Just a heads up..

Just giving everyone a heads up. The Chesapeak bay bridge is KNOWN for its traffic. People tend to get stuck on this bridge sometimes for hours. It has happened to me on both occasions we went to OBX. Guys..make sure you have empty bottles in your car incase you need to pee. Girls...We're screwed. lol.

ONE MORE DAY!

Ok everyone...ONE MORE DAY!

remember last minute items like:

wallet
fishing license
books
games
personal items (toothbrush, etc.)
cameras with chargers
cell phones with chargers

...anything else?

SEE YOU ALL ON SATURDAY MORNING!

Board Games!

Hey Everyone, think about any board games or card games you might want to bring along to pass the time when we're not doing anything else!

I do know that Mallory had talked about bringing along some type of board game!

Kevin and I are going to try to play a game that I got about 8 years ago and have never played. It's a 'geeky" type of 3 dimensional Fantasy, War type game that called Heroscape and actually looks like it could be some fun!
 So...any GUYS interested in waging war against Kevin and I?    LOL

 

 

Post your ideas for games!

OK, Seriously, Let's be safe!

Video from 2011...

Suggestion?

Would anyone care to car pool to save money?? Just a suggestion...Kevin and I were thinking of ways to save money, and we thought if anyone would want to car-pool us, we would go halfs with gas and it would save both couples a lot more money than driving up alone. Of course I know Rob and Chris already have their car load with the kiddies...So I guess mainly I'm asking Dad, Art, or Michelle and Joe. But another thing I thought about is..Will the car be able to stock all our luggage?? I don't know, it was just a thought..if we have to drive up alone, no biggie.

How we're gonna get there!

Hey Family,
These are our thoughts on travel...
Stop about every two hours:
Leave from here at 6am, make a stop 2 hours into the trip for gas, restrooms, etc, at this point we should be somewhere around the Rehoboth beach area...make our next stop on the rest area of the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel and have a late breakfast or lunch ,spend maybe about an hour...make our final stop in Kitty Hawk and check out the Wright Bros, exhibit...possible stop again in Nag's Head at the Jockey's Ridge state park and check out the huge sand dunes, then continue down to Avon.

Note:Nags Head is right below Kitty Hawk.

If we figure 3 hours worth of rest stops along with our 8 hours travel time we should get there around 5 pm. Check In is at 6.
.
Are we all car-pooling?

PLEASE post your thoughts on this!!!!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Driving directions to Avon, NC

http://www.distancebetweencities.net/prospect-park_pa_and_avon_nc/route

The Tomato Patch!

I like the sound of the pizza place that Mallory talks about in her post, however Corolla is about 150 miles from Avon and a good 40 miles North from where we will be entering the Outer Banks. I guess if it's really worth the drive, it could be done on the way down although it's still about 40 miles out of the way. Just an FYI... the islands of the Outer Banks are 200 miles long, so once we hit them we still have a pretty good drive to get to Avon!

Be CAREFUL in the ocean!

Hey guys, I didn't post this video to scare anyone, but I did it to show you the dangers of the ocean in the OBX. We need to be very careful when out fishing or just having fun on the beach!

YEEEEOOOHHH! Let's PARTY!!!

Just a repeat of a post from Way Back!

Hey Guys,
For those of you who want to do some fishing, (and I do know that both Art and Shannon have expressed interest), I've done some research and come up with this chart to give you an idea of what species we may be able to sink a hook into!

An Outer Banks MUST!!!!!!!!!!

The Tomato Patch!! Best pizza EVERR!!!! Check out the link to the menu

http://obxpizza.com/menu.php


Check out those specialty pizzas!! We must go here for lunch!!!!!

It's in Corolla...don't know how far that is from where we are at..but it's worth the drive!

...and the COUNTDOWN Continues!

WEBSITE COUNTDOWN

Dinner's Ready! Come and Get It!

Ok, I think we're getting near the time all the couples need to decide on what days they are going to do their meals for the whole gang PLUS what they are going to be serving!
Remember, meal days are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday with Wednesday night reserved for our BIG SEAFOOD FEAST!
Five days, Five couples...works out perfectly!
Guys, Let's start posting your days and menus! It would be great if we've got this all figured out before we get there!
NOTE: If ya got some certain days in mind, get it posted now before somebody beats ya to it!

Pack light......

