Never been, but planning a trip in late July/early August. Doing the obvious touristy stuff (Roanoke Island, Kitty Hawk). Open to any suggestions folks have as far as food, best beaches, etc.

bring me and my boyfriend...we'll try out best to incorporate you




I've only been a short time, but here are my suggestions....


Of course you gotta check out a lighthouse or 2, they are very cool. Try to find one you can go up in...

If you're a fishing guy, taking a trip out at sea to do some fishing is well worth it! Catch a marlin for me!

Kayaking is also a good thing to do there.

Don't forget to relax on the beach too wink

you are a tease, illini. i've learned my lesson with you. frown

answer my email you jerk :mad: wink

Okracoke Island is the best! (Yea, I'm sure I spelled it wrong...sue me!) You can only get there by boat, and it is really secluded. A couple of great seafood restaurants in a little town that sits on a little inlet. Highly recommend it! Have a great time!

Hatteras?

FIRST STOP:Go to the National Park Service Visitor Center or contact them through their website - http://www.nps.gov/caha/

The Park Service provides tours and all sorts of incredible activities like nightime bonfires on the beach - frequently with entertainment, surf fishing, nature walks to check out the sea turtles (They lay their eggs along the shore during the summer), etc . All at little or no cost.

Sometimes they offer surfing or windsurfing lessons (where I learned how to surf as a kid!) -though the best surfing isn't until the fall storms or when there is a Hurricane. You can check out the breaks at www.surfline.com

Be very carefull swimming if you are not a strong OCEAN swimmer - or even if you are; the tides and rips can sweep you a mile away in just a couple of minutes if you don't pay attention.

On the N part of the Cape they do a lot of Hang Gliding, and you can find many local companies that will outfit you and take you up after a few short lessons.

If you are down near Buxton some evening try the

Pilot House Restaurant
47900 Highway 12
Buxton, NC 27920
(252) 995-5664

Great fresh seafood with a good soundfront view from the outside decks where you can watch the sun setting while sipping that cold beer yyou promised yourself all day. It used to be one of my favorites.

Check out 'The Pit' - milepost 9 on the highway -a must stop for anything surf; or just for lunch or a late dinner coming off the beach. I hear the owners - Ben and Steve, two VERY nice guys - still offer lessons. Live entertainment most weekends.

The Outer banks are an incredibly fun playground!! Have a blast!

Rob

[ June 21, 2005, 10:30 PM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

MiamiSpartan, I had already decided that Ocracoke was a "must do" based on what I had read. Glad to hear someone firm up that decision for me. That's the spot where I'll be spend 1 1/2 days reading and suntanning.

What I had also read was that Hatteras was the scene of all the nutty water sport activity, so thought I might go parasailing, and maybe even try that hang gliding camp up at Kill Devil. If it was good enough for the Wright Bros, why not some novice?

Never rented a jetski, so thought I might do that. Understand that you have to do that on the Pamlico side. I assume riding a jetski isn't hard.

Errr... Have you ever ridden one before? I think that in most places you will need to have taken a personal watercraft safety course before you rent...

Herr Tiggee: Not all...piece of cake. Don't be a dang wimp on the thing; half the fun of jet skis are trying to throw yourself off.

But, always remember, watch out for boats and observe all of the safety rules of the lake (unlike all of those damn little kids on our lake).

The only thing that concerns me about this part of my east coast trip is the mosquitoes. I hear that they are oppressive on the OBX.

Tigrette, It occurred to me that if you're driving, there are a LOT of Revolutionary War battlefields between ATL and the OBX worth seeing. Get into the whole "Swamp Fox" thing - sans the Mel Gibson spin - and check out the Waxhaws, Cowpens, Hobkirk's Hill, Eutaw Springs, 96, Guilford Courthouse and any others you can find along the way. If it were me, I'd also hit Charleston, since I've never been there, but you might want to "tell it to the Marines" at Wilmington and Elizabeth City, NC, which are USMC bases. Be prepared for some serious heat and humidity, but you're already used to that. Have a good time - sounds like a good trip!

