Outer Banks Journal

Hwy 12 OPEN at 5:30 TODAY, Oct 10, 2011

2011-10-10T16:45:00.002-05:00

After the dignitaries make their way across the new bridge for the very first time, it will be open to the public. Thanks to all who worked tirelessly day and NIGHT to finish this project.

Hwy 12 repair timeline info- DOT Site

2011-09-03T16:36:00.003-05:00

Here is a link to the NC Dot site that will provide info on HWY 12 repair and timeline:

HWY 12 Info on repair

Highway 12 to Hatteras not an easy fix

2011-08-31T08:14:00.000-05:00

Here's a link to a story in the News and Observer about Hwy 12. Looks like it could be a while to get that one open again. I listened to some folks on Beach 104 radio yesterday from Avon. They were just so glad to see the big gennies arive at the Avon fire station, so maybe their village can finally have some limited power. The main power lines to Hatteras Island ran with the highway and were severed when the inlet was cut. There is a ferry now taking supply trucks to Hatteras Island, so they can get the groceries and Ace hardward restocked.

Hwy 12 no easy fix

Broad summary of Hurricane Irene damage on the Outer Banks, NC

2011-08-30T09:13:00.000-05:00

The biggest damage by far came from soundside flooding. The height of the water reached record levels, even surpassing the previous marks set in Hurricane Donna in 1960. Many businesses in downtown Manteo were flooded. Many homes near the sound on Roanoke Island, and westside homes in all the towns along the Outer Banks took record flooding. Highway 12 was undermined in Duck and took several days to temporarily patch to allow traffic north of Sunset Grille. On the other end of 12, several new breaches in the road occurred on Hatteras Island, as well as Ocracoke. There is a new inlet cut in Pea Island, completely down thru the base layer, with ocean/sound water running in and out with every tide. This will not be an easy fix. Timelines look to be in weeks, if not months. There is a ferry service being established, but as of now, it will be for essential personnel and goods to get to Hatteras Island. Over 2500 residents are cutoff from supplies at the moment, on an island of their own. There is a strict curfew in place there, even to the extent of the Coast Guard patrolling the waters nearby to keep boats from landing unauthorized.
Things could have been worse, but for those hit, it seems like a mighty bad time right now.

At first light

2011-08-28T06:21:00.000-05:00

Even more trees came down after dark in my yard. No house damage though. The radio is a nonstop blur of reports of damage. Water got to neck deep in front of Manteo Booksellers last night. In Nags Head all the jetskis at those two watersports business were left just up on land, and are now all over the bypass. The causeway to Nags Head of course was completely underwater. There is a truck stuck there which tried to turn around last night, and the water completely covered it at one point. I saw the fire dept going out about 7pm in their deuce and a half, probably to rescue the driver, among others.
There was flooding in places that people did not expect, so there will be major cleanup and lots of damage.
Off to assess what I can of my various business assets today and of course take lots of pics. Will report when I return.

Epic flooding

2011-08-27T20:05:00.000-05:00

Major, major flooding in Manteo, and in other soundside areas of the Outer Banks. I took tons of pics but don't have internet capacity to deal with them tonight. Dudes were kayaking and paddleboarding in the streets of Manteo tonight!

Winds are clocking around now

2011-08-27T15:11:00.002-05:00

The eye is located 12 miles nw of Roanoke Island out in the Albemarle Sound. The winds are coming around almost straight S right now. A bit ago we took a ride around Manteo, and I've never, ever seen the water in the sounds around the island so LOW! It's all blown up on Elizabeth City and westside of the sound. When the wind comes round it will be back here with a vengeance. I posted a few pics over on the board.

Lost power for a bit

2011-08-27T12:08:00.001-05:00

Had a brief power outage, but back now, sorta. Gusts as high as 66 at Manteo, higher at Cape Hatteras. Wind is clocking around on Hatteras Island now, expecting the tide to rush back in there most anytime. We are in a relatively "dry" spot right now. Lots of tree limbs down all over the yard and neighborhood. Expecting the eye near here around 5pm, then the shift in winds.

Winds now

2011-08-27T08:27:00.000-05:00

Winds at Manteo airport gusting to 66 now. Steady heavy rain. Some power flickers.
Steadily falling barometer. Just heard a transformer pop somewhere in the distance.

Winds at Buxton

2011-08-27T07:52:00.001-05:00

Gusts to 74 knots (85 mph) at Billy Mitchell airport in Buxton, about 20 mins. ago.

Saturday morn

2011-08-27T06:52:00.002-05:00

7:51 am still got power at this point. The hardest winds of the core have not yet reached us. Eye is making landfall down over Cape Lookout and tracking up the sound. I will say this again: The worst possible situation for soundside flooding is coming to pass. Tracking just like Hurricane Donna in 1960. The east winds push all the water to the west side of the sound for hours and then when the eye passes it all releases in one swift gush and rushes back toward the outer barrier islands. Winds have so far gusted to 53 at the airport in Manteo.

