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OISFT & The Misfit Mermaids
MISFIT MERMAIDS: Me, Rhonda, Sarah, Jennifer, Vera, Jenny
The 28th Annual OISFT is now history but a good time was had by all. There were lots of sunburned faces at the pig picking and awards party on Friday night.
The weather was pretty good overall considering what it has been in past years. The first set on the first day was mostly sunny but windy...kind of cool. Actually it was warmer in the water than on the beach. The afternoon set was absolutely beautiful. You could not have asked for a better beach day! Warm temps, not hot...light breeze, turquoise colored water...fantastic! Of course, this weather is usually not conducive to catching fish but that is ok.
First morning on the beach. Look closely above my head and
you can see 2 fishing lines...we were serious!!
The second day was slightly less pleasant...weather-wise...It was cooler and the wind blew pretty good all day. It was sunny though and that helped keep it from being too cold. The surf and the current was a lot rougher than it had been on the previous day. The first fishing set of the second day is when it happened...Vera caught a fish!!!! Not just any old fish...a 33 1/2 inch bluefish!! Woo Hoo!! Talk about some happy girls...49 points for the Misfit Mermaids. We were on the board. One fish put us in first place in the Women's Division and 4th place overall. This was also the biggest fish caught by a female in the tournament. This certainly gave us the fever to catch more fish! However, if we didn't catch any more fish, we still had to make it through the rest of the day without anyone beating us.
Let me now take a moment to introduce the Misfit Mermaids. Our team captain, Jennifer Esham, is the owner of Blue Heron Realty. She is one of the first people I worked with when I first came to the island oh so many years ago.
Team member Sarah Fiore is the owner of Bella Fiore Pottery, located on the Back Road next to the Back Porch Restaurant. Sarah also works at Cafe Atlantic and is another long time friend.
Team member Jenny Mason manages Ocracoke Trading Company located on Highway 12 next to Ride The Wind Surf Shop. Jenny rents her home (Sea Glass) out in the summer months through Ocracoke Island Realty. I have known Jenny and her family since right after moving to the island.
Team member Rhonda Mason (Jenny's Aunt) works at the Variety Store, owns and helps operate Corky's Clams. She is also known as Sugah Mamma.
Team member Vera Attaway...first time fisher person...is a North Carolina girl who is settled in Ocracoke (for the moment). She works at Gaffers Sports Pub.
I love all of these girls!!
And then there is me. Ocracoke Island Realty maintenance coordinator and blog writer. Also first time fisher person.
We had a great time on the beach this year! I am already looking forward to next year! Vera is the only one on our team who caught a fish but there is no "I" in "team" so we all shared in the glory!!
Each team has 6 members and may have 1 alternate.
There are 17 pairs of judges. Each pair patrols a marked stretch of beach making sure all teams are following the rules and checking each fish that is caught.
All fish caught are required to be released if possible.
Last year there were 668 total fish caught. This year there were 175 total fish caught. That just goes to show how bad the overall fishing was this year.
Ocracoke's radio station, WOVV (90.1 FM), covered the entire fishing tournament. Dave & Bill were all over the place doing interviews, sharing information and commenting on the action.
The last day of the tournament the Carolina Boys went down the beach to each station providing sausage on loaf bread. It was delicious! These guys also cooked and served the BBQ dinner at the awards party and let me tell you that was some good food!
After dinner was served and devoured it was time for the raffle drawings and the awards ceremony. Here are the winners:
Overall Winners
1st Place: Oceanside Anglers (for the second year in a row)
2nd Place: Team Diawa
3rd Place: Ocracoke Internationals
Top Female Teams
1st Place: Showstoppers (49 points with a 33 1/4 inch bluefish...won the tie breaking coin toss)
2nd Place: Misfit Mermaids (49 points with a 33 1/2 inch bluefish...lost the tie breaking coin toss...7th place overall)
3rd Place: Fishin' Pelicans
Most Fish
Male: John McGee of the Oceanside Anglers with 5 fish
Female: Ginger Wojciechowski of the Outcasters with 4 fish
Largest Fish
Male: Emery Pajer of the Ocrajokers...35 inch bluefish
Female: Vera Attaway of the Misfit Mermaids...33 1/2 inch bluefish
Session Winners
1st Session: Cape Hatteras Anglers
2nd Session: Ocrajokers
3rd Session: Oceanside Anglers
4th Session: Team Diawa
Proceeds (after expenses) are divided between 4 Ocracoke non-profit organizations...Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, Ocracoke Youth Center, Ocracoke Child Care and the Sigma Willis Memorial Scholarship Fund for Ocracoke School.
All in all we had a great time on the beach fishing, spending time with good friends, laughing and, yes, drinking.
