Living on Euler's Line

Traffic on the Outer Banks

I wrote a post last July about weekend traffic on the Outer Banks.  I captured two photos from the base of the Wright Memorial Bridge (Currituck County facing Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores).  Image below shows checkout traffic and the right shows check in traffic.

   

Now my two readers might think I am just trying to revive an old post to keep fresh content on the site but both of you are wrong.  I continue to get comments and emails from travelers trying to miss the traffic.  So I thought I would answer the latest email question for others looking to avoid the long lines.  Names have been changed to protect the persecuted - we will call him Jim.

From Jim:  I found your great post on Outer Banks traffic and wondered if I could ask you a question.  We will be coming through Norfolk, via 168/158 this Saturday (tomorrow).  Do you have a sense of the times we should absolutely avoid?  In other words, be at X place by X o'clock or forget it.
      
Believe it or not, my wife has been coming for 38 years (I'm a newbie at 10), but we always traveled during the night and arrived on the southern shores by 7 or 8 am; thus, traffic was no problem.  With babies in the car, the Mrs. would prefer to avoid the overnight drive.
      
Thanks for considering my question, and if you ever need directions in the Philadelphia region, well, please call on me!  Jim.

Now Jim doesn't know me and I am sure he is unaware that flattery will get him everywhere.  Great Post?  I can see a kiss up from a mile away.  So I thought would give him what he wanted.

From Me:  Tell your wife and babies who really is in charge.

Had to get that out of my system - it has been a long day in the office.  A poor attempt at humor.
      
I would suggest hitting the NC line no later than 10:00 if at all possible.  I know that means an early morning departure but hopefully the babies and your wife will get some rest.  Traffic will be heavy going against you but you should be ok getting across the bridge (about 1 hour from NC border).  After 11, traffic really starts backing up and by 3pm - you and your family would be miserable.  If you can't come early, try arriving after 7.  Most of the headaches are over by then.
      
Hope you and your family enjoy your stay and if I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Ronnie

Now Jim was kind enough to not take offense.  My first thought was to ask Jim who wears the pants in his family - but after two seconds I decided that would not be in my best interest.  Jim might be a really big guy with a nasty temper - I don't need any more of those. 

Bottom line, if you can plan on being at the NC/VA border by 10:00, you can be on the beach by 11:15 and enjoy a nice meal or the beach before check in.  Arrive at the border by 9 and the family will be happier.  The restaurants are not that crowded because everyone else is trying to get here or get out of here.  All bets are off for the Fourth of July - traffic starts early that weekend. 

For those leaving the beach - leave early and miss the traffic (8:00 am) or just hang out and enjoy another half day.  The ride home should be better for all.

The Outer Banks is a wonderful place.  How many other places do families go on vacation to the same place for 38 years?  Thanks Jim and family - enjoy your stay.

Change is in the air - Stormy Weather in the forecast

As I type - Tropical Storm Cristobal is bearing down on the Outer Banks.  Current conditions - sunny with a slight breeze.  The Weather Channel has reporters on Hatteras Island waiting for the big opportunity, but you know if Jim Cantore is not here - it is not serious. 

One year ago I was working for American Home Mortgage.  Everyone in the mortgage industry knew a storm was on the horizon, but many had no clue to the size and devastation it would bring.  The company was the 10th largest lender in the country and growing.  American Home Mortgage had a very large line of credit.  They borrowed a dollar from the credit line - sold and funded mortgages for individuals which cost them an additional 2 cents and sold the package for $1.08 to companies like Bear Sterns.  I was about to go to lunch with my wife on a Monday in August of 2007 and got a call from my manager - a mandatory conference call at noon.  Guess what boys - the company was in trouble and would stop funding loans that day.  There were hopes of merging with Countrywide and Indymac but it didn't work out.  A week and 20 conference calls later- Chapter 11. 

