NC | 2015, Oct 9-12: Eggshells in The Outer Banks

[Hidalga]

To help you plan a fun-packed weekend for Eggshells in The Outer Banks, we’re presenting a suggested activity each week until the rally. At the rally, we’ll also have suggested itineraries for all your OBX time. This week’s highlighted activity is:

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
NC Highway 12,
Hatteras Island, NC
(252) 987-2394
Home - Pea Island - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service


The refuge’s visitor center, located on the northern end of Hatteras Island about 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet, is a good place to start a Pea Island visit. It gives an introduction to the ecosystems and wildlife of the refuge and the activities that are permissible there. You may also pick up informational brochures, the National Park Service’s newspaper and trail maps. A restroom and plenty of parking are available. You may start your walk on North Pond Wildlife Trail here.

The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Beyond the visitor center, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 13-mile stretch of pristine barrier island. The beaches are wonderfully devoid of people most of the time, and there are several access points for getting to the beach. Pea Island is also great for surfing, surf fishing, shell hunting, kayaking, photography and other eco-friendly outdoor activities. Driving on the beach is not allowed here. Leashed pets are allowed on the beach but not on the walking trails or overlooks.

North Pond Wildlife Trail is a good, flat, easy trail that starts at the Pea Island Visitor Center, about 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Park in the parking lot and look for the North Pond Wildlife Trailhead behind the restrooms. A sturdy, handicapped-accessible boardwalk leads back into the marshy areas around North Pond where you’ll see a variety of birds and wildlife. The trail turns into a hard-packed natural surface that extends for a half-mile and ends in a two-level observation tower where you can see from sea to sound.

After North Pond Wildlife Trail ends, you may keep going on an unpaved service road that takes you all the way around the pond. This service road connects with the Salt Flats Wildlife Trail, and at the end (NC Highway 12) you can either turn back and go the way you came or cross over the dunes and walk along the beach to get back to the visitor center. The entire loop, if you take the beach route, is about 4 miles. The northern leg of the North Pond circuit is prone to excessive mosquitoes at all times of the year. Don’t let that keep you away; just bring insect repellent.

You may also park at the Salt Flats Wildlife Trailhead, a little over a mile north of the visitor center. This trail ends at a disabled-accessible overlook, which provides views of the Salt Flats area as well as North Pond. You’ll see a lot of birds on these trails no matter what time of year you’re here, but this hike is most phenomenal in the fall and winter when thousands of migratory birds are resting over on the pond. You’ll see snow geese, Canada geese, tundra swan and numerous species of ducks. You may pick up trail maps at the Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day or from the racks on the front porch after hours.

Guided bird walk programs are offered at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge year round, and other programs — Turtle Talks, Soundside Adventures and Birds and Their Adaptations — are offered in the summer months. Canoe tours are offered during the warmer months as a fee-based program. See Plan Your Visit - Pea Island - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a list, or call the visitors center.

To learn more about Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuges Visitors Center on the north end of Roanoke Island, about a quarter-mile past the entrance to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The center’s exhibits offer information about Pea Island and 10 other refuges in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. The staff that manages Pea Island also manages Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on the Dare County mainland; see the separate entry on the new center in the Roanoke Island site.

[Hidalga]

Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
23645 NC Hwy 12, Milepost 39.5
PO Box 5
Rodanthe, NC
(252) 987-1552
Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm April - Nov

With its two stations and five outbuildings, Chicamacomico (pronounced chik a ma COM i co) is the most complete site of remaining life-saving stations in North Carolina and one of the nation’s most complete sites. This site is located on Hatteras Island in the village of Rodanthe on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The Chicamacomico Historical Association is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization who’s purpose is to restore, preserve, protect, educate and interpret the rich history of these valiant men and their dedication to the U.S. Life-Saving Service, as well as interpreting the history of the buildings and artifacts. They are open to the public from mid-April through November, and provide visitors with tours, programs, reenactments and special events.

• It sits at the most eastern point in North Carolina.
• It’s the largest, most complete USLSS complex in the nation.
• One of the few USLSS sites in the nation with all its original buildings.
• All buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.
• One of 39 destinations listed by the Outer Banks Scenic Byways.
• Has one of only two 1874 USLSS stations in the nation open to the public.
• Was the first operational station in North Carolina.
• Now the only USLSS site in the state open to the public as a museum.
• Is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in no government budget.
• Is the only place anywhere to regularly perform the full Beach Apparatus Drill…and most importantly,
• …The scene of the most highly-awarded maritime rescue in American history! (SS Mirlo, August 16, 1918).