I love the outer banks, the National Seashore is to my mind the most beautiful, wild and empty beach on the east coast. What I love to do is to rent bikes and ride in the national seashore, then find a secluded spot off the road, pop over the dunes, and you will have your own private beach.

Also, I hear that the north end of Pea Island is the "alternative" beach, with <gasp> actual nakedness happening and gays and lesbians frequenting the extreme north end of the island. That island is the first one after the "big" bridge south from Nags Head.

Manteo is where the boats come in after fishing, shrimping, etc. Back in the dark ages of the early '80s there was a no-frills restaurant above the shrimp docks, the seafood was so fresh I swear most of the poor little shrimp died in the frying pan.

But beware, Nags Head and Kitty Hawk have become Myrtle Beach North, with tacky shops and fried seafood restaurants taking over. If you are in the north part, best to hit Jockey's Ridge to see the dunes, visit Kitty Hawk's Wright Bros. memorial, and run like hell up to Duck or Corolla, the farthest northern towns where you can still see what it was like before commercialism. But the best bet is to head south through the National Seashore. The reason it is still fairly free of crowds is because it is so damn far from everything.

Just so people know my whole itinerary, it looks a li'l sumpin like this:

* 3 or 4 days on OBX, with tanning and reading, seafood eatin', and the requisite visit to Wright Bros and the Lost Colony (Roanoke)
I plan on doing 1 1/2 of that on Okracoke, based on the seclusion factor.

* Head north to see Yorktown, Williamsburg, and the old Jamestown settlement.

* Head to DC, with a stop at Mount Vernon

* 2 days in DC to see the Holocaust Museum, Native American Museum; both of these have gone up since my last visit to DC.

* A night of drinky drinky with Gator Jamie and perhaps some other DC based Outsporters

* A stop in Philly to see the historic shtuff, with that day concluding in Priceton NJ (I have a bud that lives there)

* Drive to Syracuse. Have a bud up there with whom I will do the Fingerlakes wine thing, then head over for 2 or 3 days of hiking in the Adirondacks.

* The long drive back will be on 81, mainly because I am leaving the itinerary open for a stop at Monticello and the random/spontaneous stop to visit a hiking trail in the Appalachians

This entire trip is fairly open ended, as I expect to see things that will cause me to stop. The trip will fold in several of my passions:
* History of Colonial America (NC and VA)
* History of the French and Indian Wars (NY)
* Museums
* Beach time
* Mountains and HIKING!
* Having an appletini with Jamie

[ June 22, 2005, 07:59 AM: Message edited by: AU Tiger in ATL ]

NICE! Lots of good history along that route! When in the Finger Lakes, make sure you check out Buttermilk Falls State Park - a natural water park! Cooperstown and Fort Ti? Have a good trip and drive safely! (And don't let GJ pee on your car! wink )

[ June 22, 2005, 08:32 AM: Message edited by: gmginsfo ]

If you are heading down I-81 back home, may I suggest, in the Shenandoah Valley, that you stop dodging semis for a day and take Rt. 11, which parallels 81, and goes through wonderfully charming towns like Winchester (teeming with history, wonderful walking mall downtown), Staunton (beautiful downtown, really cool American Heritage Museum, birthplace of Woodrow Wilson) and Lexington (VMI, Washington & Lee University [my alma mater], great WWII museum, lots of civil war stuff including graves of Lee and Stonewall Jackson), and villages like Edinburg and Bridgewater. Of course lots of hiking and especially biking in the area. This is my home area and a recent visit showed me how beautiful it continues to be.

And of course you could take a detour into central Virginia and have a drink in Danville with me!

I hate to nitpick, but I think is was pee in your car. eek!

Are you asking out Tiggee right here in front of me? The nerve!

Nah, I knew better than to let her get THAT far. I've seen what she can do to upholstery!

You're coming all the way to Syracuse and not coming across the border? Too bad, cuz you'll be up in the area around the time of the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Montreeal Comedy Festival (called Just for Laughs), lots to do around Tranna (Canmark knows it ALL), Ottawa (1 hour from Syracuse) has great summer festivals. And you can drag an outsporter across the border and marry him.