I spoke to 15 different lenders about joining their team.  As of last count - 8 of those are no longer in business.  What a change a year makes.  Bear Stearns, Countrywide and now Indymac have all experienced some significant changes themselves.  I decided to join Wells Fargo - they were the most stable of all and had a great presence on the Outer Banks. 

I made the decision to exit stage left from the mortgage industry a few weeks ago.  I went back into the software world.  I was fortunate - I had a background in an industry that allows and embraces remote workers.

A Realtor asked about my plans for my blog.  I hadn't thought about that.  My initial goal is to catch up with the frequency and quality of blog posts as Mayor Bob and Monty and the other Local Bloggers I follow.  Lofty goals are not a bad thing. 

Beach Driving on Hatteras just got a little help

Got a memo from Representative Tim Spear's office this afternoon.  This could be good news for the ORV Access crowd. 

URGENT!!        URGENT!!        URGENT!!

For Immediate Release from

Representative Timothy L. Spear

I am pleased to inform you that I have just received notification and a copy of a bill introduced today by US Representative Walter B. Jones and US Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr.  The bill introduced in Congress would reinstate the Interim Management Strategy Plan governing off-road vehicle use in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, pending the issuance of a final rule for off-road vehicle use by the National Park Service.

The bill reads as follows:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. REINSTATEMENT OF INTERIM MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.

After the date of the enactment of this Act, Cape Hatteras National Seashore shall be managed in accordance with the Interim Protected Species Management Strategy /Environmental Assessment issued by the National Park Service on June 13, 2007, for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, until the National Park Service issues a special regulation and long-term off-road vehicle management plan for the use of Cape Hatteras National Seashore by the public.

SEC.2. INAPPLICABILITY OF CONSENT DECREE.

The April 30, 2008, consent decree filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina regarding off-road vehicle use at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina shall not apply after the date of the enactment of this Act.

This is what I, Senator Basnight and many of you have requested of our congressional delegation.  Now is the time for everyone to support this legislation and help secure its passage.

Where there is smoke - there is usually fire

For the past week, the Outer Banks has been two things - hot and smoky.  Sam Walker from East Carolina Radio News has the picture of the day - a visual of what we have all been experiencing...  Now that's a fire!  With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees and the heavy smell of smoke, it really makes you want to jump in the ocean which was a nice 73 degrees today.

There should be some relief on the way.  Temperatures should return to normal and some rain is on the way that could help slow down the fires. 

International Space Station + Shuttle viewings this week

Those on the Outer Banks are in for a treat this week.  Not only is the weather beautiful, those that are out and about can look up each evening between June 5th and 8th and view the International Space Station (and Shuttle Discovery) fly overhead.  The Shuttle is delivering the Japanese Kibo module.  As the station grows, it becomes brighter and brighter. 

The best night for viewing will be Sunday June 8th starting from the WNW at 9:31 p.m. and crossing the sky at an altitude of 61 degrees.  If the sky is clear, you won't have to have a degree in astronomy to pick it out - it will be the brightest object moving in the sky.  It should remain visible for about four minutes.  Here are the details on the additional crossings viewable from the Outer Banks.  If you won't be on the Outer Banks on Sunday, you can use the same tool to check for sightings in your own back yard.  Just enter your zip code and look up. 

Outer Banks Beach Closures - that didn't take long

As many already know - there has been a battle going on in the court system over ORV access.  Just last week, there was a settlement but many felt the ramifications would not be in effect until sometime this summer.  Guess again.  Here is the latest announcement from the National Park Service. 

