Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Looking for a nice beach for a small wedding

Hi there! I%26#39;m looking for a nice beach in the Kill Devil Hills/Kitty Hawk/Nags Head area on the Ocean to hold a small wedding of about 15 people. We have an officiant already, and the wedding is to take place Friday 8/15/08 at 5:30PM. A Boardwalk or Gazebo is ideal for pictures, and we need public beach access. We are staying in Avon but looking to have the ceremony further north due to dinner reservations later that night and a trip to the Elizabethan Gardens. Any help is appreciated!



Looking for a nice beach for a small wedding


Here are some websites you may find helpful.





http://www.outerbanksweddingassoc.org/





insiders.com/outerbanks/main-weddings2.htm



Looking for a nice beach for a small wedding


Also try the NC forms on the knot.com and http://www.outerbanksweddingassoc.org/





A bit of warning, from experience. Weather can be unpredictable in OBX, when I had my wedding there in 06 there was 50 mph + wind gusts on the ocean side, due to a tropical storm off the coast. Plan the beach side wedding, just be prepared with a back up plan.





Gazebos: Its not the beach but in Manteo there is a nice gazebo over the sound, right in town. I know small weddings have been held there.





Good luck!




It may be too far north if you%26#39;re staying in Avon, but check with the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk. The old Kitty Hawk Pier has been renovated so you could actually have the service out on the end. My cousin was married there last year in a small service... very nice.

Getting to Ocracoke this winter 2008

If your planning at trip to Ocracoke between now and march you might want to consider taking the ferries from Swan Quarter or Cedar Island as getting there from Hatteras will require using 4 wheel drive as well as the knowledge of driving on the sand, they are replacing the bridges on the Island between the town and the ferry docks at the north end and the detour will take you out on the beach .

You can get updates here as the ferry schedules have changed too.

http://www.ocracokebridges.com/

Getting to Ocracoke this winter 2008

Having made the trip from the Hatteras end once a few weeks ago I can attest to the fact that the sand is very churned up, soft and full of deep ruts. If they get some wind and rain it will get better. It is certainly passable, I did not have a problem but the on-site tow truck has already puuled out over 50 vehicles.

Kirk

Getting to Ocracoke this winter 2008

Found a web site to get the latest on the bridge replacement and whats open down there now, a lot of places have closed for the season due to this bridge project that are normally open all year.

Try this site and click on life with out a Highway

http://islandfreepress.org/

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  • Any help would be appreciated

    I am coming to Charlotte for one night (saturday) and will be staying at Holiday Inn Center City.



    Can anyone tell me about this hotel? I know it was recently renovated? Also, are there any nightclubs around the area within walking distance?



    Any help would be appreciated


    The hotel is a pretty nice brick high rise. The pool on the roof won%26#39;t be of any use to you this time of year. Many of the clubs are on College St., which is where the hotel is located. All within 2 or 3 blocks.

    Why are all hotels booked the weekend of March 1st?

    I%26#39;m trying to find a nice hotel room downtown Charlotte on March 1st, but the Westin, Omni, Etc, tell me there is nothing available. What even is going on that is taking up all these rooms?



    Why are all hotels booked the weekend of March 1st?


    The CIAA Basketball Tournament is the weekend of March 1st, and then the ACC Basketball Tournament is the next week, so pretty much anything near downtown will be booked solid.


  • chap balm
  • Pirates Lair

    I am planning a trip to carova in july and was looking at renting a house from sun realty called Pirates Lair. Does anyone know anything about this house and more importantly is there alot of traffic on the beach there. Also, are the beaches fairly private? I really am wanting to be able to take all our beach chairs and toys down to the beach once and leave them there since our house will only be 300 ft from the beach. Any help would be appreciated.



    Pirates Lair


    JHS



    Looks a decent place for the money. I%26#39;m not sure how far up into Carova that is but from I saw last year, the first couple of miles from where the pavement ends were fairly busy. Too busy for me to want to rent there, and just for that reason.



    However I have heard that if you%26#39;re close enough to the Virginia border, it%26#39;s not as bad. I stayed on Whalehead beach in Corolla last year and saw that several people left there items up against the banks of the beach instead of hauling them back %26amp; forth. I would imagine if theft was a problem they wouldn%26#39;t have been doing that.



    I cose not to, only because the beach stuff we used belonged to the home owner and I didn%26#39;t want to risk it.



    I think no matter responses you get, you are taking some inherent risk.





    Pirates Lair


    You%26#39;d need to check a map maybe. It could depend on the drop off and how much area you have where the tide doesn%26#39;t come in to take the stuff out and no one drives on it. And then where it wouldn%26#39;t be too close to the house in between you and the beach to bother those people while you store it out of the way of tide and drivers.




    You may also be taking a risk of losing some items to the tide overnight! I don%26#39;t think that you should have any problems wih theft up there. It%26#39;s a pretty quiet, and family oriented place. I would, however, really watch the tides the first day and see how much they come in at your house. If you%26#39;ve got a wide stretch of beach, you%26#39;ll probably be fine.



    I am not familiar with the home you are looking at, but Carova is nice, and you shouldn%26#39;t have a lot of traffic.

    Chapel Hill to Greensboro

    Hi,





    We will be checking out UNC at Chapel Hill. I was wondering how long/far the drive would be to Greensboro to check out that campus.





    Thanks.



    Chapel Hill to Greensboro


    Hi EMess,





    I would imagine that it would take you 45 minutes to an hour to get to Greensboro from Chapel Hill. It is a very easy drive, just take I40 west.





    s



    Chapel Hill to Greensboro


    Yeah, 45 min to an hour...but that%26#39;s best case scenerio. If you absolutely need to be there on time, I%26#39;d leave a tad earlier than that. You never know when I-40 can have something that%26#39;ll delay you when you least expect it.

    Bike Rental Question

    I%26#39;m looking to rent some adult bikes while we%26#39;re renting a house in Holden Beach in late March/early April. I see our options are Boomers or Beach Fun Rentals - both charge similar rates, but I was wondering if anyone had rented from either company and/or had knowledge of the quality of their service/bicycles.

    Bike Rental Question

    we%26#39;ve had good experiences dealing with boomers in the past. they are friendly, out going and i felt an ease of doing business factor that put me at ease.

    Bike Rental Question

    i have rented from them both sometimes you get a good on some times you dont. last year i rented from vacation equipment rental and they had a special 4 bikes for 100 and their bikes looked brand new. i think their website is www.ver-nc.com

  • How to clean military surplus wool blankets
  • Hotels near Fort Bragg NC

    Any suggestions on where to stay near Fort Bragg? My husband is returning from Afghanistan, and I would like to stay somewhere nice, but not over expensive. We also have family coming into the area who would like to stay at the same hotel as us. I am not from the area, so any suggestions would be grat. Thanks!!



    Hotels near Fort Bragg NC


    We have enjoyed the Hilton Garden Inn in Fayetteville...also the Wingate and Courtyard in the same area.



    Nearby them is the Residence Inn, a newer place on Skibo and might be an alternative for family groups to consider and split the cost.