Thank you, Misfit Mermaids, for inviting me to be a part of your team. I am looking forward to next year!!
28th Annual Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament
It is that time of year, friends and neighbors, for the annual Ocracoke Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament. This is the 28th year for this event. Registration is Wednesday, May 4. Anglers will fish Thursday, May 5th, and Friday, May 6th, with 2 fishing sets each day...8 am to 11 am and 1:30 pm to 4 pm.
After the registration, judges' meeting and captains' meeting on Wednesday there will be a kick off gathering at Howard's Pub with entertainment provided by the Mighty Saints Of Soul.
Following a day of fishing on Thursday, DJ Buster Nunemaker will be at Howard's Pub beginning at 8 pm. Friday, beginning at 5:30 pm, there will be a pig picking for the anglers at the Community Center tent and let me tell you that is some good eating!! An awards party will begin at 7 pm and after the trophies and prizes are awarded to the winning teams and raffle prizes are drawn, entertainment will be provided by DJ Buster Nunemaker.
I have been to the pig picking a couple of times and I have learned to time any daytime travel around the parade of trucks going to and from the beach but I have never participated in the tournament. I am not a surf fisher...never been interested in it before and don't really have any interest in learning. It just isn't my thing. I have always thought that these tournament anglers must really have a good time though.They plan for this way ahead and there is very seldom an opening for new teams.
Even though I don't care about surf fishing. I am quite excited this year because I was invited to be on a team. Mind you, I was not the first choice but that's ok. (I've always secretly wanted to participate in some way or another at least once.) I am looking forward to spending some quality beach time with some very good friends!! I have known all but one of my teammates for many, many years. In fact, the team captain is one of the first people I worked with when I moved to Ocracoke. (Remember those Sunday lunches at the Pony, Jennifer?) I have known the other teammate a shorter amount of time but I consider her a good friend and she will fit right in there with the rest of us.
I will try to get some pictures and post them after the tournament. It looks like the weather is going to be great!
Wish us luck!! We are the Misfit Mermaids!!
Tight lines, OISFT anglers!!
After the registration, judges' meeting and captains' meeting on Wednesday there will be a kick off gathering at Howard's Pub with entertainment provided by the Mighty Saints Of Soul.
Following a day of fishing on Thursday, DJ Buster Nunemaker will be at Howard's Pub beginning at 8 pm. Friday, beginning at 5:30 pm, there will be a pig picking for the anglers at the Community Center tent and let me tell you that is some good eating!! An awards party will begin at 7 pm and after the trophies and prizes are awarded to the winning teams and raffle prizes are drawn, entertainment will be provided by DJ Buster Nunemaker.
I have been to the pig picking a couple of times and I have learned to time any daytime travel around the parade of trucks going to and from the beach but I have never participated in the tournament. I am not a surf fisher...never been interested in it before and don't really have any interest in learning. It just isn't my thing. I have always thought that these tournament anglers must really have a good time though.They plan for this way ahead and there is very seldom an opening for new teams.
Even though I don't care about surf fishing. I am quite excited this year because I was invited to be on a team. Mind you, I was not the first choice but that's ok. (I've always secretly wanted to participate in some way or another at least once.) I am looking forward to spending some quality beach time with some very good friends!! I have known all but one of my teammates for many, many years. In fact, the team captain is one of the first people I worked with when I moved to Ocracoke. (Remember those Sunday lunches at the Pony, Jennifer?) I have known the other teammate a shorter amount of time but I consider her a good friend and she will fit right in there with the rest of us.
I will try to get some pictures and post them after the tournament. It looks like the weather is going to be great!
Wish us luck!! We are the Misfit Mermaids!!
Tight lines, OISFT anglers!!
Empty Nest...So Sad
For the past couple of months most everyone who works in the office at Ocracoke Island Realty, along with thousands of others across the country and around the world, has been watching the Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam. I think our office started watching around the time the first of three eggs hatched.
We have enjoyed watching the eaglets grow from hatchlings to self feeding. We have learned many interesting facts about the parent eagles and eagles in general. We have watched the parents feed and protect the babies. We have watched the babies establish pecking order. We have watched them grow through awkward phases such as the development of those clown-like yellow feet. We have watched the progression of feather growth...from down to adult-like feathers.
We have watched this eagle family closely for the last couple of months and somehow feel a great kinship with them. The fourth grade class at Ocracoke School raised money to help support the eagle cam and many classrooms around the country have monitored the eaglets progress since they hatched. The camera link has been shared through e-mails, blogs, Facebook and Twitter and who knows how else. A good portion of Ocracoke has been watching.
Sadly, the mother eagle was killed yesterday in a collision with an airplane. Many tears were shed and comments and condolences poured into the moderated chat and the Facebook page. It is such an emotional thing for so many. It is akin to losing a close friend or family member.
