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Valentines Getaway On Ocracoke? Why Not?
If you are trying to think of something special to do for Valentine's Day worry no more. What could be more special than a Valentine's getaway with your sweetie spent on Ocracoke Island? Wonderful accommodations...beautiful scenery...good food....and I guarantee you can find a secluded spot on our beautiful beach to listen to the waves, the gulls and the wind.
The Castle Bed and Breakfast is offering a romantic Valentine's getaway...two night minimum in the room of your choice complete with down home country breakfast each morning.
Saturday night the Castle will be offering a special dinner for 2 complete with your choice of a bottle of red or white wine, appetizer, entree and dessert for $85 per couple. Reservations for dinner must be made separately and in advance.
For more information please call the Castle B&B at 800-471-8848 or e-mail innkeeper@thecastlebb.com
Ocracoke Island Realty offers weekend getaways (3 night minimum) with great rates this time of year. Call now to reserve your romantic getaway spot.
On Saturday February 13 at 7:00 PM the Ocracoke Jazz Society invites everybody to their St. Valentine's Party at the Community Center. Come on out and listen to local musicians play fantastic jazz music. All proceeds are for the benefit of the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department. There is limited seating so you may want to reserve tickets in advance if possible.
Tickets are available at the Variety Store and the Community Store for $15.00. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
You can surprise that special someone with flowers from Annabelles or The Flower Boutique. Call ahead for delivery or pick up.
Annabelles Florist 252-928-4541
The Flower Boutique 252-921-0286
Call now to plan your romantic getaway to Ocracoke Island. Where else would you rather be?
Happy Holidays!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
What Do You Do On Ocracoke Island In The Off Season?
It was a relaxed, upbeat and invigorated Renee Tomberlin that reluctantly “checked out” after a week at Beach Therapy.
Renee was the lucky winner of a one week stay on
Upon learning of their good fortune, the Tomberlin family decided to waste no time and take the trip to Ocracoke immediately.
This was the first time they spent an entire week on Ocracoke Island, a small island south of Cape
Having visited the island from November 29th thru December 6th, Renee and her husband Dean along with their son Jordan, easily answered the question, “What do you do on Ocracoke in the off season?
Avid fishermen, they landed Red Drum in the surf, rode bikes around the island, hiked the nature trail and relaxed in a comfortable cottage aptly named “Beach Therapy.” Their accommodations were courtesy of Bob Oakes, an owner of Ocracoke Island Realty.
While they were here, they did what they love to do best – surf fish.
“We caught ‘em on and off throughout the week,” Renee said. “We fished four or five days of the week.”
On the Tuesday of their vacation week, they were fishing and catching Red Drum on the beach at South Point. It was a beautiful night, she added.
“There was a full moon, the wind laid down and we were catching fish one after another,” Renee said. “We were the only truck on the beach – it was amazing.”
Another part of the trip they really enjoyed was the comfort of Beach Therapy.
“We loved it, it was great for our needs, comfortable, clean and in a great area,” Renee said. “We loved it.”
Another fun activity she enjoyed with her son was a long bike ride on Friday. The prize package came with two free bike rentals courtesy of Beach Outfitters, located at Ocracoke Island Realty.
“Jordan and I rode for eight to nine miles,” Renee said. “We went down every road, to Springer’s Point and the lighthouse."
“We spent all day looking at the area,” she said. “We walked through Springer’s Point, which was a beautiful, beautiful area.”
In addition to the fishing, cottage comfort and natural beauty, the Tomberlins also enjoyed the hospitality extended to them while they were here.
One day when they returned to the cottage, there was gift basket full of treats, a bottle of wine and things like that from Zillie’s Island Pantry.
In addition, the realty company staff went out of their way to make the vacation special, she added.
“It was a wonderful time,” Renee said. “The helpful, friendly and nice ladies at Ocracoke Island Realty were personable and that meant a great deal.”
Now that it’s all said and done, the Tomberlins believe they may have found their new paradise.
