There were 1,215 runners in the Marathon and 2,757 runners in the Half, and the oldest runner  was 83 years old! In addition to the Marathon held Sunday, on Saturday there were the Outer Banks 8K starting at the First Flight High School track, the Buccaneer 5K and a Fun Run. It was a great family weekend with something for everyone.

Franco's & daughters at the Finish

Last day of Marathon Training was held this morning. We ran about 5 miles early this morning and witnessed a beautiful (almost) full moon setting over the Sound at Kitty Hawk Bay. Coaches Matt and Jay gave us a pep talk and reviewed what to expect and several things to avoid on race day (i.e., stick to your plan, avoid trying anything new – no new socks!).

We’ve been enjoying lots of sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high 60’s. Sunday – race day – is expected to be partly cloudy and temperatures in the mid 60’s.

On Sunday, traffic to Manteo from the beach will be diverted over the bridge to Manns Harbor and back to Manteo via the old Manns Harbor bridge.

For important Marathon information, click here: www.obxmarathon.org/Top_Nav/Outer_Banks_Marathon/need2knowinfo.htm.

To view the course map, click here: http://www.obxmarathon.org/Top_Nav/Outer_Banks_Marathon/fpraces_courseinfo.htm.

Wish me luck! This is my first ever Half Marathon!

By Hugh “Scooter” Willey, Jr. (email: hughwilleysunrealtynccom)
NC Real Estate Broker with Sun Realty of the Outer Banks

The real estate market has been a bruising one, for both pockets and egos, over the past several years. Yet, signs of stabilization are beginning to show in the Outer Banks Real Estate Market. Buyers are in all earnestness beginning to search for homes, sensing the “bottom” is near (or passed), inventory is down (good for sellers) and ‘bank owned” properties have slowed. It is also noteworthy that as a resort community the median sales price is increasing.

For those interested in the Outer Banks Real Estate Market, I have posted the following comparison of the first 8 months of 2011 to the first 8 months of 2010 (source: Outer Banks Association of Realtors MLS).

Overall Sales

* Insignificant

Distressed Property Sales

Median Sale Price

Inventory

With a mild Fall and Spring season and a beautiful coastal setting, the Outer Banks is the perfect destination to host a variety of events and competitions. Coming up this Fall (with links for more information) are:

Photo by Rev. Jay Bowman

Along the Outer Banks, we are busy cleaning up and putting our lives back together. There has been a great outreach by locals and local businesses, the Red Cross and the Outer Banks Community Foundation to help those in need. Here are some links for information and donations:

http://www.obcf.org/home.htm

http://outerbanksvoice.com/

http://www.gaacarc.org/ (local chapter of American Red Cross)

After it was all over, aside from the cleanup efforts, there was much to appreciate, most of all is the beautiful weather we are currently enjoying. There’s always treasure to be found after a storm, such as these intact conch shells and beach glass found on the beach near my house the day after the storm.

Back then, the Bypass was a two-lane road and they “rolled the sidewalks up after Labor Day.” If you wanted some decent vegetables or fixings for a salad, you pretty much had to grow your own or drive up to Elizabeth City or Virginia and shop in one of the big grocery stores

I lived in a rooming house, Ye Old Cherokee Inn, on the Beach Road in Kill Devil Hills, sharing a room with my friend and the bathroom with quite a few others. It was a big old house with pine bead board on the floors, walls and ceilings. Best of all, it was right across the street from the beach. Alas, it had no heat and when cold weather set in, I was forced to find something else.

 When I could afford it, I went to the Galleon Esplanade to shop and bought my bathing suits at Whalebone Surf Shop at Whalebone Junction. Fine dining was at A Restaurant By George and the buffet at the SeaFare couldn’t be beat. For margaritas and fresh southwestern fare, we went to Papagallo’s, and listened to live music at the Soundside, Nepenthe, and the Atlantis. Basic health care was covered locally, but for anything major, we headed to Elizabeth City (where my sons were born) or Tidewater Virginia.

