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!

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!