I'm tan!

**snowsprite** · 07-10-2006, 06:34 AM

As in "I'm not pasty colored from sitting in a cube all week" kind of way.

Just got back from the Outer Banks trip yesterday. It was awesome!

We stayed on Ocracoke Island for five days and also stopped in Nag's Head, Kitty Hawk, and Roanoke (very cool "Lost Colony" stuff). We did a whole bunch of kayaking, sight-seeing touristy stuff, biked the island, and watched some Jerry Springer-worthy antics on the part of my husband's relatives.

I took a bunch of pics of kayaking and other pics that I'll post up later unless I procrastinate too much as usual (none of the Jerry Springer action though, sorry!).

The kayaking was really something else, no white-knuckle rapids or anything... but really gorgeous and tranquil scenery plus lots of wildlife and it was tough paddling with the wind/currents. I think we learned some new skills contending with these conditions.

If you haven't been to the OBX, you gotta go! It's a pretty cool world there. Never had so much seafood in my life or heard so much "y'all." The wind is outta control there (not from the seafood, I'm talking actual breezes..."wind") and makes it tough to kayak and camp. But it made for good parasailing which I finally tried and LOVED.

Anyway, I'm back in the cube. But at least I have my tan and my memories...

So did I miss anything?

Sprite

**vinzclortho** · 07-10-2006, 06:39 AM

nnnnnnnnnnnice sprite! word on the street is there is some good fishing off OBX...I mean there must be if you ate that much seafood!

I myself have a KILLAH flip-flop tan that I'm quite proud of. The true mark of summer: flip-flop tan.

**bad_roo** · 07-10-2006, 06:43 AM

That sounds like a lotta fun. I just had a look at the map.

I like the sound of the Great Dismal Swamp. Sounds like an ex-girlfriend of mine.

**FartBag Commando** · 07-10-2006, 06:44 AM

Next time check out the kite boarding - There's a great place called the "Canadian Hole" on the sound side behind Avon and Buxton where the kite boarders do their thing. Always a good breeze going there.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 07-10-2006, 06:46 AM

Glad you had fun- stay off the computer as long as you can, while the sound of the ocean is still in your ears and the taste of Old Bay seasoning still on your lips. I say that mostly because all I can remember about my alcohol-sodden week in OBX is that there's an ocean there and they put Old Bay on everything. I also vaguely remember driving a golf cart into a pond and fleeing the course on foot.

**Tuckerman** · 07-10-2006, 06:58 AM

Welcome back to Cube land.
"watched some Jerry Springer-worthy antics on the part of my husband's relatives."

Thats funny.

**ulty_guy** · 07-10-2006, 06:59 AM

this thread is useless without pics of said tan lines

yeah, obx is great. grew up in va and always went down there and had a blast.

**Aldo** · 07-10-2006, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by snowsprite

. But at least I have my tan and my memories...

So did I miss anything?

Sprite

Hmmn, pics of alleged tan??

**Sutter** · 07-10-2006, 07:02 AM

Sprite, Outer Banks r00l!! I haven't been there since 1997, but I loved the whole scene. Did you hit Rocky Point state park with the HUGE sand dunes? When I was there some of the dunes were a couple hundred feet high.

**Mtn Man** · 07-10-2006, 07:09 AM

Welcome back Sprite! I was actually supposed to go this week, but work dictated otherwise. I have a big group of friends there now. I'll just save those days for when it's a little colder.

Let's see those yakin' pics!

B)

**steve** · 07-10-2006, 07:17 AM

Good to have you back, Sprite.

(I know it's not so good to be back!)

**snowsprite** · 07-10-2006, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by ulty_guy

this thread is useless without pics of said tan lines

What tan lines?

YOW! I think I'm still de-toxing from all that sun and beer. Hope it lasts a week.

Sprite

**Aldo** · 07-10-2006, 07:24 AM

notice I didn't mention lines?

**FREESKIER_FIVE-0** · 07-10-2006, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

I also vaguely remember driving a golf cart into a pond and fleeing the course on foot.

Okay, now thats funny. Oh, and glad to hear you had a good time Sprite.

Edit to fix my horrible spelling.

**TWINS** · 07-10-2006, 07:49 AM

Sprite.Please post some pics if you can.My wife and I were invited to stay at Swan beach on the northern Banks next month.We have never been to this part of the country so we are excited about the trip.We were told that we need to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get to the beach house.There are no paved roads there. Anyone who`s been there please chime in as to the need for a 4 wheeler. And what is there to do in North Carolina?