A little breeze, little rain

2011-08-26T18:39:00.002-05:00

Been raining for about an hour now, lightly. A little breezy out there too. Took a ride down to the "bridge turn" just now and I have never seen so many cars from the town of Manteo proper parked out near the highway where the ground is a bit higher. Everyone seems to be taking the tide threat seriously. Darrell's has sandbagged their parking lot. Almost all the businesses have closed for the storm duration now.

Nothing really to report yet

2011-08-26T13:27:00.000-05:00

It is overcast, but relatively quiet here so far. Very light breeze. Plenty of weather coming though.

Hurricane Irene - more updates here

2011-08-25T07:19:00.000-05:00

I will be posting here on the blog and also on the Outer Banks Board tropical forum which can be found HERE:
Outer Banks Board
BOOKMARK IT!

HOT HOT HOT!!

2011-07-21T08:47:00.001-05:00

Heat indexes over 100 degrees this week. What a week to be at the beach!

Still have one hot summer week available

2011-06-05T16:11:00.004-05:00

We still have a single hot summer week available in Outer Banks Vacation Homes. It is in Midas Touch, and is for Aug 6-13. Get it before it's gone! UPDATE: NOW RENTED!!! Thanks.

Midas Touch

A little snow today

2011-02-10T15:06:00.000-05:00

See a few pics here:

Outer Banks Board post about snow

Elizabeth II comes home

2011-02-03T16:26:00.000-05:00

After being away for maintenance, the Elizabeth II ship came home to Manteo today.
Even without the sails, it is great to see her on open water!

Another very busy rental season shaping up

2011-01-28T16:17:00.001-05:00

Once again the upcoming rental season looks to be very very strong. Our rentals have experienced an influx of reservations in the last two weeks, and there are not many inseason weeks left! If you have any thoughts of coming to the Outer Banks this summer, you better get busy and find your perfect rental!

Outer Banks Vacation Homes for Rent

A new look

2011-01-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in quite some time, so I thought I'd give the blog a bit of a new look. Hopefully the weather will be warming up soon, and I can get back out there to get some new pics to post.

THE best rental season ever coming up

2010-03-30T17:54:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the fact that NO new large beach houses have been built here in FIVE years, we have the BEST rental season we have had in many, many years shaping up this season. All the hot summer weeks are booked at full price already except for one lone week (July 17th if anyone wants it) and did not have to listen to a single "woulda take"!!!! So if you haven't yet booked that special Outer Banks getaway that you've been waiting for, better do it soon, and don't haggle! Supply is DOWN Demand is UP!!!

The big storm

2009-11-11T18:47:00.003-05:00

Well, it's Wednesday night and we are expecting two-three days of heavy winds, rains, and most devastating, the beach erosion. Many local news stations are already comparing this to the Halloween Storm of 91. The ocean is already riled up and I expect many of you have seen the coverage by the Weather Channel. I will be out tomorrow getting some pics.
At the first high tide of this storm today around 3pm the Rodanthe S Curves had just minor water on the road. Serendipity was still parked half in the surf and looked very forlorn on the webcam. Check back tomorrow for more updates.

Coldest night of the season tonight

2008-01-20T11:17:00.000-05:00

Predicted lows in the low 20's are expected tonight across the Outer Banks. It was about 37 this morning at daybreak and has been falling steadily. There has been only one brief snowshower with small flakes about 10 am so far in Manteo. Kitty Hawk reported sleet just before that.

Manteo Christmas parade 2007

2007-12-08T19:47:00.001-05:00

Here's the webpage of pics of today's Manteo Christmas Parade. Wonderful weather for this event!

Manteo Christmas Parade webpage

OBX Marathon

2007-11-11T19:40:00.000-05:00

The weather was pretty near perfect at least for running a marathon today! It was slightly cool, but clear and a nice north breeze. I shot a few pics downtown in Manteo at the finish line, and over on Festival Island at the post race party. Here's a couple: More over on the Board.

More here:
Outer Banks Board

We are in for some rough weather

2007-11-01T21:55:00.000-05:00

Looks like we will be having a little blow and a bit of high wave action on Friday into Saturday. We will be posting live updates in the Weather section of the Outer Banks Board which can be found here:

Outer Banks Board Weather forum

Can you ask for better weather?

2007-10-11T16:11:00.000-05:00

OMG! It is so gorgeous down here right now! Just a light breeze and temps just right. Not a cloud in the sky, which is just what the visitors want! We could use a little rain, but hey, I'll take the beautiful weather for a while longer and run the sprinklers! Now let's just hold off winter......

Fall weather is perfect here!

2007-10-10T15:57:00.000-05:00

Here it is almost the middle of October and the weather is still so summerlike it's hard to imagine. It has been downright hot the last week and only today have we seen just a little cooler temps. Just now I actually saw a raindrop or two---- what an unusual sight! I just hope we don't have instant winter now.

Unseasonably cool this coming week

2007-06-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

With highs not even forecast to touch 80 and winds generally out of the north, it will be unseasonable cool this week for our vacationers. No rain seems to be in the picture though. The evenings will be cool and breezy. Not exactly the best of beach weather, but at least it won't be so humid.