Talking to a customer yesterday who is going to the outter banks...she said to pack light....There are washers and dryers in the house...All we need is a  bathing suit and shorts and sundress for the girls If you guys are going out....she said we are either going to love or hate it there as its just all beach and sun and relaxing.....no need to bring a ton of clothes....

Who's down for some dirty dicks?

http://www.urbanspoon.com/m/r/230/1101178

A Possible Day Trip

http://www.outerbeaches.com/OuterBanks/Villages/Ocracoke/

Friends of ours have visited here quite often and they said it's a really cool place to visit. We would have to take the ferry over, which might be fun. (This post is from Chrissy)

Historical Ocracoke

Late nights in OBX

I know that every night a different couple will be preparing dinner, but I was wondering what will happen late night. I know some will drift off to bed while I, and others stay up conversating over beers and food... But where will the food come from? Of coarse we all will buy potato chips and pretzels etc... But I was thinking it would be fun if the girls made late night pub style snacks one night for the guys and the guys did the same one night... Is anybody with me? I am down with nachos, mozzeral sticks, buffalo wings... Etc. let me know what you guys think

Skateparks withing driving distance of OBX

http://www.concretedisciples.com/global-skatepark-directory/search-results_m132/query:all/jr_address:41107+Oceanview+Dr+Avon%2C+NC/jr_radius:50/jr_latitude:35.3452800/jr_longitude:-75.5024890/order:distance.html


There are 2 skate parks within a  45 mile driving distance from the house. That's about a 45 minute to an hour drive. We could go over early in the morning and skate for a couple hours. How often will we get the chance to skate the Outer Banks? I plan on going at some point during the week. let me know if your in. Click on the link for the two parks.

BUDGETING TIPS

Tip Number 1...

Budget in approximately 2 to 3 Hundred Dollars for Gas for a round trip to and from our destination. We will be traveling a total of approximately 800 miles round trip.

Tip Number 2...
When it comes to making the decision as to whether to bring food and drink from home, or to buy it in the Outer banks, from my research, I understand that the prices are very comparable. There are also many fruit and vegetable stands on the way as well as a few larger chain stores in the Outer banks, such as Food Lion and Walmart. I also understand that beer and wine may be bought in the Food Lion stores but liquor is only available through the state-run liquor stores. Remember too, after an eight hour drive, you may not feel like shopping the first night, so consider bringing a few things from home.

COUNT DOWN HAS BEGUN!

WEBSITE COUNTDOWN

OBX Fishing License Information

License Information
A Coastal Recreational Fishing License is required to fish on the Outer Banks. Children under 16 are exempt. An individual does not need a license for charter boat and pier fishing, which are covered by a blanket license.

Anglers should know the current marine fisheries regulations, including size and creel limits. For details about the citation program and/or current marine fisheries regulations, visit any Outer Banks bait and tackle shop or pier or call the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries at 800-682-2632 (North Carolina only), 252-808-8081 or visit Division of Marine Fisheries website.

Annual Coastal Recreational Fishing License

• State Residents, age 16 or older - $15

• Non-Residents, age 16 or older - $30

10-day Coastal Recreational Fishing License

• State Residents, age 16 or older - $5

• Non-residents, age 16 or older - $10

Convenient ways to purchase a Coastal Recreational Fishing License

• Online at http://www.ncwildlife.org/ - (using your PC or Mobile Device)

• By telephone at 1-888-248-6834

• Locate a Wildlife Service Agent on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Website

• Visit Division of Marine Fisheries Website

For further information about the Coastal Recreational Fishing License, including a list of locations that sells licenses, visit the Division of Marine Fisheries website.

Jockey's Ridge State Park

JOCKEY'S RIDGE is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. Located in Nags Head, it is one of the most significant landmarks on the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Always changing, always beautiful… the Friends of Jockey's Ridge State Park invite you to visit and explore.

Hey Family, this is on our way in so we COULD stop there if anyone is interested! 

Check out the link here: http://jockeysridgestatepark.com/

Zap zap zap... Lazer Beams!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fm2cY1vj6Q&sns=em

Lazer Tag!!! I don't know if anyone is interested in perhaps spending an hour one day in OBX shooting Lazer beams at each other, but here's a commercial for a Lazer tag spot.

Yum! Who wants to eat??

