OBX Beach Gear Challenge: Pop-Up Tent vs. Canopy

Our last question, what is the best beach umbrella to use of the Outer Banks a Neso Tents or a Sport-Brella, was full of excellent insights from many on the OBX Facebook page.

In our desire to find the best beach gear to use on our Outer Banks vacations, we decided to ask another question. Which is better to use on the beach a pop-up tent or a canopy?

We'd love to hear your opinion on which is better for providing shade/shelter throughout a long summer beach day?

Which option do you think is better and why?

Lightspeed Outdoors Pop Up Sport Shelter Beach Tent 

 vs.

 EasyGo - Beach & Sports Cabana

Looking forward to everyone's thoughts...

Reality Show on the Outer Banks?

Just saw this, a reality show being shot on the Outer Banks.

Yes, an OBX reality show!

There is a new Outer Banks reality show that's being created as a collaboration between, Kenyon Productions and Renee Landry Events.

Below is Episode 1, and some insight from Kenyon Productions:

Episode 1 follows the stars of our show as they plan, prep, and throw a...it's hard to explain...a fashion show where each model walks the runway with an older dog to raise money for the SPCA. 

Did I mention the fashion show was at a bank?

 Episode 2 is coming soon.

(Unique opportunities for sponsorships and tie ins are available)

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.

Don't Forget to Buy Some Sunglasses Before Your Outer Banks Vacation:

Here's some great advice on buying "Cheap Sunglasses" from Dr. D a Bridgeton NJ Optometrist wrote a great myth-busting article, Go get yourself some (cheap) sunglasses, on why even cheap sunglasses are important, especially on vacation:

When you wake up in the morning and the light is hurt your head
The first thing you do when you get up out of bed
Is hit that streets a-runnin’ and try to beat the masses
And go get yourself some cheap sunglasses.....

ZZ Top knows what’s up. And thankfully, it is pretty easy to find a pair of sunglasses that looks good and protects your eyes — no matter what your budget is. To help make the experience of buying a pair of sunglasses a little less confusing, here’s the truth about some of the most common myths about sunglasses:

Myth #1: Sunglasses with 100% UV protection are expensive

False: You do not have to pay a premium for proper UV protection. While more expensive sunglasses may offer more stylish frames, higher quality lenses, sharper images and less glare, it is very easy to find inexpensive glasses that offer 100% UV protection.

Myth #2: Lenses with darker tints are more protective than lenses with a lighter tint

False: The tint of the lens has nothing to do with the UV protection of the glasses. A clear lens with no tint and 100% UV protection is better for your eyes than dark, heavily tinted sunglasses without UV protection. In fact, dark lenses without adequate UV protection are actually worse for your eyes than not wearing glasses at all, because the dark tint causes your pupils to become dilated, thus exposing your eyes to more harmful UV light.

Myth #3: Photochromic lenses don’t block out UV rays as well as regular sunglasses

False: As long as they offer 100% UV protection, photochromic (such as Transitions-brand lenses) lenses provide the same level of UV protection as regular sunglasses.

Myth #4: Polarized, anti-glare lenses are all you need to protect your eyes from UV rays

False: While polarized and anti-glare lenses may offer better image clarity, a more comfortable viewing experience and give you better vision when driving or playing sports, they have nothing to do with UV protection.

Sidenote: I happen to 100% prefer polarized sunglasses to non-polarized.

Myth #5: Lens color is important when it comes to blocking UV rays

False: Just like lens tint, lens color has nothing to do with protecting your eyes from UV rays.

Myth #6: Yellow- or amber-tinted “Blue Blocker” lenses offer more protection than regular sunglasses

False: While some experts argue that the so-called “Blue Blocker” lenses block additional light waves that are harmful, research has yet to prove this for certain, and “Blue Blockers” are currently viewed by most experts as a personal preference choice.

Myth #7: Children don’t need sunglasses as much as adults

False: Children often spend even more time in the sun than adults, and need proper UV protection just as much. It is also far more common to find cheap children’s sunglasses that do not provide adequate UV protection. Always have your children’s sunglasses tested for proper UV protection.

Myth #8: You don’t need sunglasses on a cloudy day

False: UV rays are just as potent on a cloudy day as they are on a clear day, and proper eye and skin protection is always needed.

Now, go out and get yourself some big black frames 

With the glass so dark, they won’t even know your name 

And the choice is up to you ’cause they come in two classes 

Rhinestone shades or cheap sunglasses

Amazing Outer Banks Thunderstorm Photos