Month: March 2019

OBX Lighthouses

How many of you have visited a lighthouse?  How many of you have visited a lighthouse somewhere other than the Outer Banks?  Did you know the OBX has not one or two, but FIVE lighthouses!  How many of you have visited any of the OBX lighthouses?

What Are the Five OBX Lighthouses?

• Starting from North to South the lighthouses are:
• Currituck Beach Lighthouse
• Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
• Bodie Island Lighthouse
• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
• Ocracoke Lighthouse

Have a look at our OBX top 10, which includes the OBX lighthouses.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse

This lighthouse is unmistakable in appearance.  It’s made up entirely of brick that was left unpainted.Built in 1875, it’s considered a First Order lighthouse.  This means it has the largest Fresnel lens available.  There are 7 different sizes of these lenses.  It’s open 9am-5pm March 16th-December 1st, 2019.  Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it’s open Wednesday’s and Thursday’s until 8pm.  This is all weather permitting of course and the cost is $10 for anyone over the age of 7.

Notables:

• Number of steps: 220
• Visibility of light beam: 18 nautical miles
• Height to top of its roof: 162 feet
• Number of bricks: about a million
• Saturday, December 1st, 2019 celebrates the lighthouse’s 144th anniversary and climbs are free.

Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse

This lighthouse is also very unmistakable in how it looks.  However, unlike the other lighthouses on the OBX, this one is not the original.  It’s actually been rebuilt 4 times.  The location in Manteo is also not the original location.  That location was at the entrance to the Croatan Sound in Wanchese.  The first lighthouse was built in 1831.  It went neglected and rebuilt in 1858.  It was devastated due to surrounding environmental conditions in 1872.  The next (third) lighthouse was built in 1877.  It performed its duties until the 1950s when it was deemed not necessary and decommissioned in 1955.  It was sold privately and ultimately lost in the sound when the attempt to move it inland was made.  In 1999, the 4th recreation began construction in Manteo and became operational in 2004.  During the warm weather months, the lighthouse is open from Tuesday through Saturday 9am-5pm. Free parking nearby and no charge to visit.

Notables:

• Height: 37 feet
• Extends into the Sound: 40 yards
• Fresnel lens: Fourth order

Bodie Island Lighthouse

The Bodie Island lighthouse is yet another example of a structure that has been rebuilt at least 3 times.  It also doesn’t reside in its original location.  In 1837, the need for comprehensive guidance was asked for by Lt Napoleon Coste.  He stated that “…more vessels are lost here than any other parts of our coast.”  Construction began in 1847 South of Oregon Inlet, on Pea Island.  It was completed in 1857 and abandoned in 1859 due to construction hazzards.  It was leaning.  The second lighthouse was built quickly in 1859 but didn’t last long.  Retreating Confederate troops blew it up in 1861 for fear that Union troops would utilize it.  In 1871, construction began on the 3rd lighthouse on the current 15 acre site, North of the Inlet. It went into service in 1872.  There was a keeper’s quarters constructed onsite as well.  However, with electricity being supplied to the lighthouse, the need for a keeper was no longer needed in 1932. The Bodie Island Lighthouse is open 9am-4:30pm from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day (in early October). Climbing tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and children under 11.

Notables:

• Height: 156 feet
• Number of steps: 214
• Fresnel lens: First order

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Perhaps the most interesting and recognizable of the lighthouses is the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.  Not only has it been extended in height, but it no longer resides in its original location.  Construction began in 1799 to a height of 90 feet and first lit in 1803 using whale oil.  It was made of sandstone and blended into its environment.  It was deemed too short and not colorful enough to do its job effectively.  In 1853, the height was taken to 150 feet and the new addition was painted red.  A first order lens was added.  Due to the need for extensive repairs, a new lighthouse was constructed in the late 1860s.  The new lighthouse was lit in 1870.  The original was demolished in 1871.  The black and white paint job was added in 1873.  Operations were actually suspended from 1935-1950 due to the beach erosion near the lighthouse.  A metal skeletal tower took over duties.  The beach was restored by 1950 and the beacon was moved back to the lighthouse.  In 1999, the decision was made to move the lighthouse 2,900 feet inland due to erosion once again. The lighthouse is open 9am-4:30pm  from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day (in early October). Climbing tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and children under 11.

Notables:

• Height: 193 feet
• Number of steps: 257 steps
• Fresnel lens: First order
• Tallest brick lighthouse structure in the United States and 2nd in the world.
• Full moon climbs during four evenings in 2019.

Ocracoke Lighthouse

The area in and around Ocracoke Inlet became very busy by the 1700s. The need for a lighthouse there was well observed and the decision was made to construct one in 1794.  Completed in 1798, it was deemed obsolete by 1818 due to migration of the main channel.  The lighthouse and keeper’s quarters were destroyed by lightning in that year.  In 1822 land was secured at the South end of Ocracoke Island and a new lighthouse was constructed in 1823.  This 75 foot structure still stands today. It’s solid whitewashed exterior is recognizable and unique.  While you cannot climb the lighthouse, you can visit the grounds daily.

Notables:

• Height: 75 feet
• Fresnel lens: Fourth order
• Second oldest operating lighthouse in US.