The NGB had to make a fast decision as to the eaglets immediate and future well-being. They could leave the eaglets in the nest and hope that the father could continue raising them on his own. The problem with this solution was the concern that the father would not have been able to provide enough down the road to sustain all 3 eaglets and help them achieve adulthood.
There was the option of trying to foster the eaglets out into other eagle nests. The problem with that solution is that...if they could find three other eagle nests to house the youngsters...the foster parents could reject the new eaglets. Also...the eaglet siblings would have been separated. They are now at an age where they recognize that they are eagles and they know that they are siblings.
The third solution was to remove the eaglets from the nest and transport them to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, Virginia, to be raised in an eagle habitat until they are ready to be released back into the wild. Of course, this is the solution that was chosen and I have to agree that it is probably the best solution.
The eaglets will be housed in an artificial nest in WVC's 200 foot eagle flight cage. Physical barriers will be in place to keep them separated from other eagles but they will be able to see them, watch them and learn from them. Once the eaglets fledge (learn to fly) the barriers will be removed and the eaglets will be able to fly around and build their wing strength. If all goes well the hope is that the eaglets will be ready for release this summer.
One thing that is easy to forget when you are watching wildlife, such as this eagle family, is that they are, in fact, wild life. As we watched their daily life via webcam they are not even aware that we exist. Even as we laugh and cry and learn so much from them...they really have no idea that they have touched us all in so many ways and taught us so much. They have triggered much emotion from us humans but did we trigger any in them? How could we? Wildlife runs on instinct, not emotion. We greatly mourn the death of the eaglets' mother and the father's mate...but do the eaglets and the father mourn as well? Or does it just disturb their daily routine? Will we ever know? Most likely not. The eaglets will adapt to their new home and eventually, hopefully, be released into the wild to make their own way. Who knows how, or if, they will even remember their parents? The father will probably wonder where his family has disappeared to but will he search for them? Not likely. After a while he will hopefully find another mate and keep on living an eagle's life. So many questions...all I know is that I, along with many, will miss checking on those baby eaglets throughout the day to see what they are doing. I will miss watching the parents work together to do what needs to be done to keep their babies safe and healthy. Wild animals or not, they were a wonderful to watch and learn from. We will miss them but we wish them well!
With tears in our eyes we watched as the eaglets were removed from the nest this morning and even though we know that it is in their best interest we will miss them every day...for a while. Although it is sad to look now at that empty nest we will always remember this experience.
Thank you to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, WVEC TV 13, all of the moderators and fellow eagle watchers for sharing with us.
If you would like more information about the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the Wildlife Center of Virginia or the eagle cam...please visit the following:
www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org
www.wvec.com/eaglecam
www.wildlifecenter.org
You may also make donations to help support the continued care for the eaglets to the Wildlife Center...just specify that it is for the NBG eaglets.
We have enjoyed watching the eaglets grow from hatchlings to self feeding. We have learned many interesting facts about the parent eagles and eagles in general. We have watched the parents feed and protect the babies. We have watched the babies establish pecking order. We have watched them grow through awkward phases such as the development of those clown-like yellow feet. We have watched the progression of feather growth...from down to adult-like feathers.
We have watched this eagle family closely for the last couple of months and somehow feel a great kinship with them. The fourth grade class at Ocracoke School raised money to help support the eagle cam and many classrooms around the country have monitored the eaglets progress since they hatched. The camera link has been shared through e-mails, blogs, Facebook and Twitter and who knows how else. A good portion of Ocracoke has been watching.
Sadly, the mother eagle was killed yesterday in a collision with an airplane. Many tears were shed and comments and condolences poured into the moderated chat and the Facebook page. It is such an emotional thing for so many. It is akin to losing a close friend or family member.
The NGB had to make a fast decision as to the eaglets immediate and future well-being. They could leave the eaglets in the nest and hope that the father could continue raising them on his own. The problem with this solution was the concern that the father would not have been able to provide enough down the road to sustain all 3 eaglets and help them achieve adulthood.
There was the option of trying to foster the eaglets out into other eagle nests. The problem with that solution is that...if they could find three other eagle nests to house the youngsters...the foster parents could reject the new eaglets. Also...the eaglet siblings would have been separated. They are now at an age where they recognize that they are eagles and they know that they are siblings.
The third solution was to remove the eaglets from the nest and transport them to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, Virginia, to be raised in an eagle habitat until they are ready to be released back into the wild. Of course, this is the solution that was chosen and I have to agree that it is probably the best solution.