The Association owns and operates the museum site and the museum shop and raises its own funds. 100% of all admission fees, gift shop purchases, memberships, and donations go directly to the preservation, restoration, and operation of this historic site.

[Hidalga]

We’ve been working with local businesses to offer you a fantastic time in The Outer Banks, including a free campsite for the rally weekend. Sign up now before the September 8th drawing! Details can be found at the free campsite entry Web page.

[Hidalga]

The Elizabethan Gardens

1411 National Park Drive
Manteo, NC 27954
Phone: 252-473-3234
Open daily, hours vary seasonally

Horticulturists, nature lovers and history buffs will find something unique each season at The Elizabethan Gardens. The Gardens were kept to entertain Queen Elizabeth I during her reign, and as a living memorial to the time when Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists lived in this very place over 400 years ago. These fanciful and elaborate gardens contain over 500 different species of plants.

The Elizabethan Gardens is a 10.5 acre public garden located within Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The Elizabethan Gardens, Inc. is a subsidiary of the Garden Club of North Carolina. Existing for over 50 years, the Gardens have progressed to become one of the most unique and beautiful gardens in America.

The Elizabethan Gardens is located adjacent to The Lost Colony's Waterside Theatre and Fort Raleigh National Historic Park on Roanoke Island.


During Eggshells in The Outer Banks rally weekend:

Big Fall Plant Sale
Oct 10 - Oct 10 2015, 9:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

Fall is the perfect time to plant to ensure a beautiful spring garden and this signature clearance event is timed just right. Enjoy 30-50% discounts on many varieties of perennials, shrubs, ornamentals grasses and trees. For info or details, call 252-473-3234.


Quilt Show
Oct 10 - Oct 10 2015, 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM

Once again the Tea Cup Quilters will display their handiwork at The Elizabethan Gardens. These local fabric artists have a reputation of supporting local organizations and sharing their talents with the community. Display will show during regular hours of operation during the month of October inside Odom Hall.

[Hidalga]

We have a winner! Congratulations Bill and Cookie from Friendswood, TX. They were selected for the free campsite for the rally weekend. Thanks to our great sponsors for contributing to the success of Eggshells in The Outer Banks.

Speaking of sponsors, not only are they paying for a free campsite, but we also have gift cards, gift certificates, products and more to give away. We want you to get the most out of The Outer Banks!

We’re enthusiastic to have all of you join the OBX nest on Columbus Day Weekend, and we’ve managed to squeeze in one item of voluntary participation for each of you to bring:

• One empty 1-dozen egg carton…we’ll demonstrate why when you bring the container.

Registered participants get the Schedule of Events for Eggshells in The Outer Banks. This lays out the itinerary for our planned weekend, and gives an idea of how much free time there is to explore.

When you arrive to the rally, there will be three suggested itineraries posted for the weekend. Sometimes there’s not enough time to research everything an area has to offer, so Eggshells in The Outer Banks has done some footwork for you to nudge you out of the nest.

See you soon, after our incubation of excitement...

[Hidalga]

To help you plan a fun-packed weekend for Eggshells in The Outer Banks, we’re presenting a suggested activity each week until the rally. At the rally, we’ll also have suggested itineraries for all your OBX time. This week’s highlighted activity is:

Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve

Off NC Highway 12
Buxton, NC
(252) 261-8891

Buxton Woods is one of the largest remaining maritime forests in the Southeast. It consists of pine- and oak-covered dune ridges interspersed with maritime swamp forest and unique marshy wetlands known locally as sedges.

It’s a very rare ecosystem for a barrier island, and most visitors don’t even realize it exists. The North Carolina Coastal Reserve, a program of the NC Division of Coastal Management, maintains more than 1,000 acres of the woods for research, education and recreation and offers some great hiking trails for the public to experience this amazing ecosystem.

On a walk here you might see one of 360 species of birds, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, along with gray fox, white-tailed deer, mink, river otter, box turtles, salamanders or snakes. Two rare butterflies (northern hairstreak and giant swallowtail) and a moth (Messalina underwind) can also be found here.