So as you can see, you can make a good part of your vacation just visiting lighthouses.

We look forward to having you as guests!
Aris

Basnight Bridge

The Bonner err Basnight Bridge is finally complete and open for business!  There was a huge wait to see what the newly constructed bridge over the Oregon Inlet would be called.  That decision has been made and it shall be called the Marc Basnight Bridge.

History of Marc Basnight

Who is Marc Basnight anyway?  Basnight served as a NC State Senator from 1984 to 2011, when he resigned due to health issues.  Basnight is an OBX native who grew up, and subsequently graduated from Manteo High School.  He became a local, successful business owner before being elected to state senate.  His legacy lives on in the restaurant he owns in Nags Head.  The Lone Cedar Cafe actually burned to the ground in 2007 and was fully rebuilt.

The Old Bridge

The old, Herbert C. Bonner Bridge is set to be demolished by the end of 2019.  That 2.7mi bridge was named after former US Congressman, Herbert Bonner, who served from 1940 until his death of cancer in 1965.  The bridge was built in 1963.  For years, there was a natural connection between the Northern OBX beaches and the Southern OBX villages of the now “Hatteras island”.  Hatteras island was formed when a hurricane ripped an inlet through the island in 1846.  It was recognized that these southern villages now needed a lifeline to the North.  Ferries performed this task, but operations were expensive.  Bonner made that bridge happen, to the tune of $4 million.  As you can imagine, tourism flourished as people could freely access the southern villages.  In recent years, it was discovered that many of the pilings had deteriorated to the point of not really supporting anything below the surface of the water.

The New Bridge

The new, Basnight Bridge is open as of February 25th.  It spans 2.8mi and cost $252 million.  Construction began in March of 2016.  At its highest point, it scales 90ft over the Oregon Inlet.  Showcasing a bit of technology, the bridge is the first in the state to be made of reinforced stainless steel.  This material is said to make the bridge a 100 year bridge due to it’s salt corrosion resistance.

So how many folks look forward to utilizing this new bridge when they visit the Outer Banks?  I for one, look forward to checking it out.  We missed the opportunity a few weeks ago to traverse the bridge on foot.  The first and last time it’s said to be open for pedestrian traffic…right down the middle of the roadway.

**UPDATE** There was an official ribbon cutting on April 2nd, 2019 for the new bridge. Read all about it here: https://islandfreepress.org/outer-banks-news/gov-cooper-and-local-state-officials-attend-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-for-new-bridge/

We look forward to having you as our guests!
Aris

OBX Jobs – So You Want to Work in The Outer Banks?

I think there are many folks who decide that it may be a good idea to move to and work these OBX jobs.  Then again, there are those who may want to live and work there seasonally. That is, during the summer months, on a temporary basis. 

Who’s Working Out at The Coast?

What people are looking for these OBX jobs? At one end of the spectrum, you’ve got people nearing retirement age and remain employed either in a part time of full time capacity.  They’ll work in the profession they have had while living there for many years.  You’ll also see many others working in the local stores and shops that lend themselves to the vacation industry.  Whether they be chain franchises or local businesses.  On the younger side, you’ll often see an influx of foreign students during the end of the spring and into the summer months.  By the time fall rolls around, they make their way back to their native countries to resume their studies.  They like to see a little bit of America and what better place than the North Carolina coast?  These students will secure short term/summer housing with perhaps 4 or more residents to a rental.  They’ll rest up at the beach and have fun all day and work all night.  And of course, you’ll have some that do the opposite and work during the day and enjoy the nightlife after dark.  Any way you cut it, they’re making decent money at a coastal location and getting to know the US as well.  In the middle, are the normal, run of the mill workers who keep the community running.

What Types of Jobs?

As with any popular coastal community, it should be no surprise that most work revolves around the vacation industry.  That or tourism actually.  

• Real Estate Agencies
• Vacation Rental Agencies
• Hotels
• Gift and novelty shops
• Hundreds of eateries
• Tour Companies and operators
• National Parks
• All of the maintenance companies supporting the industry.  Painters, construction businesses, electricians, plumbers, hvac specialists, appliance sales and repair, cleaners, handymen, lifeguards etc. 

You would think these are normal businesses and not necessarily involved with the vacation industry.  May be so, but all of these folks run ragged in the months leading up to vacation season and even during the season.  They have to be available for any issues needing immediate attention during the stay of guests.And let us not forget the servicemen and women who support the municipalities.  Not only during the vacation season but all year long.  Police, EMS, Fire and all of the support staff at each area’s Town Hall as well as the urgent care centers and hospitals.  Ohhh…almost forgot.  The various supermarkets up and down the Outer Banks also employ hundreds of workers.  And actually, they are probably the one entity that employs every demographic and type of worker that has been talked about.

So as you can see, other than tech companies and any sort of industrial plants or warehouses, you can pretty much find your calling if you are so inclined to work out at the OBX. OBX jobs do exist. If you’re interested and aside from the normal job sites, there are several Facebook groups dedicated to employment and housing on the Outer Banks. https://www.facebook.com/groups/629240940573706/

We look forward to having you as guests!

Aris