The eaglets will be housed in an artificial nest in WVC's 200 foot eagle flight cage. Physical barriers will be in place to keep them separated from other eagles but they will be able to see them, watch them and learn from them. Once the eaglets fledge (learn to fly) the barriers will be removed and the eaglets will be able to fly around and build their wing strength. If all goes well the hope is that the eaglets will be ready for release this summer.
One thing that is easy to forget when you are watching wildlife, such as this eagle family, is that they are, in fact, wild life. As we watched their daily life via webcam they are not even aware that we exist. Even as we laugh and cry and learn so much from them...they really have no idea that they have touched us all in so many ways and taught us so much. They have triggered much emotion from us humans but did we trigger any in them? How could we? Wildlife runs on instinct, not emotion. We greatly mourn the death of the eaglets' mother and the father's mate...but do the eaglets and the father mourn as well? Or does it just disturb their daily routine? Will we ever know? Most likely not. The eaglets will adapt to their new home and eventually, hopefully, be released into the wild to make their own way. Who knows how, or if, they will even remember their parents? The father will probably wonder where his family has disappeared to but will he search for them? Not likely. After a while he will hopefully find another mate and keep on living an eagle's life. So many questions...all I know is that I, along with many, will miss checking on those baby eaglets throughout the day to see what they are doing. I will miss watching the parents work together to do what needs to be done to keep their babies safe and healthy. Wild animals or not, they were a wonderful to watch and learn from. We will miss them but we wish them well!
With tears in our eyes we watched as the eaglets were removed from the nest this morning and even though we know that it is in their best interest we will miss them every day...for a while. Although it is sad to look now at that empty nest we will always remember this experience.
Thank you to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the Wildlife Center of Virginia, WVEC TV 13, all of the moderators and fellow eagle watchers for sharing with us.
If you would like more information about the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the Wildlife Center of Virginia or the eagle cam...please visit the following:
www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org
www.wvec.com/eaglecam
www.wildlifecenter.org
You may also make donations to help support the continued care for the eaglets to the Wildlife Center...just specify that it is for the NBG eaglets.
Spring Flowers
Easter weekend has passed and so has the busier week of spring break. There were lots of people around last week and this past weekend. A taste of summer for sure. The weather was, for the most part, fantastic.
We here at Ocracoke Island Realty hope that everyone had a safe and happy Easter holiday.
To give you a little taste of spring on the island I thought I would post some pictures of some of the flowers in my yard. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
My final plant purchase for the yard...just got to hang it.
Beautiful hanging basket with dahlia accented by verbena
Wave petunia hanging basket...I love this color
Azaleas in my front yard
Mixed pot with a yellow wave petunia and a purple one with a smaller bloom
Amazing wave petunias...these 2 large pots of wave petunia are from last year.
Typically these plants die off when the weather turns colder but for some reason
these 2 pots decided to hang in there. They were actually sitting on my front steps
during our blizzard and were covered in several inches of snow. Imagine my surprise
when I noticed that they were still alive and still growing this spring! Wow!!
Another pot of yellow and purple wave petunias
More azalea
And more azalea
My flower garden. This stuff was planted a little over a week ago.
Another shot of the garden...to the far left I have planted a butterfly bush. I always
wanted to try one of those.
Yet another shot of the garden
I have planted petunias (including the red wave petunia in the middle), 3 different
varieties of marigold, some sort of beautiful purple daisy variation and the middle
shrub in the back is a white hibiscus. The dark pink and purple flowers in the middle
on the left are dianthus...this is their 3rd year.
This spot is going to really look great when all of this stuff starts filling in.
We here at Ocracoke Island Realty hope that everyone had a safe and happy Easter holiday.
To give you a little taste of spring on the island I thought I would post some pictures of some of the flowers in my yard. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
My final plant purchase for the yard...just got to hang it.
Beautiful hanging basket with dahlia accented by verbena
Wave petunia hanging basket...I love this color
Azaleas in my front yard
Mixed pot with a yellow wave petunia and a purple one with a smaller bloom
Amazing wave petunias...these 2 large pots of wave petunia are from last year.
Typically these plants die off when the weather turns colder but for some reason
these 2 pots decided to hang in there. They were actually sitting on my front steps
during our blizzard and were covered in several inches of snow. Imagine my surprise
when I noticed that they were still alive and still growing this spring! Wow!!
Another pot of yellow and purple wave petunias
More azalea
And more azalea
My flower garden. This stuff was planted a little over a week ago.
Another shot of the garden...to the far left I have planted a butterfly bush. I always
wanted to try one of those.
Yet another shot of the garden
I have planted petunias (including the red wave petunia in the middle), 3 different
varieties of marigold, some sort of beautiful purple daisy variation and the middle
shrub in the back is a white hibiscus. The dark pink and purple flowers in the middle
on the left are dianthus...this is their 3rd year.