“After that week, we’ll probably stay on Ocracoke Island again,” Renee said. “A million thanks to Will and Ocracoke Island Realty.”
Fishing Photos courtesy the Tomberlins
Renee Tomberlin of Burnside shows off a nice Red Drum she caught while enjoying a free week long stay on
Dean Tomberlin sets the hook on a big Red Drum as the full moon shines over head on South Point in Ocracoke.
The Tomberlins won a free stay at Beach Therapy, on
The Ocracoke Variety Store Bulletin Board
Off season is a beautiful time of year here on Ocracoke. Consider a visit to truly relax and experience the beauty of island life. The beaches are spectacular and accommodation prices are the lowest of the season.
Photo by Eugenie Fein
You may have heard we recently had a storm. That is true. But, the roads are open, all ferries are back on their winter schedule and we are having gorgeous fall weather here on Ocracoke.
Several of our local restaurants are open. In addition, Howard’s Pub will be offering their annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Diajo will celebrate their first season on Ocracoke with a Thanksgiving menu.
The Variety Store will be open a 1/2 day on Thanksgiving, closing at around 2:00. The Community Store will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 7 AM – 2 PM. Their regular hours are 7AM – 8 PM.
The Variety Store is decorated for the holidays. Tommy reports that the live Christmas Trees will arrive Tuesday. Shop early!
A visit to the Variety Store bulletin board can update you on what is going on here on Ocracoke. Here are a few of the more recent updates to the board along with some other news from around town...
Martin and Friends will be playing at Creekside Café on November 25th.
The Ocrafolk Festival Benefit Concert will take place at the Community Center on Friday, November 27th. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
The Ocracoke Preservation Society will host their Annual Wassail Party and Community Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 8th from 5-7 PM.
The Ocracoke School Christmas Pageant will take place in the gym on December 17th.
Community Caroling will take place on Friday, December 18th at 5 PM. Meet at the Methodist Church. Also at the Methodist Church, there will be a live Nativity from 6-7 PM on December 19th.
The Assembly of God Church will present their Christmas Program on December 20th at 7 PM.
The
The Back Porch now offers Sunday Brunch from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Zillie's on The Back Road continues to offer Wine Tastings this Fall. Visit their website calendar for dates.
Debbie Wells is offering cakes for all occasions. 928-6080
Coastal Helicopter, LLC is now operating on Ocracoke. 928-8074
Ocracoke Community Carts is now offering golf carts for rent or for sale. Hourly, daily and weekly rates are offered. Free pick up and delivery anywhere in
Going Green on Ocracoke - "Ocracoke Community Carts" by Susan Paul
Most of the local shops and spectacular galleries are open and provide great opportunities to pick up that special gift or item you have been considering all season.
Ocracoke Massage and Day Spa is now offering Bellanina Facelift Massage. Along with Cindy and Carolyn, Ken DeBarth also now offers therapeutic massage and bodywork at Ocracoke Massage. 928-5801
NCCAT is looking for historical Ocracoke photos from the late 1800’s – 1970’s for a new photo gallery at their Ocracoke campus.
A plant sale is taking place at “Home Grown Hettie’s” at the end of
Hard Core Tees is offering custom screen printing done here on Ocracoke.
Please visit the Ocracoke Island Realty Calendar for details on events taking place on Ocracoke.
Rental cottages are available for your Thanksgiving gathering or a late fall or winter stay. Thanksgiving reservations are now available for 3 nights or more. Please call our office at 877-646-2822 for information.
Special pricing for extended off season stays is available.
Nightly rates at Captains Landing and the Castle Bed & Breakfast and Courtyard Villas are very attractive. 
