Outer Banks Coastal Life - 2021 Summer OBX Magazine - Life From The Edge by Three Dog Ink

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

JeJe ww elel ryry

Being stressed is not how to spend your vacation

04 06

COASTAL LIFE// Welcome, Relax, Have Patience FEATURE// Entertainers Going Back Life onstage is getting back to normal

14|

ACTIVITIES// Mild to Wild No matter what you’re looking for, it’s here

24|

FOOD & DINING// Hot on the Trail Get after the best food on the OBX

30|

COASTAL LIFE// OBX Beach Access Now you know

32|

LITERATURE// Beach Reads Books to pass the time away on the beach

34|

OBX COMMUNITY// Hail Marys More than grease and lipstick

36|

SHOPPING// Get the Goods Shopping made easy

42|

REAL ESTATE// Vacation Homes Escape to the Outer Banks

44|

ACTIVITIES// Parks, Paths, & Ramps The Outer Banks, more than just beaches

46|

HEALTH MATTERS// Beach Safety Hey! Lets be safe out there!

48|

LOCAL GOVERNMENT// Alcohol ABCs Alcohol laws. They’re as easy as ABC

50|

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PETS & WILDLIFE// Beachin’ It With Fido What your dog wants you to know

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JUST CAUSES// 5 min Beach Cleanup Doesn’t take long. Only 5 minutes

PUBLISHED BY

Three Dog Ink Media, LLC 111 East Baltic Street • Nags Head, NC 27959 252.261.6490 E-MAIL info@threedogink.com

OUR WEBSITE

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PUBLISHER // Mary Ann Williams PUBLISHER // Gene Mary Ann Williams Williams Williams EDITOR // Greg Gene Smrdel EDITOR // Greg Smrdel ART DIRECTOR // Kevin Groat ART DIRECTOR // Kevin Groat GRAPHIC DESIGNER // Johnny Keltonic GRAPHIC DESIGNER // Johnny Keltonic ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE // Dan Banks SOCIAL MEDIA // Savanna Williams SOCIAL MEDIA // Caroline Atkinson DISTRIBUTION // Nick Leinweber DISTRIBUTION // Nick Leinweber

CONTRIBUTORS

CONTRIBUTORS Steve Hanf, Nick Leinweber, Meghan Beasley, Steve Hanf, Lexi Holian, Emily Moliken, Greg Smrdel Nick Leinweber, Rebecca Orr, Greg Smrdel

Three Dog Ink welcomes comments and suggestions about errors that warrant correction. E-mail your corrections to editor@threedogink.com. Three Dog Ink, LLC cannot and does not guarantee the correctness of all information furnished them, nor the complete absence of errors or omissions, hence, no responsibility for the same can be nor is assumed. Three Dog Ink, LLC cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by the advertisers in this publication. Reproduction of any material from this publication is strictly forbidden without permission from the publisher.

2 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

Coastal Coastal Lifestyle Lifestyle Outfitters

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STORY// NICK LEINWEBER

uter Banks businesses welcome the patronage of vacationers in 2021. The men and women assisting you this summer are more likely to be working in a place that is short-staffed. Workers are working overtime, and in some cases, seven days a week, and have been since the end of last summer. Many local workers are going into this season feeling the type of burnout that usually comes at the end of the summer. Employees and owners all over the beach will be incredibly appreciative to anyone who can understand their situation. This year, some of the places you walk into are going to look a little bit different than you might expect. You’re likely going to have to wait a little longer to get food at a restaurant or check into a hotel room. These are all just small inconveniences in exchange for that long-overdue vacation. After a year of waiting and dreaming of the day when it would finally be possible to go out and travel to the beach…you’ve made it! Now all you need to do is relax and enjoy yourselves. Please show your appreciation to those working to help you unwind. All it will take is a smile and a patient attitude, and we can all work together and look ahead to brighter days! Even in a “normal” season, there are not enough full-time residents in this area to fill the job positions needed to tend to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who vacation each year. A sizable percentage of the people that work on the Outer Banks live elsewhere. There are the thousands of foreign exchange students who arrive annually. Young women and men from countries all over the world come to the Outer Banks to work for a four-month period. They are an essential

4 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

Summer 2021! At long last, things are starting to look, almost, like normal. After this past year, some quality vacation time on the Outer Banks sounds more enticing than ever before. But a healthy dose of patience is what will be needed this summer season.

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component of so many hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. Unfortunately, very few are back this year. As for the businesses who were able to weather the storm, most did so by the skin of their teeth. Restaurants had to get innovative, adapting their menus and service to accommodate more delivery and take-out. Staff members at hotels and retail stores had to double as housekeepers and work overtime to do all of the extra cleaning and sanitation duties. Many business owners were spending almost all of their time doing whatever extra work was necessary to keep things going. These same owners were, in many cases, forced to sacrifice their own income to pay their staff and hopefully (maybe) break even. As the summer months of 2020 dissolved into the fall, a funny thing happened, saving the day for some of our starving businesses. When the tourist season would normally be ending, a good number of visitors were still arriving. Not necessarily in droves, but just enough for many businesses to stay open during a time of year when they would normally be shutting down for the season. Ask a local, and you will hear that last year’s tourist season never actually ended. Cut to the present. Most businesses have spent almost a full year working their hardest to adapt to the new world of COVID. Now that the restrictions have been relaxed, they have been making adjustments, creatively innovating, but mostly just working like crazy! Nick Leinweber lives in Kill Devil Hills, where he is a recreational writer and an aspiring surfer.

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PERFORMERS

STORY// STEVE HANF

iners crowded the restaurant. Music from the band filled the room. For Jonny Waters & Co., it was just another spring night entertaining folks on the Outer Banks. Except it wasn’t. This was no ordinary show at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe. The first weekend of March 2020 was filled with dread and uncertainty. The coronavirus was spreading. A lockdown was coming. “You could tell that people were on edge,” Waters recalls. “It was the weirdest gig we’ve ever played just because of that social dynamic, and it was this unspoken elephant in the room. I’ll never forget that.” The shutdown orders that came one week later, from coast to coast, chased musicians off stages, actors out of theaters, comedians away from clubs. But some of the light now seen at the end of this coronavirus tunnel is a spotlight, shining once again on performers who are overjoyed to be sharing their craft with audiences who are overjoyed to see them. Comedian Greg Smrdel, who missed a regular summer of standup at the Outer Banks Comedy Club, traveled to Cleveland in March of 2021 for four shows that he’ll never forget.

6 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

Live performance of Jonny Waters & Co.

JONNY WATERS & CO.

Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 7

Vacation Rentals

ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMERS RETURN “It was my first time doing it in over a year, and for (the audience) it was maybe their first time at a comedy club in over a year. So it was kind of like this bonding, this shared experience that we all had,” Smrdel says. “I think that’s what really helped make those shows go so much smoother and be as great as they were, the fact that we were all out doing something that we weren’t able to do for such a long time.” That shared experience is also what Jeff Whiting missed most in the last year, and he has the rather important job of reconnecting local audiences with an Outer Banks treasure this summer: Whiting is the director and choreographer of “The Lost Colony” production in Manteo. “There’s nothing quite like experiencing a show together,” Whiting says. “We’ve been relegated to watching movies on by ourselves or with small groups that we’re quarantining with, and I’ve definitely missed the collective experience, sharing the energy. And there’s the idea that this is only happening right now and only we get to see it.”

JONNY WATERS & CO.

KIRK BOGOS

JEFF WHITING

What once was Lost…

Whiting chatted with Coastal Life from his office at the corner of Broadway and 48th Street in New York City about a week before heading to the beach to put together his vision for “The Lost Colony.” The 49-year-old director and choreographer started acting at the age of 10 and has been in show business ever since, making the pandemic all the more painful to experience. “To see all of Broadway completely shut down, the streets of New York be empty...” he says. “It’s been absolutely devastating not to be able to do what we’ve been doing for so many years, so it’s thrilling to be able to bring ‘The Lost Colony’ and so many other shows back.” Heralded as the nation’s longest-running outdoor symphonic drama, “The Lost Colony” was an unstoppable production for the last 83 years. Until COVID. Just as the story shares a new beginning for the 117 English men, women, and children in the New World, this year’s production of “The Lost Colony” marks a rebirth for the local entertainment industry. Whiting speaks excitedly of telling the story in a brand-new way, with a new score from Broadway composer Sam Davis and new visual devices welcoming crowds back to the spectacular spot along with the sound.

8 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

Property Management

Top: Comedian Greg Smrdel at Jrs Comedy Club. Left: The Lost Colony stage. Right: Jonny Waters.

“I drove down from New York and drove right to the theater and I got to witness the sunset at the Waterside Theatre all by myself,” Whiting says of his first-ever visit to the Outer Banks. “I was just overcome with the view there and this magnificent space and the giant audience. I was so impacted by just the beauty of that landscape and knowing the historical context of what happened there so many years ago.” It’s a lot of history to pack into a two-hour show. It’s also a lot of practice to pack into a month. Rehearsals began May 1 ahead of the May 28 opening night. The auditions at the end of February proved interesting for everyone involved, with this year’s cast offering a mix of returners and newcomers all eager for work. “We did a number of in-person auditions, and almost every actor who came in the door was like, ‘I can’t believe it, this was my first audition in over a year,’ ” Whiting recalls. “Auditioning is a skill. You do come out of practice if you aren’t doing it every day. There are actors who wisely, all through quarantine, kept singing their music and kept performing in their living rooms or bedrooms, but it’s different doing it in front of people. It comes back to you quickly, but I think there’s some rust on everybody.”