	Cape Hatteras National Seashore NPS Announces First Major Closures under the Consent Decree

 

Date: May 5, 2008 Contact: Outer Banks Group, (252) 473-2111  ext 148   The following temporary closures of popular areas are being installed today in accordance with the requirements of the consent decree signed by U.S. District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyle. 1) Bodie Island Spit – A 150 m buffer is required for an American oystercatcher breeding area located approximately 50 meters from the ocean in a narrow section of beach north of the spit. The buffer will preclude ORV and pedestrian access along the ocean shoreline. NPS is evaluating an option for a pedestrian by-pass, outside the buffer, through the interior of the spit to reach sections of the spit/shoreline that are otherwise open to recreational use, but currently an appropriate option does not exist due to flooded conditions. NPS will continue to work on the pedestrian by-pass option. Ramp 4 north to Ramp 2 is open for 2 miles to ORV and pedestrian access until May 15 when the seasonal closure in front of Coquina Beach goes into effect. 2) Cape Point – A 100 m buffer is required for a least tern breeding area that is occurring approximately 80-90 m from the ocean near the eastern edge of the Cape Point prenesting area, adjacent to the ORV corridor on the northeast side of the Point. The 100 m buffer will preclude access along the shoreline. There currently is not an alternative access option around the buffer; however, NPS will continue to evaluate the situation daily. 3) South Ocracoke – A 50 m buffer is required for breeding adult piping plover (PIPL) that are foraging on the northeast side of the prenesting area. A PIPL nest has been established nearby (within the prenesting area). Adult piping plover are repeatedly foraging on the adjacent shoreline in the 100 ft. ORV corridor. There currently is not an alternate route option available; however, NPS will continue to evaluate the situation daily. Ramp 72 north to Ramp 70 is open for approximately 1.8 miles to ORV and pedestrian access. Other sections of the Seashore were opened over the weekend to ORV and pedestrian access. An ORV safety closure, approximately 1.6 mile in length, was lifted along the Avon beachfront from 0.1 mile north of Avon Fishing Pier to Ramp 38. There is temporarily through-access from Ramp 34 to Ramp 38 until the seasonal village closures go into effect on May 15, 2008. Temporary stabilization work on Ramp 44 was completed last weekend to attempt to alleviate flooded conditions. The ramp was reopened late Saturday afternoon. Park maintenance crews have further plans to remedy the flooded ramp condition by raising the roadbed with appropriate materials and thus reducing closures of the ramp in the future due to flooding. For more information on beach access, the Beach Access Report is distributed weekly on Thursdays. For more resource management information, the Resource Management Field Summary is distributed weekly.

For some great local commentary - be sure to check out the following sites:

View From the Ridge
Outer Banks Republic
Outer Banks Connection Message Board

The Eena Project - Rip Current Awarerness Day

The 2nd Annual Eena Project Rip Current Awareness Day is scheduled for Wednesday June 25th in Rodanthe.  What is the Eena project?

The Eena Project was created to educate others on rip currents and other beach related hazards.  In September of 2006, Kristina (Eena) Koles drowned as a result of a rip current on The Outer Banks.  She was our daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend.  Education is key and we do not want any other families to experience the tragedy we had that day.  Please use this site and the links to educate your family.

Two years ago I had some first hand experience with a Rip Current.  The weather was awesome, the water was warm and the family was having a great time playing in the surf.  There was a guy my age 15 feet away that started to swim in to shore.  His strokes started to become more deliberate and he was not making any headway at all.  I could see in his eyes that he was starting to panic.  I was a lifeguard many years ago, I guess it is similar to a being a Marine (except the shooting part) - once a Marine always a Marine.  I first told the guy to swim towards me but he had already started to panic.  I swam over to him and pulled him just a few feet to safety.  The lifeguard from the beach was sprinting towards us with buoy in hand and escorted him back to the shore.  The whole thing took less than a minute.  The guy calmed down quickly but you could tell it really shook him up.   He and his family packed their bags and headed back to their cottage - they had enough excitement for a day. 

One of the quickest ways to have two drownings at once is to have an unexperienced person try to rescue someone in trouble.  The person in trouble will do anything in their power to save themselves including holding you under as a float.  If you recognize someone in trouble - alert a lifeguard and try to encourage them to swim parallel to the shore.  If you find yourself caught in a Rip Current, stay calm and swim parallel to the beach.  You may see a magnet in your cottage with instructions on Rip Currents - take a few minutes to review these safety tips with everyone in your house.   