Photo by Carol Scott
Photo by Thomas Stampfli
Two if by Sea Cottage- Jennifer Elsen
Pat Bleich - Ocracoke Beach
Photo by Mary Ann Sweeney
Most Ocracoke Images Selected from the 2009 Ocracoke Island Realty Photo Contest
"Serendipity"...Public Nuisance
(Photo taken from www.islandfreepress.org)
Many of you may recognize the house in the picture above. When you are traveling south on Highway 12 heading to the southern Outer Banks it is the first house on the ocean side coming into Rodanthe. You may also recognize it from the movie "Nights In Rodanthe". For many years this house has stood, and remained standing, through many storms, winds and tides.
The house was built by Roger Meekins in 1988 and was considered at the time to be a really large house. It was built to last with the piling driven down 14 feet and set in concrete. At the time the house was built there was 400 feet of beach in front of the house. Time has slowly eaten away that beach front and for the past decade or so the tide has surged under the house, down the driveway and onto Highway 12 during most every storm. After each storm many of the first inquiries are about whether or not the house is still standing.
During the most recent storm (as you can see from the picture above) the ocean washed under the house once again. The high dunes built along the "S" curves north of Rodanthe were washed completely away and the highway was broken up into large chunks.
Now, Dare County's planning director, Ray Sturza, is in the process of declaring the property a public nuisance. Once this is declared the owners of the cottage will have 10 days to abate the nuisance or make an appeal. To abate the nuisance the house will have to be torn down or moved.
The current owners of the cottage, who live in Campion, Pennsylvania, say the house is still sturdy and sound despite the beating it has taken over the years. They purchased the house in 2003 just before Hurricane Isabel. The house was formerly a rental cottage but has been condemned and uncondemned several times and can no longer be rented. The owners have stayed in the house a few times in the last couple of years.
Attempting to legally condemn the house could be a lengthy process.
Meanwhile...back on Ocracoke Island...the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida were the cause of this past weekend's storm. We had some wind and rain and some flood tides but it was much worse north of us. There were no damages here that I am aware of. We are still trying to dry out though. Next week is Thanksgiving and it looks like it will be a fairly busy week on the island. If you are going to be here be sure to check out the local shops for those end of the year/holiday sales. Most businesses will close after Thanksgiving week.
If you don't feel like cooking your Thanksgiving dinner...Howard's Pub and Dajio will both be serving Thanksgiving feasts.
I hope everyone...here and everywhere...has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
IMPORTANT: OCRACOKE/CEDAR ISLAND FERRY SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
DEPARTURE TIMES FROM CEDAR ISLAND WILL BE 10:30 AM AND 5:00 PM.
DEPARTURE TIMES FROM OCRACOKE WILL BE 7:30 AM AND 5:00 PM.
If you have a reservation for this date that will be affected please call 1-800-BY-FERRY (1-800-293-3779)
Normal departure times will resume Friday, October 23.
For further information, please call the Cedar Island ferry terminal at 252-225-7411.
And The Winners Are...
The grand prize winner is:
Submitted by Aris Wakefield Michelsen of Atlanta, Georgia.
Aris wins a 2 night stay at the Castle B&B, good any time of the year based on availability.
Congratulations, Aris!
We also had 5 photos awarded Honorable Mention. Those who were selected for Honorable Mention win a gift certificate for $100 to be applied to their next rental.
The following are the Honorable Mention photo winners:
Submitted by Greg Genrich of Morristown, NJ
Submitted by Maggie Moore of Amelia, Virginia
Submitted by Lynne Dardanell of Summerfield, NC
Submitted by Earl Bumbaugh of Mount Union, PA
Submitted by Jeannette Pucella of the sailing vessel "Puff"
Jeannette's photo was chosen for the 2010 brochure cover.
Congratulations to all of our winners and thanks to all who submitted photos. We got some really great entries.
Don't forget to take lots of photos on your next trip to Ocracoke so you can send them in for the 2011 Photo Contest.
2009 Photo Contest Entries
In the meantime I would like to share some of our favorites with you. (Since I am posting the blog I took the liberty of choosing many of my own personal favorites but I think you will enjoy them.) All of these are finalists...but these are not all of the finalists.