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ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMERS RETURN

Something to smile about

Smrdel, who has been doing stand-up for 13 years, was worried about being rusty when he did his first shows in more than a year. Would the timing be there? Would the audience be ready to relax and enjoy? “As soon as I got on stage and started talking, there was no rust. There was no hesitation. All the butterflies went away,” Smrdel says. “It was like riding a bike, I guess. Once the muscle memory kicked in, it was pretty easy.” No, the challenging part was simply waiting for the moment to arrive. Thanks to a buddy in the comedy scene named Kevin Whelan– who just recently had done HIS first show in more than a year – Smrdel got a big dose of self-doubt before taking the mic and talking to his audience. “I said, ‘Kevin, how did it go?’ And he goes, ‘Don’t worry, you’re going to suck. And here’s the most important thing, you’re going to suck more than you think you’re gonna suck,’ ” Smrdel says with a laugh. “That’s all I thought about when the lights went down.” Instead, Smrdel knocked his set out of the park, then enjoyed a moment of revenge when introducing Kevin to the audience: Smrdel told the story and then instructed the crowd not to laugh at any of Kevin’s jokes. Smrdel missed that back-and-forth with the audience and fellow entertainers during the pandemic. He got his start in stand-up after doing a morning radio show, and in the past year, he’s had fun with the launch of Radio Free Outer Banks. But with radio, you never know what the audience is thinking as the words head over the airwaves. Those first comedy shows this March reminded Smrdel how much he loves stand-up and how much he’s looking forward to performances at the Outer Banks Comedy Club (in the Kill Devil Hills Comfort Inn) and at the trivia nights he hosts at The SandTrap Tavern and Mulligan’s, plus special events he emcees. “It was kind of ‘out of sight, out of mind,’ but once I got back on that stage again, it was like, ‘Oh, I gotta do this more often,’ ” Smrdel says.

Singin’ the blues

Counting both solo gigs and performances with his band, Waters estimates he lost more than 100 shows in the past year. Outdoor concerts were still feasible in some cases – mostly private parties since restaurants still had limited capacity – but suddenly, Waters was awash in free time. He made the most of those open nights. “For a lot of people and especially for me, the things that we have a hard time prioritizing that we know we should, it almost forced us to do that,” Waters says of the pandemic. “It almost forced family time, and forced less work, and more life in a lot of ways. I hope it has some residual effects going forward in how people choose to spend their time.” Without gigs five nights a week last summer, Waters could work out two hours a day. He could enjoy hobbies like skateboarding and mountain biking. He could work on his doctorate degree without sacrificing sleep.

10 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

FOODYAS.COM

Left: The Lost Colony performers auditioning this year. Photo by Jeff Whiting

Waters also counts himself fortunate to have a regular job – he teaches social studies classes at First Flight High School – which means he wasn’t scrambling for a paycheck like so many others in the arts. And there was still plenty of music-making happening. Suddenly, this talented musician was a mainstay again at Coastal Family Church in Nags Head, not only performing but also producing. He worked on his own songs and videos. “I was actually able to focus on different things, which is something I’d wanted to do for a long time,” Waters says. “It kind of freed me up musically to work on these things I’ve been neglecting because I was always out playing a show.” Still, Waters was excited to see booking requests start trickling in earlier this year, then flood in as warmer weather approached, more people got vaccinated and COVID restrictions eased. He only had one free weekend all spring and sees summer being “busier than any summer we’ve seen in a really long time for anybody in hospitality.” Jonny Waters & Co. started practicing again in February after taking a few months off, ready once again to have audiences jamming to the group’s feel-good songs. “We’re a blues-rock, reggae rock band that plays some country and pop by request or just for the heck of it,” Waters says with a laugh when describing his sound. “I now focus on just doing what medicates me and what I feel like should medicate people. For me, blues music and reggae music is what has always spoken to me.” After the last year, there’s no doubt that audiences are ready for musical medication and getting healthy doses of laughter as the best medicine. Steve Hanf worked as a sportswriter for 13 years before becoming a teacher in 2010 and currently leads the journalism program at First Flight High School. He eagerly awaits the return of indoor seating at coffee shops this summer!

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Find yourself in Corolla

Drive Until the Road Ends and the Great Wide Open Begins

This year, many wise families are simply planning to head north and find their way here. It is nice to know that awe-inspiring beaches, legendary wild horses and iconic historical sites await you and yours, where the paved road ends, in Corolla, NC.

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse A beacon guiding travelers on their way for well over a century, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers over the northern Outer Banks landscape. Because it still serves to aid navigation, its light comes on automatically every evening at dusk and ceases at dawn, flashing in a 20-second cycle that can be seen for 18 nautical miles. Notably unpainted, visitors get a sense of the multitude of bricks used to build this epic structure. The Currituck Beach Light is known as a first order lighthouse, which means it has the largest of seven Fresnel lens sizes. For a nominal fee, Corolla visitors can climb all 220 steps up the winding iron staircase for a wide-open view of both the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. At its base, and on the first two landings, are museum-quality exhibits offering guests an opportunity to learn more about this lighthouse as well as the history of coastal lighthouses, keepers and shipwrecks.

Take a Walk in the Park

Historic Corolla Park on the Currituck OBX Whalehead in Historic Corolla

The Whalehead museum is a 1920s era Art Nouveau architectural masterpiece and is the centerpiece of the wide-open green space we call Historic Corolla Park. Whalehead’s intriguing past is steeped in the roaring 1920s lifestyle of its patriarch and matriarch, Edward Collins Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise Lebel Bonat Knight. The wealthy young couple shared a strong passion for waterfowl hunting, so when Mrs. Knight had diﬃculty gaining membership into the all-male local hunt clubs, her husband had the majestic 21,000-squarefoot mansion by the sea built for his new bride. Weekly and annual events are often held here, tours of Whalehead are oﬀered daily.

OBX Center for Wildlife Education

Opening in June, 2021 The Currituck Maritime Museum Located on the grounds of Historic Corolla Park, the Maritime Museum celebrates the region’s

The OBX Center for Wildlife Education houses models of hunting and fishing boats, a duck blind, a decoy collection and a bounty of exhibits on both natural and wildlife history. Oﬀering free educational programs to visitors, the center resides in the park nestled between the ocean and the Sound, on the waters that put the OBX on the map for waterfowl hunting th century. at the turn of the 20th

rich history of boats and boat builders. Interactive exhibits and artifacts illuminate the stories of the rugged people who lived, worked and played on the waterways of northeast North Carolina, and helped build the early Outer Banks from the bows of simple yet ingeniously-crafted, wooden boats.

Head North to Corolla, NC

12 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

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MILD

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he Outer Banks is one of the few places where you can find activities for the whole family, ranging the gambit from Mild to, well, Wild. On the following pages, you’ll find The Outer Banks is a prime collection of things to do with the family while you’re here on vacation, from playing some mini golf to visiting the Lighthouses of the Outer Banks, taking in a performance of the Lost Colony, and interacting with one of our Wildlife Refuges. Have fun, and be safe everyone!

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ACTIVITIES

FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

MILD TO WILD

Corolla Adventure Golf

A blast for the entire family! Play three 9-hole themed golf courses featuring miniature Corolla landmarks. For terrific fun, bring your entire group for bumper car adventures, too! See ad pg. 17

Crystal Dawn Headboat Fishing Charters The Crystal Dawn, a 65-foot headboat, offers morning and afternoon inlet and sound fishing trips, beautiful sunset cruises on the Roanoke Sound, and its popular purple martin excursions that offer spectacular views of thousands of these migratory birds. The Crystal Dawn offers private party cruises. For day trips, all bait & tackle furnished. See ad inside back cover

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

A visit to the Outer Banks isn’t complete without a trip to Jockey’s Ridge, the tallest active sand dune in the eastern United States. Slip off your shoes when the sun starts dipping down into the Roanoke Sound and treat yourself to amazing views of the ocean and sound from the top. Participate in an interpretive ranger-led program, try your hand at wind sports such as hang gliding, or just simply take in the views while you fly a kite. Jockey’s Ridge is an experience any time of day you visit. Let the children explore the dunes by running and sliding down the steeper slopes, and then hike along the sound side beach. Remember to stop by the visitors’ center to learn more about these amazing dunes and the animals that call it home. 300 Carolista Dr. Nags Head • jockeysridgestatepark.com KEVIN GROAT

Roanoke Island Festival Park

There is so much to explore on this 25-acre interactive historic site adjacent to downtown Manteo. Home to the Elizabeth II, a 16th-century representative ship, visitors can spend time on deck with the crew and practice their hand at some of the daily chores that took place way back when. The park also features the Algonquian Indian Town, English Settlement Site and Roanoke Island Adventure Museum. Both the young and old will delight in the interactive components of the park and the costumed interpreters. A variety of performances are also held throughout the year at the outdoor pavilion, including concerts such as the Island Bluegrass Festival. • 1 Festival Park, Manteo. roanokeisland.com

16 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

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ACTIVITIES MILD TO WILD

The Country Girl

Whether you want to fish on the ocean bottom for gray tile triggerfish, sea bass, in the Gulf Stream for tuna, mahi mahi, king mackerel; The Country Girl catches them in style. The 57-foot Country Girl is the only boat in the Oregon Inlet fleet that is Coast Guard-licensed and equipped to carry more than six anglers to the Gulf Stream. The Country Girl is the perfect choice for your next fishing trip! See ad inside back cover

Lighthouses Of The Outer Banks

Make it a point to either visit one or all five iconic beacons of the Outer Banks. They are all steeped in maritime history and draw people from far and wide. While all are worth the trip, if you want to climb and see the spectacular views from the top, visit Hatteras Island, Bodie Island and Currituck Beach lighthouses. These three beacons also offer interpretive programs and exhibits for the public. Keep in mind that climbs, which involve more than 200 steps in each lighthouse, can be very strenuous for some visitors. Bodie Island Lighthouse • Currituck Beach Lighthouse Cape Hatteras Lighthouse • Ocracoke Lighthouse Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