    You can also take a look at Spring Lake NC accommodations. It%26#39;s right sort of %26#39;in%26#39; Fort Bragg. There%26#39;s a new Hampton Inn there but there are several others as well with pretty good prices.



    Hotels near Fort Bragg NC


    Just a suggestion but maybe try a weekly vacation home rental. It usually costs less than a hotel, especially if there are other family coming in. Plus it is a lot nicer to have so much privacy and it sure cuts down on the cost of having to eat out everynight. It%26#39;s ironic, your%26#39;s is coming home and mine is leaving from the same place. Congratulations!

    Anything to do/see mid-March?

    So, my best friend and I will be in Asheville for 4 days mid-march for a volleyball tournament. The first two days are pure vacation/tourism days for us, and I%26#39;m wondering what we should do/see. We visited Biltmore last year, and also went to Hanging Rock (I believe). Does anyone know of anything else fun/exciting/historic or just interesting around the area to do? Is there much to do/see at Bat Cave around this time of year, or would that be a waste of time? Also, restaurant reccomendations are cool too!!!



    Anything to do/see mid-March?


    I meant Chimney Rock....I got my trips confused for a minute.

    Suite hotel within 5-6 miles of downtown Greensboro

    Save area with restaurants and shopping nearby are added perks.





    Must be a suite. Son swimming in swim meet in complex on W Market ST.





    How is the Hyatt Place?





    Marriott downtown is really close, may consider getting two rooms there.



    Suite hotel within 5-6 miles of downtown Greensboro


    I stayed in the Hyatt Place in Raleigh recently - they are all renovated Amerisuites and they are great ( 42 in plasma TVs!). But, they NOT two room suites. They are one room with a half wall.





    Homewood Suites is not far from town. Check them out.





    Best wishes.



    Suite hotel within 5-6 miles of downtown Greensboro


    The Homewood Suites is by the airport. There are tons of hotels on Wendover, which would be an easy drive downtown.




    I looked up the Hyatt Place as I didn%26#39;t recognize it. It used to be Amerisuites. My parents always stay there when they lose power during ice-storms. This hotel never loses power, and they seem to like it. It is in the Wendover Ave. area with tons of restaurants and shopping nearby.




    The two nicest hotels in Greensboro are only a couple of miles from downtown, and they are in a VERY safe neighborhood.





    The Proximity Hotel -- upscale and very new.





    The O%26#39;Henry -- upscale (the best hotel in town) and very close to shopping and movie theaters and restaurants.





    Both these hotels are owned by the same person. They are very close to each other, but the O%26#39;Henry is closer (walking distance)to the store, etc. Both are expensive (for Greensboro). Proximity $179-$199 and the O%26#39;Henry around $249.


  • chap balm
  • Which are the best festivals in the area

    I plan to visit Raleigh. I would like to see one of Ralieghs festivals or anywhere else nearby. Which are the better ones to go to ? Any time of year is fine. I see the Reniassance is coming up in April. How is that one ? I wouuld prefer something unique to the area.



    Which are the best festivals in the area


    Most weekends at the fairgrounds there is a really good flea market. I%26#39;d say that%26#39;s unique to Raleigh. It%26#39;s fun to just browse.



    Which are the best festivals in the area


    Artsplosure (www.artsplosure.org) in mid-May is probably the best street festival in Raleigh. Basically, about 4-5 city blocks downtown are turned into a huge art market, plus live music stages, food, etc. It%26#39;s a pretty big, popular event.





    The St. Patrick%26#39;s Day festival is also pretty nice. Parade thru downtown ends at a festival site with dancing, beer, arts %26amp; crafts, music, etc. That%26#39;s usually held the Saturday before St. Patricks Day.





    Those are the two I%26#39;m most familiar with.




    Hi Nanmar2





    I don%26#39;t know what type of festivals interest you -- art, crafts, music, film...?





    The city of Durham (not far) has several good music and film festivals each year. Not to mention the Taste of Durham food festival



    durham-nc.com/things/celebrated_events.php







    Also check out Duke and UNC websites as they sponsor several music gatherings of various genres. (Jazz, Chamber Music)





    The town of Cary (Raleigh burb) has two good Arts festivals each year:



    1- Spring Arts Festival -- usually in April. Not as big as the one in August...



    2- Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts. Larger Arts and Crafts (and music) festival in downtown area. Draws artists from all over.





    Raleigh offers a First Friday Arts Walk on the first Friday (duh) of each month...many of the downtown art galleries and museums are open late with free or reduced entry.





    Here is a link to some of the festivals --





    http://www.ncfestivals.com/events/default.asp







    I haven%26#39;t been to Reniassance -- so can%26#39;t speak to it.




    Just any event that is unique, is a big event or just something that is looked forward to in Raleigh by anyone. Anything. Thanks for your info.




    Check this out%26gt; http://www.festivals.com/




    Another good one is the International Festival, though that%26#39;s usually pretty late in the year (Oct or Nov). Cultural exhibits, foods from all over the world, dance performances %26amp; more, all by locals.

    fishing

    my family and friends will be visiting obx this summer....we%26#39;re still debating on the area to book a rental house, but duck seems to be a peaceful area we%26#39;d all like. the guys will want to fish everyday.... so, does anyone have opinions on the fishing in duck.... piers, is it crowded? is it easy to find a house within walking distance to fish? they don%26#39;t want to surf fish, but they don%26#39;t care if they%26#39;re fishing in the ocean or the sound. thnx!

    fishing

    If they don%26#39;t want to surf fish, then be prepared to drive. The Duck area is on the northern beaches, and is a good drive from the inlet where they would access the ocean by boat. As far as piers-there are none in Duck, and they would need to drive to Kitty Hawk to fish from that pier-which is the farthest north. As far as the sound, there is good fishing there, and there are some public access areas where they could fish, but again no piers, and this would be fishing from a public access dock.

    If they want to charter a boat, they can do that from one of several marinas, but the drive will be about 45 minutes to get to Pirates Cove or Wanchese, and another 20 minutes on top of that to get to the Inlet. I think they might want to reconsider surf fishing! It can be a lot of fun, and they will spend more time fishing, and less in the car!

    fishing

    thanks for the info!!


    If you have a ssound side house, with a private dock, etc is there any decent fishing/crabbing there?

    Or do you need to get further out to catch anything?

  • a scottish name
  • Maui excursions/tours

    Hello, Not going to Hawaii until March, but trying to plan to see as much as possible and book tours. Taking the 4-island cruise, everything very rush-rush, but I can come home and relax at Myrtle or Hilton Head. I do feel a little short-changed on Maui and wonder if anyone has advice. Is the Road to Hana worth the entire 1st day and giving up the rest of the island? The second day we wanted to see Kaanapoli beach and snorkel black rock, but would consider submarine if we have a better chance of seeing whales late in the whale-watching season. Or is it more likely from the beach?? Should I sacrifice Kaanapoli or submarine for the volcano at sunrise?? I will truly appreciate any advice anyone could give...



    Maui excursions/tours


    I think that you meant to post this under the Maui section of the Hawaii forum.



    Maui excursions/tours


    Sac2008. Thank you, sweetheart. I was on hold trying to correct a bank error and one call was 1 hr.22 min. I was not in good condition. Thank you very much for noticing and taking the time to respond ..