**yentna** · 07-10-2006, 08:51 AM

Congrats Sprite on a sweet vacation! Sounds like it was just what the doctor ordered,

. Good stuff, looking forward to pics.

And as a cube surfer desk jockey AND cancer fearer (since I'm predisposed to that crap), who plays outside in the mornings and evenings out of the sun usually, or in full body armor blocking the sun while biking, I've got the same pastiness problem. Thus, I use this kind of stuff (yes, I admit it freely!!! I'm a faker!):

Daily moisturizer, non-oranginess, smooth skin, quick and easy to throw on in place of your usual moisturizer regime, very slight color so no streaking nastiness. Some brands smell funny but others don't. Nicest smelling so far (I try a new brand with each new bottle): Aveeno and Dove versions, though if you workout and sweat, the nice smell wears away and you're left with the funky tanner smell. Shrug, small price to pay to have a little safe color, and not be as pasty as my coworkers.

**zion zig zag** · 07-10-2006, 09:07 AM

OBX sux! Especially Ocracoke Island. The Ferry takes forever, the traffic on the one street is hell, rednecks rule and the heat/humidity is unbearable. There are much better places to spend your hard-earned vaca. Get with the program Sprite!

**RootSkier** · 07-10-2006, 09:14 AM

I just wanted to post on the first page on what will be a truly hall of fame worthy thread when snowsprite posts many many pictures of her awesome tan.

**The Dad** · 07-10-2006, 09:18 AM

Welcome back, Sprite.

Personally, the most tanned part of me right now is the top of my feet, which are sporting the full-blown teva tan. (Well, Chaco tan actually, but it doesn't sound as good without alliteration, and do we really need to brand the tans? but I digress)

**justcuz** · 07-10-2006, 09:53 AM

I personally enjoy the OBX and visit once, wish I could do twice per year for my annual windsurfing vacay. Not many other places in the world that one can stay for $250 for an entire week, on the water, in a freakin huge house that is pretty nice.

Fish is usually very good, Ocracoke has a nice little island feel.

However, I don't think I'd ever visit after May 1st until things cool down in the fall...say....September 25th or so. Just too darn hot and muggy. I don't care for the Northern towns/cities (Kitty Hawk, Nags Head). Too many people. I am much more happy when in Avon, Hatteras, Buxton area.

**snowsprite** · 07-10-2006, 10:09 AM

The first 2 days camping were HOT and muggy to the extreme! But then it got very cool and overcast and was actually very good for biking the island and kayaking. In that dog-day heat with very little shade (not too many tall trees there!) the most you wanted to do was sit and drink and maybe dip yourself in the ocean to try to cool off.

A few little tips about OBX...

*Rentals are Saturday to Saturday so avoid travel on those days!

*Since people come in on Saturday, that day and Sunday would be good days to see "attractions" or play mini golf. inevitably, people arrive and hit the beach straight away! The exception is if there is rain. Which, by the way, kayaking in light rain is very nice and would be a good "rainy day" activity. DON'T visit any museums or wot-not on a rainy day!

*Mosquitos there really are bad, and so are flies. They are hungry aggro little fackers of a breed I've never experienced. Bring a lot of bug spray.

*Pack for a variety of weather because we experienced boiling hot, chilly, windy, rainy, and muggy all in the span of a week. We went through a bunch of clothing and actually had to do laundry.

Twins, I'll post more info in my TR. From what I could see...4WD wasn't needed on Ocracoke, and it is pretty remote there. You are allowed to drive on the beach but of course you would need a 4WD w/ air let out of tires a bit. We didn't do this though.

But if the roads are not paved where you are staying, they are probably very "soft" and you might be better off w/ the 4WD. What part are you staying in?

There is so much to do you will have trouble choosing! I highly recommend stopping at Roanoke Island and seeing Festival park. That was our funnest stop! We really liked the Wright Brothers memorial and seeing the light houses too. The beaches were not very crowded on Ocracoke, perhaps due to the weather. But if you want to escape the crowds consider renting kayaks and paddling the beautiful marsh areas.

Anyway, more later!

Sprite

**K-Stormchaser** · 07-10-2006, 10:58 AM

Sprite,

I bought some new music last week from a guy named Cuban Pete...made me think of you. PM me you addy and I will send you an mp3 file you can listen to.

C