Surfing for Autism Outer Banks 2016

Don't forget this weekend is one of the best events on the Outer Banks, as it's the annual Surfing for Autism weekend at Jennette's Pier.

More information can be found on the event on their website or Facebook page.

The New Must Take Tour On the Outer Banks

There's a recent article in the Tennessean, Uncommon experiences in coastal Outer Banks, N.C., that offers some Outer Banks must-see vacation stops, from the wild horses in Carova to hang gliding at Jockeys Ridge.

While most people are familiar with those, the article also provide an excellent background on one of the newer and more important places to make a stop on any Outer Banks vacation, the rum tour at Outer Banks Distilling.

Check out what they had to say:

From OuterBanksDistilling.com

Outer Banks Distilling

Rum lovers are lining up for the “Molasses to Glasses” tour at Outer Banks Distilling, producers of Kill Devil Rum. This craft distillery was opened only last year by four guys who knew the beer brewing industry, but also had a passion for rum, which is enjoying a resurgence.

In the 17th century, rum was known as “Kill Devil,” and with Kill Devil Hills nearby, it seemed natural to open a distillery, playing on local stories about barrels of the spirit that frequently washed ashore after a shipwreck.

The vile liquor once swilled by pirates is now all the rage. Of course, the rum at Outer Banks Distilling is far smoother than the stuff Blackbeard imbibed.

A tour traces the rum-making process from the pre-treatment of molasses, the raw ingredient for rum, through fermentation and distillation. Rum enthusiasts can even see how the liquor is infused with rich pecan and honey flavors, which primes the palate for the post-tour tasting.

Check out the rest of their article, you may find something you didn't know.

Our Announcement for the 1st Bottles of Rum...  The New Must Take Tour On the Outer Banks

Waterpark to Open on the Outer Banks in 2017

From the Virginia-Pilot:
HARBINGER, N.C. (WAVY-TV) — It’s official. The Outer Banks is getting a water park.

Right now, the plans are to construct an 80 acre park just 2 miles north of the Wright Memorial Bridge in lower Currituck County. The nautical theme of the water park will draw inspiration from local icons and history, including lighthouses, famous pirate ships, and the Wright Brothers legacy.

Plans include multiple water slide complexes, a wave pool, adventure lagoon and lazy river, and a FlowRider® surf ride attraction. Over two acres will be dedicated to a state-of-the-art children’s adventure area and there will also be several dozen private, wait-serviced cabanas, food and beverage options, and retail venues within the park

Those who enjoy surfing on the Outer Banks, should also find something to enjoy as well, with the park planning to include a FlowRider® Surf Ride.

 

Best OBX Beach Umbrella: Sport-Brella vs Neso Tents

We're trying to decide what's the best umbrella to use on your Outer Banks Vacation, and we need your help. Let us know which umbrella you think is best for standing up to the winds on the Outer Banks.

Someone recently mentioned that they preferred using a Neso Tents over a Sport-Brella while they were vacationing on the Outer Banks. We have been using a Sport-Brella for the last several years, and have never had a complaint.

We are probably going to have to replace our beach umbrella after the Summer and are now torn, should we give the Neso Tent a try or stick with the Sport-Brella?

Would love to hear from anyone who has used one of the other, which was better?

 Neso Tent

vs.

Sport-Brella

A question on the Vacation OBX Facebook page asked:

Had pretty good success with one of these (Sport-Brella) umbrellas last year...What's your suggestion for a good OBX umbrella?