    The trip to Hana is pretty but worth a whole day? I don%26#39;t think so. Also depending where you are staying, going to see the sunrise at haleakala (sp?) could mean getting up at a VERY early hour. We talked to a fellow at our hotel who signed up and had to get picked uup at 3 AM

    Asheville, NC and Smoky Mtns.

    My husband and I want to plan a trip over July 4th weekend. I%26#39;ll be 7 1/2 mos. pregnant by then, so I%26#39;m wondering if there are things for us to do that are relaxing and fun for both of us in the areas of Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mtns. and Asheville NC.





    Can you recommend some romantic B%26amp;Bs or cabins, or even a hotel (romantic, not fancy)?





    Any recommendations for things to do/see and where to eat?





    Thank you!





    Asheville, NC and Smoky Mtns.


    First of all, congratulations on the soon-to-be-here baby!





    There are lots of things to do in the area.



    *The Biltmore House in Asheville is always great to visit.



    *I enjoy wanking around the Farmer%26#39;s Market in Asheville. It%26#39;s not just fruits %26amp; veggies.



    *Visit Ghost Town in Maggie Valley. There are hills, but the chair lift ride makes it worth it.



    *There are several hiking and horseback riding opportunities in the area, but I don%26#39;t know how active you want to be in your delicate condition.



    *A riding tour of the state park has always been relaxing to me. Stop off at Newfound Gap on the NC/TN line for good photo ops and cooler temperatures.



    *Browse through the shops in Gatlinburg, especially in ';The Village'; area.



    *If you like Italian, Best Italian in gatlinburg is...the best!



    *We%26#39;ve always liked Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. It%26#39;s not all rides, there are many super shows, musical acts and food.





    Hope you have a great time!



    Asheville, NC and Smoky Mtns.


    ^OOPS! That%26#39;s ';I enjoy WALKING around the Farmer%26#39;s Market';.





    Sorry about that typo!




    Thanks for your advice. It sounds like we should definately visit!




    Off4Fun,from Gatlinburg take a road through the Smoky Mountains NP and connect with Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive on the parkway is spectacular and you can make stops in many overlooks. If you feel like it then take short walks/hikes or just stop to admire views and take pictures. Many places to stay around Asheville and in TN check the Oak Haven resort. It is a wonderful place to relax or be active and you can chose a cabin according to your budget and needs. good luck.



    http://www.oakhavenresort.com/

    relocating to Charlotte area need town recommedations.

    Ok here we go. My wife and I(mid 40s) are going to take a trip down to the charlotte area, to look at property/realestate to live perminently. My son graduates next year and we are done with jersey. So since we live in a fairly congested area where theres alot going on, I really dont want to be to far out in to the country side. Need culture/shopping/civilization/theaters/entertainment nearby but want some space and tranquility. I build cars and love Nascar/auto racing, we are a motorsports family, will be looking for a few acres. School systems are not a consideration since we are done with that, and sending number one son off to college, Im certainly not wealthy(monitarily)but have a house paid off in northern NJ, so we should be able to shop in the 100k to 300k range. So where is the perfect town for the wife and I, would really like to here your opinions and suggestions. Cant wait to leave and get the second half of our livs started and meet friendly people.





    Thanks Rich



    Renting at 21

    My friends and I want to take a group down to the outer banks for a week, stay in a semi-ocean front big house, but we are all going to be 20 or 21. Is this at all possible. I go down to the beach in nc every year with my family and I have a townhouse, and a few of my friends have apartments and we could probably get landlord recommendations. Were looking at 7-10 people. Any Ideas.



    Thanks,



    Andy.







    Renting at 21


    Check out these recent discussions:











    tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g616326-i10763-k17…







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    tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g616326-i10763-k16…




  • chap balm
  • Outer Banks Large Family Vacation

    We are searching for a one week rental home to accommodate an extended family gathering of 3 immediate families and a grandpa who will be independently traveling from Idaho, Arizona, Colorado and central North Carolina. Our plan is to come together on June 14. Preference is for an ocean front home in an uncrowded area on Hatteras Island somewhere between North Avon and Buxton. Quiet, unassuming (not really very interested in a high tech McMansion on the beach) reasonably priced, and kid friendly are a good match for our bunch. Anyone have ideas?

    Outer Banks Large Family Vacation

    Did you try searching obxconnection.com? Of course, that may confuse you more than ever, at least that%26#39;s what happened to me. As I wrote in a previous post, Jordan at Hatteras Realty was very good at answering my questions, from mosquitos to jellyfish. Good luck, I%26#39;ll be watching for responses to your post to see if I can get more insight. This is a great forum!

    Outer Banks Large Family Vacation

    Thanks for the feedback OhLynne. We will check out obxconnections.com. I looked at your other NC forum posts. It sounds like you%26#39;re doing a very similar search to ours. Just curious - what were the factors that caused you to decide upon June for your Outer Banks vacation? For us, it is primarily dictated by scheduling considerations for our entire group. But, we are hoping that timing proves to be serendipitous as far as weather, cost, and other things are concerned. Any additional insights on mid-June at the Outer Banks?


    Our dates were changed from June until July because of the scheduling for the rest of the group. Hopefully, you will post reviews when you return and give us some good pointers. We are still trying to decide between Corolla, Kitty Hawk/Nags Head, or Avon. If it ever warms up in Ohio, we%26#39;ll have to get together and take a vote. I sure hope there are rentals still available by then. Chill factor is -20 right now. Sure makes the OBX look inviting!


    N. Avon to Buxton isn%26#39;t alot of area but you should be able to find what you want. Also don%26#39;t rule out Frisco. It is only a minute or so past Buxton. That time of year you shouldn%26#39;t have to worry too much about the crowds. Avon has a wider selection of houses but the Buxton/Frisco area (15 - 20 minutes south of Avon) is what you truely want.

    Call Hatteras Realty and let them know what you want. Don%26#39;t rule out a house that is close to the beach but not oceanfront. We stayed in a nice 4 bedroomer that was less than 20 seconds to sand last June and cost us less than $900. Better than the $1600 for a comparable oceanfront.

  • love the person but
  • Resort communities in Wilmington area...

    I am hoping to find a nice resort type community in the Wilmington/Wrightsville area- there are a few further north up the coast, but we are travelling from Raleigh in Feb w/4 kids for a little vacation. I%26#39;d love a place w/indoor pool and other activities where we could rent a nice condo...



    Resort communities in Wilmington area...


    the only condo style place with an indoor pool that I can think of is shell island resort..



    Resort communities in Wilmington area...


    There are several nice places to stay but requiring an indoor pool may make it more difficult to find. Myrtle Beach has tons of places with indoor pools, lazy rivers, etc.

    Tips for family trip to Western North Carolina

    My family of four (kids are 11 and 8) is planning to visit



    western North Carolina mountains / Asheville area in June.



    Any tips, suggestions as far as sight-seeing, activities and accomodations would be appreciated. We hope to stay in a cabin, and enjoy horseback riding and whitewater rafting.





