Enough already with the rain!

Raining again today most all day. Enough! This stalled out front needs to move on out soon. Traffic is very heavy as everyone is off the beach searching for some other entertainment. I think I'd rather have the hot Bermuda high instead of this!
Grass is watered and in hyper-grow mode. Vegetables in the garden are nearly drowned. Could use a bit more sunshine now.

Update on the new Hilton in Kitty Hawk

Here's a pic taken Saturday from the beach road. It's getting bigger and bigger, a much larger footprint than I thought at first.



And another a bit closer.

Massive thunderstorms roll thru

A massive thunderstorm complex just rolled thru the Outer Banks. Extreme lightening and heavy rain in Manteo. Power out for a brief time. Gust front went thru first with high straight line winds. I heard sirens for a time, but don't know any details. At 7pm it has passed to the south of us now. A quick, mighty deluge with lots of lightening, and then it's gone.

Beach day on July 4 & Man O War

On the beach at Hatteras Island July 4, 2005, we saw this Portugese Man O War washed up in the surf. They used to be fairly common on the Outer Banks beaches, but usually in cooler weather. It was unusual to see one this early in the season. Beware the tenacles of this creature if you see one floating in the water or on the beach. They do pack a whopple of a sting!

Typical, usual summer week here

There's not a whole lot exciting going on down here right now. It's the typical hot hazy summer weather with many visitors on the road. I try to stay home as much as possible to avoid the traffic. Did try one new restaurant this week and suffice it to say, once is enough, so I won't mention it by name. Might be fine for some, but not for me, and not for most of the visitors looking for nice seafood dinners.
Traffic is heavy but no worse than any other year.
I did hear the funniest complaint from a rental guest this week that I've ever heard:
This was through another rental agency, by word of mouth.
The guest called in about the noise outside around their cottage and wondered if the agency could do something. Upon investigation it was noted that they were westside near a swamp and the bullfrogs were singing their hearts out! I believe the agency said they had no control over the frogs. Goes to show what some will complain about!

Hot, Humid and slightly windy

It is definitely summertime here on the Outer Banks. The Hot, Hazy, Humid, usual forecast of summer certainly holds true today. It is a bit windy, which makes you look up to see why occasionally. Glad it's not because we are bracing as is Key West tonight in anticipation of Dennis! One of those (1999) is enough!

Fireworks in Manteo

The fireworks celebration was average and a bit late last night in Manteo. Earlier in the day many turned out for the day long festivites, and staked out a place on the waterfront for the show.


We watched the fireworks from the deck of the Waterfront complex across the harbor from IcePlant island where they shoot the main show. I wanted to see if I could get a pic of the Elizabeth Two ship under the display.

Fourth at the beach

The Fourth of July was a picture perfect chamber of commerce day on the Outer Banks. We spent it at the beach! Never let it be said the beaches are overcrowded here--you just have to know where to go (as evidenced by the following pic!)


It was just us and the Oyster Catchers!

Traffic "normal"

This hyping of the Outer Banks as one of the worst spots for traffic snarrels is just that.... hype. It is no worse than it has been in the last five years. It is no worse on the fourth of July weekend than on any other weekend in the mid summer. I kinda get tired of the posters on other boards constantly reporting on the traffic like it's a new event, and of the Weather Channel reporting this as if it never existed before! It is summer, and everyone, just like you, wants to be HERE! So there's a bit of traffic, big deal! I have had people who live in DC and New York tell me this is NOTHING compared to what they deal with on a daily basis. I guess I get a bit tired of those who want to "Doomsay" the Outer Banks, because in the end, it will do no good. Many, many will come, and we will be GLAD to have them here!
And oh yeah, the fourth of July is NOT THE busiest week here. When I was in the rental management business, it was not unusual at all to have a few vacancies on the week of the Fourth. The busiest time is mid to late July, when EVERY house is filled and the retailers and restaurantuers are HAPPY!