The Lost Colony of Roanoke
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a hub of historical relevance. One of the most fascinating historical facts involves the Lost Roanoke Colony. The Island of Roanoke, NC, was the home of two groups of settlers in the 16th century – the second of which disappeared without a trace.
In 1587, a colony of 121 men and women arrived at the Outer Banks. Led by John White, the Roanoke Colony was home to the first English-bred child born on American soil, Virginia Dare. Shortly after settling the colony, White returned to England for needed supplies, but was caught up in the country’s war with Spain. With his ships confiscated for war efforts, John White was unable to return to his ill-fated colony until 1590.
Upon arriving at Roanoke Island, White found the settlement dismantled and his family and colony gone. The only link to their disappearance seemed to be the word “Croatoan” carved into a fort post and “Cro” etched into a nearby tree. Many theories concerning the Roanoke Colony have been hatched over the past 400 years, yet their fate remains a mystery…
Visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina and make your own conclusions about the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Elan Vacations offers a variety of luxury rentals in the area and the location is the perfect home base for additional vacation activities.
Labels: Croatoan, Lost Colony, Roanoke Island
Graveyard of the Atlantic
The Outer Banks of North Carolina boasts beautiful waters, sandy beaches, and a rich history. Family and leisurely activities are abundant in the area as well as a variety of museums displaying the Outer Bank’s cultural history. Bird watching, kayaking, snorkeling, and beach combing are all popular for tourists and locals alike.
The Outer Banks is also the home to Kitty Hawk – made famous as the location where the Wright Brothers achieved the world’s first airplane flights in 1903. While most historic locations in the area are widely known, many visitors are unaware that North Carolina’s Outer Banks are also historically known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.
Over 600 vessels have been shipwrecked there and the remnants of those ships continue to be uncovered as new storms blow through. Hidden sand ridges, known as the Diamond Shoals, have been the downfall of many ships and sailors alike. During World War II, the Outer Banks was also nicknamed Torpedo Junction, since so many Allied ships we targeted and sunk by German submarines.
The past 400 years of shipwreck history can be rediscovered at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum - located in Hatteras, North Carolina. The perfect destination for a family vacation, Élan Vacations has a variety of luxury rentals located in the historical areas of the Outer Banks.
Labels: Graveyard of the Atlantic, Torpedo Junction, Wright Brothers
The Waters of the Outer Banks
Many visitors to the Outer Banks of North Carolina flock to the area for its beautiful waters. Élan Vacations has a variety of luxury rentals in the vicinity of jet skiing, fishing, sunbathing and boating activities popular among both residents and visitors. You can even take time out to help local scientists spot a new marine species that is invading local habitats.
A handful of Chinese Mitten Crabs have been spotted and collected recently by fisherman near the Outer Banks. Scientists from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center are urging visitors and residents to help document the movement of these crabs because they are non-native and could potentially cause problems for the local ecosystem.
Whether or not you see this elusive crab species, you can still enjoy the lavish beaches and many activities provided on the waters of the Outer Banks. Make plans to go kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling or even windsurfing during your stay since Élan Vacations offers a variety of rentals directly on or in close proximity to the beach.
Labels: Chinese Mitten Crabs, Outer Banks, Smithsonian
