Anne Bonny

Posted on April 11, 2011 by OBXer

 

As far as famous pirates go, few can compare to the fame of Anne Bonny. Anne Bonny is famous not only for being a pirate, but for being a very famous woman pirate.

Unlike Mary Read, Anne Bonny never pretended to be a man to join Calico Jack’s crew of famous pirates she actually joined us calico Jack’s girlfriend, but since her first husband was a pirate, she already knew what life was like. Her contemporaries say that Anne was just as good in battle, and as useful with a gun or cutlass as any man aboard.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read were best friends aboard the ship, but eventually, they had to let Calico Jack in on Mary’s secret because he was growing jealous of all the time they were spending together. Anne Bonny was captured when the rest of Calico Jack’s crew was. Even though Calico Jack was hung, Anne Bonny was not, because like Mary Read, she pleaded pregnancy.

Nobody knows the ultimate fate of Anne Bonny; she disappeared from the record. It is widely believed that she escaped, as executions and releases of famous pirates were a matter of public records, but escapes were kept very quiet, with no actual record.

Originally posted 2011-02-07 19:25:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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5 Off Beat Ways to Save Money on Your Outer Banks Beach Vacation

Posted on April 11, 2011 by OBXer

In these troubling economic times, everyone is looking to save a little money, even Outer Banks vacationers. In fact, even in good times, saving money is always a good idea. That’s why I’m presenting you with these 5 off beat ways to save money on your Outer Banks vacation. Whether your passion is tours, eating out,  movies, or even the house itself, here are 5 off beat ways to save money on your Outer Banks vacation.

Movies on the Outer Banks

You’re on vacation, but your kids are still clamoring to see the newest release of their favorite movie. Even here at the Outer Banks, movies are expensive. Close to $10 a ticket at the time of this writing. But what if I told you there was a way to see the newest release of a movie here on the Outer Banks for less? I’ll let you in on the secret…you can buy movie tickets in bulk. About $7 a ticket.

The movie theater here on the Outer Banks is part of the RC theatre chains. If you go directly to RC’s website, you will be able to buy tickets in bulk. Make sure you ask for ‘gray tickets.’ These are good on any movie (except special events). You will need to add $4 to a gray ticket to see a 3-D movie. This can be done at the counter. Here’s the link.

Outer Banks Tours

Do you know the best time of the week to go on one of those great dolphin, horse or areal tours you’ve heard so much about? Most Outer Banks visitors make the mistake of waiting all day for their house to be ready, settle in, and go on a tour the next day. The reason this is a mistake is because everyone does it this way. The tour operators know this and their tours are usually empty on turnover day. Many offer discounts on these turnover days. You have to wait until 4pm for your house to be ready anyway. So why not make it a fun day you’ll always remember instead of looking back on sitting in traffic?

Restaurants of the Outer Banks

Well, in addition to the usual coupons that you find in the various Outer Banks guides, (you find these guides for free all over the Outer Banks,) I’m also going to make a suggestion you probably already know; when you order out, only eat half. We all know restaurants portions are too large anyway. Your house came with a kitchen; use it to heat up the leftovers and you’ll still have good food and only spend half as much money.

The Outer Banks Rental House

Since this where the majority of your money is spent, it seems only fair that this section get 2 tips instead of just one. Now I’m going to cover the two most important ways to save money on your Outer Banks house: timing and location.

Timing

Timing is everything on the Outer Banks. The time from mid July to mid august is known in the Outer Banks rental world as ‘prime’. This time of year is known as prime because this is when the most people come down. Because of this, Outer Banks rentals are priced at the highest they will be all year. The better time to come to the Outer Banks is early June or late August. These are known as ‘beginning season’ or end of season’ rates. During this time, an Outer Banks rental can actually be several hundreds or even thousands of dollars cheaper than during prime.  Better yet, come in ‘shoulder season’. (May or September.) That’s when the rates are very low and everything’s still open.

If it’s possible to schedule your vacation at the beginning/end of season or during shoulder season, then make every attempt to do so. It will save up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars you can spend on fun.

Location

Everyone wants to be on the ocean and the prices reflect that. You’re average big beautiful ocean front costs about $11,000 a week. (I’ll wait while you gasp.) Done? Good. Now then, your average big beautiful semi ocean front (one back) goes for about $6,000 while an ocean side can go for about $4,000.

Conclusion

So you see, the key to saving on your Outer Banks vacation is flexibility. If you are flexible about your dates and willing to follow these simple tips, you can save lots of money on your current Outer Banks vacation that you can put toward your next Outer Banks vacation.

Have fun!

Originally posted 2010-12-12 21:40:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Outer Banks Location Codes Explained; Do You Know Where Your Town Is?

Posted on April 11, 2011 by OBXer

Part II; Outer Banks Areas/Locations

Hello again. Today we are going discuss phrases like “Northern Outer Banks, Southern Outer Banks” and more. For the purposes of this article, I am going to explain these phrases as you will see them used when making a reservation for one of our fine Outer Banks rentals.

Main part, (AKA: mainland Outer Banks, Southern Outer Banks)

Though Currituck is technically the mainland, when Outer Banks rentals people talk about the ‘Mainland Outer Banks,’ they mean the towns Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. These are Outer Banks towns make up some of the oldest parts of the Outer Banks. They are the area of the Outer Banks with the most activities, restaurants, shopping, as well as chain restaurant/stores and movies.

New Part (AKA: Northern Outer Banks, Northern Beaches)

Developed some time between the 1970’s-1980’s, This phrase refers to the towns of Southern Shores, Duck and Corolla. These towns are newer. There are more spots with wider beaches, and few, (if any) chains. Most people who stay here are looking for a relaxed vacation.