    Tips for family trip to Western North Carolina


    The best whitewater rafting will be the Nantahala Forest area.Type that into google and you%26#39;ll get a zillion hits. There is also some whitewater action near Brevard in the Pisgah National Forest but it%26#39;s a little more sedate. Try www.vrbo.com or www.cabins.com for cabin info. Best wishes.



    Tips for family trip to Western North Carolina


    Typical Asheville activity is to visit the Biltmore Estate, if you%26#39;ve never toured the estate, I do recommend, but the kids may get bored with that. You should definitly make a stop in the town of Blowing Rock NC, not far from your destination. Enjoy the views of the Mtns and take in Grandfather Mtn if time allows, if you have lots of time, Brevard Co, NC is home to well over 200 waterfalls, many off the beatne path. Google NC WATERFALLS, there is great site to hiking some of the more gorgeous falls that are not on the ';tourist circuit';. Enjoy NC



    Check out the falls on Horsepasture river.




    Also, Ghost Town in the Sky will be open in Maggie Valley. This kids should love it.





    http://www.ghosttowninthesky.com/





    Have a great trip!

    Pirates Lair

    I am planning a trip to carova in july and was looking at renting a house from sun realty called Pirates Lair. Does anyone know anything about this house and more importantly is there alot of traffic on the beach there. Also, are the beaches fairly private? I really am wanting to be able to take all our beach chairs and toys down to the beach once and leave them there since our house will only be 300 ft from the beach. Any help would be appreciated.



    Pirates Lair


    We%26#39;ve actually rented this property before. The beach road can be a little busy on weekends, but if you don%26#39;t have little kids to watch constantly, its no big deal. It%26#39;s quiet during the week. We did leave our beach gear on the beach when we went back to the house. You can also keep an eye on it from the deck at the house. Watch the high tide though! Have fun...

    Negotiating with rental companies

    Hi,



    Does any one know if Village Realty and Joe Lamb Realty will negotiate? I am planning on renting the week of March 18?





    I would like to walk on the beach each day. Where is the best location? I do not mind walking a few min. to the beach, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, or Kitty Hawk.



    Thanks!



    Negotiating with rental companies


    I am assuming you mean negotiate on price? Most rental agencies have rental fees that are set for off season, and high season rates. Therefore, I am not sure you will have any negotiations-unless you are not renting for a full week, and then possibly, someone may work with you. The beaches in the 3 areas that you have asked about are all nice. My personal preference is Nags Head, or South Nags Head. All rental agencies should have a good inverntory of properties for March rentals.

    Economical Lodging for 1 Night in Kitty Hawk?

    There are 4 of us (adults) arriving in the Kitty Hawk area the day before our week%26#39;s rental in Avon in early June 2008. We need accommodations that night and I%26#39;m unable to find (1) reasonably-priced lodging (under $100 for two rooms, two people in each room, or under $250 for a room large enough for the 4 of us and (2) most places (particularly the B%26amp;B%26#39;s) want a stay of 2 or more nights.

    Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

    Economical Lodging for 1 Night in Kitty Hawk?

    Depending on the time of year, it may not be possible to find that rate. Outer Banks does not have a lot of hotel compared to some resort areas, and so the prices may be higher. There are some hotels in Kill Devil Hills that you may want to try. There is a Clarion, a Days Inn, a Mariner, a Travel lodge, etc. These may have a better rate, but I%26#39;m not sure what places you have already called.

    Economical Lodging for 1 Night in Kitty Hawk?

    Thanks for the info, Kil37. It%26#39;s so cold here in Chicago and I%26#39;m so ready for Spring and the Outer Banks!

  • chap balm
  • AJAX in .net
  • Dinner before a concert?

    We%26#39;re going to be at the Bobcats Arena next month for a concert and need restaurant advice.





    I%26#39;ve only been to Charlotte once and my then-boss took me to a bob Evans.





    Someone tell me there are better options.





    We%26#39;re staying at the Residence Inn Uptown and are only in for the one night.





    What%26#39;s good in the area near the hotel or arena?





    Thanks!



    Dinner before a concert?


    I would suggest going over to Southend ( South Blvd) - lots of restaurants around there... a new Japanese ( can%26#39;t remember the name)..a Carrabbas, Greek Isles is in the area...and then on down on East Blvd- lots of unique eateries. There%26#39;s not much directly around your hotel. If you want to eat uptown, most of the good restaurants are on Tryon St. Best wishes.



    Dinner before a concert?


    No restaurants uptown? Where have you been? In the last 5 years one of the premier cooking schools, Johnston %26amp; Wales, moved it%26#39;s main campus from Charleston, SC to uptown Charlotte. The result is that we have wonderful restaurants to choose from in this city and many are uptown. A great resource for booking reservations is OpenTable.com. Blue is a great restaurant located at 214 N Tryon St. Also at 100 N Tryon is Sonoma, a longstanding good restaurant with a middle eastern slant. Mimosa Grill and Capital Grille are also good. The owners of Sonoma opened another restaurant in the same building that is a tapas style restaurant that is perfect for a pre-show dinner and less expensive than other options. While you%26#39;re here, take a walk around the uptown area. There are many outdoor fountains on the main streets of Trade and Tryon. My husband and I are big foodies and love these new developments in Charlotte. We have been residents here for 7+ years. Hope this helps and that you have a wonderful visit to Charlotte.




    Who said there were no restaurants uptown? You just gave some examples of restaurants on Tryon St - to which I referred.There are several options. From where the guest is staying, it is not an easy walk over there. My suggestions for Southend and Dilworth were based on the fact that it is virtually a straight shot for him/her if he%26#39;s at the Residence Inn. I concur there are some good restaurants uptown...they will also tend to be a little pricier but if money is no object....no problem. No need to be offended that I suggested more places than just uptown. RE: Johnson %26amp; Wales - I toured their facility last summer. It%26#39;s a fine institution and a great addition to Charlotte. Best wishes.




    You can walk from Residence Inn to Ri-Ra, an Irish pub. Everything I%26#39;ve ever ordered is absolutely delicious, and a great atmosphere to boot. Enjoy!

    where to stay and rent from with kids

    we are hoping to take a trip to the outer banks this summer with three kids - ages 4, 2 1/2 and 8 months at thetime of trip. is it best to go in June or august? which areas would be good for us and where can we find a rental property?





    where to stay and rent from with kids


    The Outer Banks has a wide variety of places to rent, and types of entertainment and activities. It would be easier to point you in the right direction with a little more info. What types of activities are you looking for, are you wanting to go out for meals, etc. The Outer Banks has areas that are quiet and secluded, and also has the much more commercialized parts, too. No doubt you can find what you are looking for!



    where to stay and rent from with kids


    The Outer Banks are very family oriented, so no matter where you rent, you%26#39;ll fit right in.



    Like the previous poster said, it depends on what you%26#39;re looking for. Duck has a lot to offer but it is kind of congested. If you prefer a little more elbow room, Corolla, to the north is a nice area. If you really want seclusion, you can head waaaaay south.



    As for the time to go, if you choose the second half of August you%26#39;ll save a lot of money with many of the rentals. Many go back to school down there at that time and the rates go down. However I have noticed that people are onto this and those places get snatched up quickly.

    Hickory N.C. What to do ?