The season kicks off

2007-06-02T08:07:00.000-05:00

The week after Memorial Day weekend was dry and labored with a southeast wind, which cooled things down every evening. The roads were packed with early season vacationers. Restaurants were full to capacity every evening at dinnertime. The 2007 season appears to be off to a busy start.
Then just in time for the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, we are due to receive some most definitely needed rain from the season's second named storm, Barry. After it passes over the Florida peninsula later today, the system will track up the east coast and visit us on the Outer Banks Sunday into Monday. Skies are already overcast, and temperatures mild. We are expecting no real adverse weather, just some rain.

Lone Cedar restaurant burns to the ground

2007-05-02T16:40:00.000-05:00

The Lone Cedar Restaurant owned by Senator Marc Basnight burned to the ground early Tuesday morning to the shock of early passers by.
The fire dept was still there at 7:30 pm Tuesday night babysitting the smoldering pile. Here's a link to a thread on my board with a few pix.

Lone Cedar Pix

High Tide in Manteo

2007-04-16T14:41:00.000-05:00

I went downtown Manteo and took a few pics this early afternoon. We got a lot of sound tide as the winds came around to the west overnight and it continued to rise this morning. The pics are up on a new webpage:

HighTide in Manteo

Weather not too bad yet

2007-04-15T06:48:00.000-05:00

So far as of Sunday am at about 8, the wind has stayed out of the south and not over 19 knots. It looks like the low will actually pass us to the west and go out to sea over Norfolk, so the northeast part of the winds should not be too bad on the beach.

It's Spring!

2007-03-31T17:37:00.000-05:00

Well the restaurants are all opening up, and the traffic is increasing. The dogwoods are beginning to show their flowers. We've had fairly warm weather this spring, but an occasional cool spell too. It has been very very dry lately, and we desparately need some rain. Not what the upcoming Easter week vacationers want to hear!
The bridge battle to Hatteras Island is still in talks, more talks. The Nags Head referendum is just around the corner (April 17) on whether to approve bonds to pay for the town's beach nourishment project. There is a new Wings being built across from the outlet mall in Nags Head. Sam and Omie's is open again for the season. RV's on SugarCreek has delayed their opening while they are expanding their restaurant. I sure do miss their shrimp! Can't wait for opening day!

Beautiful sunset Wednesday evening

2007-03-01T21:16:00.000-05:00

Caught this one up in Kitty Hawk:

No sandbags at Rodanthe yet

2007-02-20T08:42:00.001-05:00

Proposed sandbags for the S curves area just north of Rodanthe have not appeared as of yesterday yet. The road is also to be moved west to buy a little more time. At the present the road in this area is in pretty bad shape.

New Outer Banks Board update

2007-02-14T15:05:00.000-05:00

I have finally had a chance to get the new software update on the board, so for the time being there are two boards, running side by side, for a few days until we get the new one running smoothly. After a day or two I will lock this one to posting and use it as an archive. Come on over to the new board and check things out! Lots and lots of new neat features! You will have to re-register to access some of the forums on it.

http://www.outerbanksboard.net

Snow

2007-01-29T08:49:00.000-05:00

A few pics from this morning in Manteo:

Warm year ending

2006-12-31T22:19:00.000-05:00

The temps have been rising all evening, and it looks like this year will end on a warm note:

Manteo Christmas Parade pics 2006

2006-12-23T16:19:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pics from the 2006 Manteo Christmas parade:

Manteo Christmas Parade pics

Wright Brothers celebration 2006

2006-12-23T16:16:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pics from the celebration December 17, 2006:

Wright Brothers celebration 2006

Record high temperatures set on the Outer Banks

2006-12-01T07:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we set a new record high temperature of 72 degrees for this day in history. The previous records was 71. Today we are also on track to break the standing record of 74 set in 1998. High temperatures today are expected to be 76! Of course tomorrow it is supposed to be 20 degrees colder! Enjoy it while you can if you are here.

Thanksgiving Storm pics album up now

2006-11-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

I have posted over 100 photos into an album showing three days of history of the Thanksgiving Storm 2006 on the Outer Banks.
See the post on the Outer Banks Board for the link.

Outer Banks Board post with picture album link

Winding up tight

2006-11-21T21:39:00.000-05:00

The Outer Banks is experiencing a rapidly developing nor'easter' right now, that is expected to hang out for a few days. I took a ride as far north as Southern Shores today, and got a few pics. Winds gusts have been as high as 56 mph here at the Manteo airport and reportedly higher further south. The Ocracoke ferry suspended operations early today, and left many stranded there. Some minor power outages have been reported. The rain did not start in earnest until close to dark, but has been steady and heavy since. Six inches is predicted. Thank goodness it is not freezing weather or we would be in blizzard conditions! Ocean overwash is expected all up and down the Outer Banks before this is over. Tides are higher than normal due to the moon cycle, and the next high tide is at about 7:30 am Wednesday.

See the pics taken on Tuesday before the rain on the Outer Banks Board here:

Outer Banks Board post

Another blow and heavy rain expected tonite

2006-11-15T18:15:00.000-05:00

Another hard south wind will be blowing over the Outer Banks tonight into tomorrow, with heavy rain predicted through tomorrow afternoon. It doesn't appear that this wind will have any west component to it, so perhaps it will not be the soundside flooding event that we had Sunday night into Monday morning.