Nags Head Woods Preserve & Conservancy

Described as a gem of forested ridges, ponds, marshes and wetlands nestled on the Outer Banks, Nags Head Woods Preserve protects one of the largest remaining maritime forests on the East Coast. Defined as a woodland habitat affected by the ocean, maritime forests such as Nags Head Woods have become increasingly rare due to the pressures of human development throughout coastal environments. There are multiple winding trails, one is even equipped with an audio tour along the route. Open from dawn to dusk every day free of charge. Restrooms and visitor lobby are open based on staff availability. Kill Devil Hills • nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/placeswe-protect/nags-head-woods-ecological-preserve MAGNETIC LOBSTER ON FLICKR

National Wildlife Refuges Gateway Visitor Center

Located on beautiful Roanoke Island, visitors can learn about the 11 national wildlife refuges and one national fish hatchery located on the Outer Banks and in eastern North Carolina. Interactive exhibits, walking trails, and a virtual airplane are all part of the experience. Visitors will love stopping by the old Dare Forest Supply Store, learn the history of Buffalo City, and more, as you watch short films in the center’s theater. There are things to see and do as part of a guided tour. Or at your leisure, tour on your own. The choice is yours. 110 Conservation Way, Manteo • fws.gov/ncgatewayvc

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FAMILY FUN CENTER

ACTIVITIES MILD TO WILD

18 HOLES

Paradise Fun Park

Outdoor fun featuring electric go-karts, two 18-hole miniature golf courses, and bumper cars. Enjoy the updated arcade and dip ice cream. Located on the bypass at mile post 5.5 in Kill Devil Hills. See ad pg. 15

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Spend the day among the shorebirds at this refuge located just south of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. More than 365 species of birds – including ospreys, snowy egrets and tundra swans can be seen in their natural habitat. Stop in the visitor’s center to learn more about interpretive programs, environmental education, fishing, boating and wildlife observation opportunities. You can also take a hike or go beachcombing. Kayak eco-tours provide a great way to see many species of avian life from the water. Pea Island Visitor’s Center, NC 12, Hatteras Island. fws.gov/refuge/pea_island

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The newest pirate themed miniature golf and arcade in Corolla. Located in Corolla Light Town Center across from the Whalehead Club. You’ll experience 18 holes of mini golf around pirate ships, giant skulls and more! Everyone in the family no matter your age will find fun at the indoor arcade as well! See ad pg. 21

Ocracoke Island

Discover Ocracoke Island while visiting the Outer Banks. Take the free Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry, or check out Ocracoke Express passenger ferry. You’ll love the island’s wide-open, undeveloped beaches and charming village. Enjoy life on this island that is alive with art, local music, and community events like the popular Ocrafolk Festival. The island also offers plenty of opportunities for unrivaled solitude. Visitors can easily get around this quaint island on bike. Stay for the day or the week. For ferry schedules, visit ncdot.gov/ferry. Ocracoke Island • ocracokevillage.com

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The Outer Banks’ only Authentic Oyster Bar

THINGS TO DO

home of the happy oyster

MILD TO WILD

The Whalehead Club

The Whalehead Club and the 39-acre Currituck Heritage Park in Corolla is a perfect venue to spend the day with the family. This Art Nouveau-style residence was restored in the 1920s and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The club features a copper roof, curved rooflines, ornamental chimneys, Tiffany lighting and distinctive porches. Visitors can go on a self-guided or staff-led tour of the club. Also on the grounds are the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. Nearby, stroll through the charming village of Corolla as you soak up small town life by the sea. Visit the website for hours, special events and programming. 1100 Club Road, Corolla, NC • visitcurrituck.com

Wild Horse Adventure Tours

If you like history, ecology and adventure, WHAT has you covered. Voted the #1 tour company in the US by TripAdvisor. Ride in the exclusive, open air, 13-passenger Hummers with a seasoned guide in search of the Colonial Spanish Mustangs! With added capabilities of custom designed, open air Hummer H1s, venture into three previously inaccessible and distinct ecosystems teeming with wildlife of all types! See ad pg. 19

TAKEOUT

Rated one of the top ten oyster bars in the nation by

Coastal Living Magazine Recognized for our steamed spiced shrimp by

Esquire Magazine

2106 N. Virginia Dare Trail • Kill Devil Hills

Wright Brothers National Memorial

MP 6 • Beach Road Across From Avalon Pier

More than 115 years ago, Orville and Wilbur Wright proved to the world that man could fly. And they did it right here on the Outer Banks with the first successful, “heavier than air” airplane flights on Dec. 17, 1903. Enormous sand dunes, steady winds and wide-open spaces drew the Ohio brothers to our shores. To commemorate their achievement, this massive monument in Kill Devil Hills marks the exact location where the brothers made history. It’s an experience the whole family will enjoy. 1401 National Park Drive, Kill Devil Hills • nps.gov/wrbr

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You can of course go to the beach! That is a large reason why you are here, right? Each town’s beaches are a little bit different. To figure out which beach you want to go to, it has been proven time and time again, OBXBeachAccess.com is the best reference from simply finding the beach access nearest you, to parking lot sizes, handicap accessibility, and more - you just cannot go wrong with visiting OBXBeachAccess.com. See ad pg. 30

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Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 23

HOT on the

TRAIL to good food

he most amazing food can be found on the Northeastern coast of North Carolina. If you have a craving for fresh seafood, juicy steaks, or the most stunning salads, you will find it on the Outer Banks. No matter the situation, be it a romantic date night, a family dinner, or a quick bite on the run, you’ll find what you’re looking for at these Outer Banks restaurants. For more information on any of the following restaurants, visit OuterBanksRestaurantGuide.com

FAMILY MATTERS LEARNING BY ACCIDENT

Milepost 9.5, Beach Road 1520 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

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Village Table & Tavern From casual, familiar fare, to elevated, creative originals, they offer something for everyone. Their menu includes crave-worthy appetizers, fresh salads, inspired sandwiches, creatively prepared local seafood, and scratchmade desserts. To complement their food, they serve local and international craft beers, an exceptional selection of wines, and craft cocktails that capture the essence of a seaside tavern. See ad pg. 27

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ViLLAGE

FOOD & DINING HOT ON THE TRAIL

FAMILY MATTERS LEARNING BY ACCIDENT

Blue Point Overlooking the Currituck Sound from the Waterfront Shops in Duck, the Blue Point is still the benchmark for food, beverage, and service on the Outer Banks, dinner served year-round. The Backbar is open at 5 pm for drinks in season. Enjoy stunning sound views at sunset at the Blue Point! Closed Sundays & Mondays. See ad pg. 29

TABLE VILLAGE

Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar No matter where you happen to be on the Outer Banks, if you’re in the mood for oysters, there is only one place to go to – Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar! Awful Arthur’s has been named as one of the top 10 Oyster Bars in the Country by Coastal Living magazine and has been recognized by Esquire magazine for their steamed shrimp. Awful Arthur’s is also famous for its popular surf and turf, soft shell crabs in season, crab cakes, and steamed combos. Although Awful Arthur’s features the Outer Banks only authentic oyster bar it also has landlubber favorites too – burgers, homemade pasta, and delicious sandwiches. See ad pg. 23

TAVERN

Mako’s Beach Grille & Bar Located in Kill Devil Hills, you’ll enjoy the casual, family-friendly atmosphere and one of the most eclectic menus on the Outer Banks at Mako’s Beach Grille & Bar. From mouthwatering pizza made in Mako’s wood-fired oven to fresh local seafood, prime rib roasted with garlic and rosemary, and a delicious plate of locally caught peel n’ eat shrimp, you’ll find your favorite dish here. Mako’s has a full kids menu for the little ones and tropical-themed cocktails for the grown-ups. It is sure to become a family tradition – if it isn’t already! See ad pg. 31

Serving familiar, regional classics with an international flair. Exceptional wine and craft beer selections, creative cocktails fashioned with housemade mixers, and the beach’s largest selection of premium craft liquors. Open for dine-in and take-out all year in Duck. @obxvillage

26 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

villagetableandtavern.com

1314 Duck Road, Duck • 252.715.1414 Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM

FOOD & DINING

FAMILY MATTERS

HOT ON THE TRAIL

LEARNING BY ACCIDENT

Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse For authentic coastal cuisine for breakfast and dinner, set the GPS to Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse in Kill Devil Hills. This family-run restaurant is an Outer Banks tradition. The breakfast menu is chock full of Southern favorites, including biscuits with homemade sausage gravy, country ham and eggs, and hotcakes. For dinner, their steaks, seafood, chicken, and porterhouse pork chops are second to none on the beach! While here, don’t forget to try Miller’s delicious sushi dishes! See ad pg. 25

Kelly’s OBX Catering Let Kelly’s OBX Catering do the cooking while you’re on vacation and enjoy their delicious fare delivered right to your door. Kelly’s caters to you, and will happily customize our menu items to perfectly suit you and your party. From BBQ to lasagna, to prime rib, coastal cuisine, side dishes and more. Now offering pizza. See ad pg. 31

Beach Food Pantry The Beach Food Pantry in Kitty Hawk is working hard each day to end food insecurity in our community. We strive to provide healthy and nutritional food items which include pantry staples, fresh vegetables, frozen items, meat, and dairy. You can help at beachfoodpantry.org See ad pg. 39

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FAMILY MATTERS

S PA C I O U S D I N E - I N S E AT I N G • C U R B S I D E P I C K - U P • P R O M P T D E L I V E R Y ( W I T H I N 5 M I L E S , IFAMILY N C LU D I N GMATTERS CO L I N G TO N )