If you are interested in sponsoring this event or contributing items, please contact Michelle Koles.  The cost of a sponsorship is $500 and it gets your logo on our bags and the t shirts. The bags will be a fabric reuse able tote that are becoming very popular in grocery stores as an eco alternative to plastic bags. In the bags will be items from the Eena Project and the park, but they are looking to fill it with coupons and small items from local businesses. They hope to have 500 bags and give them out for a $1 donation.  Please support this worthwhile cause. 

How to tell it is tourist season on the Outer Banks

The vacation season has started on the Outer Banks.  One of the best ways to tell that the tourists are here is witnessing what I call the OBX U-Turn.  The OBX U-Turn is similar to Russian Roulette.  Here is how it works:

The driver is heading in the right hand lane of the bypass.  All of a sudden, they realize they missed their turn.  Instead of carefully moving over and taking one of the side streets that occur about every 500 feet, they decide that the only way to get the the restaurant, cottage, beach access or whatever is to cut across 4 lanes of traffic. 

Saw my first OBX U-Turn yesterday.  Horns were blaring from the cars and trucks that had to slam on brakes in order to not kill the guy.  Remember folks - most of our streets are on a grid - a very small version of what you have in your home town.  You don't want to spend part of your vacation visiting our fine Outer Banks Hospital.  Be safe and enjoy your stay. 

Off Road Vehicle Access on the Outer Banks

There has been a storm brewing for some time on the Outer Banks over Off Road Vehicle Access (ORV) on the beaches south of Oregon Inlet. 

The Cliffs Notes version - some environmentalists want to end driving on the beach to protect the Piping Plover and Sea Turtle Nests.  I have read a lot of opinions on this matter - but I am going refer to the experts on this issue:

• View From the Ridge - Bob Muller covers the facts like few others (without a dose of vitriol)
• Outer Banks Republic - Monty weighs in on the potential impact on Hatteras Island.
• Bill's OBX Beach Life - Bill addresses how the impact will affect the wave sailing and kite boarding enthusiasts. 
• Outer Banks Connection Board - An internet board that deals with local issues - plenty of emotional threads about the issue at hand.
• The Island Free Press - extensive coverage about ORV access.
• OBXNeighborhood - Bill Holt forwarded a copy of the letter sent by Marc Basnight to the National Park Service.

The hearing is scheduled in Raleigh on April 4, 2008.  Become informed - contact your representatives - let your voice be heard.

Senator Elizabeth Dole (R- NC)  202-224-6342
Senator Richard Burr (R- NC)  202-224-3154
Representative Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R - 03)  202-225-3415

11th Annual Outer Banks Polar Plunge scheduled for Saturday March 15th 2008

See what happens when you jump in the 55 degree ocean in March?  You smile a lot and try to breathe. 

It is that time of year again - time for the crazies to put on their suits and take the plunge.  The Outer Banks Polar Plunge will be held on March 15, 2008 at the Ramada Hotel in Kill Devil Hills.  The plunge will happen at 1:00. 

This event was started by the folks at Ocean Atlantic Rentals to support the Outer Banks Family YMCA We Build People campaign.  The cost to plunge is $25 and it includes a meal from Outback, a cool shirt and the chance to do something your mother would probably frown upon.   There are all kinds of prizes for kids young and old.  This years grand prize goes to the team that raises the most money - a week rental of an oceanfront home donated by Stan White Realty. 

If you decide you are not quite adventurous enough to take a swim in March - come on by and enjoy some good food and buy a tee shirt.  You will be supporting a great program and have some fun while doing so.

And while you are in town, stick around for the Kelly's St. Patrick Day Parade on Sunday March 16th.  Hope to see you there.