Thank you to all who entered photos in this contest. They are all great pictures!
The Road To Paradise
(Shhhh...this is my personal favorite)
A Visit From The Gov'na
A couple of weeks ago Ocracoke Island was all abuzz about North Carolina governor Beverly Perdue coming to visit. Her son, Emmett, and Sara Thomas were to be wed at the Ocracoke Methodist Church on September 26. The bride, groom and their families stayed in some of Ocracoke Island Realty's houses and I am sure other family and guests did as well.
Many people weren't sure what to expect with the governor's visit. Would there be security everywhere with roads blocked? Would she travel around the island in the middle of a large group of body guards? If she went into a store or restaurant would everyone else have to clear out? Who knew what to expect during a visit from a high ranking politician? Ocracoke has a lot of visitors during the course of a year. We do our best to treat everyone well and be gracious, accommodating hosts. Would more be expected for the governor and her party?
Apparently not. There were 3 or 4 other weddings held on the island that week...2 or 3 were on the same day. There were many "Governor Sightings" heard about around the island. I don't think I ever saw her myself but I did speak with her briefly on the phone when she called to request some baby items. Some folks saw "Miss Governor" (as the third grade students at Ocracoke School called her) out walking her dogs. Other members of her party were seen out and about. Some friends met Emmett at Howard's Pub later in the evening after the wedding and said he was a very nice guy. He even posed for pictures with them. I hope that the Governor and the entire wedding party and guests took home some happy memories of Ocracoke Island and the people who live here.
While here the governor visited Ocracoke School and toured the facilities. I hear that it was quite interesting. She was impressed with many things about our small school...such as the students leaving their belongings in unlocked cubbies in the hall and "everyone" knowing "everyone" on the island. She toured the school gym and agreed that it is much too small for any North Carolina high school. She was surprised to learn that there was no cafeteria (or even a dedicated lunchroom) at the school. She said that she would look into the availability of economic stimulus money to help with the gym expansion project.
She met and spoke with the staff and many students while touring the school. Ocracoke School is a unique environment with unique people and opportunities.
"This wasn't just a regular school visit. I really enjoyed coming here," she said.
(To read Sundae Horn's article about Governor Perdue's visit to Ocracoke School click here)
All in all it was a pretty regular week. Lots of people enjoying all of the things that Ocracoke has to offer.
Ocracoke is a great place to be!! Come and see for yourself!!
(Above photo taken by Sundae Horn was "borrowed" from the "Island Free Press" website)
Fall? Yeah!
Fall is a great time to be on Ocracoke for many reasons. The weather is usually pleasant...sunny, warm days and cool, breezy nights.
The beach is still beautiful and the water is still an okay temperature for swimming. Fishing is best in the fall. The stores and restaurants are still open and summer activities such as parasailing and charter boat fishing are still available. Entertainment of one sort or the other can still be found. Pretty much the same as the summer without the high temperatures and huge crowds. Fall is a much more "laid back" time of year while still being a busy time of year.
School is back in most everywhere now. Ocracoke School has planned a camping trip for grades 6-12 to Camp Singletary next week. They will be leaving early Monday morning and returning on Friday. Several of the students will accompany a couple of chaperones on Friday to see Shakespeare's play "Midsummer Nights Dream". The students all have a great time on these camping trips. They learn a lot in a different setting. And the last time they went to see a Shakespeare play I know my son really enjoyed it. He wants to be an actor...among other things.
September has flown by so fast. Next month is the Halloween Carnival and, of course, Halloween. Soon after it will be Thanksgiving followed closely by Christmas...before you know it, summer will be here and the vacation frenzy begins again. I didn't believe it when I was a kid and my elders would tell me to slow down and enjoy life because the older you get, the faster time goes by. I believe it now.
Don't wait till the summer to visit Ocracoke Island. Come now...during the beautiful fall season. Enjoy the beaches, the weather, the restaurants, the shopping, the entertainment...everything Ocracoke has to offer!