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Topic: General Information

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Main Topic Post: General Information

Posted By: Guest

Subject: First Timers Trip Report

I just wanted to share a little of our trip (re-live it) and maybe pass on some knowledge we gained during our week to the OBX.

We were two families from central NJ. We drove down as far as Newport News, VA and stopped overnight. On Saturday morning we located the last Food Lion on 168/158 before reaching the Island and stocked up with perishable foods. Prices were no higher or lower than we would have had at home. We loaded both coolers and made our south. We crossed the bridge about 12:30 p.m. on 8/12 and there was traffic but not the heavy traffic we thought there would be.

We made our way through KDH and Nagshead, stopping at an ABC store for a bottle of something we forgot -- thought the prices were pretty good.

The house we rented was Oceanfront in Rodanthe. We arrived in Rodanthe a little before 2:00 and went to the "Out (or Outer) Back" for lunch before checking in to get our key.

We rented a 5 bedroom 4.5 bath house and everything was in order EXCEPT one bathroom had not been cleaned. We called and within an hour, they had two cleaners and a supervisor to handle our request.

There is a small amusement park in the Waves/Salvo area. It is a bit run down, but we did take the kids one night to check it out. As the rides are by age, the kids were split up and they didn't seem to care for it too much. They did want to go on the water slide, but it was closed much of the week and truthfully, one it did open, we were skeptical it was safe.

We took one day and went to Cape Hatteras to see the lighthouse (yes, we walked all the way to the top -- pretty cool). One day we drove back up to Nagshead to do some shopping. We stopped at the Food Lion in Nagshead for a few items we needed to replenish and it was a very nice store.

Other than that, the kids hung out at the beach or the pool and we tried to relax during the week. The weather was great and having the doors open at night listening to the waves was very peaceful.

We cooked at home allot of the week, but we did go to Dirty Dicks (the day we went to Cape Hatteras) and our last night we went to the Dolphin Den for dinner. I would recommend all three places we ate out that week -- the food was good.

None of us wanted to leave...even the kids...and we all fell in love with the Rodanthe area.

Our trip back home was uneventful -- and we are already missing the OBX. Hope this helped out a bit for those who have not yet visited -- or if you have any questions, let me know.

Message Replies:

7705: RE: First Timers Trip Report

8/23/2006 2:18:21 PM

Posted By: Guest

I'm delighted to hear you had a great time. Rodanthe, Salvo & Waves is our favorite place to stay.

Next year when you return, be sure to eat a Lisa's Pizza ~ we always order that the first night there as no one wants to cook! Also, there is a Food Lion in Avon so you don't need to drive back over Oregon Inlet. Not sure of your kids ages, but a day trip to Ocracoke is worth it ~ free ferry ride (about 40 minutes). The NC Parks Dept used to put on a little demo about the history of the island and Blackbeard the Pirate, there's also a British Cemetery.

We always plan to eat at the Back Porch (best crabcakes ever) and there are other restaurants that are quite good, too. And some cute shops!

7709: RE: First Timers Trip Report

8/23/2006 4:26:31 PM

Posted By: Guest

Its nice to see some constructive information! Thanks so much for your post...we are traveling next June to Salvo for the first time and it's nice to hear another "newbies" report!

Thanks again - so....have you decided you were going back?

7724: RE: First Timers Trip Report

8/24/2006 6:52:50 AM

Posted By: Guest

We would love to go back again and started checking out some houses online upon our return. It is about a 9 hour drive for us and I would love to do two weeks, but don't know if we will be able to do so.

I've heard Lisa's Pizza is good too, and we were going to order it our first night, but between the large lunch and the excitement of being at the OBX we skipped dinner!

I was also surprised (pleasantly) that the prices for gas were not allot higher (2 to 3 cents a gallon) on the island.

Also, thanks for the info on Ocracoke -- we only ventured down as far as Hatteras Village but didn't take the ferry over -- maybe next time!!!

7729: RE: First Timers Trip Report

8/24/2006 8:48:31 AM

Posted By: Guest

Glad to hear you had a great time during your first trip to the OBX. We're going down on 10/1 for the 8th year and we get more excited every year. We've always stayed in Duck, but I'd really like to try out the Salvo/Avon/Rodanthe area one year. We've been through there multiple times when we go to see the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Now if I could only talk my wife into trying something other than Duck!

10459: RE: First Timers Trip Report

3/4/2007 5:53:15 PM

Posted By: Need help planning Outerbanks vacation

I am appreciative of the info you have posted. If you have any thoughts on some of the differences between the different areas, that would help us. We're looking into renting a house either in Kill Debil Hill or Duck or Southern Shores and could use help learning about where it's best to be. We will be traveling with "older" kids and want to be in a nice house but close enough to things to do. Thanks.

12628: RE: First Timers Trip Report

6/8/2007 7:48:59 AM

Posted By: Guest

hello, wondered if you had any thoughts about how crowded the beaches are generally?

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