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he Outer Banks is a unique place. Some families have been vacationing here for decades. Grown-ups have come here each year since they were kids, and now they’re bringing their kids with them to carry on a family tradition. Others are discovering the Outer Banks for the very first time. The Outer Banks, like the landmass itself, is not a static place. Things change, and you have questions about where to find the perfect vacation home, where to go to access the ocean from your vacation house. Or where to access the sound. Or, where are the handicapped accessible areas? Fortunately, all the answers to all of your questions are located in one convenient location – obxbeachaccess.com Lifeguarded beaches, leash laws for dog-friendly patches of sand, in addition to other commonly asked questions, can also be found on obxbeachaccess.com. And while you’re there, you can get updates on tides, hurricane prepping, sunscreen, Outer Banks Lighthouses, and beach

30 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

smarts. Find out what the laws are concerning beach canopies and how to read rip tides. Information to help keep you safe. If fishing is your thing, you’ll find information on that too. Important information, like where to get your fishing license, how long they are good for, and where to find the closest fishing pier. You’ll also find information on fishing charters if you want to do some fishing while not standing on terra firma. If you want to drive the beach in the off-season or up in Corolla, you’ll also find a comprehensive list of air-up stations to refill your tires. Perhaps you are the adventurous type, and sitting on a beach isn’t your thing. No worries. Information on kayaking, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, and windsurfing is included. You can even find information on places to rent all the equipment you’ll need for a day out on the water.

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SHUTTERSTOCK

SUMMER beach reads W

hat does the term “beach read” mean to you? For some, a mystery or thriller is what comes to mind, others may think of romance or “chick lit.” Others may save a new title for vacation so they can savor the reading experience with few distractions. In the bookselling business, we like to highlight books that have engrossing characters or a pageturning plot - or both! Here are a few that we expect to be popular this summer: STORY// SUE SAWIN

That Summer: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner A working wife and mother struggling to have it all finds herself enmeshed in another woman’s glamorous life when an email mixup brings them together. Getting Diana’s misdirected emails couldn’t have come at a better time for Daisy, who desperately needs a distraction from her persistent insomnia. When Diana extends an offer of friendship, Daisy accepts, but she soon learns that their “chance” encounter may have been orchestrated by Diana herself. (Atria Books, $28.00)

32 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews Beach Read Master Mary Kay Andrews kicks off the summer of 2021 with a riveting murder mystery. Andrews brings to life a quirky cast of characters wintering at a mom-and-pop motel in a sleepy Florida beach town. Suspicions are raised when Letty arrives with her 4-year-old niece, a bag of cash, and a big diamond ring. Little do the guests know that Letty’s shady sister has just been murdered in her New York City townhouse and that she left word that if anything bad happened, her husband, Evan, was to blame. Instructed to take the child and run, Letty snatches her and follows a cryptic clue to the Florida motel, where she fends off the attentions of a handsome police detective and tries to solve her sister’s murder. (St. Martin’s Press, $28.99)

LITERATURE BEACH READS People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Emily Henry had the most popular beach read of 2020, titled simply “Beach Read.” She brings two new characters with an irresistible plotline in her newest title. Poppy and Alex have nothing in common, but since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year, they live worlds apart— she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown— but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since. Discover their happy ever after (?) in “People We Meet on Vacation.” (Berkeley $16.00)

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Sooley by John Grisham John Grisham is known for his courtroom thrillers, but in Sooley, he takes you to a different kind of court in this, his first basketball novel. Samuel “Sooley” Sooleymon is a raw, young talent with big hoop dreams. He flies from his native Somalia to an international tournament in the U.S. Through tragic and unforeseen events, Samuel finds himself in Durham, NC, sitting on the bench at NC Central University and trying desperately to reunite his family. Gripping and moving, Sooley showcases John Grisham’s unparalleled storytelling powers in a whole new light. This is Grisham at the top of his game. (Doubleday, $28.95)

The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer by Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan The Babysitter is that rare true crime story that feels like a novel. A hybrid of memoir and investigative nonfiction, this is the story of Liza Rodman’s lonely girlhood on Cape Cod in the 1960s. Her mother worked at a hotel by day and partied in Provincetown by night. While she was out, the good-looking and kind hotel handyman babysat Rodman and her sister. They’d go get popsicles in his truck and hang out in his “secret garden” in the woods of Truro. It turns out their nice guy sitter was also a serial killer. Some of his dismembered victims were buried in that garden. Decades later, Rodman connected her babysitter and the splashy murder headlines and became obsessed with researching the case. (Atria Books, $28.00) The Lost Colony Murder on the Outer Banks: Seeking Justice for Brenda Joyce Holland by John Railey This fascinating story is both true and local. In the summer of 1967, nineteen-year-old Brenda Joyce Holland disappeared. She was a mountain girl who had come to Manteo to work in the outdoor drama The Lost Colony. Her body was found five days later, floating in the sound. Based on expansive research, including the state investigative file and multiple interviews with insiders, this riveting narrative searches for the truth of her unsolved murder. This includes séances, a suicide, and a supposed shallow grave. Journalist John Railey cuts through layers of stories, gossip, and speculation to finally arrive at the longhidden truth of what happened to Brenda Holland that summer on Roanoke Island. (Arcadia, $21.99)

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Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 33

OBX COMMUNITY SOME GIRLS BITE

mitted to their craft, and both the ride and the maintenance of their steeds.

The shade of each rider’s lip is artfully complemented by smudges of grease and perhaps the occasional patch of road rash, but most of that camouflages well beneath a smattering of bold tattoos and fishnet lines.

STORY// EMILY MOLIKEN PHOTOS// THE HAIL MARYS

Don’t let the lipstick fool you There are certain sights and sounds one becomes accustomed to while living on our sprawling sandbar- the whipping of roaring sea foam into a fine meringue on a windy day. The graceful V of pelicans migrating back to the warmth of the Banks in spring. Now imagine instead of the sounds of the sea, there’s a spine-rattling, metallic rumble barreling from what must be the depths of Hell and the gentle swooping of those pelican wings are the precise and skilled cuts of souped-up American Sportsters skirting across the bypass. The women of the Hail Marys can outride any man on this beach —and likely have already— and as their unwritten motto goes, don’t let the lipstick fool you. While there is little need to distinguish between these pavement powerhouses and their male counterparts, it would be simply unjust not to highlight their sophisticated ability to wordlessly communicate with one another using bike and body as one and fail to acknowledge the innate feminine advantage here. The Hail Marys seamlessly move in formation with the grace and ease of those birds, each knowing her place and rank in the flock and riding accordingly. There is structure and order stitched into the sowing of their wild oats. Now these ladies are not the Hog Mamas and Buckle Bunnies you see clutching their husbands’ backs on someone else’s bike (think rhinestone denim and pink chaps). They are young and courageous, sinfully beautiful, and deeply com-

When Tammie “Jett” Scarborough, Hail Marys President, founded the crew in 2015, it was out of simple necessity to create a space for women like her to ride. There were no young riders, women who hopped on their bikes and hauled, wide open, down the beach for the thrill of the run. Jett set out to empower not only herself but others like her - young, hungry, and talented. Jett’s first recruit, Nicole “Nickel” Wiseman, worked alongside her in her hair salon and grew up rough and tumble on dirt bikes with an Uncle Porky who had a penchant for motorcycles. Jett and Nickel, President and Vice President of the Hail Marys, respectively, have been sidekicks for years. Jett’s long black locks and reputation for speed liken her to Rock’s renegade. This perfectly harmonizes with Nickel’s sweet pixie face and blonde tresses. The pair head up the tight-knit five-member crew who say they’re not looking to recruit - women find them when they’re ready. That shortlist includes Stephanie “Switz” Quinn, the Road Captain who embodies Toy Story’s Jessie down to the fringe and fiery pigtails, Caroline “Hella Nerd” Horner, and newest prospect Jordan “Wizz” Barnes. The stories of what brought the women to the band are as unique as the bikes they straddle, but a common thread pulls all together of empowerment and love for the road. Don’t go calling the Hail Marys a gang, for the term, is completely at odds with what they stand for. Love of the ride aside, it is giving back to Dare County that fuels these women and drives so much of what they do. Their main philanthropic endeavor is the annual Toy Run, spearheaded by former KDH Commissioner and number one Hail Marys cheerleader Terry Gray. The Hail Marys are essentially the Toy Run’s mascot, laughs Nickel over her vodka soda. The Toy Run, she explains, is a huge gathering of bikers on the beach riding or “running” from Southern Shores to Mann’s Harbor, stopping along the way to pick up donations and, realistically, admirers. While their prowess on the road is truly something to be marveled at, it is their compassion that sets this small group of ladies apart from the rest. It’s all about the children, explains Jett while casually shooting Jameson and showing little girls that they can tear it up too is only a sidecar to the scholarships, funds, and goodies the women dole out by the armful. In addition to the Toy Run, a portion of all Hail Marys swag —beautifully designed stickers, shirts, hats, and a professionally shot calendar is donated to the community. The women call it road therapy, the working out of life’s problems with the scorch of two tires on asphalt, but it is clear upon a few meetings with this staggering group of bikers that so much of what is worked out is done so via the bonds they have created amongst one another. This is evidenced not only in the elegance of their riding formation but in the simple joy that oozes out of them while in each other’s company. To hang out with these women is to step into a leather-clad sorority, complete with rituals kept under lock and key. There is the air of friendly hazing laced with an edge of authority and hierarchy. As I spoke to the women, questions on the history and founding principles of the club were all to be answered by Wizz, the newcomer, and the expertly lashed eyes of each member rested heavily upon her as I inadvertently tested her on the spot. There is a camaraderie and a deeply feminine bond that is so pleasing to see in such a male-dominated arena and without all the bedazzled pageantry so tritely

