Category archive for: Environment

Fall on the Outer Banks

Comments Off

October 7, 2012

It’s been a gradual change of seasons with lots of things going on on the Outer Banks. I’ve participated in the Outer Banks Triathlon as a member of a relay team – I did the bike portion: 13.1 miles starting at the Dare County Regional Airport over the old Manns Harbor Bridge and back. The ride out was smooth and the views were spectacular, but when I made the turn at Mashoes Road, I hit a wall of wind and it took everything in me to get back across the bridge.

This weekend marked the First Annual Bluegrass Festival at Festival Park in Manteo. This was a sell-out event. Unfortunately I didn’t get to go, but it’s on my calendar for next year. Check out some great photos on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OBXBluegrassFestival?fref=ts.

View from the Duck Soundside Boardwalk

Today marked the 6th Annual Duck Jazz Festival, featuring The Rippingtons with Russ Freeman, Paula Atherton, THE FUZZ BAND, and Emme St. James and Her Jazz Gentlemen.

Today also marked the final day of the 20th Annual Outer Banks Home Builders Parade of Homes. The homes were selected featuring new designs and many incorporate new technologies, best building practices and ‘green’ features.

There is a plethora of events and activities coming up. My favorite resource for all things is http://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-events/.

My favorites include:

  • The Colony Lost & Found 5K and Fun Run, October 13 in Manteo
  •  Outer Banks Seafood Festival, October 20 in Nags Head
  • Trick or Treat Under the Sea, October 24 at the Roanoke Island Aquarium
  • Outer Banks Marathon, including Half Marathon, 8K, 5K, Southern 6 & more, November 9 – 11

It’s a beautiful time of the year to visit the Outer Banks!

 

 

 

 

Categories: Arts, Dining, Environment, Fall Weather, Fitness, Food & Wine, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Running, Sporting Events, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

My Favorite Time of the Year

Comments Off

May 30, 2012

I hope these photos capture the happiness I feel when the air feels good on your skin and I’m outside and flowers are blooming and gentle breezes are blowing and the birds are chirping. I live in the most beautiful place on earth – the Outer Banks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolina Jasmine on the back porch

 

Sago Palm

Dogwoods along Fernando Street

Categories: Environment, Home & Garden, Land Development, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , ,

Happy Spring

Comments Off

April 10, 2012

Happy Spring from Marshes Light!

Two new homes have sprouted up at Marshes Light. Traditional Manteo styled, one with a pop of bright blue.

Home site #13 reduced: $150,000.

April is a happening month along the Outer Banks! Check out these great events and click here for more information:

  • 10th Annual OBX Bike Week
  • Flying Pirate Half Marathon
  • Storm the Beach – Obstacle Course
  • Film, Music, Theater
  • Couture by The Shores – Fashion, Fun & Food to benefit Outer Banks Relief Foundation.

Softshell Season Soon!

Categories: Arts, Dining, Environment, Food & Wine, Home & Garden, marina, Marshes Light Marina, outer banks, Running, Sporting Events, Things to do, travel.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Nesting Plovers

Comments Off

April 5, 2012

Killdeer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little fella is a Killdeer, a type of plover or shore bird. They make their nests in the darndest places, like in the middle of a field or on a gravel rooftop, but wherever it is, the nest blends well into the background.

I have been watching him/her all week. I had originally assumed he was a she, but just a short while ago, another Killdeer showed up and this one followed her, jumped on top and mated. It happened so fast, I didn’t have time to tell them to get a room! He hopped off and came back to the nest. The males and females look a lot alike and take turns sitting on the nest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I startled him and he jumped up and scurried away from the nest. There are four eggs and they are gray with black specks, blending in with mud and gravel. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing the baby chicks hatch and will try to get a photo to share.  It takes 24 to 28 days of incubating for the chicks to hatch.

According to www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/killdeer/id, the Killdeer is one of the least water-associated of all shorebirds.

You can hear the Killdeer whistle here: http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=18.

 

Categories: Environment, Marshes Light Marina, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Mid-Currituck Bridge: A New Link to the Outer Banks

Comments Off

January 20, 2012

According to an article in today’s Outer Banks Voice, the Mid-Currituck Bridge is one step closer to reality.

