What a beautiful week so far on the Outer Banks...especially here on Ocracoke Island! Warm temperatures, sunny skies...I can't wait to get out on the beach!

The whole island is trying to divide time between getting ready for the season and enjoying this fabulous weather. It is very hard to work inside on a day like this. But, alas, we must not tarry too far from our chores.

Slowly but surely the restaurants, stores and other businesses are opening or preparing to open. By Easter most everyone should be up and running. The nice weather is bringing in more and more visitors who are hungry for some time south of the stress line.

If you haven't already made your plans to visit us this year then by all means DO IT!! We have a huge variety of lovely homes that are waiting to be filled with happy families. Even as we speak we are opening houses and cleaning houses and making repairs and improvements to make your stay with us all that you desire.

See you soon!

Beginning February 15, 2012 you will need an ORV permit from the National Park Service to be able to drive on the beaches that are a part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The cost for the permit is $120 for a year and $50 for a week. These are the only types of passes available for the time being.
There are three Park Service permit offices where permits may be obtained:

Coquina Beach in Nags Head
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor Center in Buxton
Ocracoke Visitor Center in Ocracoke

Offices will be open year round, 7 days a week, 8am -4:30pm (closed Christmas Day) with extended hours on weekends and holidays during the summer season.

To get a permit you must bring your valid drivers license and vehicle registration to one of the permit offices. There you will fill out a permit form, view a 7 minute educational video, sign the permit to acknowledge that you understand and agree to abide by the ORV use rules at the park and pay the permit fee.

Vehicles to be permitted must be registered, licensed and comply with inspection requirements for the state, country or province where the vehicle is registered; have no more than 2 axles and have tires that are listed or approved by the USDOT.

Recommended, but not required, equipment to keep in the ORV include a full-sized spare tire, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, trash bag or container, flashlight and tow strap.

There is no limit on the number of permits available.

The permit does not allow ORVs access to beach areas that are closed  by the NPS for any reason.

For a map showing designated driving routes along with restricted areas click here.

The speed limit is 15 MPH unless otherwise posted. When traveling within 100 feet of pedestrians ORVs must slow to 5 MPH. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians and move to the landward side of the beach.

The recommended tire pressure is 20 psi for most vehicles. NPS rangers are not allowed to pull or tow your vehicle. If you get stuck and need assistance your best bet is to call a commercial towing service.

You may tow boat and utility trailers with one or two axles. Trailers with more than two axles are prohibited.

You may not leave your ORV parked on the beach overnight.

No separate permit is needed for night driving.

Certain vehicles besides NPS vehicles may be allowed to be in closed areas:

* Participants in regularly scheduled fishing tournaments if such tournament use was allowed in that area for that tournament before January 1, 2009
* Special permitted ORVs to transport mobility impaired individuals to a predetermined location in a beach area in front of a village that is not otherwise open to ORV use. (Contact 252-473-2111 ext 121 for more information about the mobility impaired transport permit)
* Commercial fishermen with a NPS commercial fishing permit when actively commercial fishing-as long as a beach is not a resource closure or a lifeguarded beach.

Camping trailers are prohibited on ORV routes.

Beach Fire Permits are required to have a fire, including grills, on the beach.
Beach fires are allowed from May 1-November 15 only on ocean beaches in front of Coquina Beach; the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras; and the Ocracoke Day Use Area (Lifeguard Beach).
Fires are prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am year round.
Free Beach Fire Permits are available at ORV permit offices, park campgrounds and visitor centers.

Please remember that pets are allowed on the beach but must be on a 6 foot leash at all times. Pets are prohibited within any resource protection closure or on the beach adjacent to pre-nesting closures.
Please clean up behind your pooch.

Fishing with friends at sunset.

Recently I decided to try surf fishing. I have never cared much about it but, if you recall, earlier this year I was invited to fish in the Ocracoke Invitational Surf  Fishing Tournament. I enjoyed the time spent on the beach with friends and I actually enjoyed trying to fish. Included in the prize package each of our team members won was a nice rod and reel. I was looking at them a few weeks ago and suddenly thought to myself, "I have these nice items...why not learn how to use them?"

I took the rod and reel to Tradewinds and got the equipment rigged. I got lots of good advice and some bait and was on my way. The first time I went out I didn't catch any fish but I got lots of casting practice and I did get a feel for what was happening. I could tell what was the current, what was the weight moving along the bottom and what it felt like to get a nibble. I actually enjoyed myself even though all I really did was feed bait to the crabs and minnows. As of today I have caught a total of 3 fish...all bluefish...and they were delicious.

                                                        
My first fish                                                 My second fish                                           Cyndi's first fish

My good friend and co-worker soon joined me and we have been going every chance we get. Occasionally another friend will join us who is much more experienced than we are.
It is very relaxing. We cast our lines and look up and down our beautiful beach, seldom even talking. We usually go in the late afternoon and evening so we have been thrilled to actually enjoy some breathtaking sunsets. It reminds us each time we go how lucky we are to live here. Paradise.

Sometimes, especially during the busier months, it is easy to forget where we are. Life is so hectic and when you do have a minute that you aren't working you don't feel like getting out in the crowds or the heat. I have spent more time on the beach since Hurricane Irene than I have in (probably) years...and the more time I spend out there the more I am thankful to live here in this beautiful place.

If you don't live here, don't despair! Plan a visit to Ocracoke...especially in the off seasons...and look forward to beautiful beaches, fabulous sunrises and sunsets, wonderfully fresh seafood, good vibes and good people. When you get here make haste to the shore and breathe in the salt air...close your eyes and clear your mind and enjoy the peaceful paradise that is Ocracoke Island. You will not be sorry. You will most likely return home refreshed with a smile on your face and memories to last until you can come again!

Once Hurricane Irene had passed those of us who stayed on the island were able to get out and enjoy the beaches. It seemed the beach changed daily. First lots of grass and tree debris washed up. Then we began to see parts of houses and docks. Many interesting shells and marine life were spotted. Finally the trash started showing up. Then...suddenly...it was all gone.

Throughout most of the time the water was beautiful...and warm. Everyone tried to spend as much time on the beach as possible.

The beaches are still great. They  are clean. The water is still fairly warm. Folks are catching fish. It is a great time to be here! Just be sure to make your ferry reservations to come and go. It will probably be close to mid October before northern Highway 12 is repaired enough for traffic to be allowed through.

Until you can get here please enjoy these pictures of Ocracoke's post Irene beaches.

                              Wish you were here?

You can be!! The end of summer is near and the "back to school" season is in progress. Fall is coming and it is one of my favorite times of the year! 

Now is a great time to be on Ocracoke Island. The weather is great, the crowds are thinner, everything is open and the beaches are, as always, fantastic!!

As the water begins to cool the fish begin to bite making certain areas of the beach a fisherman's paradise. Mornings and evenings are perfect for sitting on the porch or deck. Ocracoke sunrises and sunsets are unbeatable!

Summer isn't quite over but this is the time of year when the rental rates go lower. Beginning 8/20 Ocracoke Island Realty's rental rates start to drop. September 3 the rates drop even more.
Not to mention all the great specials already listed on our website.
www.ocracokeislandrealty.com

So...if you are ready for an end of summer getaway but don't want to pay summer prices...give us a call and let us help you get here!!

Ocracoke Island Realty
877-646-2822
Experience. Knowledge. Compassion.