    Will be in Hickory for wedding 4/5/08. Looking for weekend activities and thinking about sightseeing around Lake Norman and catching a Crawdads game in the following week. Anything else we should not miss ?????



    Thanks



    Bill from Ohio



    Hickory N.C. What to do ?


    Not much sightseeing around Lake Norman. It%26#39;s a residential and sporting lake. You can drive about 45 minutes north to Blowing Rock - quaint and picturesque mountain town. There are virtually no attractions in Hickory - you might enjoy browsing through the Hickory Furniture Mart.



    Hickory N.C. What to do ?


    Crawdads games are fun. Have dinner at 1859 Cafe, catch a play at Hickory Community Theatre, and then after-dinner drinks %26amp; live music at the Hickory Taproom. Visit the Science Center (and its new aquarium!), the Art Museum, and the Planetarium, all the SALT Block on Highway 127 in Viewmont. Those are just a few. Enjoy!





    www.hickorycrawdads.com (Crawdads)



    www.hickoryonline.com (1859 Cafe)



    www.hct.org (Hky Comm Theatre)



    www.oldehickorybrewery.com (Hky Tap Room)



    www.catawbascience.org (SALT Block)




    Hey g- the Hickory Community Theater has some cool shows lined up - good tip....thanks!

    Traveling with 3 children.

    My is planning on going on a trip this Thursday. My husband just found out he has to work until 9 Thursady night. Now the city we are going to is 3 hours away. He wants to leave right after he gets off work. That means we would get there around 12am or 1 am. Now, there are 3 children involved in this ages 7,6,and 4. Because they are so young, I was thinking about leaving early Friday morning. Who is right in this?? Me or him??? Thanks in advance!!!!



    Traveling with 3 children.


    I am sorry, I forgot to out where I was going. I will be traveling from The Outer Banks to Durham.



    Traveling with 3 children.


    Isn%26#39;t mom always right? :P




    First of all, it is true that mom knows best, so you are right! That said, I would also definitely leave Friday morning, but I am a morning person, and early driving, etc is not problem for me. As far as the drive time...I would leave closer to 4 hours from OBX to Durham.




    Well, depends on how well your children sleep in the car. If they sleep, go for it on Thursday and then you will be there Fridy to start a full day. Driving in the car can make some kids tired and cranky-leaving on Friday AM could make for a long cranky day.



    You know your kids best though.

    OBX Rental Policy

    I thought we finally found a house (7 BR) to rent for a week only to find out that little people MUST be counted as an adult if they are potty trained. We were planning on putting the little ones (ages 2-6) in the same room as their parents in pack %26amp; plays or on blow-up mattresses for the week. It seems we will have to rent an 8 - 10 BR house just to accomodate the ';potty trained'; two-year olds. By the way, they don%26#39;t have jobs yet to pay the extra $$. Has anyone else run into this problem, or even aware of it? We have five paying couples, three of those couples each have two children (that were going to bunk in Mom/Dad%26#39;s room for the week) along with two teenagers that could find a couch somewhere. We originally thought 7 bedrooms would be plenty. If anyone has any other ideas for us, please advise, otherwise, we%26#39;ll have to skip the OBX this year.

    OBX Rental Policy

    So, if I count correctly that%26#39;s 18 of you. We%26#39;ve never had that many in one house. 10 in a five bedroom...and more in another house. Some of those houses aren%26#39;t pack-%26#39;em-in-there kind of places. Some require writstbands for every renter, including children, so they know if you%26#39;re over their limit.

    You might call those rental companies suggested in other posts and see what they say...Brindley, Village Realty, and many others. But have no idea of a specific one for your situation.

    OBX Rental Policy

    I guess when you count ';bodies'; is seems like a lot, but with our group, the little ones don%26#39;t get far from their parents, so I was thinking more like 12 adults and the little ones just kid of fit in. The last time we did this as a family, it worked out fine, but there were only two small ones at the time. The only time we are all in the house at once is for sleeping. We all like to do different things and go different places. I%26#39;m sure we will find something and have a great time. We are also pretty paranoid about being clean, so it seems that someone is always tidying up the house at one time or another, while everyone else is out or the kids are napping. It%26#39;s about being together, telling stories, taking pictures, and making memories. We aren%26#39;t loud or obnoxious, just a fun bunch.


    Please understand that a lot of the occupancy limits on the homes here, from what I know, is due to the septic service. As we do not have public sewer on the OBX, the homes must be kept to the appropriate occupancy standards as the homes are on septic tanks. I know the children are small, and don%26#39;t make much noise, etc. but that%26#39;s not the driving issue here with occupancy. There has to be some guideline for determiing an ';adult';, and since the guidelines were given to you as ';potty trained'; children count as an adult, this is kind of confirming my thought about the septic.


    Yes, I%26#39;ve found on one rental agency%26#39;s site at least the statement ';Occupancy not to exceed the septic permit restrictions. Another says occupancy is determined by local health laws on homes served by septic tanks.

    OhLynne, call someone like Twiddy or Village REalty or something and just tell them what you%26#39;ve got and what you%26#39;d like and what do they have that comes close. If they%26#39;re willing to take the time it could save you some steps.


    You are right about the septic systems. I did get to the ';bottom'; of it (pardon the pun) and that is the situation. After spending the day looking, I think I%26#39;ve found a couple of other choices. It gave me something fun to do on a cold, snowy, icy, wintry day. Now I%26#39;m really ready for a vacation. Thanks to all who posted about this. This really is a wonderful forum.


    Just another thing to consider which you may not have thought about...There is probably only one dishwasher and one decent sized refrigerator in the original house you were choosing. 18 people would mean a lot of food and a lot of dishes for a kitchen equipped to fit a lesser number of people. The larger homes will have two dishwashers and most likely two refrigerators.


    Oh yes, I thought about that. However, our refrigerator would hold milk, cheese, yogurt, popcicles, cold cuts, sodas, and doggie bags from the local restaurants. We aren%26#39;t big on dining IN while we are on vacation. One dishwasher and refrigerator should be okay for us. LOL

  • How to keep a duvet cover on a down comforter
  • Weather in April

    Considering a visit to Ocean Isle in mid-April. Can anyone tell me what the weather, water conditions are like at that time of year? Thanks.



    Weather in April


    water still cool, weather is about 50-60, so it is still too cool for me! But if you are a die hard beach bum, you can brave it. I like it in june july personally, but the rates would be super in april I would suppose.



    Weather in April


    It can really vary - it can be cold, rainy and in the 40s or warm and sunny and in the 70s - no way to predict it. The water WILL be cold.


  • chap balm
  • Dog Friendly?

    Hubby and I are planning a trip to New Bern early this summer. We have a small dog that is really a member of our family and we take her everywhere we go. Just wondering if any of you kind people



    could give me a heads up on how friendly New Bern is when it comes to pets. Also need to find a hotel/motel that would acdept pets.





    Thanks so much for your time.



    Dog Friendly?


    We recently moved to New Bern and have found it to be rather pet friendly here. The Sharaton Downtown accepts pets (you have to stay on the ground floor and not in the main building). We are always seeing people walking their dogs downtown. They park downtown I believe is pet friendly. There is not a gated dog park but I don%26#39;t think there are any signs stating no dogs. Hope this helps.