This spot is going to really look great when all of this stuff starts filling in.
Spring, Sprang, Sprung
In the past couple of weeks I have begun composing a blog entry several times only to be waylaid by something else. As we are getting vacation homes opened, cleaned and stocked for the season issues arise and must be dealt with. Spring is a super busy time on Ocracoke. Not just for us at the realty, but shop owners, restaurant owners, homeowners and any other business owner, employee or service provider on the island. Those days when the weather turns warm and sunny it can easily lure you away from the tasks at hand...mentally, if not physically.
Spring is a time when many off island homeowners come down to check out their beach houses before the season kicks in. It is a great time of year to see, meet and greet homeowners. We are always happy to work with them on their projects and offer advice on how to maximize the potential of their beach home for the benefit of their guests as well as themselves.
With Easter being so late this year the season will start off with a bang and keep right on going. Usually we have the Easter/Spring break crowds to give us a kick start, then a break for a week or two before the Ocracoke Island Surf Fishing Tournament kicks things off again. This year we will start in high gear and continue that way. That is okay. After the long, cold winter we have had I think we are ready!
There are quite a few things going on in the not too distant future...such as the Firemen's Ball and the Ocrafolk Festival...just to name a couple. I will post more details on these, and other, events later.
Here are a few lesser known events coming up in April. If you are going to be on the island please check them out.
** Saturday, April 9, at the Pony Island Motel yard. The Ocracoke Boy Scouts will happily wash your car for you for a donation toward their whitewater rafting trip to Charlotte. Washing commences at 11 am and all donations will be accepted.
** Saturday, April 16, the Ocracoke High School Beta Club will sponsor a community Litter Pick Up. This is an annual event and lots of garbage is cleaned up by the volunteers who participate in this event. A nice spring clean for the roadside. Meet at Ocracoke School at 10am and find out where you are needed. The more people who participate the more of the island that gets cleaned up.
** Saturday, April 23, the Ocracoke Girl Scouts are having a Bake Sale on the front porch of the Variety Store from 11 am to 3 pm (or until sold out). 100% of the money raised goes toward their fundraising effort to support the National MS Society. The Girl Scouts will be participating in the MS walk in Greenville, NC on April 30. Donations are also accepted. Keep an eye out for donation jars in various locations around the island.
I almost forgot...the other day as I was walking by Beach Outfitters I saw...you'll never guess...a turtle. A baby box turtle to be exact. It was smaller than a quarter and so cute...as you can see from the picture below.
Spring is here!! Enjoy it!!
Spring is a time when many off island homeowners come down to check out their beach houses before the season kicks in. It is a great time of year to see, meet and greet homeowners. We are always happy to work with them on their projects and offer advice on how to maximize the potential of their beach home for the benefit of their guests as well as themselves.
With Easter being so late this year the season will start off with a bang and keep right on going. Usually we have the Easter/Spring break crowds to give us a kick start, then a break for a week or two before the Ocracoke Island Surf Fishing Tournament kicks things off again. This year we will start in high gear and continue that way. That is okay. After the long, cold winter we have had I think we are ready!
There are quite a few things going on in the not too distant future...such as the Firemen's Ball and the Ocrafolk Festival...just to name a couple. I will post more details on these, and other, events later.
Here are a few lesser known events coming up in April. If you are going to be on the island please check them out.
** Saturday, April 9, at the Pony Island Motel yard. The Ocracoke Boy Scouts will happily wash your car for you for a donation toward their whitewater rafting trip to Charlotte. Washing commences at 11 am and all donations will be accepted.
** Saturday, April 16, the Ocracoke High School Beta Club will sponsor a community Litter Pick Up. This is an annual event and lots of garbage is cleaned up by the volunteers who participate in this event. A nice spring clean for the roadside. Meet at Ocracoke School at 10am and find out where you are needed. The more people who participate the more of the island that gets cleaned up.
** Saturday, April 23, the Ocracoke Girl Scouts are having a Bake Sale on the front porch of the Variety Store from 11 am to 3 pm (or until sold out). 100% of the money raised goes toward their fundraising effort to support the National MS Society. The Girl Scouts will be participating in the MS walk in Greenville, NC on April 30. Donations are also accepted. Keep an eye out for donation jars in various locations around the island.
I almost forgot...the other day as I was walking by Beach Outfitters I saw...you'll never guess...a turtle. A baby box turtle to be exact. It was smaller than a quarter and so cute...as you can see from the picture below.
Spring is here!! Enjoy it!!
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION
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Ocracoke Blizzard of 2011 (Part II)
The day after the storm I drove around a little to take some pictures. I won't take up much space with words because there are a lot of pictures. Hope you enjoy them.