A shot from above

2006-10-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

Last weekend the weather was beautiful on Sunday and we took this pic from the plane showing the Wright Brothers site as seen looking north to south. What struck me in reviewing this photo is that there is still quite a lot of "wooded" land on the Outer Banks as shown in this photo that is in a "protected" state, as in either the National Park Service or Nags Head Woods. This is a good thing. As developed as parts of the Outer Banks seem from the ground when riding down the bypass in the middle of summer, there is still a great deal of it left in its natural state.

New webpage of pics up

2006-10-10T14:11:00.000-05:00

I have a new webpage of pics up now on the Elizabethan Faire which was held in downtown Manteo this past weekend October 7 & 8.

Elizabethan Faire in Manteo

Kitty Hawk Heritage Festival

2006-10-04T09:13:00.000-05:00

Friday and Saturday, Kitty Hawk held its annual Heritage Festival. There was something for everyone, of all ages. The weather was great, and a good time was had by all.

Whalehead, Ocean Sands flooding aerial pics

2006-09-03T17:34:00.000-05:00

I put up a new page of aerial photos today of the flooding in Whalehead Beach, Ocean Sands, and Spindrift up in Corolla. Lots of homes uninhabitable and renters are having to be moved. It is a real nasty mess for some to clean up.

Flooding Aerial Pics

Ernesto update Sept 1

2006-09-01T14:18:00.000-05:00

Lots and lots of rain as elsewhere in the state, but otherwise not too damaged this time! Whewww!!!!!!!

More photos over on the board at:

Outer Banks Board

Morning after Ernesto

2006-09-01T04:52:00.000-05:00

Rainfall in the area amounted to about 10-12 inches and is not over as of this writing. Channel 13 news is reporting that Dare and Currituck County schools are both closed for Friday. The center of the storm at the moment is just about directly west of us inland about 100 miles. The heavy rainfall is the biggest problem. Once daylight gets here, I will be out with the camera.

Ernesto/ocean pics

2006-08-31T19:10:00.000-05:00

I put up a few pics taken Thursday afternoon around Nags Head and S. Nags Head over on
Outer Banks Board

Field of flags

2006-08-29T18:15:00.000-05:00

This "field of flags" flies along the bypass in Kill Devil Hills, NC, as a tribute to the fallen soldiers in Iraq.

Light east winds, clear blue water

2006-08-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

There have been some very beautiful beach days this week at the Outer Banks. The light east winds have brought in the clear warm extra blue waters.

"Pelican" winner of Pirates' Cove Tournament

2006-08-19T17:34:00.000-05:00

The 56 foot Paul Mann built "Pelican" based out of Oregon Inlet took top honors at the Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament this past Friday. They took home prize money of more than $584,000 for the 10 Whites and one sailfish hooked and released in this tournament.

First day of Tournament yields slow results

2006-08-16T15:26:00.000-05:00

The first day of fishing in the Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament was a slow day. Out of 131 registered boats, 101 fished, 29 laid in. The top point getter was the 60 foot Point Runner based out of Oregon Inlet, with three releases, for a total of 210 points. Hopefully the northeast wind of today will produce a better day of fishing for day two. There was one nice catch of dolphin and some proud guys.

A few more pics are here on the Outer Banks Board:

Pirates Cove post

Pirates' Cove Billfish Tournament underway

2006-08-14T12:20:00.000-05:00

Well, today is registration day for the 23rd annual Pirates' Cove Billfish Tournament. There must be a record number of boats here this year, because the marina is chocked full. All the brand new dock space is full. The energy level is high as all the boats are rigging and getting ready for the fishing which begins tomorrow.
The new tournament building looks really good. It was being filled with all the vendor exhibits today when I visited. With the concrete floor and solid roof it is so much nicer than the large tent and dirt floor of tournaments past. The dinner area is still under a tent, but there are significantly less tent stakes to impale oneself upon after several trips to the Bacardi bar!
Sunday was the day for the Alice Kelly Memorial tournament. Eighty boats fished with a total of 129 fish released, 122 of those being white marlin, 4 blues, and 3 sails.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the week.

Nags Head Speed Wash torn down

2006-08-02T15:06:00.000-05:00

Noticed today as I was passing that the Nags Head Speed Wash building complex (across from the Tanger Outlet Mall, MP 16) was being demolished. Three buildings are being torn down. The small round building was gone last week. Today it was the laundramat building, and the office building to the north was gutted. That will be next. The land is owned by IG Holdings, the Wings people. No word yet on what is planned for this block of land.

Excessive heat warning for the area

2006-07-31T07:17:00.000-05:00

The weather service has issued an excessive heat alert for the Outer Banks area from Tuesday through Thursday. The air conditioners will be working overtime this week in the rental homes! Hopefully the ocean will stay calm so the visitors can enjoy the water to cool off.