Hey everyone...you know, we're all gonna wanna stuff our faces on vacation, cause that's just part of the fun, right? Well, here's what we've come up with to try to save everyone a little hard earned cash, plus, just because it seems like a good way to do things...read on...

I figure we will arrive at our destination somewhere around 5 or 6 pm, give and take traffic conditions as well as the time we will be sitting on our butts at the realtors waiting for our keys. Anyway, we're all going to be a bit tired and the idea of pizza or sandwiches the first night seems like a good one. Anyone agree? Let me know your thoughts!
Now, getting onto the rest of the week...Not counting Saturday night (our night of arrival) we have 6 days and nights to think about meals. (Sunday thru Friday)...Wednesday night of that week, we've all pretty much agreed that it would be way cool to do a big SEAFOOD FEST outside at the pool with Beer, Coleslaw and French Fries, and of course, Sea Food!!! If each couple can plan ahead of time what type of seafood they would like to contribute to this meal, we will have five different things to stuff into our bellies! Ideas include crab, shrimp, clams, fish, and whatever your favorite seafood happens to be. Oh, and hopefully we catch a few blues, sea-trout or whatever from the beach in the days preceding Wednesday night! I happen to be really looking forward to Wednesday night!! Ohhhh, let's not forget the RED SOLO CUPS! (lol)

We've decided to handle the rest of the meals in the following way...Each couple will be responsible for ONE Breakfast and ONE dinner and will buy the food as well as prepare it. These meals can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire, from cereals to pancakes or spaghetti to porkchops! YUM. You decide! Lunches and snacks will be left to each couple, in other words, buy your own snacks and lunches, of course if you decide to share, that won't be a problem either. This refers also to beverages, alcoholic or otherwise...Bring your own! We can always take home whatever we don't consume.

Think about all this and if you're really up to it, start sharing some comments, ideas or whatever, here on this blog. Geeez, you can even let us know what meals you want to prepare and when! I don't know about you but I'd like get my meals done early in the week, so I can sit back, relax and enjoy everyone else cooking for me!

Thoughts on Timing...

Hey guys, here's my thoughts...Avon, North Carolina is about a 400 mile trip for us, and that equals out to approximately 8 hours of driving time. If we all meet and leave from my house at 7 am, stop every two hours for a short 15 minute break or gas fill-up, we should hit our destination somewhere around 4 pm. Since we can't check in until 3 pm anyway, this sounds like it would work.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Post a comment!

Hey Shannon...wanna rent a BIKE?

Hey Guys, check out this site, the rentals are VERY reasonable...adult size bicycle...40.00 per week, full size baby crib...45.00 per week   http://www.oceanatlanticrentals.com/

          "What were you told about tormenting your father on vacation, young man?"

OBX Fishing!

Hey Guys,
For those of you who want to do some fishing, (and I do know that both Art and Shannon have expressed interest), I've done some research and come up with this chart to give you an idea of what species we may be able to sink a hook into!

Happy 2012 Gandys!

I just got my account set up via desk top computer. For some reason my phone wouldn't let me set it up without giving my cell number... i said no to that. Anyhow, i am looking forward to spending a week with all of you in NC. I am sure it will be different from any vacation experience as Shannon and I will be bringing our little baby. Check out this link to if you are interested in different restaurants and other fun

http://www.visitob.com/outer_banks/restaurants/corolla.htm

:) Art3

Map of the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks (also known as OBX) is a 200-mile (320-km) long string of narrow barrior islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States. They cover approximately half the northern North Carolina coastline, separating the Currituck Sound, Albemarle Sound, and Pamlico Sound from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Outer Banks is a major tourist destination and is known for its temperate climate and wide expanse of open beachfront.

The Wright brothers' first flight in a powered, heavier-than-air vehicle took place on the Outer Banks on December 17, 1903, at Kill Devil Hills near the seafront town of Kitty Hawk. The Wright Brothers National Monument commemorates the historic flights, and First Flight Airport is a small, general-aviation airfield located there.

The treacherous seas off the Outer Banks and the large number of shipwrecks that have occurred there have given these seas the nickname Graveyard of the Atlantic. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is located in Hatteras Village near the United States Coast Guard facility and Hatteras ferry.

The Outer Banks is a series of islands: from north to south — Bodie Island, Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. The Outer Banks is considered to be the areas of coastal Currituck County, Dare County, and Hyde County.