Outer Banks National Scenic Byway

Take the road less traveled. Take the time to experience the actuality of North Carolinas Easternmost parts along the coast of the state’s barrier islands. Currently the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway is made up of nine barrier islands – or banks. The islands protect the mainland coast from the Atlantic Ocean’s, at times, compelling winds and water.

The length of the secluded road is 142.5 driving miles.

The driving time is 6.5 hours – including 3.5 hours on two ferries.

The byway begins in the Outer Banks region and ends in the Crystal Coast region. The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway passes through one of the nation’s great coastal landscapes, tidal marshes, wind-swept dunes, and alluring sounds border the roadway. The byway also includes two national seashores, Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout. There is two national wildlife refuges – Pea Island and Cedar Island. The barrier islands are separated away from the mainland by six different sounds ranging from three to 40 miles wide. From North to South they are: Currituck, Albemarle, Roanoke, Pamlico, Core and Bogue.

The oceangoing culture of the 21 coastal villages along the road is what makes this route so unique. Each maritime village shares a common cultural heritage which is shaped by the well know barrier islands and three shallow sounds – Pamlico, Core and Back. During the drive visitors will notice that the tiny villages are held together by locally owned businesses with barley a chain business in sight. The residents of these villages build boats, fish and hunt, operate ferries, guard the coast, tell stories and provide services to visitors. Fishing and hunting as livelihoods are keys to this culture that goes along with living on the coastal edge. Byway villages are held to a significant national history, a collection of the nation’s earliest civil works. This includes four historic lighthouses and eight early U.S. Life-Saving Service or U.S. Coast Guard stations. The four lighthouses along the byway are Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Ocracoke Village Lighthouse, and Cape Lookout National Seashore Lighthouse.

Take the drive on The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway and get a feel for how life was like before the hectic schedules and tourist-driven cities. The Outer Banks National Scenic Byway begins in the north at Whalebone Junction. The joining of US 64-264, US 158, and NC 12 in Nags Head, Dare County, North Carolina. Travelers following the Byway’s NC 12 south can see the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Pamlico Sound on the west. The road crosses over Bodie and Hatteras islands in Dare County, Ocracoke Island in Hyde County and Down East in Carteret County to end on the west side of North River at the intersection of US 70 and Merrimon Road. The byway includes two ferry rides. One free, between Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. The other, between Ocracoke Island and Downs Easts Cedar Island. The Scenic Byway ends in Beaufort in the Down East region of North Carolina.

http://www.visitnc.com/trip-idea/outer-banks-national-scenic-byway-1

http://gardenandgun.com/blog/back-road-trip-outer-banks-scenic-byway

Book Early And Save in January

There is little more than a week left to Book Early and Save on participating properties for the 2015 season! Simply book and confirm by making your first payment by January 31st to receive the discount.

Remember, our phone lines and Live Chat are open till 8pm EST weekdays & 5:30pm EST on weekends.

Call: 800-338-3233 or email info@outerbanksrentals.com info@outerbanksrentals.com

Animated GIFs | Vol. 3 – Beach in Nags Head after Storm

Animated GIFs | Vol. 3

*Click for full sized images.

Animated GIFs | Vol. 2 – Roanoke Sound Side Access

Animated GIFs | Vol. 2

*Click for full sized images.

Roanoke Sound Side Access at Jocky’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head North Carolina

Taken on 9/18/2014

AnimatedGIFs Vol 1. | The Easterns 2014, Jennettes Pier, Nags Head, NC

Animated GIFs | Vol. 1

*Click for full sized images.

THE EASTERNS 2014 | Main Venue Tent

Watching the competitors

Under Jennette’s Pier

Taken at Jennette’s Pier on Monday September 15th, 2014

The Duck Waterfront Boardwalk

When you think of a ‘boardwalk,’ Atlantic City, Virginia Beach, & Myrtle Beach all come to mind. But did you know Duck, NC has a 4,149 square foot Sound Side boardwalk, spanning from Aqua Restaurant and Spa all the way to the Duck Waterfront Shops. There is even a Kitty Hawk Kites location on the boardwalk where you get discounts as a Stan White guest!

The Duck Town Park is a premier community recreational facility featuring 11 acres of natural beauty including trails through the Maritime Forest and willow swamp, open green space, soundside views, and access to the Town’s boardwalk.

Waterfront Shops:

Park Amenities:

soundside boardwalk
amphitheater
public kayak/canoe launch
four-slip, transient use boat pier at the northern end of the boardwalk
picnic shelter
playground
gazebo
water fountains, including a special one for our canine friends
walking trails throughout the park
summer events for everyone to enjoy annual Jazz Festival on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend

Video Source: TownofDuck.com

*Original Photography unless source given

Live Traffic Cameras in the OBX

Any one who has braved the Bypass (US158) or the Beach Road (NC12) during the summer months knows all to well that traffic on the Outer Banks is highly unpredictable. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has live traffic cameras and speed detectors online to make the easy life easier! This year, 2 new cameras have been installed at the Hatteras/Ocracoke ferry docks. These new additions will help keep travelers and locals informed 24 hours a day.

All the cameras in the area can be seen here.

10 Life Hacks to make your beach vacation even more enjoyable

They say, “It’s the little things in life that matter”. Every family has a few essential tricks up their sleeves to make every beach vacation as smooth as possible. Here are some simple Beach Hacks to use this sumer!

Submit your clever “life hacks” that make you wonder how you ever survived with out them!

Comment below, or post it on our Facebook , Twitter, Google+ pages, or send us an Instagram picture of your hack to @StanWhiteRealtyOBX. Stay tuned for more hacks to keep vacation life easy!

1. Sandy feet and no outdoor shower in site?

Rub baby powder on sandy feet and watch it fall away.

2. Think like a kid at the beach.

Parents know the beach brings out the kid in all of us, especially kids. If your little one roams away from the group to explore, the best place to look first is down wind. Children almost always follow the path of least resistance first.

3. The best place to hide something is in plain sight.

Use an empty sun screen or lip balm container to store money and other valuables.

Source: Pinterest

4. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Upgrade it.

Sew pockets onto beach towels to store cell phones and other belongings from sand and water.

Source: Pinterest

5. Think outside the fitted sheet.

Rather than using a normal blanket out on the beach, bring a fitted sheet. Use coolers or any other items with weight to prop up the sides of the sheet to prevent sand from getting in.

Source: Pinterest

6. Water in your ears?

Forget about buying over the counter drops every time you go to the beach. After getting out of the water, blow into a deflated balloon three to four times. This forces water out much like yawning helps to pop your ear drums. (Safely stash water balloons in your beach kit out of reach of small children to prevent a choking hazard.)

7. Jellyfish, the bumble bees of the deep.

For minor jellyfish stings, 1^st rinse with sea water, 2^nd scrape off stingers with a mixture of sand and small shells or a credit card, 3^rd treat with vinegar to relive pain. For major stings, seek medical attention immediately & always know where the closest Lifeguard is located.

8. Already broke those $5 flip flops from the beach store?

Flip flops straps are famous for breaking out of the hole between your big and first toes. Instead of throwing them away immediately, use a plastic bread bag clip to temporally keep the strap in place.

Source: Pinterest

9. Don’t waste money on expensive “everything-proof” phone cases when you have zip lock bags laying around.

Keep your smart phone in a zip lock bag while at the beach. Not only are they water, sand, and snack-time-spill proof; you can still use the touch screen while inside the bag.