    Dog Friendly?


    Thanks so much hmichelle ....am happy to hear the Sheraton accepts pets. Also, we like to stay on the first floor. Will check out the park as well.





    We%26#39;re thinkig about relocating to New Bern, so this trip is just to



    look it over...anything you could tell me about living there would be appreciated. You could e-mail me direct if you want.





    Thanks again...





    Angel



    aerickson1@earthlink.net






    If you are interested in staying in a bed and breakfast, the Howard House has one room that they allow small pets to stay in. The innkeepers are wonderful people and they are located right around the corner from Union Point Park where many people walk their dogs. Hope that is helpful.




    Thanks, Thumper....We%26#39;re not great lovers of B%26amp;B%26#39;s. Have stayed in a couple at different times but we do prefer motels or cabins.





    Thanks again for your thought.....




    We also are thinking about relocating to New Bern and have an Australian Shepherd dog. We are also avid flat water kayakers. Anyone have any input you can email me at llt44@tds.net.




    This one is for Aussie %26amp; Pugs who mentioned they liked to kayak-



    There is a very active paddle club in New Bern that you might be interested in. Here is a link to their website.





    http://www.twinriverspaddleclub.org/



    My family powerboats but we always see a lot of kayaks out on the rivers looking like they’re having a good time!





    There is also a new dog park in town that not many people know about. Here is a link to the New Bern parks and recreation department with information on all the area parks and available classes.





    http://www.ci.new-bern.nc.us/RP/parks.php





    The dog park is at Glenburnie Park right on the Neuse River with spectacular views.





    Sorry the posts don%26#39;t work with hyperlinks- if you would like me to send the links directly to you just send me an email at



    k-mason@cox.net



    I relocated from FL 4 years ago and have found New Bern a great place to live. I now work as a real estate broker here so I have quite a file on area info.




    NBNC



    Thanks for the heads-up on the paddling group. We actually made a trip down last fall and went on a kayak trip. We are still considering the area for a permanent location.




    Go to Vacation Rentals By Owner vrbo.com and look for house called ';Back Porch Sunset';. You can rent it for the week or weekend and it is on the river, very cute and dog friendly.

    Charlotte airport to Myrtle Beach

    Can someone please advise on the easiest most idiot proof route i can take from Charlotte airport to Myrtle Beach. I have only ever driven in the States twice before and that was easy routes where i couldn%26#39;t get too lost!



    Thanks in advance.



    Charlotte airport to Myrtle Beach


    There%26#39;s no ';good way'; to Myrtle Beach.LOL. If you go Highway 74 east to 601 south to Highway 9 east you%26#39;ll see lots of signs along the twisty/windy way. For ease you could go 74 east to I-95 and then I-95 south to 76/501 and that will take you into Myrtle. Another easy way is I-77 south to Columbia, SC and I-20 east to 76/501. These routes are longer but pretty much mistake proof. Best wishes.



    Charlotte airport to Myrtle Beach


    GPS! If you rent a car, I would definitely get a GPS (I know Hertz uses Never Lost, which is a little outdated, but generally very good) or bring your own. You will kick yourself if you don%26#39;t. I%26#39;ve gone various routes down there from Charlotte, neither are at all easy and you have to pay very close attention or you will miss your turns.





    Seriously, get a GPS. If you were just heading down 95 or another interstate, you could get away with Map Quest, but again the MB drive is not anywhere close to a straight shot.





    Save travels!




    Sorry, should have read Bud%26#39;s comment first. If you follow his straight highway advice, it might not be too bad, but I still think GPS is the way to go (and no I don%26#39;t work for a GPS company :)).




    I would go a different twisty/windy way than Bud, but all of his ways will work. Go with option B or C from Bud. I agree that a GPS would be most helpful.




    One thing to be aware of, when travelling through some of these small towns, DON%26#39;T SPEED. Nichols, Clio, Lake City, etc...will get speeders as they pass through. Speed limits go from 55 mph%26#39;s to 35 mph%26#39;s to 25 mph in what seems like a few hundred yards. Pay attention to speed signs.




    And if you see Sparky%26#39;s, stop by. Is kind of a time warp, you will not know what to make of all the crap they sell (I remember they had anti-Bill Clinton bumpers stickers as little as two years ago). A little slice of Americana (I say this looking at the shell bunny rabbit on my desk I acquired at Sparky%26#39;s, my husband still has the clam shell cowboy I got him).




    Thanks for your help...



    will be sure to get Sat Nav but at least if i have a general idea of where i%26#39;m heading it helps!



    Thanks for the tip on speed traps, will definately keep my eyes on the posted speed and my feet off the accelerator!lol

    Inn at Crestwood or Chetola Lodge Lakeview room

    I am in charge of finding the perfect place to celebrate with three of my friends from college. We are celebrating a 50th birthday. Two of my friends are identical twins and their birthday is in March. We only have one evening to stay in Blowing Rock-April 4th. We would like to stay in one room with two queen beds. We would like to stay in a lodge or inn, not just a typical budget hotel. Any ideas? Thanks



    Inn at Crestwood or Chetola Lodge Lakeview room


    I%26#39;ve stayed in both and enjoyed them both. Chetola is larger and more hotel-like. But, there are good amenities and their rates usually include a breakfast buffet.





    Inn at Crestwood is lovely - more B %26amp; B like and has good spa services. ( Chetola has spa services n ow also but I have not used them).I have pics and a review of Crestwood here on TA.





    Chetola is in a busy but convenient area and has lots of nice grounds for strolling.





    Crcestwood is out in the country and has wonderful views. A fantastic restaurant is across the street from Crestwood - The Gamekeeper.





    Inn at Yonahalosse is next door to Crestwood - another nice place to stay!





    Both places are nice- just depends on what kind of atmosphere you want and do you want to be in town near things.





    Best wishes.



    Inn at Crestwood or Chetola Lodge Lakeview room


    I would stay in Chetola. With just 1 night, there is much less commute. You are very close to Blowing Rock center, if you decide to go in for dinner. Or, you can stay there and have dinner in the Lodge. You could stay in the Lodge or maybe, get a Condo for 1 night if allowed. Much easier to get to and better located.




    Thank you so much for your help. I will check with my friends and pass on all your information. Crestwood may be the only option as I think with Chetola one must stay more than 1 night. I emailed them to find out if we could stay for just one night but haven%26#39;t heard back from them yet. Thanks again




    You may like one of the many small motels in downtown BR. I think location would be key when only staying for one night.




    I would like to stay in BR if we can find a nice room that has two queen beds. We really want to stay in one room if possible. Like a slumber party. Any ideas?




    The Boxwood Lodge has some good reviews on here. And they are re-opening on April 4. They are within walking distance to shopping and restaurants.





    www.boxwoodlodge.com




    So happy! Chetola Lodge emailed and they said that we could stay one night. The proximity to BR and the atmoshpere sounds perfect for our little group. Thanks everyone for all your help.




    That is great! You will be so pleased. If you need anyother help, just ask!

    Carolina Beach--the future is very bright!

