Beautiful weather

The weather is absolutely gorgeous today. A light east, northeast wind, exception clarity to the air, and just cool enough to be very pleasant. I must say that there seems to be still a large number of tourist here for this time of year. The roads are still packed and the restuarants still very busy. I can't tell that there has been ANY lessening to the crowds just yet. That is unusual for this late into August. The retailers should be happy this year.
Our schools started back today, so the buses and parents had to work around the visiting population. We have been blessed this year not to have any "tropical" visitors (hurricanes) so maybe the shoulder season this year for tourism will still be good.

Pirates' Cove Tourny ends on record note

The Sea Hag remained the top dog at the end of the Pirate's Cove annual billfish tournament. With 1217 + points, the boat stayed at the dock the last day, but still remained the leader at the end of the day. Record numbers of fish were hooked and released at this year's tourny due to the combination of the light northeast wind and the filling moon, which brings in the marlin to feed. Well over 500 billfish were hooked and released resulting in also a record single prize purse at Pirate's Cove. The Sea Hag team took top honors in six of eight catagories which netted them over half a million dollars in prize money. Also according to the Bacardi rep a record $20000 in rum was consumed at the bar! A good time was had by all!
The Sea Hag is a 61' Blackwell locally built Carolina sportfisher boat.

Santa arrives on the Sea Hag

Checked in on the Pirates' Cove Tourny yesterday afternoon. The Sea Hag regained the overall boat leadership. Almost 400 white marlin have been hooked and released through yesterday. Groups of spectators lined the docks around 5 pm yesterday to cheer on the boats as they arrived back into port. As I was walking on down the docks, a particularly loud cheering caught my attention. I turned to watch as the leader, Sea Hag, arrived, with none other than the jolly old elf himself aboard in full regalia. No wonder they are the leader-- they have Santa! And me without a camera!

Lots of catch and release at Pirates Cove Tourny

We turned into Pirates Cove yesterday on the way home and saw lots of blue and white flags flying. It looks like the tournament is a huge success this year. The weather has been good and the turnout very good. As of Wednesday, 311 whites have been caught, and 18 blues. Almost all were released. I wanted to get a picture or two, but there was NO place to park! The overflow had already spilled across the main highway and they were parking on the road to the state boatramp under the bridge!

Large wave sets today, Irene off the coast

The waves were rolling in nice large sets today, with tropical storm Irene sitting off the coast a few hundred miles. Southern Shores beaches near high tide today still hosted a number of swimmers enjoying the waves amid screams of glee.

Art show in Manteo

The annual Outdoor Art Show was held in downtown Manteo August 10 & 11. The weather was mostly cooperative, although a bit hot. At least it did not pour down rain all day each day. There were quite a number of artists exhibiting many trades from jewelry to painting to photography to wood carvings and more. The booths were lining the waterfront boardwalk.



It was interesting to see that only a very few of the booths were by local artists. One of my favorite people in the world, Mr. Ellie Grumiaux, was one of the watercolor exhibitors. Here's Ellie with some of his work.



Ellie does excellent watercolor and pen and ink pieces depicting historical buildings and scenes around the Outer Banks, and surrounding areas. His pieces can be found on exhibit at the Greenleaf Gallery in Duck, and at the Seaside Art Gallery in Nags Head.
See Link at Seaside Art Gallery- Grumiaux Ellie also does commission work. He can paint a portrait of your special beach cottage or favorite Outer Banks landmark. Ellie and his wife, Wray, reside in Southern Shores.

Sunset was beautiful tonight

Sunset over the Croatan Sound at the Dare County airport was quite striking tonight. It was more like a winter northwester sunset than summer time, but very much enjoyed. A light breeze was keeping things cool, and the shrimpers were hauling them in right offshore.

Rainy and yucky today

I haven't been out on the highway over on the beach yet, but today traffic coming into Manteo was backed up to the Midway intersection barely moving. Yucky day so everyone goes shopping! I know retailers pray for rain! I have to go up the beach later today and I'm sure traffic will be horrendous. But we are glad all these visitors are here! Traffic in the summer here is just a fact of life.

Update at 6:45pm: Made it up and back. Got up to an amazing 29 mph in French Fry alley on the return trip! Good going!

Foodlion: re comment: I have not had a really bad problem in the stores this year. For some reason they have been fairly slack of traffic when I've been there, and no, I don't go at 1:30 in the morning! Ususally Saturday afternoon at 5 pm, believe it or not, at the Southern Shores Marketplace store is NOT bad at all! The Nags Head store and Kill Devil stores always seem to have more traffic to me at all hours than the Marketplace store, but then that shopping center is going down anyway, due to the management's decision to run all small businesses out and have only national chains there. Foot traffic is WAY down there. Okay, off the soap box!

Weekend report

The weather has been hot but pretty much dry except for the occasional thunderstorm which wanders by. The crowds are still here despite many schools both north and south of us going back this Monday. The traffic was "average" this weekend, that is to say, not more backed up or slow than in years past. The evenings are pleasant especially near the water.
Last evening we had the occasion to visit with some friends who were staying in an oceanfront hotel in Kill Devil Hills for the weekend. We sat by the pool until after dark and the bugs were not bad, the breeze was pleasing, the children enjoyed the pool until we drug them out. My friends' opinion was interesting on the subject of staying in the oceanfront hotel. They won't be doing it again. This was their first time here in season and they thought THAT'S where IT was at. The kids didn't enjoy the beach at all, wanted to stay in the pool ALL the time. The attractions they wanted to see were elsewhere requiring a drive. Downtown Manteo was their favorite. The dad summed it up with his comment, "I don't understand why anyone would want to spend $300 a night on an oceanfront hotel!"
I realize it is just one opinion, but he went on to say that he has been told many small motels on the oceanfront south of the Outer Banks (near Sunset beach, etc) are just not making it either. He indicated that they had found it no problem whatsoever to get a reservation for four nights, including a weekend here oceanfront, even with short notice. It is no wonder the developers are so easily talking those owners both here and there into selling out.
I did find their perspective on the oceanfront stay quite eyeopening. Not every family who comes to the Outer Banks craves those old mom and pop motels. Not everyone wants to be oceanfront. I suppose it is a good thing that diversity in accommodations exists to serve all who want to be here.

Sea Oatel bites the dust

While in Nags Head today I took a few pics of the demo of the Sea Oatel across from Owens restaurant. I noted the new sign which advertises the oceanfront lots for sale. They have not been listed in the MLS yet, so I don't know a price.

NOW, it's beautiful weather!

Yesterday was gorgeous and today is promising to be equally so. The early morning temp was a very pleasant 72 degrees and the sun is shining brightly. Yesterday afternoon late the puffy little unthreatening clouds made for a colorful sunset all over the sky. It's a wonderful day at the beach!