marketed to female riders. A story shared by the group so perfectly encapsulates the raging spirit of the Hail Marys. While on a camping trip run frequently taken by the Marys, the women ran into a storm. Rain battered the women, the road illuminated only when lightning struck around them and all they had to go by was the taillights of the woman in front of her. As the wind whipped them and the denim quickly gave way to a run drenched to the bone, they depended on each other more than ever. Hella Nerd says that if Jett, leading the pack, would have gone into a ditch, she would have been right there behind her. This small and scary statement speaks volumes. While they quite literally could have ended up piled off the side of the road in heaps of mangled steel and pantyhose that night, we all quietly acknowledged what she really meant. The Hail Marys are ride or die. When the pomp and circumstance is over, the tent poles are pitched, and the saddlebags unpacked, these women have each other’s backs through and through. “We didn’t talk about the storm at all for a week,” recalls Switz or “Compass Rose” when acting as Road Captain, shielding the sun from her eyes as we stand in the grass surrounded by the women and their bikes. Their commitment to one another is as thick in the air as the exhaust in their wake. And the name Hail Mary? An ironic play on the holy and the long shot, but I’ve got my money on this one. Emily Moliken graduated from the University of Virginia with degrees in Media & American Studies. She enjoys the deranged writings of Hunter S. Thompson and likes her music from the same era. If you want to find her, she is likely on the beach. If you can’t find her, quit looking.

Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 35

FAMILY MATTERS

SHOPPING

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GET THE GOODS

MAKE THINGS HAPPEN WITH

Good Design

HOME DECOR | ACCESSORIES | WINDOW TREATMENTS

OBXDELIVERED.COM You won’t have to look very hard to find stunning local art, jewelry, handcrafted carvings, and places to satisfy your sweet tooth, and that “just right” souvenir to bring home from your vacation. If you can imagine it, you can find it on the Outer Banks. Here is a start on your treasure hunt of shopping.

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36 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

252.261.8200 | KITTY HAWK PLAZA | MP 4 3830 N CROATAN HWY | KITTY HAWK, NC

DANIELSHOMEPORT.COM Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 37

SHOPPING

GET THE GOODS

OUTER BANKS ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS SHOP...SINCE 1967

If you are looking for hand-carved waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife art, look no further than The Bird Store. Plus you’ll be amazed at their collection of paintings, prints, and the Outer Banks largest collection of antique and new decoys. See ad on pg. 39

It’s not just a store...It’s an experience! Voted #1 Christmas Shop in North Carolina

Remember your trip to the Outer Banks with a custom ornament from The Christmas Shop. An Outer Banks Original since 1967, it’s not just a Christmas Shop, it’s an experience. The Christmas Shop is located on Hwy 64 in Manteo on Roanoke Island. Explore the 25,000 sq ft store full of unique gifts, Christmas ornaments and decor, locally made candy and snacks, jewelry, local art and so much more! It’s like no place you’ve ever been! See ad on pg. 39

Check out our Instagram, Facebook page / group page! Listen 24/7 ; 365 days a year! Download free apps for IOS and Android

Christopher Radko Snowbabies Jim Shore Fontanini

Old World Glass Byers’ Choice Carolers Possible Dream Santas Ginger Cottages

Karen Didion Originals Hollywood Nutcrackers Disney Ornaments LED Lights

Visit Our General Store Candy, Fudge, Coffee & Delights Galore • Remember your visit to the Outer Banks with a personalized ornament • Browse among our Thousands of Ornaments Table Top - Home Decor • Jewelry - Engraved Gifts - Halloween Haunted House

radiofreeobx.com

Whether it is indoor or outdoor furnishings or furniture that you are looking for, we are your one stop shop! Our Poppy Murphy Cabinet Bed is a truly instant guest bed. Convert it from handsome cabinet to comfy bed in less than a minute. When all closed up it just takes 10 square feet of floor space. Easy to use, easy to love. See ad on pg. 37

Thank You,

Eden Day Spa & Salon, an Aveda Salon, has been creating beauty and style since 1996! For hair that needs repair, Aveda’s new botanical hair™ will transform your hair instantly. It strengthens and repairs from the inside out. For hair that needs hydration, use hydration and nutiplenish™. Pamper yourself at Eden Day Spa the leader in hair fashion and skincare. See ad on pg. 5

for helping Dare County stay nourished.

FILLER

On the way to the NCAquarium, Festival Park & Lost Colony. Hwy 64 in Manteo on Roanoke Island • OPEN DAILY AT 9:30 A.M.

252.473.2838 • OuterBanksChristmas.com

The

BIRD STORE Established 1986

The Outer Banks Wildlife Gallery • Featuring over 75 artists

FILLER

• Specializing in local art • Art LaMay originals

• Carvings, prints, lighthouse art, paintings, old & new decoys, ﬁsh, seashore art, driftwood & more This is where the greatest of lifestyle brands on the Outer Banks can be found. Names like Fish Hippie, Salt Life, Southern Fried Cotton, Simply Southern, Hey Dude Shoes, Bogg Bags, and Brumate. The Farmer’s Daughter is also the place for coolers from Yeti, jewelry by Pura Vida. You can also find home décor and footwear, and a whole lot more! See ad on pg. 3

The increased demand for emergency food relief continues. We need your continued support.

38 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

SHOTS

beachfoodpantry.org 4007 N. Croatan Highway • Kitty Hawk, NC 252.261.2756 obxbeachfoodpantry@gmail.com

807 S. Croatan Hwy MP 8.5 Kill Devil Hills, NC thebirdstoreobx@gmail.com

252.480.2951 • thebirdstoreobx.com Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 39

SHOPPING

GET THE GOODS

Island Books, with locations in Kitty Hawk, Duck, & Corolla, have some of the area’s best local authors. Books ranging from adventure fiction to regional history. If there is a book about the Outer Banks, you’ll likely find it at Island Books. See ad on pg. 33

Build your own OBXoxo gift box for someone special. Choose from a wide array of local items, all curated by Muse Originals. You build it and we deliver it! Send some sunshine today! Discounts available for large orders, great for weddings, family reunions, corporate retreats, rental gifts, etc. Build your OBXoxo gift box now at www.OBXdelivered.com See ad on pg. 37

We love the outdoors at Nags Head Hammocks and handcraft our Classic Hammocks, Swings and Durawood Furniture to help you enjoy every moment. It all started in 1974 when our first hammocks were made in a little shop on The Outer Banks. Since then, we have continued to expand and improve our selection of outdoor living products with an eye on innovation, style and design. See ad on pg. 41

Head over to Super Wings to grab your favorite beach gear. We have the largest selection of Outer Banks T-Shirts, Beach Chairs, Souvenirs, Ladies Fashion, Mix ’N Match Swimwear, Beach Toys, Swimming Gear, Skimboards, Bodyboards, and Lotions. See ad on pg. 1

Urban Cottage has been inspiring easy living decor with sophisticated beach elegance whether for small beach cottages or large-scale resort homes since 2000. A Summer must have…… lightweight backpack coolers by Scout for hands-free toting. Just add your favorite beverage and hit the beach! See ad on pg. 41

40 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 41

REAL ESTATE VACATION HOMES

F nding

of public beach accesses up and down the Beach Road. Some offer showers to rinse away the salt and sand, restrooms, and even handicapped facilities. Now, if you aren’t that much of an early riser yet still want the same fun that the beach has to offer without the crashing waves, a home between the highways or on the west side of the Bypass might be more suitable for you. Keep this in mind too, rentals situated on the sound typically offer calm and relaxed waters, even with shallow spots - both ideal for children and pets at play. And let’s also not forget the sunsets on the sound are spectacular!

Your

Escape

Greg Smrdel has found his escape on the Outer Banks as the editor of Outer Banks Coastal Life and morning show host at Radio Free Outer Banks.

FIND THE PERFECT OUTER BANKS RETREAT FOR YOUR FAMILY STORY// GREG SMRDEL aying that the past year has been challenging may be the biggest understatement in this entire magazine. We are all looking for ways to escape the pandemic that held us hostage for over a year. Escape the rut in which we have found ourselves. We escape by planning our summer vacation to the Outer Banks. For many of us, this is the perfect remedy to all of the heaviness of the last year. And why not find your escape on the Outer Banks? Even if you don’t have a vacation, jobs are being done remotely from our home offices. Who says you can’t have your home office in your vacation home? When searching for the absolutely “perfect escape,” you’ll want to keep several things in mind. For example: make a list of conveniences that you can’t live without. This will make your search easier, regardless of whether you will take care of booking a house yourself or choosing to use one of the area’s rental companies. Your choices in rental beach houses are essentially unlimited. The size of homes ranges from a single to 10+ bedrooms. And the amenities are also endless. If you want a hot tub, private pool, ping pong table, or a pool table, you’re sure to find a house that has just that. One thing to consider, if you are planning a “working week at the beach,” check to ensure that your vacation home has internet and Wi-Fi service. Don’t wait to move in to find out that you can’t get that report to your boss by Tuesday. If your family includes members of the four-legged variety, you’ll also want to ensure your escape is pet-friendly. The Outer Banks has always been known as one of the most petfriendly beach destinations. Elaine from Carolina Designs Re-