The Outer Banks has changed a lot in the past 30+ years. We’ve got premium grocery stores, great shopping venues, superb restaurants, and excellent medical care, including the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.  A couple of things still remain the same for me – the beach and ocean, the mild climate, and the small town feel that pervades during the off season and spills over into the summer – the friendly people who make the Outer Banks their home.

Boot Camp Graduation, Wright Brothers Monument

Hang Gliding.  Soar high above Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Visit Kitty Hawk Kites and learn to fly. 

Paddle Boarding.  Ocean or sound, it’s a great way to explore and see the aquatic wildlife in our local waters. www.kittyhawkwatersports.com.

Sailing, Jet Skiing, Windsurfing. Hobie cat day sailing or windsurfing. You can do it all at Kitty Hawk Water Sports, excellent instructors, great location on the By Pass in Nags Head, next to Jurassic Putt.

June 4-10 brings the Triple-S Invitational Kiteboarding Competition to Cape Hatteras. This professional event attracts the top 24 men and women kiteboarders from around the world to compete.

Surfing. Some of the best breaks on the East Coast are right here on the Outer Banks. There are a number of local surf shops that can hook you up. In the meantime, check out these sites: www.surfline.com/travel/index.cfm?id=2150; www.obxsurfinfo.com; and outerbanksesa.com.

The Lost Colony. Live outdoor theater about the story of 117 men, women and children who vanished without a trace more than 400 years ago. May 27 through August 20th 2011, Monday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (252) 473-3414 or www.thelostcolony.org.

Art. Dare County Arts Council showcases local artists including Chris Bickford (photojournalist) and Holly Nettles (acrylic, oil & collage) in the old court house, Manteo.  www.darearts.org.

Food:

PIZZA – Pizzazz, 4 locations, Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk & Nags Head. www.pizzazzpizza.net or 252-261-1111.

COFFEE – Front Porch Café, 3 locations, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head & Manteo. www.frontporchcafeonline.com.

SEAFOOD – Carawan’s Seafood Market, Kitty Hawk. Fresh to go. 252-261-2120.

CASUAL DINING –

• Kill Devil Grill www.thekilldevilgrill.com (252) 449-8181.
• Darrell’s Restaurant, Manteo. www.darrellsseafood.com (252) 473-5366.
• Art’s Place, Kitty Hawk. Featured in the June issue of Our State Magazine for best burgers in the state of North Carolina. On the Beach Road. (252) 261-3233.
• Blue Point Bar & Grill, Duck. Overlooking Currituck Sound. www.goodfoodgoodwine.com. (252) 261-8090.

WINE -

• The Wine Specialist, Kitty Hawk at Mile Post 4.5, www.thewinespecialistobx.com or (252) 715-1717.
• Native Vine, Point Harbor, www.nativevine.com or (252) 491-5311.

MUSIC & WINE & FOOD – The Brine and Bottle, on the Causeway, Nags Head. Every Thursday enjoy live jazz on the deck from 7 – 10 p.m. www.thebrineandbottle.com.

1,000 foot long concrete pier

When I visited, the wind was whipping hard from the southeast and there were whitecaps on the ocean, and my first thought was how sturdy the pier felt, no swaying, just rock-solid construction.  It is an all-concrete pier with three wind turbines that generate electricity. Standing at the end of the Pier, high above the ocean, it feels like being on a cruise ship.

The pier was crowded with families and fishermen. While I was there I saw several skate being pulled in, and they seemed to be the only fish biting (is a skate a fish?).

watching as skate is being released

Inside is a large gift and tackle shop, after all, it is a fishing pier at heart. There is a large modern classroom as the Pier will offer educational programs and summer camps to “inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments.”  http://www.jennettespier.net/programs.

Upstairs are a large banquet room, kitchen and deck overlooking the ocean and pier. This area is available for special events, such as weddings or corporate meetings. The views are incredible and I can imagine any event held there will be pretty spectacular.

I’m looking forward to seeing the lovely ladies of Counter Culture Garden Club, the SPCA’s march with their canine companions, classic cars and more. 

(Photo via Kelly’s Restaurant FaceBook page, courtesy http://visitsouth.com/articles/article/st.-patricks-day-parade-nags-head-nc.)