But your itinerary sounds incredible, and I'm jealous. Have a great time, and hell, if GJ pees in the car, just hose it out. No big deal if you've ever had kids in the car.

[ June 22, 2005, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: Lksimcoe ]

consider this:

if interested in colonial history, check out new bern, nc. this was the state's colonial capital, and tryon palace was the royal gov's home. the palace and gardens are beautiful, depending on time of year...and new bern is not far from the coast on hwy 70 east (I-95 N intersects NC Hwy 70 E at Smithfield).

if you travel to the southern obx (ocracoke), consider stopping in beaufort, which is the last jumping off spot along hwy 70/hwy 12 short of the ferry to the islands. it's been several years for me, but there are some great seafood restaurants on the waterfront of this historic town.

then on to cedar island where you'll catch the 2-hr ferry over to ocracoke. you can download a ferry schedule and map from ncdot. it's best to make a reservation in the peak season.

hatteras is the country's premier lighthouse...ok, it's the tallest. the view from the top is memorable. it was closed for a couple seasons in the late 1990's while engineers hoisted the thing on wheels several hundred feet away from the eroding shore. but it's now open again.

cape lookout national seashore is worth a visit, as is jockey's ridge. i've stayed in corolla off-season. definitely un-myrtle beach-like. not sure about beach access there...ocracoke is better, imho.

have fun!

eric, nc

bballron wrote:
See, now that is a wonderfully constructive suggestion. This is the type of thing I'm looking for.

I suppose I should have called this thread "Tiggee's Wild Ride," now that you guys know the full extent of the trip.

If you are coming via I-95 or across I-64 from I-81 (through Virginia) Charlottesville and Richmond are also stops you could make. As well as Williamsburg. If you get through Williamsburg there is a lot to do, including the historic area, The College of William and Mary, Jamestown, Yorktown, and the fabulous Busch Gardens Williamsburg!

If you stop in Charlottesville, check out UVA and Monticello.

Also, Virginia is the third largest wine industry in the nation. We have over 90 vineyards and gain more each year! If you are coming this way, Horton Vineyards has the best fruit wines in the state (Raspberry especially).

Winchester is ok...I grew up there though and hated every minute of it...But my family is Winchester for the most part. My quite famous cousin is from there and has a lot of places to visit in the area, Patsy Cline.

As for Richmond, the city can be ugly for visitors, but you have to know where you are heading and what to look for. There is a lot of places to visit depending on what you are looking for.

AU Tiger, I've been to the Outer Banks twice. First time in South Nags Head, and the second time in Kill Devil Hills. I don't have any interesting suggestions, but perhaps some practical ones.

Regarding the mosquitoes, that can be a problem. On my first trip, they were bothersome all week. The second time, they weren't a problem at all. It probably depends on which direction the breeze is blowing. But you probably want to have a couple bottles of Off.

For your drinking pleasure, there are a couple of drive in beer/wine shops called Brew Thru(?) on the main drag. If you prefer harder stuff, you have to go to the "ABC Package" store. It's on the main drag. It's hard to find, because they don't advertise liquor out there. I forgot which mile post it's on, but I think it's near the Ben Franklin store on the main drag. I believe beer and liquor are allowed on the beach. Speaking of Ben Franklin, you can go there for things like styrefoam coolers, boogie boards, and other inexpensive items that you may not be able to pack in your car if space is an issue.

Food Lion is the big supermarket down there. It's not too expensive, but they look at you funny if you ask about domestic or imported deli ham.

There's a famous seafood place called Dirty Dicks. I haven't been there myself, but it seems to be a popular place.

Have a good trip!

[ June 22, 2005, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: pat125 ]

You'll need more than a day to see all the good stuff. wink

You get the best crabs from Dirty Dick's! Everyone knows that!

uh, huh

I guess this is the year of the traveling Tigers.

Afraid of mosquitos? Wuess!

Too bad Milwaukee isn't part of the itinerary. There's a marriage that needs breakin' up.
wink

[ June 22, 2005, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: AU Tiger in ATL ]

Why don't you check your email mister.