4 Wheel Drive Area (AKA: Corova)

This part of the Outer Banks is where the paved road ends. You can drive on the beautiful Outer Banks beach here and you might see some wild horses. Also it’s a great place for dogs.

Over The Bridge

This seemly innocent phase has many meanings, depending on where on the Outer Banks you are. If you’re dealing with the one of the many companies that deal Outer Banks Rentals on Hatteras, than the phrase ‘over the bridge’ means the Outer Banks Mainland. If however, you’re dealing with one of the Outer Banks rental companies in the Outer Banks mainland, then they mean Hatteras Island.

Now, if you know the area, you’ll know there’s also a bridge to Manteo as well as to the Currituck Mainland. However, since this article is talking about what phrases you’d hear when talking to one of the many Outer Banks rentals companies, it’s unlikely you’ll hear the phrase in this context. You might however hear it from a local when you ask for directions.

Conclusion

So now that you know a little about the Outer Banks area, do you feel you are ready to book a house? Wait! Before you answer yes, you MUST read the next article.

“Do you really know where your Outer Banks Home is?”

Originally posted 2010-11-29 22:40:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Outer Banks Luxury Beach Homes; Worth The Extra Money?

Posted on April 11, 2011 by OBXer

Luxury Beach Home or Beach Box?

 

If you’re planning a trip to the Outer Banks anytime in the future, this question will inevitably come up;

 

Where are you going to stay?

 

If you haven’t decided where you’re staying yet, then you want to be sure to check out all your options before making a decision. One of the options you may want to consider is an Outer Banks luxury home.

 

Now, an Outer Banks luxury beach home is a lot like an Outer Banks regular home except for one key difference; these homes are more elegant in nature with many details that Outer Banks vacationers love.  Updated furniture, great interior paint jobs, modern appliances, game rooms, private pools, hot tubs, even theatre rooms are just some of the luxuries you can expect from an Outer Banks luxury beach home.

 

Despite a common belief, not all Outer Banks luxury homes are oceanfront.


Also, sometimes an Outer Banks luxury home is located in an older shell. Homes on the Outer Banks are continually changing owners and the first thing a new owner does is get rid of all the old furniture and flooring and replace it with nice new furniture and flooring. However the outside of the house usually remains the same. So just because the house looks like an old beach box on the outside doesn’t mean it’s not gorgeous on the inside.

 

The key to finding one of these Outer Banks beach homes is to look at the pictures on the rental website very carefully and to let the reservationist know you’re looking for an updated home.

 

‘Updated’ is the key word here; it means something to Outer Banks reservationist and they’ll know where to put you.

(At least a good one will.)

 

Also, because the ‘stuff’ in a luxury Outer Banks home is usually newer, it’s less prone to break. So even though an Outer Banks luxury beach homes costs more than a ‘beach box’, it is really the best value for your money. After all, you’ve worked all year for your vacation and you want it to be perfect; a real fantasy come true. And much of that starts with getting the right Outer Banks vacation home. So next time, consider staying in a luxury Outer Banks Beach home. You’ll be glad you did.

Originally posted 2011-04-10 18:34:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The Shifting Sands of Time, and of Jockey’s Ridge

Posted on April 11, 2011 by OBXer

 

old outer banks OBX hotel jockey's ridge

The Grand Hotel

The year; between 1838 and the late 1800′s on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Once, there was a grand Outer Banks hotel. Laughter and music filled the air of the grand Outer Banks hotel as the wealthy of America gathered within its 200 rooms to enjoy the natural beauty of the Outer Banks. Most of all, they came to see Jockey’s Ridge, the largest natural sand dune in the United States. Few could look at the mighty Outer Banks sand dune and not be awed by it’s grace and quiet majesty.

But just because they were on an Outer Banks vacation, didn’t mean they wanted to rough it. So within the walls of the grand Outer Banks hotel, they danced in the ballroom, held feasts in the banquet hall, gambled in the casino and even held bowling tournaments in the bowling alley; all as the mighty Jockey’s Ridge looked on, biding it’s time.

When they became bored with the luxuries of the hotel, they would take a mule cart to the beautiful Outer Banks beach where they could enjoy nature’s beauty.

But soon, nature, as always here on the Outer Banks, got the better of both them and the grand Jockey’s Ridge hotel. Jockey’s Ridge started to reclaim its land. It started innocent enough; with small piles of sand here and there. But then, the piles of sand grew larger and lager.  The grandest hotel that the Outer Banks had ever seen was being buried alive.

In the hotels final days, the hotel clerk offered a shovel and a discount for anyone willing to dig their way to their room.

Finally, the grand Outer Banks hotel was buried under well over 100 ft of sand. Jockey’s Ridge had claimed its first man made structure on the Outer Banks.

The spot next it sat empty for along time. This disappearance was still fresh in everyone’s mind, when a miniature golf course was built (either in the 1970′s or 1980′s) And just like the old Outer Banks Jockey’s Ridge hotel, before the 1990′s even begin, the miniature golf course, one of the first on the Outer Banks had been taken by the mighty Jockey’s Ridge.

You can still see what is left of the old Outer Banks miniature golf course. When the sands shift the right way, you can see the castle that once belonged to the miniature golf course.  They say the hotel is still under there too, a testament to the power of the Jockey’s Ridge. A chilling reminder that on the Outer Banks, nature will interrupt even the best laid plans. 

I always thought the story of the old Jockey’s Ridge hotel would make a great backdrop for a mystery novel. Can’t you just see it? The detective working to solve the case before the sand erases all traces of the evidence, never to be found again on these great Outer Banks? 

All you writers out there, feel free to use this idea and this hotel. Not only is it a great story, it would make a great story, and the Outer Banks is always a great setting for any story…

Originally posted 2010-12-14 03:09:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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