Rainy day, super busy

2006-07-25T15:07:00.000-05:00

The line to enter the NC Aquarium at the Manteo airport was out the door into the courtyard. The parking lot at the outlet mall is full to overflowing. The bypass was literally bumper to bumper, with some touching unexpectedly. What are you to do on a rainy day on the Outer Banks, while on vacation? Well, you visit all those indoor activities, you shop, you ride and look, and look, and don't look where you're going.
Such is the state of a resort area in season on a rainy day.
The up side? You, the vacationer get to do those things you probably had planned to do anyway, and you don't miss a day on the beach. The retailer is happy, their rent gets paid, they survive another year to be there to serve the vacationing public another year.
Rainy days aren't so bad after all.

Watching the tropics

2006-07-18T14:06:00.000-05:00

Well the first threat to NC from a tropical system is now at hand. The National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for almost all of the NC coast including the Outer Banks at 11 am this morning. We'll keep you posted from a front row seat!

Fourth of July Fireworks in Manteo

2006-07-06T16:32:00.000-05:00

A new album of the Fourth Fireworks display in Manteo is
HERE

A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon

2006-07-02T19:55:00.000-05:00

I posted a "trip report" on my board of a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon boating on the Outer Banks. Check it out at:

Sunday Afternoon Boating Adventure

New tournament building at Pirates' Cove

2006-06-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

The new building to house tournament activities is being constructed now on the grounds at Pirates' Cove. Hope it's ready in time for the summer's activities!

Wave Shack goes down

2006-06-15T14:47:00.000-05:00

The Wave Shack building which was located next to RV's restaurant on the Nags Head causeway was in the process of being torn down today, to make way for an addition to the restaurant, an auxiliary building and more parking.

New message board is going great!

2006-06-14T16:13:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen our new Outer Banks Message board yet, take a LOOK! We have signed up a great number of members in the first few days, and have been enjoying a good time. We have a few locals on there who definitely add to the spice. To stay updated on the latest happenings on the Outer Banks, add the new Outer Banks Message Board to your favorites folder.

Outer Banks Message Board
Come join in the fun!

Alberto

2006-06-13T06:12:00.000-05:00

Well, the latest on the National Hurricane Center update puts the track of Alberto exiting the coast of NC right over my island of Roanoke! Fortunately it will only be a depression by then. The rain shield is running far ahead of the center so it looks like it will be a wet day on Wednesday.

Wednesday morning update: Most of the heavy rain is either west of us over Raleigh/Durham or east of us out over the stream. The local weather channel crawler on the bottom of the TV keeps pumping the tornado warning and winds to 35, higher gusts. Looks like the system has sped up (once it got to I-95) and will technically be by here this afternoon late. Of course all the rain shield is still out front of it, but it also looks like the Outer Banks slipped through the middle of the two heaviest parts.

New Outer Banks Message Board

2006-06-08T10:36:00.000-05:00

After some requests and pleading from some folks, I decided to start a new Outer Banks Message board. This is intended as just another place to stay in touch with what's happening on the Outer Banks, and stay in touch with friends we have all made over the years on various boards. Please join us!
Membership IS required to post, but you may read as a guest. We hope to have a good time over there with good clean fun and happy posts!

Outer Banks Board

It's finally summertime

2006-05-31T14:27:00.000-05:00

Well, the season has kicked off in high gear. The roads are packed, the restaurants are packed, the merchants are pretty happy. The weather has finally decided to cooperate a bit today, and it is an absolutely beautiful summer day. Not too hot, and not too windy. Perfect beach weather with a slight east breeze. We are all looking forward to a wonderful summer season here on the Outer Banks!

Double rainbow, thunderstorms

2006-05-26T18:45:00.000-05:00

Just had a report of a vivid double rainbow showing from the top of the Wash Baum Bridge at the same time as lightening and thunder, and a sunset! Wierd weather, but hey it's just turned summer on the Outer Banks!

Election results

2006-05-03T09:49:00.000-05:00

The "unofficial" election results as posted on the Dare County website show:
Virginia Tillett kept her chance at a seat as commissioner, and will now face off with Republican John Robbins in the November election.
Rex Tillett defeated Ray Midgett for the at large commission seat and will face John Jack Shea in the fall election.
The big upset of the night was Max Dutton receiving more votes than incumbent Stan White, for commission seat. Stan is at present the chairman of the commissioners. Max will be unopposed in the fall election.

I hate this weather!

2006-05-01T15:57:00.000-05:00

I'm so tired of wind and cool weather! It has been non-stop north or northeast for days and days now. Today was overcast and at times, a heavy mist blowing around that soaked you as much as rain. Looking forward to Wednesday, when it's supposed to go round to the west.

Cold and nasty out here today!

2006-04-09T08:57:00.000-05:00

Cold, cold, cold! Nasty north, northeast wind blowing 20-30 miles per hour today after the front moved through last night. We had about an inch of rain throughout the evening and night. Just not the nice springlike April weather we would like to have out here on the Outer Banks!