“The final environmental impact statement has been released on a proposed toll bridge over the Currituck Sound that would stretch between the mainland and Corolla.

The N.C. Turnpike Authority plans for construction on the bridge to start before the end of 2012, with the span opening to traffic by 2017.”

NCDOT states that the Mid-Currituck Bridge will:

  • Substantially improve traffic flow on NC 12 and US 158;
  • Substantially reduce travel time for persons traveling between the Currituck County mainland and the Currituck County Outer Banks; and
  • Substantially reduce hurricane clearance time for residents and visitors who use US 158 and NC 168 during a coastal evacuation.

For more information and history on the Mid-Currituck Bridge, visit www.ncdot.gov/projects/midcurrituckbridge.

ProjectMap

Categories: Environment, News, outer banks, Real Estate, travel.

Tags: , , , , , ,

“A Tapestry of Beauty”

Comments Off

January 11, 2012

There are many natural and beautiful places to explore along the Outer Banks. Certainly one of the most beautiful is on Roanoke Island, The Elizabethan Gardens.

“ Built as a living memorial to Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists, The Gardens include a collection of Renaissance statues and Elizabethan-style buildings that let you imagine you are back in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. Spring-time tulips lead to an ever changing palette of year-round color from hydrangeas, native plants, perennials and camellias. Enjoy the colorful crepe myrtles in the Sunken Garden or the view from a sound-side 16th-century style gazebo.”

Upcoming events at the Elizabethan Gardens:

Coldest Day of the Year Plant Sale
Saturday, January 21, 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Yard sale with books, household items, clothing, damage gift shop items, tools and more. Members receive an additional 10% off all purchases. After the sale enjoy a walk in the Gardens.

State of the Non-Profit Dinner
Wednesday, February  8, 6 – 9 p.m.
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. The cost is $25. per person for Members/Friends and $30. per person for Non-Members. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 1, 2012, call Nancy Harvey 252-473-1554 or email marketing@elizabethangardens.org.

Camellia Watercolor Workshop with Linda  Miller
February 14, 17, and 16, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Gardens have over 300 Japanese camellias in the collection, represented by over 125 cultivars. Learn basic drawing skills, observation, and watercolor techniques to create a botanical painting. Each student will work at their own pace while Linda Miller consults with each student individually. Beginner to advanced welcome. Materials list provided. 3 day class for Members/Friends $135. 3 day class for Non-Members $145. Call 252-473.3234 or email for reservations marketing@elizabethangardens.org.

Categories: Arts, Environment, Historic Architecture, Home & Garden, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , ,

A Thanksgiving List

Comments Off

November 25, 2011
  1. Starting the day with my Boot Camp friends in the Gobbler 5K in Nags Head was great.
  2. Happy birthday wishes to my friends Sharon, Cathy & Shearl.
  3. Cool winds gave way to warm sunshine.
  4. Turkey took forever to cook.
  5. Son’s mashed potatoes were the best I ever ate (secret ingredient parmesan cheese, but not too much).
  6. Son told me about the oysters he and his girlfriend gathered down near the new inlet at Rodanthe, found enough up to feed them for a few days – salty plump oysters, he made oyster stew (he is very talented in the kitchen).
  7. Next time I’m going to slow-cook a turkey in a crock pot with cranberry barbeque sauce.
  8. I am thankful for my family, health, friends, pets and this beautiful community I live.

Categories: Environment, Fall Weather, Fitness, Food & Wine, Holiday Happenings, outer banks, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Manteo Community Comes Together

Comments Off

November 16, 2011

Categories: Environment, Fall Weather, Home & Garden, outer banks, Things to do, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Outer Banks Forecast: Rainbows and Wind

Comments Off

November 4, 2011
I
Early morning rainbow, sound-side OBX. 

 

It was a warm and rather cloudy morning, a little breezy and good conditions for an easy 3 mile run around the neighborhood with my friend Amanda. We headed towards the ocean and saw a patch of blue sky (Carolina Blue, that is) and then followed the road in the opposite direction. There it was, a beautiful crystal clear rainbow.

