Conversations
A week at OBX
Quote from Rob6 on September 11, 2022, 5:28 pmI don't know if this really qualifies as "hiking" but I have spent the last week on vacation in Corolla, NC, aka The Outer Banks, or OBX. There's not a lot of wilderness down there. It's pretty much filled with vacation rentals and the accompanying souvenir shops, restaurants, and other beach-themed recreation.
Corolla, however, located at the north end of the barrier island, is the home to a herd of wild horses, much like Assateague Island in my home state of Maryland. In order to preserve the wild horse population as well as the sea turtles and plethora of migratory and other birds, a large portion of the north end is The Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. So, in addition to lying around the pool sipping margaritas and working on my suntan (more like sunburn), I made it a point to walk the beach and the tidal forest area every day, typically logging around 5 miles per day. I saw the horses in their natural habitat, many pelicans, several osprey, including one that had a snake in its talons and another that dove into the surf but came up empty-taloned.
We had a full moon which was so bright it was virtually impossible to see any stars, but the nighttime illumination of the incoming waves on the beach was spectacular. I also saw some beautiful sunrises over the Atlantic, and breathtaking sunsets over the Currituck Sound. I had hoped to rent a kayak and paddle some of the estuary, but never found the time, but I pedaled my bike pretty much everywhere I went.
I don't know if this really qualifies as "hiking" but I have spent the last week on vacation in Corolla, NC, aka The Outer Banks, or OBX. There's not a lot of wilderness down there. It's pretty much filled with vacation rentals and the accompanying souvenir shops, restaurants, and other beach-themed recreation.
Corolla, however, located at the north end of the barrier island, is the home to a herd of wild horses, much like Assateague Island in my home state of Maryland. In order to preserve the wild horse population as well as the sea turtles and plethora of migratory and other birds, a large portion of the north end is The Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. So, in addition to lying around the pool sipping margaritas and working on my suntan (more like sunburn), I made it a point to walk the beach and the tidal forest area every day, typically logging around 5 miles per day. I saw the horses in their natural habitat, many pelicans, several osprey, including one that had a snake in its talons and another that dove into the surf but came up empty-taloned.
We had a full moon which was so bright it was virtually impossible to see any stars, but the nighttime illumination of the incoming waves on the beach was spectacular. I also saw some beautiful sunrises over the Atlantic, and breathtaking sunsets over the Currituck Sound. I had hoped to rent a kayak and paddle some of the estuary, but never found the time, but I pedaled my bike pretty much everywhere I went.
Quote from nathanu on September 11, 2022, 6:20 pmWow, very cool report and one that's put OBX on my radar as a vacation spot. I honestly knew nothing (less than nothing, apparently) about it and just never had interest. Seems that I would certainly be missing out if I didn't visit. Thank you!!
Wow, very cool report and one that's put OBX on my radar as a vacation spot. I honestly knew nothing (less than nothing, apparently) about it and just never had interest. Seems that I would certainly be missing out if I didn't visit. Thank you!!
Quote from Rob6 on September 11, 2022, 8:28 pmThanks @nathanu. And, if you go, take your Jeep. At the north end, where we stayed, the road literally ends on the beach, and the rest is 4X4 accessible. You can drive for miles on the sand. Just make sure you have the proper recovery equipment in case you get stuck.
Thanks @nathanu. And, if you go, take your Jeep. At the north end, where we stayed, the road literally ends on the beach, and the rest is 4X4 accessible. You can drive for miles on the sand. Just make sure you have the proper recovery equipment in case you get stuck.
by nathanu