Outer Banks historical photos

2006-03-26T20:29:00.000-05:00

This week while cleaning out some old storage boxes I ran across some photos taken back in 1972 of beach erosion along the Outer Banks during a nor'easter' storm. My brother was working for the Park Service and went on an expedition to Buxton by air to view the damage down that way. This was before the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was moved away from the beach. As always during one of these type storms Highway 12 washed away near Buxton. Do any of you remember the old sunshades at Coquina Beach, which is near Oregon Inlet? A couple of these pix show those sunshades just before they were washed away. Also a famous landmark in Nags Head, the old Arlington Hotel and Restaurant was swept into the raging ocean. The Arlington, owned by the Hayman family was once located on the oceanfront across from the Seafare Restaurant.
Enjoy these photos. I have more of a couple of different events, which I will get scanned and presented as a webpage soon.
Nor'easter' of 1972

Update: Pics from Kitty Hawk beach

2006-03-03T17:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple of shots taken March 2 on the Kitty Hawk beach FEMA renourishment project ongoing. These were taken at the Hawk's St beach access.

Looking north:

Looking south from the same point:

Strange weather today

2006-02-26T19:59:00.000-05:00

Extremely windy straight from the north, then one minute we are having a snow flurry, the next it's bright sunshine again! But hey, this is the Outer Banks! Weather's always changing!

Snow pix

2006-02-20T10:05:00.000-05:00

A few from the Nags Head area this morning. It's all changed over to rain now, so what we got is disappearing fast. A few hardy souls were already playing on Jockey Ridge this morning.

Light dusting of snow here today

2006-02-20T06:48:00.000-05:00

Woke up to a light dusting of snow here on the Outer Banks this morning. I know we get excited over just a little, but it's something we just don't see very often! The roads are clear at least though. Thirty degrees, and hoping for a little more....

Well, spoke too soon about the roads. Just heard there was already a wreck on the Manteo-Nags Head bridge due to ice. Currituck bridge is iced over.

The Outer "Banks"

2006-02-15T17:29:00.000-05:00

There are MORE banks springing up daily at the WalMart intersection at the Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores line. East Carolina Bank just found its old building not good enough anymore, so they tore it down this week and built a new one! Across the street there is a new Gateway Bank AND a new BB & T going up. In the Marketplace shopping center, there is a newly remodeled branch of the Bank of Currituck. And not to mention the previously remodeled Wachovia right next to the East Carolina Bank. Five banks within sight of each other. Hope we now can store all that money!

Sand tax repealed

2006-02-07T21:01:00.000-05:00

The Outer Banks Sentinel is already reporting as of 9 pm on Tuesday night that the sales tax has been repealed by a wide, wide margin of 79 to 21 percent. Dare County website is reporting 78 to 22 percent for the repeal. Vote count was 5363 for repeal and 1531 against repeal of the tax.

Kitty Hawk new berm

2006-02-03T10:53:00.000-05:00

I took a ride over to the beach road in Kitty Hawk yesterday to see the new berm being built, and what all the hoopla is about. Yes, it is ugly dirt! The beach road is blocked from Eckner(Winks street) north a few blocks to Bennett. The large dump trucks are hauling this yucky dark gray mostly claylike material from a borrow pit in Currituck and stockpiling it between two oceanfront houses somewhere between those two streets named above. Then a large clamshell bucket machine is loading the material into these several large offroad dump trucks, which haul the material on the beach north to the Kitty Hawk pier area. At this point the berm has only been started up near the pier. I assume they intend to build one of this material south at least to the point near Eckner. That would be approx. one mile of beach. Below are a few pix of the operation. I got there late in the day, so the quality of the pix is not great- sorry! IMO, I can't think of a better boost to those supporting the repeal of the sales tax, than looking at this messy yuck on the beach! By the way, I voted yesterday.

Smoke/ emergency at Solo, Kitty Hawk

2006-01-17T11:21:00.000-05:00

When passing the Solo gas station yesterday, Kitty Hawk Fire dept had one lane of the bypass blocked off and firetrucks on site. Apparently there was an emergency with one of the gas station isles. When we returned by there last night all the pumps from that isle had been removed.

Fishin' frenzy!

2006-01-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder why the back of most OBX contractors trucks contain fishing rods?

Well here's why!!!!

Tuesday the rockfish were pounding the beach from Kitty Hawk to Corolla. This nice twenty plus pounder was taken near Winks in Kitty Hawk.

They've been running, along with the big blues (15 pounders or so), for several days now. Many locals are calling this the biggest blitz they've ever seen. On Monday, the coconut telegraph lines were a humming about the speckled trout being so thick they were taking a walk on the beach! Literally, no pole needed. Our crew picked up 19 specks right off the sand where the bluefish were chasing them into shore. They had to stop collecting fish because the cooler got too full. It was all two men could do to drag the 90 pounds of trout outta the truck up to the cleaning table. Sure was good for supper! As I am writing this the big rock is being cleaned for tonight's feast.

Several days last week, one of my framing crew took his kayak out in the ocean, along with a pole. The fish he hooked were so big they dragged him and the kayak three streets south before he could land it on the beach. That's what you call dedication to the sport.

They even start training the young ones early.

Did you hear that? That was the sound of nailbelts on construction sites all over Dare County hitting the ground. That coconut telegraph.... No wonder I can't get any work done!

