucks and they have a shop and diner there as well as truck rides. Highway 158 North takes you to Virginia.
Bike Week would not be complete without traveling from Nags Head on Hwy 64 over a bridge to Manteo and then crossing over the 5.5 mile bridge to Manns Harbor. At the foot of the bridge, turn left to Vertigo Tattoo. This is the birthplace of the Outer Banks Bike Week. There are bands, vendors, and bike acrobatics to be seen every day throughout the week. You might want to get your latest, greatest tattoo here. Say Hi to my daughter Gigi who is one of their tattoo artists. Highway 64 West takes you to Rocky Mount/Raleigh.
If you missed any of these side trips during your last visit to the Outer Banks – come back and see more of our area. We appreciate your visit and hope we can assist you with your vacation plans next April or anytime between now and then. Until then, ride hard and be safe!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Preserve Beach Access Cape Hatteras
Access to America’s beaches is being threatened by misguided environmental groups who want to prohibit, or severely restrict, the right of people to continue the responsible use of this environment. Generations of people have a heritage of enjoying ocean activities, and sharing these with their children, in a way that has always promoted balance with nature. These traditions include fishing, swimming, surfing, bird watching, beach walking and other reasonable activities which are now at risk.
Serious attacks are now being made to severely limit and restrict beach access at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Recreational Area (CHNSRA). These efforts have hurt the local economy of Dare County, North Carolina and disrupted a way of life for dedicated people with a proven history of caring for the environment.
You can make a difference. Discover on the website http://www.preservebeachaccess.org/ ways you can help Preserve Access to America’s Beaches.
The public comment period is now underway for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This long awaited document will determine the future of beach access for the next 10 to 15 years. Because of its importance to our future, public participation is crucial. We need people across the country to make public comments and, if possible, attend public hearings.
Attached and listed below is a colorful ad about the need for public comments before the May 11th deadline. More information is available at http://www.preservebeachaccess.org/.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Top 10 Reasons to choose a Vacation Rental over a Hotel
Vacation Rentals are becoming increasingly popular with vacationers world-wide. The benefits of choosing a vacation rental over a hotel are numerous but here is a list of our top ten reasons why you should choose a vacation rental over a hotel on your next vacation. If you like what you read, take the next step to planning your next vacation in a vacation rental on the Outer Banks with Beach Realty & Construction - Kitty Hawk Rentals! Visit us at http://www.beachrealtync.com/.
10. Privacy - A vacation rental provides you the privacy you seek. Unlike hotels with strangers in every hall and in rooms adjacent to yours, with a vacation rental the only people you'll run into are those you choose to bring along.
9. Spaciousness - Unlike cramped hotel rooms, vacation rentals most often have many rooms as well as a yard and sometimes a private pool for you to enjoy. The spaciousness of vacation rentals allows you to bring your entire family or group of friends along with you.
8. Peace & Quiet - Too often in hotels you can hear everything that goes on in the rooms near you and in the hall outside your door. If you are seeking peace & quiet from a vacation then a vacation rentals is the way to go.
7. Security - There is no need to hide your valuables everytime you leave the home (Just make sure you lock the doors behind you). No employees or maids will enter the home during your stay unless you request us.
6. Kitchen - Vacation Homes have fully equipped kitchens! This means that you do not have to spend all your money eating breakfast, lunch and dinner out. You can save money by buying groceries and have plenty of food to munch on during your week vacation.
5. Amenities - Many vacation homes are loaded with amenities such as; pool tables, video games, jacuzzi tubs, foosball, kayaks, beach chairs, bicycles, basketball, DVD & video libraries, books, fireplace, grills, foosball, air hockey, card table, dart board, and so much more, even private pools & hot tubs! Each vacation rental has its own unique amenities that are yours to use during your stay. It is rare that you find this many amenities in a hotel room.
4. Availability - The Outer Banks has some 80,000 vacation rentals for you to choose from while we only have a handful of hotels. So even if you are looking for a last minute trip or a long weekend stay, there is an excellent chance that there is a vacation rental that will suite your groups' needs.
3. Diversity - Unlike hotels where every room is basically the same, each and every vacation rental is unique in it's own way. We have homes with 2 to 10 bedrooms, Oceanfront to Soundfront (and everywhere in between), Pet-friendly, Handicap accesibility. It is highly likely that you will find a vacation home so perfect for your family/group that you will return to that home year after year!
2. Pet-friendly - In my experience it is extremely difficult to bring your dog on vacation to a hotel - even if the hotel allows dogs - I still feel bad knowing my dog will be cramped up in a small room with me for a week. Many vacation rentals allow you to bring your pets for a minimal fee so that you will never have to leave your pooch home.
1. Affordability - Vacation rentals are absolutely, no doubt about it, the best deal for your dollar. While each hotel room can normally only sleep 4 at most, our vacation rentals can sleep up to 22 in one home with no extra charge per person. Each vacation rental is priced differently, depending on size, amenities, location, etc. so even if you are on a small budget you can surely find a vacation rental with all of the above.
Here is an example breakdown:
You are a family of 5 and you want to bring your parents as well as two of your teenager's friends on vacation, making your group count 9. The typical hotel room, let's say, costs $200/night. Your parents want their own room and so does your teenager with his/her two friends as well as you and your significant other and the other two kids. That is 4 hotel rooms.