    Interesting February 8th blog entry. I follow this gentlemen%26#39;s blog posts as he keeps a good pulse on island happenings. I was aware of most of the initiatives that he mentioned; however, there were a few that he pointed out that left me pleasantly surprised.

    http://carolinabeachrealestate.blogspot.com/

    Carolina Beach--the future is very bright!

    Here is the latest presentation to the public regarding the Central Business District. I really like the two options that are being considered (page 13 and 14) for the current gazebo area. Either one would just be wonderful!

    carolinabeach.org/site_ne...MMtg3Jan08.pdf

    Carolina Beach--the future is very bright!

    Thanks for the link Oceansounds. I guess we%26#39;ll take the good with the bad. The idea of two large hotels doesn%26#39;t sound too appealing, however, the boardwalk refurbish does. I guess the properties bring the boardwalk developers, eh? A pier at FF park? Hmm, I thought that was my own little secret park? :( But the bike trail system sounds marvelous. Now, if I could only afford to buy...


    Yes, I%26#39;m very excited about the bike trail connections. There is a real push by town leaders to increase the foot and bike assecibility throughout the entire island.

    As for the pier, here is a bit more info from the new release issued by the NC Aquarium staff:

    ncaquariums.com/pressreleases/pierplans.htm

  • prove residency
  • HIGH adventure white water rafting...who's the best?

    We are a family of 5 adults from Ohio meeting another family of 4 adults from Florida in North Carolina (or some half way point) in July or August to Whitewater Raft. We want a high adventure high quality experience, any suggestions? We are also looking to rent a cabin for a few days.





    Thanks so much for any help.



    HIGH adventure white water rafting...who's the best?


    You could do the real thing in the Nantahala Forest ( the best WW rafting in the state) or...you can visit the U.S. National Whitewater Center here in Charlotte ( google it) ...or do both ( they are about 3 hours apart). Best wishes.



    HIGH adventure white water rafting...who's the best?


    The Charlotte Park is good, maybe even great for a man made experience. I have not paddled it, my brother and his son have. They are fine kayakers and enjoyed it very much. They are great people there. The Nanty is great for first timers and there are plenty of places to rent a raft or get a guided raft as well. Want to kick it up a notch travel a little further west for a wild ride on the Ocoee. Many of the rafting companies in the Gorge will have trips to the Ocoee.





    Please note the Nantahala River is cold even in the dead of the summer (around 48 degrees F) and little kids may not like it, but it is fun. There are few stops along the river where you can pull over and swim.




    try the oconee river just across the border in tenn. now that%26#39;s a thrill! site of the %26#39;96 olympics, it%26#39;s a great river with lots of outfitters near by, enjoy!

    Village Realty?

    Is the Old Nags Head neighborhood a nice area? Can you walk in the neighborhood?





    Is Village Realty a reliable company?





    I am not concerned about being to close to the



    water.





    Thanks



    Village Realty?


    Do you mean Old Nags Head Cove? If so, that is a very nice neighborhood, and yes, you can walk there. It is not ocean side, but between the small beach road and the main by pass. Short walk or drive to to some of the nicest stretches of Nags Head beach.



    Village Realty is a very good company-well established with a good reputation.



    Village Realty?


    It said Old Nags Head Place. It is located between hwy 12 %26amp; 158 - across the street from Jockey%26#39;s Ridge. It looks like it is close to Nags Pier.





    Do you know if they have many chain restaurants in this area?



    Thanks,



    PC




    We%26#39;ve always had good experiences with Village Realty in Corolla.




    Old Nags Head Place is also very nice. Actually I like the homes there more than Nags Head Cove. You will be able to walk there, and also you will only be about 2 blocks from the beach road where there is a nice, wide paved walking/bike path. It is in a good central location and you will be able to get to everything very easliy.




    Village Realty couldn%26#39;t have been more accomodating to us! They went out of their way to find just the right house for the extended family that we were taking. The home was beautiful and VERY clean. We actually just booked with them last night for our trip coming up 6/08.




    Thanks-I will probably use them since they include linens.




    We%26#39;ve always had good experience with Village Realty in Corolla so...


  • chap balm
  • need input on some condos I'm looking at

    Does anyone know about any of these:





    Windjammer





    Oceanside





    Sand Castle





    Beach Villas





    Any input would be greatly appreciated. It%26#39;s hard to tell from the online pics. Even the location...are these in a good spot?



    need input on some condos I'm looking at


    I have only stayed at Windjammer. My family goes every year and all but one year have stayed there. They were doing some remodeling and not open. We could not be happier. It is at gated West end of island, great view, quiet, underneath parking, elevator. Good Luck.



    need input on some condos I'm looking at


    Hi- I have vacationed at OIB for many years. The nicest %26amp;amp; newest condos are the Islander Resort Villas on the west end. Since there re empty lots near the villas and no developments behind them, just sound- the area is less crowded during peak times. The Islander resort villas are new, huge, and modern! Many can be found for rent along the ocean front- 2nd row and others on sound side- still walking distane to beach, and OF resort Pool, restaurant, etc. We stayed at 27A villa on Jan St. last year- perfect location and accommodations!! If you don%26#39;t want 3-4 BR/4bath then smaller condos are OF at Oceanside. They vary byowner- definitely not as nice. Many rentals for villas can be found on VRBO.com or other websites that owners advertise on (Homeaway.com, A1 vacations, etc) Check these out! Good luck- OIB lover.

    Blue Ridge Parkway

    Will it be open in early March from Boone to Asheville?





    I%26#39;m staying in High Point one night, should I expect clear driving through to Boone and down to Asheville?





    Thanks.



    Blue Ridge Parkway


    It totally depends on the weather. If it has snowed when you%26#39;ll be there, it%26#39;s a good chance it will be closed, as they do not plow during the winter.



    Blue Ridge Parkway


    Are there weather updates posted online?





    If I don%26#39;t take BRP, is there a scenic alternate route from High Point to Asheville?




    To go from High Point to Asheville you basically head north from HP and take I-40 west all the way. No other good route.

    Wingate Hotel?

    Greetings! We%26#39;re thinking of staying at the Wingate Hotel for a night before an early flight from Charlotte. Anyone have any good/bad experiences or other wisdom?

    Thanks!!

    Chris

    Wingate Hotel?

    Are you talking about the one near the airport at Little Rock Rd? Sits right on I-85... not much around it...a little dumpy ( the area, not the hotel) and not a place you%26#39;d want to be out and about at night ( but, there%26#39;s nothing there to be out for except maybe a fast food restaurant). Best wishes.

  • get time from datetime
  • Hampton Inn Durham changed to Comfort Inn Medical Park

    Has anyone stayed at the Comfort Inn Medical Park (formerly the Hampton Inn Durham on Hillandale) since it changed ownership? Wondered if the quality is the same. Thanks.





    Hampton Inn Durham changed to Comfort Inn Medical Park


    I%26#39;ve not stayed myself, but working for the Durham Convention %26amp; Visitors Bureau, I know that the local management remains the same - just a brand/name change.



    Hampton Inn Durham changed to Comfort Inn Medical Park


    Thank you for the quick reply.

    Does it still snow in March?

    My family and I are going snowboarding on March 3 thru March 6 and I don%26#39;t want the slopes to be muddy. I know that they have snow machines but I want the scenery to give that winter feel.