Typical Wright Brothers day

2005-12-17T16:04:00.000-05:00

It was cold and windy from the northeast and overcast from time to time, as observors gathered on the "hill" to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the first powered flight made by Orville and Wilber Wright in 1903. The gathering was treated to several different skydiving sessions. One flyer carried a large American flag unfurling to the ground. Another carried a smaller North Carolina flag. The plane flyover was sparse compared to the previous two years, but exciting nonetheless. Many of the locals gathered all along the Colington road to watch the spectacle from a distance, without braving the chilling winds up on the hill.

Manteo Christmas Parade 2005 pix

2005-12-03T22:10:00.000-05:00

The webpages are up with the pix of the Manteo Christmas Parade 2005.
It was bigger and better than ever with over 70 entries. The Grand Marshalls this year were the owners of the Christmas Shop, Mr. Eddie Green and Mr. Richard Lacerre. There was a generous turnout in chilly but sunny weather to see the nautical themed floats. Many boats, beachlife creatures, surfboards, and marching bands, intersperced with Elizabethan flair and the Queen herself along with Sir Walter Raleigh on horseback. Have a look!

http://www.outerbanksvacationhomes.com/Manteo_Christmas_parade05.html

Manteo Christmas First Friday

2005-12-02T20:10:00.000-05:00

It's First Friday in Manteo, and the town kicked off the Christmas season with a celebration down town on the Courthouse steps. The Oakwood Waits and Queen's singers gave a rousing chorus of Christmas tunes. Haskell Fitzsimmons read "Twas the Night before Christmas" to the childran gathered around his feet, and certain distinquished guests waited in the audience.

The courthouse was decked out even with a little snow!

Tomorrow is the annual Manteo Christmas parade and I'll be there to snap a few pix!

Aerial Outer Banks photos

2005-11-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

I have a new webpage up with a few new aerial photos taken yesterday over the Outer Banks.
A preview shot: This pic shows from the Kitty Hawk/Southern Shores border looking north to Duck, NC.

See the webpage at:

http://www.outerbanksvacationhomes.com/Outer_Banks_Aerials_112605.html

Christmas Shop closing forever Nov. 27

2005-11-23T15:07:00.000-05:00

The Christmas Shop in Manteo will be closing forever on Sunday, November 27th. They apparently were more successful in selling out their inventory faster than anticipated, as the original date given was the end of the year. There will be a huge yard sale this weekend to clear out some of the store fixtures. The antiques in the shop were not included in the sale and will be auctioned off this coming spring. I snapped a few pix for the memorabilia fans out there. Also took a stroll thru the shop to see what was left. I was actually surprised there was as much left as there was, since they will be open only another couple of days. Lots of ornaments left, a few trees, many, many lighthouse trinkets.

NC Aquarium in Manteo

2005-11-13T14:43:00.000-05:00

Went to visit the NC Aquarium at the airport in Manteo yesterday. Wow, what a display! Many many neat things to see. The live aquariums housing all kinds of tropical fish are just amazing. The last one you encounter is about 25-30 feet long and goes up over your head and houses sharks and many other ocean fish. It even has an old shipwreck replica on the bottom. It is really something to watch the sharks materialize out of the murky depths and swim right by your face!

Manteo's incumbants stay in power

2005-11-08T21:42:00.000-05:00

The nastiest campaign I can remember in my little island's history is now over and the mayor and three commissioners retained their seats. The fight came down to basically developers vs. those opposing "urban sprawl" and the latter won. For now it would appear that the town's people wish to slow down the rapid pace of growth on this tiny island. John Wilson is still mayor, and commissioners Farrow and Etheridge will be returning to their seats. The top vote getter, Ms. Dell Collins' seat will be filled by appointment by the board, due to the untimely death of Ms. Collins just this past Thursday.

In other towns, major upsets occurred. Kitty Hawk now has a new mayor and new councilmen. Cliff Perry is the new mayor, and Richard Reid and Gary Perry are new councilmen.

Kill Devil Hills' incumbant mayor Sherry Rollason was ousted by newcomer Chuck Ball.

Nags Head will see Renee Cahoon return to the mayoral seat.

Southern Shores new mayor will be Don Smith and new councilman will be Brian McDonald.

Town of Manteo preserves another piece of history

2005-11-05T13:46:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, the Town of Manteo held a dedication ceremony for the Manteo Weather Tower. In 1904, the Weather Bureau established the original station with Mr. Alpheus Drinkwater in charge. The tower was used to fly signal flags to warn mariners of approaching bad weather. At night, tower's red and white signal lights flashed it's message. This original tower was first placed on top of the Dare County courthouse and later moved to the family land of John Booth. Recently the town acquired permission to restore the tower and move it to Town property. The Booth family graciously allowed the town to refurbish the tower and supplied the original signal lights to be affixed upon it. The Manteo tower is believed to be one of only five operational towers still in use, and may be the only one to have all its original signal lights intact.

The tower now stands on the Manteo waterfront near the Marshes Lighthouse replica.