Lots of people around the Outer Banks also saw it and captured it on film, this photo looks like Colington in Kill Devil Hills.

The weather steadily deteriorated and we’ve been experiencing a coastal storm with spitting rain and northeast winds of about 25 mph.

If you’re thinking of visiting this weekend, here’s what to expect from the weather:

Tonight
nt_rain Mostly cloudy. Rain likely this evening. A slight chance of rain after midnight. Very windy with lows in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph and gusty. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Saturday
partlycloudy Partly cloudy and very windy. Highs around 60. Northeast winds 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts.
Saturday Night
nt_cloudy Mostly cloudy and windy. Lows in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 20 to 30 mph.
Sunday
partlysunny Partly sunny and breezy. Highs in the lower 60s. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph.
Sunday Night
nt_cloudy Mostly cloudy in the evening…then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
Monday
partlycloudy Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

Looking forward, especially to the Outer Banks Marathon weekend on November 12-13, the Farmer’s Almanac predicts sunny & cool. The next full moon will be on November 10. I’m thinking of a walk on the beach when the wind calms down – a great time to find shells, beach glass and other treasures, followed by home-made chili or oyster stew! So come on down and discover why so many people love Fall on the Outer Banks!

Categories: Environment, Fall Weather, Fitness, Roanoke Island, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , ,

Enjoy the Outer Banks this Fall

Comments Off

October 21, 2011

AT THE ELIZABETHAN GARDENS

October 22 – Autumn Finale with Brent Heath
12noon-2p.m. Workshop for Adults Autumn Finale with Fall Flowering Bulbs – We’ll guide you through the process of adding interesting, new colors to your garden that will change it from a ‘waning garden’ to a colorful, end of the season gala. For more information contact nharvey@elizabethangardens.org.

October 29 – Harvest Hay Day
Fun, food and festivities; stuff a scarecrow and learn at our discovery stations. Hot cider, pumpkin pie and bonfires are sure to warm your heart. We will also crown Miss Mum and The Chrysanthemum King this year (For children 6 and under.)

October 29 – Harvest Hoedown ~ Diamonds and Denim
Evening Adult Fund Raising Event for the Elizabethan Gardens. Wear your blue jeans with your diamonds and have a good old fashion hoedown with dancing, food and seasonal harvest fun like hay rides and dancing. Enjoy the harvest moon as well as a silent and live auction. Ticket Price $50 per person. Contact nharvey@elizabethangardens.org.

AT THE AQUARIUM ON ROANOKE ISLAND

October 27 – Trick or Treat Under the Sea
Popular event! 6 – 8:30 p.m. Ghosts and strange aquatic creatures will greet children as they enjoy this “spooktacular” event. Hosting the event is Count Sharkula who always scares up lots of ghoulish fun. Crazy costume contests, creepy crafts, spine-tingling scream contests and yummy munchies are just a few of the things to howl about. Tickets are limited. (252) 473-3494 or www.ncaquariums.com.

DOWNTOWN MANTEO

November 4 – First Friday
Manteo Waterfront. 4– 8 p.m. Historic Inn Tour from 4 – 6 p.m. (tour maps at Dare County Arts Council), Live music from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Blue grass to Jazz to Classic Rock ‘n Roll), Boutiques and Restaurants open late, Enjoy family friendly activities, Famous rock climbing wall, Historical interpreters in period costumes and more.

November 4 – 29 Art, Automata and Christmas Clocks by Michael Davis
Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. (252) 475-1500 or www.roanokeisland.com.

November 4 – 30 Nancy Pederson: A Fiber Exhibit (Vault Gallery)
Dare County Arts Council. Opening Reception Friday, 6 pm – 8pm. For more information, please call (252) 473-5558; www.darearts.org.

November 5 – South Arts Film Festival – Ahead of Time
7 p.m. Indoor Theatre at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The event is sponsored by the Dare County Arts Council. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at http://darearts.org/film-media. For more information call 252-473-5558 or visit www.darearts.org.

November 12 -Outer Banks Jewelry Expo
Art Gallery at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Local and regional designers showcase a wide variety of their jewelry and metal work in this expo. Demonstrations included. (252) 475-1500 or www.roanokeisland.com.