Along the road to ramp 70 (airport ramp)
Airport ramp (70)
Top of airport ramp (70)
On the beach
Still on the beach
Beach
Front of OIR maintenance building
OIR rentals
Kitty tracks everywhere. They look big because they are deep.
Oh yeah!!
Random plants in front of rental office.
Snow laden tree next to maintenance office.
Maintenance parking lot pulling out onto Highway 12.
The other way...
Beach Outfitters
Front yard of Maintenance/Beach Outfitters
Frozen ditch
Slushy, icy parking lot at the lighthouse.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
Frozen creek next to lighthouse.
Boardwalk to lighthouse.
Random tree.
Dock at Ocracoke Horizons Condos
Taken from Horizons dock looking towards the mouth of Silver Lake.
Random
Sea oats in snow.
Yucca
Fallen tree.
Kitty tracks to the sound.
Castle B&B sign
Another Castle B&B sign.
Southpoint Road entrance.
View out side window of maintenance office.
Icicles
Office kitty.
I think she liked the snow.
Rose bush
Palm tree. The mound of snow in front of the palm is a large bush.
Another palm tree.
Ocracoke Community Center.
Random scenery
Along the road to ramp 70 (airport ramp)
Airport ramp (70)
Top of airport ramp (70)
On the beach
Still on the beach
Beach
Front of OIR maintenance building
OIR rentals
Kitty tracks everywhere. They look big because they are deep.
Oh yeah!!
Random plants in front of rental office.
Snow laden tree next to maintenance office.
Maintenance parking lot pulling out onto Highway 12.
The other way...
Beach Outfitters
Front yard of Maintenance/Beach Outfitters
Frozen ditch
Slushy, icy parking lot at the lighthouse.
Ocracoke Lighthouse
Frozen creek next to lighthouse.
Boardwalk to lighthouse.
Random tree.
Dock at Ocracoke Horizons Condos
Taken from Horizons dock looking towards the mouth of Silver Lake.
Random
Sea oats in snow.
Yucca
Fallen tree.
Kitty tracks to the sound.
Castle B&B sign
Another Castle B&B sign.
Southpoint Road entrance.
View out side window of maintenance office.
Icicles
Office kitty.
I think she liked the snow.
Rose bush
Palm tree. The mound of snow in front of the palm is a large bush.
Another palm tree.
Ocracoke Community Center.
Random scenery
Ocracoke Blizzard of 2011 (Part I)
Surely you didn't think I would miss the chance to post photos of Ocracoke's Great Blizzard of 2011...no way!! There was a little apprehensive excitement here and there on the island about the possibility of 1-2 inches of snowfall on Saturday, January 22. We are usually quite skeptical when snow is predicted because we usually get rain instead. Little did we know, or suspect, that we would end up with 6-7 inches of snow. We all watched it fall, and fall hard, for most of the day. It started around 10 am and didn't stop until after dark (around 6 or 7 pm). Besides the falling snow we had very windy conditions...which made it seem all the more like a blizzard. The last time I circled my house, which was just after it quit snowing, there were drifts in my back yard that were well over my knees.
Saturday's storm was actually very beautiful and it was a sight seldom seen around here. The snow was fluffy enough that it was blowing off the rooftops and blending with the snow falling from the sky. The gusty winds made it snow in every direction...vertically, horizontally, diagonally. The flakes were anywhere from small to large and it was falling pretty thick for most of the day.
I was asked if this was a record snowfall for Ocracoke so I asked a friend who keeps tabs on this kind of stuff (weather & history)...although he didn't have his records with him this is what he told me...
"The weather office in Buxton recorded a little over 13 inches during the snow storm in December of 1989. There was also a snow storm in March of 1980 that dumped about the same amount (13"). The storm in 1980 had winds up to 100 miles per hour accompanied by flooding over the whole island. There was a snow storm in February 2003 that ended up leaving 10 inches of snow."
The pictures in this part of the blog were taken on Saturday (1/22/11) during the blizzard. They were taken around my house and on the road I live on (except for 2 that were taken by someone else and sent to me). You can see thick snow falling in all of these pictures.
Part II will have pictures of the day after the snowstorm from all around the island.
An Oleander in my front yard.
Trees next to the house.
One end of my road.
The other end of my road.
Large hedge across the street from my house.
One end of my road.
My side steps leading onto the screened porch. The walkway leading to the steps
is covered over.
Another shot of the side steps onto the screened porch.
The lawn mower. It is under the carport but the way the wind was blowing the carport
didn't keep the snow off of anything.
My daughter, who reverted back to childhood in the snow.
(She will kill me when she finds out I used her picture.)