Buxton Woods – National Park Service Nature Trail

46375 Lighthouse Road
Buxton, NC
(252) 995-4474
Near the lighthouse on the NPS grounds is a 3/4-mile trail through the maritime forest of Buxton Woods. From NC Highway 12, turn onto Lighthouse Road and continue around the curve to the right past the lighthouse. The trailhead is on the right at the picnic area. A pine needle-covered path leads back into the forest. Along the way there are informational signs about the maritime forest ecosystem and the health of Buxton Woods. You’ll pass Jennette’s Sedge, a naturally occurring freshwater pond. This is a mostly flat, easy walk, though the terrain is uneven in places. Bring bug spray.

[Hidalga]

To help you plan a fun-packed weekend for Eggshells in The Outer Banks, we’re presenting a suggested activity each week until the rally. At the rally, we’ll also have suggested itineraries for all your OBX time. This week’s highlighted activity is:

U.S. Weather Bureau Station/Hatteras Welcome Center

57190 Kohler Road
Hatteras Village, NC
(252) 986-2203

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, weather observations gathered near Cape Hatteras were important for forecasters all along the East Coast. The Hatteras Island weather station was so critical that in 1901 the U.S. Weather Bureau constructed a dedicated Weather Bureau building in Hatteras village, one of only 11 such buildings constructed in the nation at the turn of the century. The building still stands in Hatteras village and is next to the red & white Burrus Grocery Store at the corner of Saxon Cut and Kohler Roads.

The National Park Service restored the building to its original 1901 appearance, yellow exterior and all. The NPS had the benefit of the original building plans to aid in its restoration, so the building is true to the original. The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau operates a visitors/welcome center in one room of the building; stop by to pick up tourist information and also to see the interior of this historic building. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily March through December.

[Terrance]

Can you give us a list of who is attending? I understand only 12 are signed up and a few have cancelled. Would like to see a list of attendance.

[BAMA & Pachyderm Posse]

Originally Posted by Terrance

Can you give us a list of who is attending? I understand only 12 are signed up and a few have cancelled. Would like to see a list of attendance.

I ask this question back on 7/14 and got this answer (There will be for the registrants as we get closer to the rally, via email. Otherwise, we like to practice Internet privacy discretion.
We'd like to see your registration email! ) one reason they have so few I guess this is the only rally that I know of that practices this policy , o well to each there on .

[Chuck Dirnsa]

Originally Posted by BAMA & Pachyderm Posse

I ask this question back on 7/14 and got this answer (There will be for the registrants as we get closer to the rally, via email. Otherwise, we like to practicenternet privacy discretion.
We'd like to see your registration email! ) one reason they have so few I guess this is the only rally that I know of that practices this policy , o well to each there on .

Hi Bama, hope all is well. Don't know bout others, but I'm gonna be there... then I'm heading to Ocracroke (Spelling?), then onward to Smokemont, NC, then back to Rocket City. Hope to see you and others there as well, sounds like a good time will be had!

Best. Shorty sends...

[Hidalga]

Originally Posted by Terrance

Can you give us a list of who is attending? I understand only 12 are signed up and a few have cancelled. Would like to see a list of attendance.

This rally does not focus on a who's who list of attendees. We're focused on the unique location that egg-minded folks can gather and share two common interests: Fiberglass Trailers and the exploration of The Outer Banks. We even have a few people attending who are in the market or have ordered their trailer but have not received it yet.

We believe part of the excitement of this rally is to discover who will be there, and the primary purpose to go is to have a great time, regardless of what names are on a list.

We have more than the 12 trailers that you heard of, and bookings are continuing to come in. There has been no cancellations to-date. The only technical cancellations was a site change for the free campsite, and Bob and Cookie, the winners of the free campsite. They cancelled their reserved site to move on the sponsored free site.

[Hidalga]

This rally has stringent Beach Rules:
1. Come out of your Shell
2. Avoid Pier pressure
3. Be Shore of Yourself
4. Don’t get Tide down
5. Go ahead and make Waves

We look forward to seeing you in Waves, NC!

This week’s highlighted activity is:

Hatteras Island Ocean Center

57204 NC Highway 12
Hatteras Village
(252) 564-9575

The Hatteras Island Ocean Center is a place for everybody to enjoy the ocean and wetlands, play, learn and have fun.

The Ocean Center provides a wide variety of recreational and educational activities for people of all ages. With plenty of parking and within walking distance of central Hatteras Village, the Ocean Center is a wonderful resource for visitors and residents, a destination for day-trippers, and a stopover for travelers to and from Ocracoke Island.