42 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

alty says that “Dog-friendly homes are the number one searched amenity on our website.” You’ll find numerous pet-friendly hotels and home rentals, no matter in which town you’re staying. Just be aware that pet laws vary from place to place. Something to keep in mind when deciding where you will be renting your beach house. See “Beaching it With Fido” on page 50 in this issue for local pet leash laws and various dog parks. Bringing your pet with you on vacation doesn’t have to be daunting. Just be sure your beach house is pet-friendly, and your four-legged friend will fit right in! For vacationers staying longer than just a couple of days, and especially for families traveling with children, a washer and dryer can make your vacation a lot less stressful. Having easy access to laundry facilities can also help keep your packing to a minimum as you will be able to wash and re-wear clothes. This amenity can be more important than you think. Another decision to make in planning your escape is whether to book on the beach or the sound. Carolina Designs Realty also had this to say, “Possibly one of the biggest concerns that Outer Banks vacationers have is beach access and the proximity to the Atlantic or even the Sound.” If you enjoy a late-night stroll on the beach, or if you’re an early bird who loves to watch the stunning Outer Banks sunrises, a home that is on or near the beach might be right up your alley. There are rentals all along the coast that allow you to walk straight out your back door and sink your toes directly into the sand. There are also dozens

SHUTTERSTOCK

Finding the perfect escape beach house for your vacation is the very start of many summer memories to come. Choose a rental by prioritizing what you want and need and what will help make the most out of your time away from home. No matter the rental, the location, or the who, what, when, where, and why, the Outer Banks will provide all you need for an extraordinary and unforgettable beach vacation! For more information, check out obxbeachaccess.com. For those looking for a more lasting type of escape by moving to the Outer Banks, well, that is another option. Again, if you’re able to work remotely and can do it from anywhere, why not make the Outer Banks a permanent escape for you and your family. Keep in mind that this option may not be for the faint of heart. Real Estate prices are high since others are taking advantage of working from anywhere, but if you exercise a little bit of patience in finding your escape home, you too may be able to call the Outer Banks home!

Summer 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 43

ACTIVITIES

PADDLE, PEDAL, & PLAY

Parks, Path & Rampss Duck Town Park - N.C.12, Duck

Set on 11 acres along the Currituck Sound, this park includes more than a half-mile of sound side boardwalk, an amphitheater, playground, picnic shelter, kayak/boat launch, walking trails, and a gazebo. Summer events, concerts, and shows are often held on the Town Green. The park is located on Duck Road in the heart of town.

David Paul Pruitt, Jr. Playground - The Woods Rd. Kitty Hawk

This popular playground is just north of the Dominion Power building. The playground is fenced in and includes equipment for both young and older children. Swings, merry go round, and slides are here, along with a picnic table and nearby multi-use path.

Sandy Run Park - The Woods Rd. Kitty Hawk

This park has a boardwalk and a path that meanders through the maritime forest and near a pond. There’s a shaded picnic area with a grill, fishing area, and boat launch as well as a basketball court at this park, which is located across the road from a multi-use path.

Kitty Hawk Park - Kitty Hawk Rd. Kitty Hawk

This spot features a popular skateboard park, fenced-in dog park, playground, and shaded picnic area. It also has restrooms. The skate park also permits bikes and in-line skates.

Hayman Park - W. Hayman Blvd. Kill Devil Hills

A popular park, with a swing set, slides, jungle gyms, live oaks to climb, and a large grassy field to play on; kids can spend hours here. The park also has picnic tables and grill as well as restrooms.

Bike The Banks!

Lace up your trainers or hop on your bike or board and explore the Outer Banks trails! Several multi-use paths provide shade and a safe place for the whole family. Here’s a rundown of the most popular ones, from north to south.

Corolla - The Corolla Greenway totals three miles begin-

ning in Ocean Sands and winding north to Albacore Street in Whalehead Beach. The multi-use path is a safe distance from the road and provides shade and easy riding.

Duck - This multi-use path is six miles long and runs the entire length of the town. It is primarily located on the east side of Duck Road and runs through the heart of town. From Four Seasons Lane to the Duck Post Office, the trail is on both sides of N.C. 12 in the form of a wide shoulder.

Southern Shores - The one-mile bike path runs along the U.S. 158 from the Southern Shores Town Hall west to Kitty Hawk Elementary School. The path then continues along N.C., connecting Southern Shores to the town of Duck.

Paths Continued:

Kitty Hawk - The Paul Pruitt Multi-Use Path runs the entire length

of The Woods Road, and parking is available at the Paul Pruitt Playground or Sandy Run Park. The path is open to all non-motorized pedestrian traffic and is shaded and slightly hilly.

Kill Devil Hills - There is a multi-use path that follows Colington Road adjacent to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. This path connects to a multi-use path along Bay Drive that runs along the sound and into the town of Kitty Hawk. Beginning at Veterans Drive, it runs west before turning north toward W. First Street before connecting with Bay Drive. Nags Head - A multi-use path that runs along N.C. 12 begins at

milepost 10, runs through Whalebone Junction and past Jennette’s Pier to South Nags Head, ending at milepost 21.

Roanoke Island - Bike along the six miles of multi-use paths that extend from the foot of the Washington Baum Bridge to the Manns Harbor Bridge. The path takes bikers through the town of Manteo and past historical sites such as Fort Raleigh and the Elizabethan Gardens.

Go for A paddle!

If you want to launch a kayak, boat, paddle board, or kiteboard, check out the following launch sites from north to south:

The Whalehead Club - 1100 Club Rd. Corolla

A boat and kayak launch is located at the end of Club Road, where you will find a pier, boat ramp, and parking.

The sea, the sound, and a world of possibilites in between. Find it all in

Duck Town Park - 1200 Duck Rd. Duck

This kayak launch requires a short walk down the boardwalk from the parking lot.

Rec Park - Mustian St. Kill Devil Hills

This playground has new equipment for both younger and older children and includes swings, slides, soccer and baseball fields, picnic tables, vending machines, a water fountain, and restrooms.

Kitty Hawk Bay Boat Launch - Bob Perry Rd. Kitty Hawk

Located across from the Dock of the Bay marina, this public launch includes parking and a picnic area and provides great access to the creeks and canals in the area.

Casey Logan Disc Golf Course - Veterans Dr. Kill Devil Hills

Located on a portion of the 44-acre Baum Tract, the course is tucked away behind the First Flight High School athletic field and around the corner from the Dare County Sheriff Office’s ropes course. Includes 18 holes and a practice tee.

Avalon Beach Access - 2025 Bay Dr. Kill Devil Hills

Boaters and kayakers will find plenty of parking at this launch site.

Dowdy Park (pictured) - S. Croatan Hwy. Nags Head

Jockey’s Ridge State Park - West Soundside Rd. Nags Head

Nags Head’s newest park, this gem includes acres of fun, featuring children’s play areas, sports courts, interactive art exhibits, a gazebo, events pavilion, open grass areas, and walking trails.

A large sound side beach and shallow water make this a popular site to launch the kayak.

Washington Baum Bridge - U.S. 64, Roanoke Island

Nags Head Town Park - W. Barnes St. Nags Head

Across from Pirate’s Cove Marina, you’ll find a boat ramp under the bridge that is suitable for kayaks and boats. There is a parking lot and walkways for fishermen.

This shaded park features swings, slides, jungle gyms, a sheltered picnic area with tables and grills and an open field. Nature trails are accessible from the park, including one that winds through Nags Head Woods and leads to the sound.

Nags Head Estuarine Access - Milepost 16.5 on the

Whalebone Park - N.C. 12 across from Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head

Causeway, Nags Head - Parking, a wooden walkway and gazebo

This two-acre park includes bocce ball courts, a volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, shaded picnic area and ADA-approved playground equipment.

are at this site.

Check obxbeachaccess.com/outer-banks-sound-access for more sound access information along the Outer Banks.

Year after year, visitors have enjoyed our walkable village, top-notch restaurants and remarkable shops. Discover community events, walking trails, a kayak launch, and the boardwalk at the Town Park in the heart of Duck. While you’re visiting Duck find all the ways to Shop, Play, Dine, and Stay at doducknc.com.

Save the date! The 2021 Duck Jazz Festival is coming October 9-10. Visit duckjazz.com for info and updates. townofduck.com 252.255.1234

AERO 158

44 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

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HEALTH MATTERS

each safety is something we all need to keep in the forefront of our minds. Lady Atlantic is magnificent, but she also must be respected.

According to the United States Lifesaving Association, rip currents account for at least 100 deaths each year in the United States, and more than 80 percent of all ocean rescues are related to them. The most important precaution you can take when it comes to rip currents is to swim near a lifeguard. Lifeguards can advise you on the safest places to swim and also provide you with essential information about water conditions. Advisory boards are also located at lifeguard stands. Visit obxbeachaccess.com to find Outer Banks beach accesses where lifeguards are stationed.

\\ RIP CURRENTS

Rip currents can materialize quickly on the Outer Banks. These powerful channels of water extend from the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves. Rip currents are more likely to pull around low tide and in areas where there is a break in the wave pattern. Signs of a rip current include churning, choppy water, an area that has a notable difference in the color of the water, or a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward. If you find yourself being pulled seaward, stay calm and don’t fight the current. If you are able to, swim in a direction parallel to the shoreline. When you are free of the current, swim at an angle, away from the current and toward shore. If you are unable to escape by swimming; float or tread water and call or wave for help. To learn more, visit ripcurrents.noaa.gov.

\\ DANGEROUS SHORE BREAK

Waves crashing on the beach, particularly around high tide, can be powerful and dangerous – easily knocking someone off their feet – especially young children. These waves can cause serious neck, shoulder and spinal injuries. General rules to follow are to never turn your back to the waves, never dive to the bottom of oncoming waves, and if you do get knocked down to put your arms in front of you to protect your head and neck.