But she is so adorable. She ran and rolled and dived in the snow.
My septic tank.
Remnants of the garden. If you look closely at the ramp on the left hand side you
can see how deep the snow was there. The ramp begins between the 2
handrail posts.
Here is my daughter rolling in the snow after diving into it. The drift she dived into is
about knee deep. Notice how deep the snow is stacked on the handrail.
A view of the end of the handrail. Probably about 6 inches at that point.
The back yard.
The other side of the back yard.
The tree between my neighbor and me.
Another view of the tree. It is very heavy with snow and
almost reaches the ground. It is usually well above head
level.
Yard view.
My car!
Across the street.
More across the street.
And yet more across the street.
Ditto. The trees were all so beautiful laden with snow.
The front of my house. The screens on the porch and the window screens on all sides
of the house became covered with snow until you couldn't see through any of them
by dark. The screened porch, which is fairly large, was covered on the inside with snow.
View in front of the OIR Maintenance office. (Photo courtesy of Andy Collis)
I have seen many pictures of ducks crossing the road. Apparently this is something
they do frequently during a snowstorm. (Photo courtesy of Andy Collis)
Check back tomorrow for Ocracoke Blizzard of 2011 (Part II-The Day After) with LOTS of photos.
Saturday's storm was actually very beautiful and it was a sight seldom seen around here. The snow was fluffy enough that it was blowing off the rooftops and blending with the snow falling from the sky. The gusty winds made it snow in every direction...vertically, horizontally, diagonally. The flakes were anywhere from small to large and it was falling pretty thick for most of the day.
I was asked if this was a record snowfall for Ocracoke so I asked a friend who keeps tabs on this kind of stuff (weather & history)...although he didn't have his records with him this is what he told me...
"The weather office in Buxton recorded a little over 13 inches during the snow storm in December of 1989. There was also a snow storm in March of 1980 that dumped about the same amount (13"). The storm in 1980 had winds up to 100 miles per hour accompanied by flooding over the whole island. There was a snow storm in February 2003 that ended up leaving 10 inches of snow."
The pictures in this part of the blog were taken on Saturday (1/22/11) during the blizzard. They were taken around my house and on the road I live on (except for 2 that were taken by someone else and sent to me). You can see thick snow falling in all of these pictures.
Part II will have pictures of the day after the snowstorm from all around the island.
An Oleander in my front yard.
Trees next to the house.
One end of my road.
The other end of my road.
Large hedge across the street from my house.
One end of my road.
My side steps leading onto the screened porch. The walkway leading to the steps
is covered over.
Another shot of the side steps onto the screened porch.
The lawn mower. It is under the carport but the way the wind was blowing the carport
didn't keep the snow off of anything.
My daughter, who reverted back to childhood in the snow.
(She will kill me when she finds out I used her picture.)
But she is so adorable. She ran and rolled and dived in the snow.
My septic tank.
Remnants of the garden. If you look closely at the ramp on the left hand side you
can see how deep the snow was there. The ramp begins between the 2
handrail posts.
Here is my daughter rolling in the snow after diving into it. The drift she dived into is
about knee deep. Notice how deep the snow is stacked on the handrail.
A view of the end of the handrail. Probably about 6 inches at that point.
The back yard.
The other side of the back yard.
The tree between my neighbor and me.
Another view of the tree. It is very heavy with snow and
almost reaches the ground. It is usually well above head
level.
Yard view.
My car!
Across the street.
More across the street.
And yet more across the street.
Ditto. The trees were all so beautiful laden with snow.
The front of my house. The screens on the porch and the window screens on all sides
of the house became covered with snow until you couldn't see through any of them
by dark. The screened porch, which is fairly large, was covered on the inside with snow.
View in front of the OIR Maintenance office. (Photo courtesy of Andy Collis)
I have seen many pictures of ducks crossing the road. Apparently this is something
they do frequently during a snowstorm. (Photo courtesy of Andy Collis)
Check back tomorrow for Ocracoke Blizzard of 2011 (Part II-The Day After) with LOTS of photos.
Summer Vacation
The holidays have passed and most of us are now trudging along through our daily winter routine. Work, school, chores, short days, long nights, snow, ice and cold weather.
Why not take a break from the winter time drudgery and start thinking about (and planning) your summer vacation? Check out our website and browse through our houses. Look at the pictures of the beach, the lighthouse, the sound, sunsets...think about warm weather, sunshine, waves and water. Make your reservation so the countdown can begin..."Only ?? more days till Ocracoke!"
I just bet it will warm you right up!!
If you can't wait till summer then spring is even better!! Lower rates, less crowds, mild weather, fishing, boating, more fabulous sunrises and sunsets, shopping and, of course, dining! I don't even have to mention how wonderful our beaches are...365 days a year!!
