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Things To Do Before the Window Closes

October 29, 2009 | Uncategorized

We’ve experienced some nice days recently on the Outer Banks and it’s actually been killing me to choose what to do. Should I catch up on paperwork? Nah. Should I go surfing with the pulled muscle in my back? Maybe. Should I go for a bike ride and take it easy on the back muscle? Maybe. Should I plan to go striper fishing on Friday at Mann’s Harbor Bridge because the fishing report says they’re slayin’ ’em there? Good chance. It’s been a long time since I’ve caught a striped bass and with my kids having Friday off from school it might be a good time to take them out there and give it a try. Besides, for every person on the boat we can keep 2 fish. But the kids have other redeeming qualities as well, just give me some more time to think of them. I rode by … Continued

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The Friday Bifecta

October 24, 2009 | Uncategorized

Friday, the 23rd of October was a nice looking day. I was just about to start painting my house (an ongoing project) when I got a phone call. It was my friend, Steve The Dream Thomas, with a live surf report. He was at the Lillian St. beach access (aka, the Laundry Mats) and he informed me there was a nice little swell that only a couple of stand-up paddleboarders and longboarders were taking advantage of. I was in quite the dilemma. Paint the house or go surfing? Duh, I’m going surfing. Air temp was about 70, water temp in the low 60s. There was a very gentle, slow rolling swell with a knee high wave you could ride for quite a long ways. On top of that there was no wind and the waters were very calm. I actually needed a day like this to build up my confidence. … Continued

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Don’t get mad at the stay at home dad.

October 22, 2009 | Uncategorized

Every now and then it’s good to be the stay at home dad. Yesterday was shaping up to be a good day. Weather was warming up, ocean temp was still decent (65), and there was still a small swell. Trying to stay active (read: keeping the winter fat at bay) and not having anything too pressing to do while my 4 year-old was at preschool I decided to go for a quick paddleboard. I drove down route 12 in Kitty Hawk looking for a gentle, outside break. I finally settled on an access at the Sea Kove motel. After paddling around for 15′ I finally caught a wave and for the first time was able to stay on the board, turn it around, and head back out without falling off. I scored one more wave before I had to hop in the car and go get the preschooler. The funniest … Continued

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A few more days of fall still to be found.

October 21, 2009 | Uncategorized

I tried to go fishing with a friend Sunday so we headed the boat out of the Southern Shores canals and on to Guingite Creek. It was about 48 degrees and blowing 15-20 out of the northwest. Total crap. We never made it out of the creek it was blowing so hard and we were probably only on the boat for about an hour. Whoever said fish like it when it’s rough is full of it. I’ve never caught a fish in a good blow. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the day trying to warm up and wondering why winter came so soon to the Outer Banks. Alas, winter doesn’t have too tight a grip on us yet. I went for a bike ride yesterday, riding past the Laundry Mats (Kitty Hawk’s not-so-secret surf spot) and there were a bunch of surfers taking advantage of a nice … Continued

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Fall on the Outer Banks

October 4, 2009 | Uncategorized

This is my favorite time of the year on the Outer Banks. Ocean temps are still great, the stress of the season is no longer there, fishing is heating up, and there are plenty of family activities. A week ago I visited the Hobie Wave regatta at Nor’banks Sailing and Duck and helped out on the committee boat. Of the three day event I was lucky enough to show up on the one “good” day. Friday had high winds and rain which led to boats dismasting and Sunday had high winds and rain, as well. Saturday was cool and cloudy but the winds were such to have good races at a crisp pace. No slogging around the course. Racers came from Ohio, Raleigh, and South Carolina. I had a chance to talk to a few and they were incredibly nice. Speaking of regattas, we’ll be hosting our first ever in … Continued

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Redskins or Deadskins

September 24, 2009 | Uncategorized

Although I’m just as cynical as ever about the Redskins I find the reporting and fan reaction from last Sunday’s game to be excessive.  One topic that nobody wants to drop is their effectiveness in the redzone.  The Redskins are an average running team at best.  They haven’t been able to punch it in from the redzone since Joe Jacoby played for them.  So now you have to take that out of the equation which leaves you with throwing the ball.  Since you don’t have a great big target to look for the Redskins are forced to out-wit the other team.  This is why Joe Gibbs ran the bootleg alot down there when he coached last.  Everybody’s brow beating Jim Zorn and his play calling.  I saw a team last Sunday that marched up and down the field converting crucial 3rd downs.  There were two touchdown passes dropped in the end … Continued

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Endless Summer

September 18, 2009 | Uncategorized

Saturday was one of those days you brag to all of your suburbanite friends. After a week of crappy weather it was forcasted to be a beautiful day and there was a big swell on the ocean. Since the kids were sleeping in I decided to sneak to the beach with my stand-up paddleboard. When I got to the Black Pelican at MP 4.5 in Kitty Hawk the parking lot was full with surfer’s cars. After finding a place to park I scouted out the break and I was pretty initimidated. The surf was at least head high and the shore break was really tough. I stood there trying to psyche myself up because I’d never been in surf that big, much less w/ my paddleboard. Finally, because there were so many other surfers out there, I decided to give it a try. If anything, I could chalk it up … Continued

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Are you ready for some football?

September 13, 2009 | Uncategorized

I know this isn’t watersports related but the one sport I love to watch is football. As a matter of fact, it’s the only sport where I enjoy being a spectator. I can’t bring myself to sit and watch any other sport on TV. I enjoy watching some sports live, but football is the one professional sport I pursue constantly. Frankly, I think the opening day of the NFL should be a national holiday. Every year I play a little game where I try to predict what team has gotten better and which team has gotten worse. Below are my 2009 predictions. First, the bottom of the heap: Tampa Bay, Detroit, Buffalo, KC, Denver, and Oakland are going to stink it up. The tragic story out of this list will be Denver. Their head coach is too young and has effectively alienated his most talented players. I predict that the … Continued

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Pirate Parties

September 3, 2009 | Uncategorized

One of the well-kept secrets on the Outer Banks is our birthday parties for children.  For some reason the locals haven’t found us out.  We’ve had several parties here and everyone has a great time.  Even the parents compliment us on how much fun they are.  For starters, we put the child’s name on the marquee, wishing them a happy birthday.  It’s not Broadway but it’s worth a picture.  The activities begin with the bumper boats and with the pool filled with kids the same age they scream with excitement.  Then we have some kind of water war on the lawn which is followed with cake in the sail loft.  After we open presents we find a treasure map that has been left behind by a pirate and we lead them on a hunt which ends up on our soundside beach.  The best part is that we marked the treasure with a … Continued

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Daniel who?!

August 29, 2009 | Uncategorized

Hurricane Daniel passed by last night and unless you looked at the ocean you wouldn’t have known.  This morning I showed up to work and it was turning into a nice day without the mugginess.  Around mid-morning a few windsurfers came out to enjoy the nice NW winds hovering just below 15 mph.  Our former instructor, Alexis, was out there having a great time.  When I finally got on the water I just couldn’t get that board on a plane.  I swear I’m going to lose weight this winter.

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