RUNNING EVENTS

November 12 – Outer Banks 8K, Buccaneer 5K & Fun Run
The Outer Banks 8K is an out-and-back course which will start in Kill Devil Hills at the First Flight High School track (in front of the grandstand), continue through Nags Head Woods Maritime Forest and finish at the track. The course is partly on a dirt road and is walker-friendly.

Buccaneer 5K & Fun Run presented by Kelly Hospitality Group
An out-and-back course (part of the Outer Banks 8K course), which begins at First Flight High School (FFHS) track in Kill Devil Hills, enters and returns along Old Nags Head Woods Road, and finishes at FFHS.

November 13 – Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon
The marathon starts in Kitty Hawk, the half marathon will begin in Nags Head, near the largest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and both cross the beautiful Washington-Baum Bridge and finish on Roanoke Island.
www.obxmarathon.com or register online at http://www.active.com/marathon/to-nags-head-nc/outer-banks-marathon-half-marathon-8k-5k-and-fun-run-2011.

November 24 – Annual Outer Banks Gobbler 5K and Little Giblet Fun Run
8 a.m. Run, walk, stroll through the picturesque Village of Nags Head and enjoy views of the Roanoke Sound! Post Race Feast! Pumpkin Cheesecake to the Overall Finisher who gets bragging rights at the 2011 Outer Banks Gobbler! Presented by the Outer Banks Running Club. Register at http://www.fsseries.com/index.php?action=event&event_id=163.

FISHING

November 19 – 14th Annual Manteo Rotary Rockfish Rodeo
Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park. A fishing tournament sponsored by the Manteo Rotary. (252) 473-6644 or www.rockfishrodeo.com.

For more fishing information, check out http://www.outerbanksfishing.com.

Categories: Arts, Environment, Fall Weather, Fitness, Holiday Happenings, Home & Garden, outer banks, Roanoke Island, Sporting Events, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Living Shoreline Project at Marshes Light

Comments Off

October 17, 2011

About a month ago, the Town of Manteo provided a dump truck load of fossil/spent oyster shells to Marshes Light.  This past Saturday (October 15) a group of volunteers bagged the shells for placement along the marsh to help stabilize an eroding expanse of coastal marsh – one of the last of its kind in Town limits.  The bagged shells will be used much like rip rap or wood and vinyl bulkheads; however, this method utilizes natural materials.

The volunteer effort was part of an overall project aimed at creating a “living shoreline” to protect a Juncus marsh that is part of the Marshes Light Development in downtown historic Manteo.  The “living shoreline” stabilization will allow the marsh to regenerate along its eroding fringe and return valuable oyster shells to our waters.  These shells will also provide a great home to numerous marine creatures.

Thriving coastal marshes are vital to the overall health of our estuary, effectively filtering nutrients, fine sediments and toxins from overland runoff.  These critical habitats also support fisheries and protected resources by improving water quality and buffering shorelines.

It was an interesting process and hard, dirty work. We used UV resistant netting material (used and recommended in the aquaculture industry) which was stretched over a piece of PVC pipe that was about 36” long and 8” in diameter.  Wearing thick gloves, we placed the shells into the pipe with bag stretched and when full, the pipe was pulled out of the bag and the bag tied.  Each bag was estimated to weigh about 30-35 pounds!

Once the necessary permits are in place, the next step will be to load the bags onto a barge and haul them over to the marsh.  The Town also plans to install native marsh plants along the landward side of the stabilized shoreline next spring.

 This project is an on-going and volunteer collaborative effort between Marshes Light new home community, the Town of Manteo, Quible & Associates, P.C., and our many friends!  Check back in early next spring for information about volunteering for more projects along the Manteo waterfront.

I want to give special thanks to Marshes Light owners, Bob & Joan Ciardi (and friends), Jim Lambie and Jeff & Carol Nease for their hard work!

Categories: Environment, Fall Weather, Home & Garden, Land Development, marina, Marshes Light Marina, outer banks, Roanoke Island, T Shirts, Things to do, travel, Uncategorized.

Tags: , , , , , , ,