Start planning the shots you'll take to enter in our 2011 Photo Contest where it's not about professional photography but about family, friends, having fun, the beauty of Ocracoke as seen through your eyes, the special places and moments that make your vacation unforgettable.
Imagine the relaxation you will experience while sitting on the deck of your vacation home enjoying good times, good friends, family and maybe even a cocktail or two!!
Yes...there's nothing quite like an Ocracoke vacation...any time of year!
If you haven't started longing for the beach yet from the words I have written then take a look at the pictures below and see what you will be missing if you miss out on Ocracoke this year!!
Lovely!
Beautiful sunrise on an Ocracoke beach!
Fabulous beach!
Wonderful beach!
Lighthouse during the day!
Exquisite beach!
Marvelous beach!
Sunset on the beach!
Gorgeous beach!
B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l b-e-a-c-h!
Lighthouse at sunset...doing what a lighthouse does!
Beautiful beach with cochinas and shell fragments!
Cool and refreshing (and beautiful) beach!
Clear, sunny day on a beautiful Ocracoke beach!
Awwww...sweet...sunset on Pamlico Sound!!
Tell me...what do you look forward to most when you get to Ocracoke?
Why not take a break from the winter time drudgery and start thinking about (and planning) your summer vacation? Check out our website and browse through our houses. Look at the pictures of the beach, the lighthouse, the sound, sunsets...think about warm weather, sunshine, waves and water. Make your reservation so the countdown can begin..."Only ?? more days till Ocracoke!"
I just bet it will warm you right up!!
If you can't wait till summer then spring is even better!! Lower rates, less crowds, mild weather, fishing, boating, more fabulous sunrises and sunsets, shopping and, of course, dining! I don't even have to mention how wonderful our beaches are...365 days a year!!
Start planning the shots you'll take to enter in our 2011 Photo Contest where it's not about professional photography but about family, friends, having fun, the beauty of Ocracoke as seen through your eyes, the special places and moments that make your vacation unforgettable.
Imagine the relaxation you will experience while sitting on the deck of your vacation home enjoying good times, good friends, family and maybe even a cocktail or two!!
Yes...there's nothing quite like an Ocracoke vacation...any time of year!
If you haven't started longing for the beach yet from the words I have written then take a look at the pictures below and see what you will be missing if you miss out on Ocracoke this year!!
Lovely!
Beautiful sunrise on an Ocracoke beach!
Fabulous beach!
Wonderful beach!
Lighthouse during the day!
Exquisite beach!
Marvelous beach!
Sunset on the beach!
Gorgeous beach!
B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l b-e-a-c-h!
Lighthouse at sunset...doing what a lighthouse does!
Beautiful beach with cochinas and shell fragments!
Cool and refreshing (and beautiful) beach!
Clear, sunny day on a beautiful Ocracoke beach!
Awwww...sweet...sunset on Pamlico Sound!!
Tell me...what do you look forward to most when you get to Ocracoke?
Happy Holidays!!
The holiday season is upon us once again. It seems to arrive faster every year. It is pretty quiet around the island right now even though we have had a couple of scary situations this month. The latest was a house fire around midnight about a week ago. The house is still standing but it is gutted. There is nothing left inside of the walls. Luckily, no one was in the house when it caught on fire. There are several houses located around the house that burned and they are very close. I have been told that there was no damage to any of the surrounding houses but the property owners were outside stamping out burning embers as they fell in their yards. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Earlier this month a native Ocracoker in his 80's went missing. He wandered off in the early afternoon and by dark family and friends were getting very worried. Word spread quickly and soon most everyone on the island was out looking for him. We were all checking our sheds and yards and neighboring properties if no one was home. The woods and marsh were being searched. A helicopter flew around for a while trying to spot him from above. After the helicopter the next step was to bring out the dogs to search. However, before that could happen, the gentleman was found very close to his home...by one of his grandsons so I hear. He was a little scratched up and cold but he was okay. Word again spread quickly and everyone was very relieved to hear that he was ok. He had been missing for several hours and the more time that went by the more worried we all became.
Someone told me later that while he was lost he heard the helicopter and realized they must be looking for somebody. He became worried about whoever was lost and hoped that they were found soon...not even realizing the helicopter was looking for him.
This incident reminded all who live here how lucky we are to be a part of such a caring community. In a way we are like a huge, extended family. It is comforting to know that if you are lost or hurt or in need of assistance the people around you will be right there to help and will also be there to celebrate your victories and share your happiness. This is a wonderful place full of wonderful people and I am so glad to be a part of it.
Finally, all of us here at Ocracoke Island Realty would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!
Please enjoy these photos of our office decorations. See you next year!