46 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

\\ OFFSHORE WIND

Offshore winds (blowing from the southwest) can quickly blow you and your raft or stand up paddleboard out toward sea further than desired or expected. Check wind conditions before going on the water with equipment, and if you are unsure, check with your lifeguard.

\\ SEVERE WEATHER

According to the National Weather Service, North Carolina is ranked second in the country for lightning-related deaths. Weather can change quickly on the Outer Banks, so it’s important to stay alert and check the weather forecast before heading out for the day. Listen to ocean rescue lifeguards when they warn of an incoming storm and suggest you leave the beach. During thunderstorms, seek cover inside or if not available, in an enclosed vehicle. It is recommended that you wait 30 minutes following the last thunder crack before returning to the beach.

\\ SHARK SAFETY

\\ COROLLA WILD HORSES

\\ DIGGING HOLES ON THE BEACH

Staying safe is important to ensuring that your vacation is a happy one. If you doubt something, do a little research and don’t forget to ask a lifeguard. They are your greatest resource once your feet hit the sand. Most Outer Banks towns also have websites outlining local rules and regulations and don’t forget to check out obxbeachaccess.com for more valuable information. Always err on the side of caution so you can be sure that you and your family have a wonderful stay. Enjoy!

To avoid contact with sharks, don’t enter or swim near a pier, since baitfish that sharks feed on are often attracted to these structures. Swim and wade in groups and avoid being in the water during dusk, at night, or during twilight hours when sharks are most active. Also refrain from wearing shiny jewelry, which can be mistaken by a shark as fish scales. Sand bars and steep drop offs are also places where sharks are more likely to dwell. Digging holes on the beach poses a number of dangers. People and animals can fall into the holes, especially at nighttime. Holes can also present a danger to lifeguards and first responders in four-wheelers and trucks. A few rules of thumb before you dig in with that shovel are to never dig a hole deeper than the knees of the smallest person in the group; no tunneling whatsoever; and always fill in holes when you leave the beach.

It is illegal to come within 50 feet of the Corolla wild horses. They are unpredictable and dangerous and best viewed from afar. It is also illegal to feed the horses. Unnatural food items can harm or even kill the horses, making them more likely to seek out humans for food. A good rule of thumb for all wildlife is to be respectful and keep your distance – our Outer Banks ecology is fragile!

\\ HEAT EXHAUSTION

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States. Heat exhaustion – dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, profuse sweating, nausea and/or rapid heartbeat – is a serious condition that should not be ignored. If you experience these symptoms, move to a cooler location such as a shaded area, apply cool wet clothes to your skin and sip water. Cooling off your feet by placing them in a bucket of cool water is also helpful. To prevent heat-related illnesses, be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and seek shade during hot weather. Remember, heat exhaustion is not just a human danger, pets are also affected (see Beachin’ It With Fido on pg. 50).

\\ SUNSCREEN

A vacation can be ruined by getting a severe sunburn, not to mention it can cause long-term skin damage and cancer. Sun exposure is more intense while on the beach and in the water, which means beachgoers need to be vigilant when it comes to sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends an SPF of at least 30 and recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours or sooner if you are in the water. Water resistant sunscreen only lasts between 40 to 80 minutes.

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\\ SWIM NEAR A LIFEGUARD

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Custom wedding packages available!

Door-to-door transportation • Up to 45 passengers • Air-conditioned • Dependable, always on time Service from Hatteras to Corolla • Stress-free wedding vehicle for the entire wedding party • Professional, courteous drivers Winter 2021 2020 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 47 49 Summer

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ALCOHOL ABCS

ABCs ABC Of Alcohol Sand & surf. Wind & waves. Booze & the beach.

STORY// STEVE HANF

t doesn’t take more than a cursory glance at shopping carts coming out of the grocery stores or SUVs streaming out of ABC Store parking lots to know that alcohol is a major part of many a beach vacation. And for most folks, that isn’t a problem.

Until it is. “Alcohol, while of course, it is widely used regularly, recreationally, and responsibly, it is also probably the No. 1 factor in bad decisions that people wind up making that have them encounter us,” says Capt. J.C. Towler Jr. of the Kill Devil Hills Police Department. As with any area, locals will make some of those bad decisions throughout the year. But without a doubt, officials with local police departments and sheriff’s offices see dramatic increases in issues when the summer season is in full swing. “We’re a tourist destination and a getaway and part of a lot of people’s getaway is enjoying a drink when they’re fishing or hanging out or doing whatever, and that’s fine,” Towler adds. “It’s when they get behind the wheel of a car or they have too much and start making poor choices, all the things that result from inebriation and bad decision-making.” That means commonplace issues such as Driving While Intoxicated and fights between belligerent drinkers as well as scary situations such as falling off decks – or even tackling a rougher ocean than your altered state can handle. “As with all beaches and oceans, there may be risks or situations where our judgment cannot be impaired,” Currituck County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Joey Davidson says. Davidson is part of the regular patrols for Currituck County that serve and protect from Duck to the Virginia state line. He pointed out several important reminders when it comes to drinking on the northern beaches: Alcohol cannot be consumed at public beach access areas or boat ramps. (Illegal drugs and abusive language/behavior also are prohibited in these spots.) No one, sober or drunk, should approach the famed wild horses. And, oh yeah – just because you’re driving on the beach doesn’t mean you can do it after a day of drinking under your umbrella.

48 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

“There are state laws and county ordinances that prohibit driving while impaired on the beach strand, which can carry the same consequences as driving on the state highway,” says Davidson, adding that DWI charges are regular occurrences for folks traveling to Carova. “Our beaches are available for all to enjoy and are a big attraction to families which include children both big and small. The Currituck County Sheriff’s Office takes pride in ensuring that our beaches are kept safe and that a good experience is had by all.”

Davidson and Towler both highlighted the fact that many of the alcohol offenses on the beach come from folks who tend to be pretty calm and collected in their 9-to-5 jobs the rest of the year. Cutting loose while on vacation can come at a huge cost, though, especially when it comes to being in the ocean, or keeping track of kids in the surf. Ocean Rescue, of course, is there to save the day whenever possible. Towler adds that lifeguards are tasked with rescuing swimmers in distress rather than enforcing rules on the beach. When it comes to alcohol, the rules are actually pretty simple. In Kill Devil Hills, for instance, beer and “unfortified” wine are allowed on the beach, but mixed drinks and spirituous liquors are not. The National Park Service actually mentions on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore website that a state law prohibits the consumption of those types of alcohol in public. “ ‘Supposed to’ being the operative word,” Towler says about the beer/wine only rule. “Nobody’s going to check your thermos to see if you’ve got a margarita in there, or coffee, but if you’ve got your tent set up with power cords running to it and a blender going with your mini-bar out there, then somebody is going to speak to you about that.” KDH, Currituck, and most of the local municipalities do specify that glass containers are not allowed on the beach, for obvious safety reasons. Other than that, the beach police patrols keep an eye out for drunk-and-disorderly kinds of behaviors that may impact other beach-goers. One of the biggest misconceptions about alcohol laws for visitors is the fact that it’s perfectly legal to walk down the sidewalk with a beer in your hand, Towler says. While North Carolina did away with its “open container” law in vehicles in 2000 – that rule had allowed passengers to have alcohol as long as the driver had none in his or her system – pedestrians are in the clear. “Sometimes you need that one experience, and you take that lesson, and you apply it to the rest of your life, and you don’t do it again,” Towler says. “But some people seem to need a refresher lesson every week or month or so.” Know these rules, and apply common sense and you’ll have a great summer vacation! Steve Hanf is a former sportswriter-turned-teacher who has lived in Southern Shores for the past six years. Reporting for this article was a good reminder to keep glass bottles off Chicahauk Beach this summer!

Summer Winter 2020 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 51 49

PETS & WILDLIFE BEACHIN’ IT WITH FIDO

Beachin’ It

Paws Park at Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills. Photo by Kevin Groat

With F do

DOG PARKS

SATTERFIELD LANDING ROAD DOG PARK, Nags Head. Free, open to the public, and does not require a permit. There are two areas at this Nags Head dog park, one for small dogs up to 30 pounds and one for larger dogs over that weight. The park is located on the Dare County Recreation Park grounds at 227 West Satterfield Landing Rd. There’s plenty of room and shade for your doggie to play! Water and doggie waste bags are available. KITTY HAWK DOG PARK. Located at 900 W. Kitty Hawk Road, the park is open to both residents and visitors of Dare County. To receive the keycode for the park, dog owners must complete an application that can be found at darenc.com/how-do-i-/register/for-the-kitty-hawk-dogpark. Owners must provide a rabies certificate as well.

ring your dog on vacation? Sure, Why not? After all, the family pet is more than just a pet. They are part of the family. Fortunately, the Outer Banks is a very dog-friendly place, and there’s no doubt your dog’s tail will keep wagging all week long. There’s lots of four-legged fun to be had on the beaches, dog parks, and all over town. But to ensure you and Fido have the vacation of a lifetime, we wanted to provide some tips, regulations, and other useful information you’ll need to know to be sure that your canine buddy will be as happy as a clam! Every town, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, have its own rules when it comes to keeping your dog on a leash as well as designated times you can bring your four-legged friend on the beach. All towns require that you remove dog waste and dispose of it in an appropriate container. From north to south, here’s a run-down on the leash laws by area or town along with contact information:

LEASH LAWS In COROLLA, dogs are allowed year-round on the beach and at the Whalehead Club’s Heritage Park, but they must be on a leash. There is no leash length requirement. 252.453.8555. As for the Town of DUCK, there are no leash laws on town beaches; however, dogs must be supervised and under control at all times. Dogs must be leashed throughout town, including the park, boardwalk, and Duck Trail. 252.255.1234. For SOUTHERN SHORES, dogs must be on a leash year-round on the beach and during the season. From May 15 to September 15, they can only be on the beach (leashed) before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. 252.261.2394. In KITTY HAWK, dogs are allowed on the beach and must display a current rabies tag. From the Friday before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. All other times during the year, dogs must be restrained on a leash retractable to 12 feet. Dogs can be taken off

50 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 2021

SHUTTERSTOCK

ROANOKE ISLAND DOG PARK. The dog park is located next to Outer Banks SPCA at 378 Airport Rd, Manteo NC. You must complete the application and rabies certificate at the Dare County Parks & Recreation Department at 1000 Wescott Park Rd. in Manteo.

