A Great Time In Corolla At The Outer Banks, NC-Fishing, Golfing, Wild Horses, And A Lighthouse

Never turn your back on a seagull. You may say that is a strange way to start a travel article, but in this incident it is quite fitting, as you will see. So, I will continue with my analogy. Seagulls are bold, opportunistic thieves. Their boldness goes way beyond rudeness. I was surf fishing in Corolla at the Outer Banks. As I tended my line in the water, trying to anticipate the slightess nibble, which takes complete concentration, the notorious bandits made their move on my unattended bucket and bait behind me. The incursions forced me to divide my attention between my submerged hook and the gulls. It was a frustrating cycle. Despite the unwelcomed distraction, it was an excellent fall day on the nearly empty beaches of the Outer Banks.

The temperatures have cooled, the crowds departed, many of the shops closed, and the numerous transplanters from Europe have left, but the Outer Banks is still a good choice if you like the beach, fishing, sightseeing, and just plain old relaxation. I stayed at one of the numerous houses available for rent in Corolla, which is on the north end. I stayed for free by invitation from a friend. It is here the main road, Ocean Trail or 12, comes to an end. You can drive out onto the beach and continue north for a distance of 10 miles until you can go no further, if that is what you want to do. Signs are posted warning you not to park your vehicles on the side of the road and also one that tells you not to feed the wild horses. Yes, wild horses, the very same horses that were featured in the movie "Nights in Rodanthe." The movie gave the impression the Spanish Mustangs were in Rodanthe, but that was incorrect. The mustangs are at the north end near Corolla in the National Estuarine Research Reserve. The majestic breed is teetering on the brink of extinction, so if you would like to see them running free, do it immediately if not sooner.

I spent a few hours at one of the main tourist attractions, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is still in service and totally automated with a beacon that flashes in 20 second intervals, 3 seconds on, 17 seconds off. Open to the public, I traversed the 214 steps up to the tower walk at 158 feet, a task the keeper did every 2 1/2 hours to pull the weighted chains before it was automated. My companions, Gary, Marcus, and Addison, along with several other tourists made the climb up to the top where an iron platform and rail encircled the top, some of them hugging the outside lighthouse wall, fearful of looking down to the ground far below. While at the top I met Michelle, a photographer from Virginia, who I conversed with for a short time. She had visited many of the lighthouses up and down the East Coast, including one near Charleston, SC on Morris Island. This was her fifth visit to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. Her photographs of the Outer Banks are beautiful.

The panarama on top was awesome. You could see across Currituck Sound to the Mainland and out over the Atlantic Ocean some 18 miles. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse Station, which includes numerous other restored buildings, is located in a park with a excellent view of the Currituck Sound. The Center for Wildlife Education and the historic Whalehead Club are also here. The Sound is the largest body of brackish water in the area with an average depth of 5 feet, pretty shallow. If you are a person who fishes, there are some species of salt water as well as fresh in the Sound. At one time it had a huge population of large mouth bass. In the park there are placards placed in strategic locations that tell the whole history and facts of interest, including why the lunker bass have disappeared. Be sure to visit the park at sunset for some pretty panaramas.

I could write alot more about my 9 day visit to Corolla and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but you just have to check it out for yourself. It is worth a visit, and bring the family along too. If you are a golfer looking for incredible golf, take on the Currituck Club challenge, I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a breezy day to say the least, with 35-40 mph wind gusts. If you would like to learn more about what happened to the Rodanthe house read this article. If you would like to learn more about Corolla and attractions, check out the Corolla Guide. Hotels in Corolla, Hampton Inn. Vacation home rentals information, click vacation rentals.