And someone needs to be kicked in the balls in Atlanta eek!

sweet cheeks, i replied to your email already

And surprise, I emailed you back. That was soooo a few hours ago. wink

You're both pretty, now knock it off!

So what ruse can we cook up to get you to OBX?

Wow the outer banks. We went there nearly every summer in my childhood. We always camped out on Frisco campground in the Cape Hatteras national seashore. One summer while cooking dinner of the campground’s grill my mom caused a fire. I was away playing someplace with my cousins when I noticed the smoke. I followed it to find the origin was at our campground.

No harm done to any of the campers but she did manage to burn a few sand dunes down. The next year a fresh growth of sea oats grew back and you could tell which ones she burned. The park rangers all welcomed us back with “those dunes you burned down grew back right nicely”.

We always passed through Ocracoke on the way home. The last time I was there was with a college friend from NY during spring break. It was so balmy in Durham but cold as shit on the outer banks. But I remember hearing their strange local accents when a woman after being asked how she was doing answered with “Blimey. Just fine if I weren’t likely to freeze to death”.

Have fun and get naked on pea island!

Ive noticed everyone who lives outside of North Carolina love and go to the Outer Banks whereas those that live in the state go to Myrtle Beach instead

If you dont mind being trapped on an island with obnoxious tourists, then the OBX is for you. At least in Myrtle, you can escape the tourists by car and not have to wait on a ferry.

Just curious though, did they rebuild Hwy 12 when it washed out from the hurricane?

Myrtle Beach horrifies me. My real interest in OBX has been Ocracoke, which offers a secluded beach spot anywhere you choose (according to everything I've read and heard). I'll spend 2 days there.

That said, I'm sure Hatteras and points north will be CRAWLING with tourists, and I plan on breezing thru as quickly as possible.

And I'm a history buff. OBX has 2 major points of interest (Lost Colony/Wright Bros.) What does Myrtle Beach have? The Museum of Beach Blight?

Myrtle Beach is great if you like Miniature Golf, and really large t-shirt shops. There's one every 500 feet.

You want me to come Stu!?

Very intriguing......but am I young enough to hang out with you? eek!


Awww Stu, every group needs a Tom Cruise....and your Outsports'!

Perhaps times have changed but when I was young Myrtle Beach was seriously red neck. We always went to the outer banks and yes I grew up in Durham. If you don't like talking a boat, Willmington NC is a great little college town right on the cape fear river. If you like a secluded spot with few tourist. Sunset Beach is the last beach in NC. There is a nude beach once you leave the jurisdiction of the town and before you reach SC.

I went to Myrtle last weekend. It was a free trip and I haven't been there since 1995. Growing up that is where we went every summer.

As for last week I would have to say Myrtle hasn't changed. The same crowd which people here call the area the Redneck Rivierra. I saw some interesting confederate flag bathing suits and floats. Honestly I doubt I will go back.

I used to live near the Outer Banks. Most of my time has been in Nags Head, which is a great place to vacation. There isn't much to do but it is very relaxing. Plus, if you come from the north through VA, you don't have to take a ferry to get to the beaches.

My boyfriend went to Outer Banks and all I got was this lousy t-shirt!

Like I said, Myrtle Beach horrifies me.

Illini - your gentle taunts have earned you the un-invite. :mad:

Tiggee, the proper term is "unvitation".

I'm starting to feel the need to get a bodyguard for my boyfriend. Stu, you have seemed rather threatening the past week.

Dont forget the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum! LOL

Quoth the Big Tease:
Me so sorry. It must be the sexual frustration. I'm sure I'd calm down if you'd just quit all the teasing and surrender your blond booty. Kisses!

Funniest post I've read in a while. lol

Damn, who needs QAF when we've got such titilating dialogue on here?

Illini, go ahead and send Tiggee a steamy photo to "take care of business" with so he'll calm down. Otherwise, I'll be forced to deliver a "masseus" from one of them there sites.

Evidently Turner needs to install a proxy server that blocks gay sites. Back to work, SOGA!

Aubie - send the massage boy anyways. I already have a pic of Illini, but am done with his constant teasing. You should see some of his emails! He needs to be punished...by me, of course.