Ready for an Outer Banks Weekend, 2/9/2024
Feb 09, 2024
Wait! This is a thing? Where? We Must Go!
From The Virginian-Pilot:
"Virginia is 1 step away from making to-go cocktails permanent."
I wonder if their marketing department is making any new promotions?
For example, "Virginia is for Lovers....and Walking Daiquiris"
I'm still white-boarding some ideas.
Biscuits and Porn
If you're not familiar with this, don't trust food made at a gas station, or you're offended by the name, you need to know that their breakfast biscuit sandwiches are legendary. When you pull in and see a full parking lot, know that the line inside may be about ten deep, but it's still probably worth the wait. The biscuits are freshly baked every morning and each sandwich is made to order.
Tearing Down The Breakers
My daughter found a photo on Instagram where one of The Breakers cottages (2920 S. Virginia Dare Trail) was being demolished (probably for future development). This is significant for my wife and I because The Breakers (four, small cottages located on the Beach Road in Nags Head) are where we spent our "honeymoon summer" in 1994. The previous winter we decided to get married and spend the summer in a place where we could windsurf. Pre-internet you had to call rental companies and ask if they had summer rentals available. We lucked out and found one of these little cottages, perfect for two people. No phone, no A/C, no cable TV. Except for the A/C, we didn't miss these utilities because we were determined to get outside and experience everything the Outer Banks had to offer. These cottages were pretty worn and spartan in 1994. I'm actually surprised they are still standing after all these years.
The photo at the top shows me in front of our cottage at MP 11 back in 1994. I had a lot of potential back then. I'm not sure where and when I lost it.
The Washington Post: Where to travel in 2024, without crowds.
The article lists places all over the world and only two are U.S. destinations. Asheville, NC is one of them. These types of articles usually catch my eye because I want to see if I know any of the locations. That, and I'm always looking for potential vacation spots. Mentioning this article to friends the feedback I received is that Asheville is not always uncrowded. But it's probably relative to what you may be seeing regarding overly visited tourist destinations around the world. That being said, I've heard nothing but good things about Asheville. Lots of microbrews and, during the warmer months, plenty of outdoor activities (rafting, mountain biking, hiking, etc.).
From the article:
Asheville, N.C.
Asheville has achieved the tricky balance of staying down to earth while catering to refined tastes. Restaurants in the western North Carolina city are regulars on the James Beard Awards circuit. Two of its breweries medaled in last year’s World Beer Cup. Independent hotels in repurposed buildings, such as Zelda Dearest, the Radical and the Flat Iron, are opening at a steady clip. Yet, whenever you wish to return to Asheville’s roots, take a walk in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Don’t miss: The mile-long Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail, which encompasses three neighborhoods, introduces visitors to pillars of the community, such as Alderman Newton Shepard, a formerly enslaved man who in 1882 became the city’s first Black person to win an election.
Country Deli re-opens for 34th season!
The Country Deli is THE place to go for over-stuffed sandwiches. If you're a value-driven person you'll love the bang for your buck you get when ordering a CD sandwich or sub. My favorite is the Hawaiian: ham, pineapple, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo on a kaiser roll. So good.
Spring Break
It's not too early to plan a spring getaway on the Outer Banks.
Even if the ocean is too cold for swimming there are still a lot of great things you can do.
- See the Wright Brothers Monument
- Hike Nags Head Woods
- Visit a distillery or winery (Sanctuary Vineyard, Buffalo City Distillery, Kill Devil Rum)
- Climb a lighthouse (Currituck, Bodie)
- Tour a museum (Frisco Native American Museum, Pea Island Cookhouse, etc.)
Use this link to book your next trip to the Outer Banks.
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Have a Great Weekend,
John Van Lunen
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