The Coastal Carolina Fair Is Near-Family Fun Time

Time sure passes by quickly, especially when you are having fun, as the saying goes. And it's already that time of the season for the 55th edition of the Coastal Carolina Fair at the Exchange Park in Ladson, October 27th thru November 5th to be exact. There is plenty for everybody to do to pass the time quickly at this years fair, if you are a fair goer because not everyone is. Plenty of the three reasons why people go to the fair- food, rides, and entertainment. Sorry beer lovers, one thing there won't be plenty of is beer. It is a nonalcoholic fair, but you don't need beer to have fun. This is a family-oriented event.

Personally, the best time to attend is at night, after the sun sets. The lights are brighter, the sounds are louder, the smells more intense. The thick smoke and various aromas from the line of vendors encircling the inner perimeters like a wagon train under attack, hangs in the air as an advertisement of their offerings. The choreographed flashing lights of the numerous carnival rides hynotize are young ones, drawing them into its control. The music and song from the scheduled entertainment more easily drifts through cooler night air. In turn, all of this aforementioned activity causes those in attendance to happily empty their pockets of their hard earned money. And not to be forgotten, an explosive mixture of nightly fireworks displays are scheduled.

When it comes to the food there will be everything from peanut butter and jelly to oriental and Italian food. Ah, the simple pleasure of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a brown bag favorite and now at the fair. Gyros, the "g" is silent, is what alot of people go to the fair to consume along with elephant ears, corn dogs, and cheese and nauchos.
  
The ferris wheel is a landmark of the fair and stands out prominantly as you approach the fairgrounds. Aside from the ferris wheel, this year's fair will have 64 ride attractions. Some new ones like the Spin Out along with popular favorites like The Fire Ball and Mega Drop. There will also by nearly 30 kids rides. Carnival Ride Tickets (20 Coupon Book) $17.00 up to October 26 and $20.00 October 27 at the gate-11.25 up to October 26 and 13.25 books October 27-at Piggly Wiggly only. Handstamp Ticket (Ride all day) 17.00 up to october 26 and $20.00 october 27 at the gate-11.25 up to October 26 and 13.25 October 27 at Piggly Wiggly only.

The 2011 Coast Carolina fair will feature a variety of musical entertainment including American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox, country singer Easton Corbon and The Guess Who. Other entertainment will include impressionist Rich Little, and show featuring live brown bears. For a complete list and times click scheduled entertainment. For ticket information click admission tickets.

Daniel Island Welcomes The Zac Brown Band For Three Days Of Festivities

Daniel Island, a 4,000 acre island, is located within 15 miles of Downtown Charleston between the Cooper and Wando Rivers. The recently developed island, starting in the 1990's, was once used for farming, cattle ranching, and a private hunting retreat. The developement of I-526 changed all that. Daniel Island now offers residents access to hundreds of acres of parks, 23 miles of rivers and creeks and more than 12 miles of leisure trails.

It has been called a “pedestrian-friendly island town located within historic Charleston,” recognized as One of America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire, and a recipient of the Urban Land Institute’s prestigious “Awards for Excellence”. There are two professional sports facilities, the Family Circle Tennis Center and Blackbaud Stadium, located on the island, along with a private country club, the Daniel Island Club, with golf courses by Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The island’s downtown is a popular address for a growing array of schools, churches, shops, restaurants, medical offices and other conveniences, as well as a destination for area festivals and special events.

The Southern Ground Music and Food Festival is one of those events hosted at Blackbaud Stadium you will want to seriously consider attending. The three-day event will feature several well-known artists from different genres, including country star Eric Church, rock/pop band Train, and rock group My Morning Jacket, among others. The main attraction all three days, October 21-23, will be the Zac Brown Band.

Along with the music you will be able to sample some local cuisine. The festival will provide high quality concessions with a variety of different local Charleston Vendors.  Zac Brown Band Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin will also be serving up items featuring Zac and Rusty’s signature recipes. Click here for ticket information. Click here for travel packages. Click here to preview the lineup for all three days.

So, the temperatures have cooled and the humidity has faded, but the action is just beginning and there is plenty to do in Charleston in the weeks to come. Let's do it.