Please come view the exhibits, experience the wetlands and coastal forest, attend our programs and events, and use our ocean access.

The Ocean Center is a part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, which stretches across North Carolina’s Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, Down East and the Pamlico Sound.

[Terrance]

Pictures have been sent to us regarding the over wash. What is the condition of the campground? Read the highway was closed in parts due to over wash. Flounder in the parking lot. Bring your rod! Can we get a update of the conditions?

[Chuck Dirnsa]

What the... Was this a recent event? I haven't seen anything in the news... Might have to bring the 4X4 with snorkel kit and boots!! Im sure it will all work out. Travel safe. Best. Shorty sends...

[Terrance]

If the cold front comes in later this week the tropical storm may stay off the coast. They have heavy equipment to move the over wash and sand off the road which happens during high tide in these stories. Just keeping a close watch of the conditions as time gets close.

[Hidalga]

Yes, Terrance. Overwash is not that much of a concern this far from the rally, as the DOT is very good at keeping Outer Banks communities connected. Camp Hatteras Resort was unaffected by the recent over wash, as they sit a bit higher than the unprotected areas.

I've added a NC DOT link on our Website for your up-to-date reference on Route 12 road conditions.
Eggshells in The Outer Banks Fiberglass RV Rally

We're looking forward to the big waves and sunny skies after Hurricane Joaquin blows by this weekend. It'll be great for shelling and surfing!

[Chuck Dirnsa]

Originally Posted by Hidalga

Yes, Terrance. Overwash is not that much of a concern this far from the rally, as the DOT is very good at keeping Outer Banks communities connected. Camp Hatteras Resort was unaffected by the recent over wash, as they sit a bit higher than the unprotected areas.

I've added a NC DOT link on our Website for your up-to-date reference on Route 12 road conditions.
Eggshells in The Outer Banks Fiberglass RV Rally

We're looking forward to the big waves and sunny skies after Hurricane Joaquin blows by this weekend. It'll be great for shelling and surfing!

Hey JP, any alternate plans to mitigate for "Joaquin?" I'm betting it will have passed by the rally date... Your thoughts... I'm still planning to travel that way...

[Hidalga]

Hey Shorty,
We're full steam ahead! Monday will be the day to assess anything, other than that, let mother nature's tea leaves fall where they may this weekend.

Stay true to course, and a stellar opportunity will appear...

[Chuck Dirnsa]

R. WILCO.

[Hidalga]

Weather Update: I’m planning to head out to Waves on Tuesday afternoon. If flooding or any other road conditions are a direct concern, We’ll inform registered participants via email. Otherwise, keep the wind in your sails and we’ll see you at Camp Hatteras Resort!

To help you plan a fun-packed weekend for Eggshells in The Outer Banks, we’re presenting a suggested activity each week until the rally. At the rally, we’ll also have suggested full itineraries. This week’s highlighted activity is:

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

46379 NC Highway 12 and Lighthouse Road
Buxton, NC
(252) 995-4474

If any one thing represents all of Hatteras Island, it has to be the famous black-and-white, spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse has become the icon of the island, representing the hopeful, stalwart, survivalist attitude that is so pervasive among the people of Hatteras. This is one of the most famous lighthouses in the nation, especially since it survived a controversial, precarious move in 1999. Now in the hands of the National Park Service, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is open to the public.

Visitors 42” and taller can climb the spiral staircase up to the top of the lighthouse for an unforgettable view of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Hatteras and Buxton. For the 2015 season, the climb costs $8 for adults and $4 for children 11 years of age and younger, seniors ages 62 and older, and those holding a National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Access Pass. The lighthouse is open from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day.

Lighthouse tours begin at 9 a.m. daily and run every 10 minutes with a limit of 30 visitors per tour. The last tickets of the day are sold at 4:40 p.m. This is a very popular attraction and no advance tickets are sold, so the best thing to do is to get there early (before noon) and visit the ticket booth to buy a ticket, which will state the time of your tour. The ticket booth opens at 8:15 a.m. Be sure to be at the gate five minutes before your tour time. A museum about lighthouses and the history of the Outer Banks is located inside the historic Double Keepers’ Quarters Building just across the lawn from the lighthouse. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FYI: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, along with Wright Brothers National Memorial, are designated Federal Recreation Fee Areas. Eighty percent of the funds generated by park fees are used to improve visitor facilities within the Outer Banks Group. The remaining 20 percent support projects in other National Park Service areas.