Hydration, hydration, hydration! It can get hot here during the summer months, so whether you are spending the day on the beach or at the park, make sure you have plenty of water for your pet, along with plenty of shade. Overheating is a real threat to your pet during these hot months. Note: Signs to look for are excessive panting and drooling, wobbly (drunk-looking, disoriented) movement, vomiting, and a rapid heart rate. Overweight dogs, the very young and very old, and breeds with long hair or flat faces (like pugs and bulldogs) are at a higher risk of heatstroke. Try to keep your dog from ingesting too much saltwater, as it can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. While it typically runs its course in a day, it can be a bummer for you and your dog. Dogs can drown, too. Make sure whatever precautions you take for yourself and your family when it comes to water safety, you do the same for Fido. Dogs can get caught in rip currents or hurt from high surf and jellyfish stings, just like we can. Ouch, that sand is hot, especially for your furry friend. A good rule of thumb is that if it is too hot for you to walk without shoes on, it’s definitely too hot for your dog. Consider keeping your dog off the beach during the hottest hours of the day. They and their paws will thank you. Sand can reach temperatures of 120 degrees during mid-day, and just like your feet, their paw pads can burn and blister. Note: Sandspurs can cause your dog some grief, so watch for areas where they are troublesome – and pay attention if your dog seems to be limping after some exploring back in the dunes.

Please Note: Safe Pet Vacation kits provided by the Dare County SPCA are available at town halls and include information on what to do if you are separated from your pet. Also provided is a temporary dog tag and other important information and contact numbers.

the leash only if they are well-behaved, don’t disturb other people, and remain within 30 feet of owners at all times. The owner must have a leash, however, at all times. 252.261.3552. In KILL DEVIL HILLS, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, dogs are not permitted on the beach between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. unless being used to aid a disabled person. Dogs must be leashed at all other times. 252.480.4047. In NAGS HEAD, pets are welcome at any time as long as they are restrained with a leash no longer than 10 feet. 252.441.5508.

You can also find more detailed information about regulations in each town by visiting their websites or OBXBeachAccess.com

PET SAFETY TIPS

You’ll find that many of the same safety tips that apply to us humans while vacationing on the beach also apply to our furry friends. To ensure everyone enjoys these beautiful dog days of summer, here are just a few tips to keep Fido happy – and safe – while you are on the Outer Banks.

Help Fido apply his flea and tick medication well before you head to the beach, as both pests are on our beaches and can make your dog pretty miserable.

FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, HERE ARE THE LEASH LAWS BY AREA OR TOWN WITH CONTACT INFORMATION:

On the CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE, dogs are permitted on the beaches as long as they are restrained on a six-foot or less leash. 252-473-2111.

PAWS PARK in Kill Devil Hills (picture on left) is a feature of Aviation Park at 103 Veterans Drive, across from First Flight High School. Paws Park has 3 designated areas for large, small, and senior dogs, along with dogs with special needs. All dogs must be wearing a collar with a valid license and rabies tag.

Three Dog Ink Media - Outer Banks Creative Agency

WEB

MARKETING

PUBLICATIONS

threedogink.com - 252.261.6490

PICK UP THE POOP! PLEASE! Our island is beautiful, and we all want to keep it that way. Dog feces are really unpleasant to step in, swim near, or lay your beach towel next to. It can be harmful to both people and wildlife. So, don’t forget to clean up after your dog and dispose of it in the trash can! As you can see, the Outer Banks is the perfect place to visit with your four-legged pal as long as everyone follows a few simple guidelines! Miles of beaches, trails, walking paths, and parks make it fun and easy to get out and explore with Fido. You’re even likely to find a cafe or two that will welcome your pooch on their outdoor patio, and many of our shops even have souvenirs for your buddy as well. More and more of our rental homes and hotels are becoming pet-friendly, making it easier than ever to bring your canine friend along with you on vacation. There’s no reason to leave your dog at home anymore, and as long as you play it safe and are respectful of our unique local environment, you’re both sure to have a tail-waggin’ good time!

Summer Winter 2020 2021 // OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM 53 51

FAMILY MATTERS

Welcome Aboard!

Half Day Inlet, Sound Fishing, & Cruises

CRY

L STA DA

LEARNING BY ACCIDENT

2020,‘19,‘18,‘17

The Crystal Dawn Headboat Fishing Cruises & Excursions

Inlet & Sound Fishing Tickets Sold in Advance • Trips Daily In-Season: June, July & August 7am - 12 noon & 12:30 - 5pm

Off-Season: May, September &

October 8am - 1pm

SAVANNA WILLIAMS

Bait, Tackle, License & Fish Bags Included $48 Adults & $38 Children (10 & under) Ages 3 & Under FREE

Roanoke Island Evening Cruises

In-Season: June, July & August 6:30pm - 8:00pm Off-Season: May, September & October 6:00pm - 7:30pm $25 Adults and $20 Children

Private Cruises & Half-Day Fishing Trips

Call for rates and schedules

SAVANNA WILLIAMS

Purple Martin Excursions

7:00pm Thursday & Saturday Evenings: Thursday, July 29 • Saturday, July 31 Thursday, Aug 5 • Saturday, August 7 $30 per person • PurpleMartinRoost.com

There are miles upon miles of beaches on the Outer Banks from Corolla to Hatteras Village, and it is up to us, all of us, to keep them clean. Three Dog Ink Media challenges you to spend just 5 minutes cleaning up a small section of it. It could be your family, your business, or just you, but spend just 5 minutes of your beach time cleaning up your area.

Thank you!

54 OUTERBANKSCOASTALLIFE.COM // Summer 52 Winter 2020 2021

DEPARTS FROM PIRATE’S COVE MARINA

The Country Girl

2000 Sailfish Dr. On the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway

Ocean Bottom Fishing and Gulf Stream Charters

252- 473-5577 CrystalDawnHeadboat.com

ALL CHARTERS DEPART FROM PIRATE’S COVE 2000 Sailfish Dr. on the Nags Head Manteo Causeway

252-473-5577

3 OFF

Crystal Dawn IN SEASON

CountryGirlCharters.com

Ocean Bottom Fishing Tickets Sold in Advance

All day fishing trip to shipwrecks, rocky bottom and artificial reefs for Black Sea bass, triggerfish, gray tile fish, blues, king mackerel, grouper, amber jack and dolphin. Cost $150 per person Tuesday through Friday: 7:00am - 4:30pm

Gulf Stream Charters - Available Call for rates & schedules. 5:00am - 4:30pm

2020,‘19,‘18,‘17

• ½ Day Fishing Trip • Evening Cruise Good for entire party. Mention this coupon upon booking or at time of purchase to receive offer.

5 OFF

Crystal Dawn

• ½ Day Fishing Excursions. (Per ticket groups of 10 or more)

USE CODE SAV3

Good for entire party. Mention this coupon upon booking or at time of purchase to receive offer. USE CODE SAV5

CL21

RSVP for our informal and educational Homebuyers Chat, hosted virtually on ZOOM each Wednesday!

Banks, NC Outer

1197 Duck Road, Duck, NC | 800-368-3825 | sales@carolinadesigns.com

Corolla Oceanside $499,000 – MLS #114122 4 BR/3 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Kill Devil Hills Oceanfront $2,995,000 - MLS #113663 13 BR/12.3 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

UNDER CONTRACT

Duck Oceanside $565,000 – MLS #113007 3 BR/2 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

Duck Oceanside $1,199,000 - MLS #112908 8 BR/8.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

SOLD

Corolla Oceanside $850,000 – MLS #113205 7 BR/4.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Southern Shores Soundfront $1,350,000 - MLS #111846 5 BR/3 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Barry Breit 252-202-1043

Fran Kapinos 252-202-8467

Southern Shores Westside $230,000 - MLS #113907 LOT Call Fran at 252-202-8467

Nags Head Oceanfront $2,375,000 – MLS #113408 8 BR/9.2 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

SOLD

Duck Oceanside $859,000 - MLS #112983 7 BR/5 BA Call Stacey at 252-202-5588

Southern Shores Oceanside $810,000 – MLS #112981 4 BR/3.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Duck Oceanside $799,000 - MLS #111950 6 BR/5.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

SOLD

Duck Soundfront $1,999,000 - MLS #112863 6 BR/6.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

Corolla Semi-oceanfront $819,000 - MLS #112008 5 BR/3.1 BA Call Barry at 252-202-1043

Nags Head Oceanfront $1,750,000 - MLS #110371 8 BR/6.1 BA Call Stacey at 252-202-5588

SOLD

Powells Point Pondfront $44,000 - MLS #101536 LOT Call Fran at 252-202-8467

Corolla Westside $89,000 – MLS #112807 LOT Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Duck Semi-Oceanfront $2,500,000 – MLS #113682 10 BR/10.1 BA Call Gray at 252-573-9503

Stacey Baittinger 252-202-5588

Gray Berryman 252-573-9503

Outer Banks Coastal Life - 2021 Summer OBX Magazine - Life From The Edge

Articles inside

COASTAL LIFE// Welcome, Relax, Have Patience