Still a little chilly, windy, today

2005-10-29T15:38:00.000-05:00

The day after a small nor'easter' passed by the ocean is still a bit rialled up. There is a steady breeze from the north putting a little nip in the air but not too much for a couple of hardy beachwalkers all bundled up.

Another of the ocean up close:

Windy and wet

2005-10-24T07:09:00.000-05:00

The weather is surprising nasty already here today. It is raining, sometimes pretty hard and steady, and the winds are gusting to about 24 mph. The low pressure cell has already developed right off the Hatteras coast on the north end of the front which picked up Wilma. The outflow clouds from Wilma are linked up with this front all the way up past NC.

Cooler tonight and a little cloudy

2005-10-23T19:48:00.000-05:00

We have had the far outer most cloud bands of Wilma actually reaching this far today. It is cooler today, but so far has been dry. There is a rainband from the storm showing up on the local radar just offshore of Cape Hatteras but that is not an unusual place. Hopefully it will stay offshore. Also hoping the storm center passes well east of here and does not stir up too much wave action!

Cooler today but still pretty clear

2005-10-23T19:43:00.000-05:00

It was much cooler today (around 60 degrees) most of the day, but still not too bad on cloudiness yet. We are experiencing the further outlying bands of clouds being pulled north from Wilma already. There are rainbands offshore showing on the local radar. We just hope they stay offshore. It is deadly still as far as the wind. Tomorrow promises to be wetter and darker. Let's just hope this stays far enough offshore that the wave action is not too great.

Nags Head one step closer to beach nourishment

2005-10-20T10:41:00.000-05:00

In its Oct. 5th meeting the Nags Head Board of Commissioners approved a proposal by an engineering firm to prepare the final design and permits for nourishing 10 of the 12 miles of its towns beaches. The nearly $27 million project will require a general obligation bond to finance it, which will have to be approved by voters in the town. The earliest construction could begin will be spring 2007.

Another beautiful day

2005-10-18T16:58:00.000-05:00

It was another really beautiful day here on the Outer Banks. Nice and warm wonderful fall weather. There doesn't seem to be a lot going on lately that's news around here so I haven't been posting much. If any of you have any topics you would like to see covered please leave me a note in the comments. Always looking for new ideas.

Finally a beautiful sunny day!

2005-10-15T07:57:00.000-05:00

It was a totally miserable week on the Outer Banks as far as the weather goes. Rainy, misty, cool, cloudy, some breeze, you name it. But today the cloud pack has finally moved offshore and we have gorgeous sunshine, and a little northwest breeze. It is 70 degrees currently and promised to be just a magnificent day.

Catching air on the Outer Banks

2005-10-02T18:41:00.000-05:00

Kitesurfers found the conditions wonderful this weekend on the Outer Banks, as the northeast winds kicked up the surf and produced 15-20 winds. This surfer was enjoying the day at Pea Island.

Old Timers Stories

2005-09-19T14:14:00.000-05:00

Now that the immediate threat of storms has died away, I wanted to share an experience with you. Last week, while we were under hurricane warning from Ophelia, we went to my in-laws to check on them in Kitty Hawk village. We spent the morning sitting around the kitchen table listening to the old folks tell stories of hurricanes past. I love hearing all these old stories, and wish I could record them all before they pass on. Their memories are valuable.

My mom in law related her memories of one of the hurricanes of 1933. She was ten years old at the time and the family was living in the residence located at the Kitty Hawk Coast Guard Station. Her father was a chief boatswain mate at the time in the Coast Guard. Being so isolated from the rest of the world out here on the Outer Banks at the time, they had no knowledge that a hurricane was even brewing, much less aimed directly at them. Usually the older members of the family "read" the sky, the water, and relied on the "glass" to tell them when the weather was declining. The "glass" was a barometer. On this day in the fall of 1933, the glass was dropping rapidly and the father began to prepare his family for storm conditions. It seemed to be a particularly bad storm headed toward them.

In reviewing the historical data available on the internet today, I see that two hurricanes made direct hits on the Outer Banks, both with 105-110 mph winds. My mom in law couldn't remember exactly if this was the August storm or the September storm, but it makes little difference. She said when the waves began to break on top of the dunes, then they departed for a safer location further west in Kitty Hawk Village. At the time this residence and station were quite a good ways back from the ocean, so the waves must have been very big. The workshop of this residence still stands today in its original location near the Kitty Hawk intersection. The year of 1933 was a very bad year for hurricane prone areas. I believe to date it is the only year which comes close in numbers of storms to the one we are currently experiencing.

By the year of 1936, the family had saved up their pennies and had invested in a new fangled RCA radio. They could receive a few AM stations. Everyday at noon, they gathered around the dinner table to listen to the weather broadcast. On this summer day in 1936, they learned that a hurricane of great proportions was headed toward them as reported by ships at sea. This time they had time to prepare and leave well before the storm.

My father in law asked me if we were on information overload. I thought about this a minute and agreed that yes, we sure do have the best and finest resources at our disposal today in this age of instant information. And maybe, sometimes we do receive TOO much information, but I believe everyone agreed their lives are much improved with advanced warnings. After all, they now call me to find out "What does the internet say about the storm now?"