4 hotel rooms for 7 nights at $200/night = $5600.
Now let me show you an example of a vacation rental in that same price range:
10. Privacy - A vacation rental provides you the privacy you seek. Unlike hotels with strangers in every hall and in rooms adjacent to yours, with a vacation rental the only people you'll run into are those you choose to bring along.
9. Spaciousness - Unlike cramped hotel rooms, vacation rentals most often have many rooms as well as a yard and sometimes a private pool for you to enjoy. The spaciousness of vacation rentals allows you to bring your entire family or group of friends along with you.
8. Peace & Quiet - Too often in hotels you can hear everything that goes on in the rooms near you and in the hall outside your door. If you are seeking peace & quiet from a vacation then a vacation rentals is the way to go.
7. Security - There is no need to hide your valuables everytime you leave the home (Just make sure you lock the doors behind you). No employees or maids will enter the home during your stay unless you request us.
6. Kitchen - Vacation Homes have fully equipped kitchens! This means that you do not have to spend all your money eating breakfast, lunch and dinner out. You can save money by buying groceries and have plenty of food to munch on during your week vacation.
5. Amenities - Many vacation homes are loaded with amenities such as; pool tables, video games, jacuzzi tubs, foosball, kayaks, beach chairs, bicycles, basketball, DVD & video libraries, books, fireplace, grills, foosball, air hockey, card table, dart board, and so much more, even private pools & hot tubs! Each vacation rental has its own unique amenities that are yours to use during your stay. It is rare that you find this many amenities in a hotel room.
4. Availability - The Outer Banks has some 80,000 vacation rentals for you to choose from while we only have a handful of hotels. So even if you are looking for a last minute trip or a long weekend stay, there is an excellent chance that there is a vacation rental that will suite your groups' needs.
3. Diversity - Unlike hotels where every room is basically the same, each and every vacation rental is unique in it's own way. We have homes with 2 to 10 bedrooms, Oceanfront to Soundfront (and everywhere in between), Pet-friendly, Handicap accesibility. It is highly likely that you will find a vacation home so perfect for your family/group that you will return to that home year after year!
2. Pet-friendly - In my experience it is extremely difficult to bring your dog on vacation to a hotel - even if the hotel allows dogs - I still feel bad knowing my dog will be cramped up in a small room with me for a week. Many vacation rentals allow you to bring your pets for a minimal fee so that you will never have to leave your pooch home.
1. Affordability - Vacation rentals are absolutely, no doubt about it, the best deal for your dollar. While each hotel room can normally only sleep 4 at most, our vacation rentals can sleep up to 22 in one home with no extra charge per person. Each vacation rental is priced differently, depending on size, amenities, location, etc. so even if you are on a small budget you can surely find a vacation rental with all of the above.
Here is an example breakdown:
You are a family of 5 and you want to bring your parents as well as two of your teenager's friends on vacation, making your group count 9. The typical hotel room, let's say, costs $200/night. Your parents want their own room and so does your teenager with his/her two friends as well as you and your significant other and the other two kids. That is 4 hotel rooms.
4 hotel rooms for 7 nights at $200/night = $5600.
Now let me show you an example of a vacation rental in that same price range:
This Oceanfront, 4 Bedroom beauty is located in Southern Shores with a Private Pool, Hot Tub, Pool Table, Fireplace, Poker Table, Rec room, wireless internet and more! PLUS the rental rate is from $995 to $5095. So as you can see, with vacation rentals you get MUCH more for your dollar.
Contact us today at 800-635-1559 or http://www.beachrealtync.com/
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Spear Fishing On the Outer Banks, NC
Equipment - Minimum investment needed and all the gear lasts for years. You will need a pair of swim fins (can be purchased at any surf shop, we recommend Whalebone Surf shop in Nags Head), a dive mask and snorkel which can be purchased at Wal-Mart or one of the many one-stop-shops on the Outer Banks, a net bag and a Hawaiian Sling which you will need to purchase at the Outer Banks Dive Center across form Jockeys Ridge.
Where – There are many optimal spots along the Outer Banks, NC for spear fishing. There is the exposed boiler across from the Ranger Station on Pea Island (this one is pretty secluded so you may need a Kayak to access), Kitty Hawk Pier, the Research Pier in Duck, the Second St. wreck in Kill Devil Hills and the wreck across from Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk. Some of these spots are further out then others and may need a surfboard for access.
How – The process is simple, you simply attach the bag to a ten or twelve foot rope or leash and swim out to your desired fishing area. Once you are there, dive down with your spear drawn and stay as still as possible; when a larger fish gets close, hold out the spear as close to the fish as possible and release. Then, swim to the surface with the fish on the spear, remove and place in the bag. Dinner is served.
You can expect to shoot triggerfish, sheepshead, striped bass and occasionally a drum or even better a cobia. I have personally shot fish in the 30 lb range and can attest that the exhilaration of manually handling a fish that large in open water is an experience you will not likely forget. If you have questions, feel free to give us a call. If you do give spear fishing a shot, spread out your fishing in different areas so one does not get over fished. Most of all have fun and be safe!
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