April Trip: Spring Tide Ride, OBX

[GarnerFJ40]

I wanted to lock down some specifics before I quoted prices but here's what I'm working on (these should be max prices and I'm working on some group rates)

Thursday:
Lunch (depending on when we leave a stop is possible, or bring something and eat on the ferry)
Ferry to Ocracoke: $15 for rig, maybe $30 if pulling a trailer
Ocracoke camping for April 23: $23
Dinner: on your own

Friday:
Ocracoke to Hatteras ferry: Free
Meals on your own (maybe a group outing nothing planned as of yet)
Campground for Friday/Saturday night: $68-82 MAX(working on price)
Cruising Ocracoke and fishing about 3 hours driving on beach (over est.)

Saturday:
Break/Lunch on own
Dinner (working on price and specifics for Group dinner)
Beach driving about 3 hours planned, more if you'd like

Sunday:
Trip to Northern OBX (about 2 hr road drive, 2 hours on sand?)

Gas is about the same as rest of state in the middle of OBX, but as you get more North and South it does get more expensive.

I will edit and add an itinerary when I get more info.

Brian

 

[lt1fire]

Do cell phones work out there on the banks?? Cuz i'll need to find you guys on friday

 

[lt1fire]

So i've been trying to help brian to come up with ideas for this event. So I was reading peoples write ups of SNT from various years and I click on a thumbnail and up pops this

It's a weird feeling to see your rig from before you owned it

I wish the PO hadn't sold that rear bumper off of it before I got it

 

[rutbeer]

There is a gas station just outside of Nag's head on the left....like right before the road splits going in. That particular station was WAY cheaper last year than anywhere else. Watch for the prices and fill up there if at all possible.

 

[GarnerFJ40]

It depends on what provider you have, some people had signal and some didn't.

I will post up a schedule, but more than likely some will be fishing (at the lighthouse ORV access). I think I'm taking the kayak group (even if it's just my wife and I) to the town of Hatteras (sound side) for some clamming and exploring...

 

[mtweller]

Alltel has a great signal, so Verizon will too by then. IIRC, ATT was spotty and Sprint was nonexistent.

Gas is cheaper before you cross the bridge for sure.

Brian, that seems expensive for camping. What is included? Maybe that's just the OBX pricing, I can't recall how much we spent last year in Rodanthe. Certainly not a deal breaker or anything, but more than half of a hotel room if it's the $82. I'd camp anyway because I love it, but I'm just sayin'.... Thanks for putting so much effort into this, you are doing a fantastic job!

R

 

[GarnerFJ40]

Yeah, the $82 is for Frisco Woods campground, where we stayed last year on that Friday night. That is the listed price for 2 nights, for the "season" we will be in, and being on the water. I've talked with the lady who runs it, and she will give us a deal, I just need to give her an estimate on the number of sites we'll need.

I'd rather overestimate than underestimate, and I wanted to get an official cost, before I quoted prices. But, I understand people need some specifics before they commit.

I made a special trip to OBX this past weekend to talk with some of our "vendors", and I will start gettting some actual costs soon.

 

[phoolio]

I will be in the outer banks with family during the time of this trip. we are staying somewhere between Nags Head and Corolla. would love to meet some of you, but not sure if i will be able to make it down to hatteras while we are there. if any of you do plan to go up the north beach to the border, it would be great to join you for the drive and meet some of you.

 

[Fort Knox]

For those of us who'd like the option of trailering our rig to the event, is there a way to accomodate that? I know it might cost more for the ferry, but is there a place to park the tow rig and trailer?

 

[GarnerFJ40]

Yes, both campsites (Ocracoke and Friscoe Woods) has places for trailers. I'm debating whether I'm bringing my kayak trailer or not, myself...

 

[Mtbcoach]

Yes, both campsites (Ocracoke and Friscoe Woods) has places for trailers. I'm debating whether I'm bringing my kayak trailer or not, myself...

If I offered 4 kayaks and gear to use for others down there, would that sway you?

 

[lt1fire]

Is there a place to rent kayaks out there???

 

[Mtbcoach]

I'm sure there will be somewhere to rent. Most of the time, they rent "sit on tops" since they are "safer" but you get the pleasure of having a wet butt the whole day...

 

[lt1fire]

I'm going to be doing a "night run" to get there early on friday morning. I'll be leaving charlotte around midnight on thursday so I will have plenty of time to make the 730 am ferry out there. Anybody else in the area up for that??

 

[GarnerFJ40]

Guys, it is my plan to finalize all the small details and post it up this week. I am going to need a head count for who's coming and when, so I can get final prices for camground spaces and a estimate cost on the dinner for Saturday night.

I have plans for making this easier in the future, but it may not materialize like I would like for this trip.

