Every Dog Can Have Its Day in the Outer Banks
While most beaches in the Outer Banks don’t allow pets, there are plenty of areas that do. Some of the pet-friendly places to visit include the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Jockeys Ridge State Park, and Nags Head Woods. In addition, there are several Outer Banks beaches that allow pets.
While the rules and restrictions vary, in general dogs should be licensed, have current rabies tags, be under their owner's control, and cleaned up after at all times. Following is more information on the various pet-friendly beaches of the Outer Banks.
Currituck County: Leashes are required, but there are no length requirements. Duck Leash law requires that the lead be no longer than ten feet in length. Pets are allowed to play unleashed on the beach as long as they are under the close supervision of their owner. Duck is also home to year-round pet-friendly beaches. For more information, call 252.255.1234
Southern Shores Just like in Duck, the leash law requires that the lead be no longer than ten feet in length. From May 15th to September 15th of each year, animals are prohibited on the town’s beaches. Leash laws enforced remainder of year. For more information, call 252.261.2394
Kitty Hawk: The leash law in Kitty Hawk requires that leads be no longer than six feet in length. There are also restrictions on the times at which pets need to be on a six foot lead – pets are allowed on six foot leads between the hours of 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from the Friday before Memorial Day to the day after Labor Day. At all other times the leash may be extended, but must be retractable to twelve feet. Well trained dogs may be unleashed under close supervision of their owner, with the leash-less distance not to exceed 30 feet between dog and owner. As the rules for Kitty Hawk are very intricate, it’s recommended that pet owners call 252.261.3552.
Kill Devil Hills: Here, leash law requires that the lead be no longer than ten feet in length. The exception to the pet-friendly standard is that no dogs other than working dogs for the disabled are allowed on the beaches from the hours of 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily starting May 15th and ending on September 15th annually. For more information on the rules, please call 252.449.5300
Nags Head: Leash law for Nags Head requires leashes shorter than ten feet in length. Leashed pets are allowed on the town’s beaches year round. For additional information, call 252.441.5508.
Manteo: The leash law requires that leads be no longer than six feet in length. Leashed pets are allowed on the waterfront year round. For more information, call 252.473.2133
Cape Hatteras National Seashore: The leash laws at the National Parks require that leads are no longer than six feet in length. For more information on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, please call 252.473.2111
Labels: Outer Banks, pets
Winter Surfing in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
Surfing in the winter months? It’s more likely than you think. Some of the best waves can be found in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. From the northern beaches of Corolla down to Ocracoke, enthusiasts can find consistent and hollow surf with which they can get their fill over the winter.
As the wide continental shelf flattens swells at most East Coast beaches, the narrow shelf of the Outer Banks allows swells of all sorts to hit the beaches. Additionally, the exposed nature of the location means they receive the full brunt of all low pressure systems, nor’easters and other tropical and non-tropical events. Sitting where three distinct water masses meet, Cape Hatteras also gets a little help from the weather. Coastal water from Virginia and North Carolina mixing with the cold Labrador Current and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream create conditions that are usually conducive to good surf.
Usually the best surfing is from late August through November in hurricane season, when swells from storms are likely to roll toward shore. But, there is a winter season for surfing. During the cold winter months, Outer Banks surfers deal with very cold water, sometimes as low as 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The water temperature, coupled with winds out of the northwest at about 30 MPH, frozen sand, and the occasional iceberg, provide the most ardent surfer with a true trial by water. A 4/3 cold-water wetsuit and a good set of sealed booties and gloves are all necessary equipment for surfing in winter.
Surf jargon measures waves in reference to body parts. In the summer, waves along the Outer Banks average knee to waist high, meaning two to three feet. Fall and winter swells can be head high or double overhead (which is six to eight feet). Many areas along the barrier islands also have strong rip currents, strange sandbars, and shipwrecks, so always surf with a friend and stay alert of water, weather, and beach conditions.
Most area surf shops have an even more up-to-the-minute pulse on the surf, but not all provide a formal "surf line" service. Following is a list of numbers to call for the daily wave report:
•
Corolla Surf ShopCorolla
telephone: .252.453.9283 (WAVE)
• Wave Riding Vehicles
Kitty Hawk
telephone: 252. 261.3332
• The Pit
Kill Devil Hills
telephone: 252.480.3128
• Whalebone Surf Shop
Nags Head
telephone: 252.441.6747
• Rodanthe Surf Shop
Rodanthe
telephone: 252.987.2435
• Natural Art Surf Shop
Buxton
telephone: 252.995.4646
Local radio station
WVOD 99.1 FM offers a daily surf report at 8:45 AM, and, thanks to the Internet, you can surf the web to surf the waves. For an online surf report, you can visit
SurfChex or the
Corolla Surf Shop, or you can check out surf-cams for the following locations:
•
East Coast Surf (Hatteras Lighthouse)
•
Avalon PierLabels: 100th Post, Outer Banks Surf Report, Outer Banks Surfing
Wednesday, December 17th Marks Wright Brothers Celebration
The 105th anniversary of this historic event will be taking place at Wright Brothers National Memorial. In recognition of the Wright Brothers accomplishments, the First Flight Society and the National Park Service will be starting the event with a wreath laying ceremony. At 8:30 a.m. the wreath will be laid in the exact spot where the Wright Brothers had their first flight.
A more formal event will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the First Flight Pavilion. The North Eastern High School Band will start the celebration with patriotic music. Shortly there after, students from the First Flight Elementary school participating in the Wright Flight academic achievement program will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Distinguished guests in attendance will include participants from the National Air and Space Museum and Southwest Airlines. Presentations will be made and awards handed out.
Following the presentation, the annual aircraft fly-by will commence at 10:35 a.m. The Military fly-by will include F-18 Hornets, F-15E Strike Eagles, Blackhawk Helicopters, C-130 Hercules and JJ-60 Jay Helicopters. Divisions of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard will be represented in the fly-by.
Gates to the event will open at 8 a.m. and admission fees to the park will be waived for the day. The day promises to be full of excitement and learning opportunities while celebrating this historic event. More information can be found at
http://www.outerbanks.org/index.asp .
Labels: Wright Brothers, Wright Brothers Celebration
Museums and other Areas of Interest in the Outer Banks
When visitors come to the Outer Banks, they think about the beach, golf, fishing, sailing and a plethora of other outdoor activities. Many times, people do not consider the history that lies within the museums that call the Outer Banks home.
For aviation fans, there is the Dare County Aviation Museum. Models of aircraft that played a part of the aviation history of the area are on display. Other exhibits include photographs, uniforms and other important artifacts. The museum is open 7 days a week from 8am until 7pm and is located at the Dare County Regional Airport. Aviation enthusiasts may also visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial located in Kill Devil Hills.
The Outer Banks is famous for the abundant amount of shipwrecks that have occurred over time. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a great way to spend an afternoon learning about more than 2,000 separate shipwrecks. Visit this museum today to learn about the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks.
For those who enjoy viewing sea life without being under water, there is the Aquarium on Roanoke Island. The aquarium gives a glimpse of underwater life that resides in the Outer Banks waterways and ocean. Creatures that can be viewed include turtles, American alligators, river otters and more. The aquarium is open daily from 9am until 5pm except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Other museums in the area include the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, Frisco Native American Museum, Roanoke Island Festival Park, the Maritime center and the Whalehead Club. Each museum offers unique information about the wildlife, culture or geography of the area. Visit one on your next trip to the Outer Banks.
Labels: Outer Banks Museums, Shipwrecks, Wright Brothers