Most of the comments supported buying a Sport-Brella and some even provided some good tips for how to make sure your umbrella doesn't blow away:

• I have one of these for the beach. Love it! just make sure you anchor it if it's windy. Perfect thing for a day at the beach! We love this umbrella for the beach! 
• Many a nap has been taken under it. We put sand around the bottom to help anchor it down. 
• We anchor ours with tote bags filled with sand. Works great. 
• We switched to these a few years back, works great and doesn't blow away. 
• Love ours. Highly recommended. Just don't store the pointed extension pole inside the main pole. Just a little bit of sand made it virtually impossible to get back out. We keep them separate now and just throw it in the bag with the umbrella. 
• My husband and I have one and we love ours. However, we suggest using the corkscrew stakes (used for dogs) as the stakes. The stakes that come with it are not strong enough for the sand. With 4 of those, it works perfectly. Especially on windy days at the beach. 
•  We have this same one and love it! It will not blow away! 
• We've been using a nice high end Tommy Bahama umbrella, the one that you just pound into the sand with the upper part. It's a nice umbrella, but the clamp started to slip and lose its grip on the bottom pole. I wrote Tommy Bahama and asked if they offered a replacement piece to fix it, since it started going the first summer. They replied that they didn't make it, just had their name put on it. I wrote the manufacturer, no luck there either. So, yeah, I'd say go with that Sport-Brella there.

A Dog's Look at Vacationing on the Outer Banks

Hey! Let us take a minute to introduce ourselves. We are Wilson and Lou. We live here on North Carolina's beautiful Outer Banks. Some folks like to call it the OBX. Seems strange to Lou and I but then again we're dogs. Below you will find all the information we have found living here on the Outer Banks. You'll find links to our favorite Outer Banks veterinarians and animal hospitals. Though we hope you never need them! Like the Boy Scout's...we believe in "Semper Paratus."

So it's better to be prepared. Life on the Outer Banks is great for us as long as our guardians are prepared for us. So you will find all of the necessary pet related information on what to have and what to be prepared for when you head down here to see us. We both would like to say that if you're heading here for vacation, you are already a paw in the right direction.
It's doesn't get better than running on the Outer Banks beaches .

Let us start out by saying everything here is relaxed. So once you cross that bridge... "Chill Out." We don't need to always be looking out for some stressed out person whose car is so full of stuff, they can't see us barreling through our neighborhoods and down the beach. You're on vacation...you made it here, take a sip of water and chill. The beach isn't going anywhere. You are on the Outer Banks...it doesn't get any better.

You just got here and realized that you forgot some things. Well, it's no problem. There are some great folks who run the pet stores on the Outer Banks.

If you're headed to the beach, make sure your folks check out the leash laws in each town. No use you or them getting in trouble. Laws do vary widely town to town so it is important to check. Lou and I enjoy spending most of our time at the National Seashore. Every time we're heading down to the beach, Lou always likes to point out the Bodie Island Lighthouse. Lou is a big fan of the lighthouses. Finally, we pull off road and get ready to head down the beach. The Oregon Inlet is a great place for those like us that can get a ride down the beach.

Some tips when your heading to the beach. Always remember plenty of water!!!

 It gets really hot out on the beach in the summer and we don't process heat as well as you 2-legged people. Must be nice not having fur in the summer!

Along with plenty of water, it's also nice to have some ice to keep that water cool and refreshing. Remember the surface temperature of the sand can be much hotter than the air temperature and could burn our paws.

The leash laws, YUCK!, vary from town to town so make sure your guardian follows them. We don't want you getting into trouble.

Lastly, remember to have a good time and to clean up our poo and your trash from the beach before you leave. Lou and I don't need to pick up your trash in the winter. Hope your vacation is great and we'll see you on the beach!

What is the best umbrella to use on the Outer Banks?

After many years and even more umbrellas someone turned us on to the Sport-Brella Umbrella just over 2 years ago and we haven't looked back. Having little kids on the beach it was great to create a shelter and keep the blowing sand of your back.

It has definitely held up to the relentless winds several times and its unique design allows it to handle the bigger gusts. Haven't had to chase it down the beach ever, so that is an added bonus.

It has been a versatile purchase and is included on all our OBX camping and fishing trips. Definitely the best Outer Banks umbrella we have come across so far.

Check out the comments on the OBX Facebook Page for more information on using the Sport-Brella on the Outer Banks

Have pretty good success with one of these umbrellas last year...What's your suggestion for a good OBX umbrella?
Posted by OBX on Sunday, May 3, 2015

Spring is here are you ready for a day on the beach?

Anyone else over winter and ready for a day at the beach?