 

[GarnerFJ40]

OBX Update

National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DATE: March 24, 2009
CONTACT: 252-473-2111, ext. 148

Vandalism of Ocracoke South Point Resource Protection
Closure Signs Results in Expansion of Buffer

On Monday morning, March 23, National Park Service (NPS) staff discovered vandalism of symbolic fencing marking a shorebird pre-nesting closure at the South Point area on Ocracoke Island. Five “Area Closed” signs on 2” X 2” wooden posts were broken off at the sand line. Vehicle tracks were visible at three of the broken signs but no footprints were observed in the area.
As required by the court ordered consent decree, a deliberate act of vandalism to fencing results in a mandatory 50 meter expansion of the closure area. Due to the narrow width of the beach at this location, ORV access is now allowed along the ocean shoreline to the southeast corner of the point, but precluded past that location by the mandatory buffer expansion. Pedestrian access below the high tide line is permitted past the buffer expansion along portions of the inlet shoreline outside of the established pre-nesting area.
Superintendent Mike Murray reiterated the need for all parties, including the public, to comply with the consent decree requirements. “This deliberate act of vandalism is contemptible and appears to be aimed at reducing access for the many park visitors who do comply with park regulations. This is an early reminder that future acts of intentional vandalism to resource protection areas will result in greater expansion of the buffers as required under the consent decree,” stated Murray.
In 2008 the park experienced six deliberate violations of resource protection areas and each time the buffers were expanded. Destruction of government property and entering a resource closure are federal criminal violations, each subject up to a $5,000. fine and up to six months imprisonment. If anyone has information about this violation, please call National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers at 252-928-5111.

This won't really affect the trip as a whole, but it will determine what directions we'll be able to go.

Once finalized with the board. I will post up A LOT of information. But, one of the best tools I've been using is:

Cape Hatteras National Seashore - Current Interactive Beach Access Map using Google Earth (U.S. National Park Service)

You'll need to download Google Earth, but I think most of us "Land Cruisers" already have it. Good tool, and I plan to have maps for everyone as part of the registration, so no need to duplicate efforts.

Jerry, the plan is to make my trailer in the next few weeks, but I have 2 kayaks, and could get the use of a 3-4 more. I think my limit might be carrying a total of 6-8 kayaks, with 2 on top of the cruiser...

 

[sidearm]

Hi guys I would like to come, but is it only for registered members, and all I have is a 4runner these days would that do? If so I would really like to tag along, I have a kayak, surfboards, and a standup padddle board.

 

[lt1fire]

Hi guys I would like to come, but is it only for registered members, and all I have is a 4runner these days would that do? If so I would really like to tag along, I have a kayak, surfboards, and a standup padddle board.

You do need to be a registered member and i'm sure that it's no problem that all you have is a 4runner but i'm sure that Greg will chime in soon enough.

 

[southerncruiser62]

Sidearm, not a problem at all, but as Al has said it is for registered members, if you have any questions regarding membership let me know and I or I am sure others will be glad to help.

 

[stevezero]

Just got back from Ocracoke, and can provide some additional info.

If youre coming from Cedar Island or Swan Quarter, triple check the ferry schedule. They arent running as many ferries from those two locations. Reservations are a MUST!!! NCDOT: Ferry Division

Beach Report 3/30/09:
Very north tip of the island is currently closed to vehicle and foot traffic, about 1/2 mile north of the first ramp(near the old coast guard station pilings). There's a closure about 1.5 miles south of that ramp, forcing a uturn. South Point was open to vehicles, but had the wildlife closure signs and roped off areas. They hadnt roped off the lifeguard beach to vehicles yet, but expect that soon as the season gets going. We were able to drive from the first ramp out of town(the 3 mile access road) all the way up to the campground ramp. We could have gone further north on the beach, but wanted to get to the north end. Closure areas will vary due to birds.

Howards Pub has raised their prices(still reasonable for what youre getting). Flying Melon is awesome, Atlantic Cafe is good, the Italian Place (where Mango Loco was last year) is great, although the service was a lil slow. Jolly Roger wasnt open yet, but that will happen this month. The fish house next door is getting a renovation, so it was closed. Other restaurants are expanding, meaning less wait times and more seating. Jimmy's Buffet is new this year, and will be opening soon.

A great evening trip while on ocracoke would be a sunset cruise on the schooner windfall. Capt Rob is a great guy, and the view is spectacular out on the water. He may be able to cut you guys a good deal on a group rate. His wife Sundae is great too.
The Schooner Windfall, Ocracoke Island, NC

If someone is passing through greensboro and needs a kayak, i have a 14 ft wilderness systems tarpon sit on top you can borrow. I have yakima racks for an 80 as well(even though im not a member yet, i'm all for cruiser kharma). I may be in california at that time, but can work something out if someone wants to use the kayak. There's also a big kayak rental place there in town.

One thing we saw this weekend were the portugese man-o-war. Strong winds were bringing them onshore. Keep an eye out for them, because they sting like a beeyoch.