    Does it still snow in March?


    Can%26#39;t guarentee the white stuff, but weather records suggest March is the snowiest month of the year for the Smokies. There is a local saying here it always snows on the dafodils. We had snow last April as we were headed to Florida on the kids spring break. A few inches fell in Dillsboro. So, you never know. Have fun at the Cat.



    Does it still snow in March?


    I was in Maggie Valley in February last year when it snowed. Beautiful!

    Jazz/Blues Clubs in Greensboro

    I%26#39;ll be in Greensboro on Saturday nite. Any suggestions on Jazz/Blues Clubs in the area or even a restaurant that might have that type of music.



    Thanks!



    Jazz/Blues Clubs in Greensboro


    I will be in Greensboro on Feb. 14-17 and I was wondering if you found any live jazz/blus clubs? my email is kwilliams@occfiber.com





    Thanks



    Jazz/Blues Clubs in Greensboro


    There are quite a few places in the downtown area. Here%26#39;s one to start you on the way:





    www.thepresswinecafe.com/entertainment.html





    Allison King Duo (Acoustic)





    Feb 5th (Tuesday)





    Steve Willard (Acoustic)





    Feb 7th (Thursday)





    Michael Roberto Band (JAZZ)





    Feb 8th (Friday)





    Dave %26amp; Brooks (Acoustic)





    Feb 12th (Tuesday)





    Eddie Clayton (Acoustic)





    Feb 14th (Thursday)





    Joe Robinson (JAZZ)





    Feb 15th (Friday)





    Evan Olsen %26amp; Dana (Acoustic)





    Feb 19th (Tuesday)





    Jim Mayberry(Acoustic)





    The Press, A Wine Cafe



    301 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Greensboro, NC 27406



    Telephone: (336) 333-3190







    At The Press wine cafĂ©, our belief is that all people should have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the beauty and art that is WINE. In keeping with that philosophy, we offer one of Greensboro’s most diverse wine lists showcasing wines of all prices from many different locations and varietals. We strive to make wine both approachable and fun in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.





    We have three distinct seating areas – a lounge area with sofas and love seats, a dining area with a traditional Bistro feel and outdoor sidewalk seating. To further enhance the ambiance at The Press, we provide live jazz entertainment each week. In addition, we feature an assortment of local artists and their artwork, which includes paintings, photographs, sculptures and more.





    The Press also offers a revolving food menu to accompany our impressive wine list. The unique menu items can easily be paired with the vast selection of wine.




    If you feel up to driving 20 miles west on I-40 this is a must attend if you like blues:





    blessingsproject.org/08FEB%20GuyDavis.htm


  • chap balm
  • Raleigh and kids

    We%26#39;re planning a trip to Tampa in late March and have decided to drive back (we%26#39;re from NJ). We%26#39;re only staying a few days in Tampa and then plan to drive through/near Raleigh (via I-95)on the way back. We got a AAA tour book but have not found much that may be kid friendly.



    The kids are 9 mos, 4, and 6 - yes we%26#39;re insane. ; )



    Not looking for waterparks or anything like that as we%26#39;re getting our fill of that in Florida.



    Any ideas that wouldn%26#39;t be too boring for a kid? Thanks in advance.



    We%26#39;re also open to other areas around Raleigh - just not too far from I-95 as we%26#39;ll only be in for a day or so.



    Thanks all.



    Raleigh and kids


    The best activities for kids in the Raleigh area are:





    1. Museum of Life and Science in Durham



    2. NC Zoo in Asheboro



    3. Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh



    Raleigh and kids


    Marbles Children%26#39;s Museum in downtown Raleigh may be a good option for those age ranges. It%26#39;s one of those hands-on type of places, with activities and such.



    Also, there%26#39;s an IMAX theatre next door.




    The butterfly house at the Museum of Life %26amp; Science is a great option.





    Another suggestion is to get take out (Char-Grill burgers %26amp; shakes are a good option) and go to Pullen Park (in Raleigh near NC State University) for a picnic. They have a playground and a little train and paddle boats.





    This link has a couple of additional suggestions: essortment.com/travel/thingskidschil_tulf.htm




    Thank you all. Will check out these suggestions.




    Wilson is northeast of Raleigh, just off 95. My niece and nephew loved Imagination Station when they were young. Wilson is much smaller than Raleigh, but its a beautiful town. You might also want to check out Rocky Mount (north of Wilson) and Smithfield (south of Wilson), both on 95. Also, on the last Saturday of March (I think - I%26#39;ll check it out), Fremont has its Daffodil Festival. Fremont is a VERY SMALL town, but I%26#39;m pretty blown away by the number of people who attend every year and the number of activities for such a small town. (Fremont is east of Kenly which is on 95.) Also, south of Goldsboro there is Cliffs of the Neuse. My sister is a 3rd grade teacher and she takes her kids there every year and says they love it. Also, if you%26#39;ll be driving through during Easter vacation, there will be some Easter egg hunts in the area on Saturday and some on Sunday morning. Oh...and if you WILL be traveling during Easter, call the malls to see if the Easter Bunny will be there...it%26#39;s free! Also, to add to a previous response, not only is the IMAX in Raleigh great, but they have a museum next door (caters to children) which is sponsored by the same group. It has recently changed hands, apparently, but go to exploris.org and it will take you there. Chapel Hill is a little farther away from 95, but the Morehead Planetarium is there...and if you go to Chapel Hill, you can%26#39;t leave without eating at Mama Dipp%26#39;s (I graduated from Chapel Hill and I still have to take a road trip back a couple of times per year!) If you want another true ';taste'; of eastern North Carolina while you%26#39;re driving through on 95, stop at Parker%26#39;s Bar-B-Que on 301 in Wilson. The atmosphere is terrible! The price is ultra reasonable. The food is good and true to the area (It will probably be heavy on a NJ stomach, but just eat alot of bread sticks and hush puppies and you%26#39;ll enjoy it!.) The tea is the best you can drink, and you know you can%26#39;t leave NC without some sweet tea!. You%26#39;ll be seated in no time and you%26#39;ll get your hot food in 5 minutes! One last thing...if you want to take a side trip to the coast (less than 2 hours from 95), the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is great! There%26#39;s also alot of pirate ';stuff'; in Beaufort. And if you travel toward the coast, stop somewhere for our Calabash style seafood.

    Jerusalem Garden still open?

    I notice the Jerusalem Garden Cafe website is down. Is it still open?

    Jerusalem Garden still open?

    I%26#39;m pretty sure. I found a myspace for them w/ a listing of music events up until the end of January...

    Jerusalem Garden still open?

    Feb. 15, 2008 Yup. It is still open.

  • reptiles
  • Beach rentals

    Looking at 3 properties for feed back



    Queen III in Kitty Hawk



    Surf Sounds in Duck



    Serene Irene in Nags Head



    Beach rentals


    Mary754, what type of feed back are you looking for? Location, price, amenities, area, etc? What rental agencies are these properties managed by? Let the forum members know the answers to these questions so we can help you better. When are you thinking of traveling to the Outer Banks? I can recommend two online travel brochures for you to look at and find out where all of the atractions, etc are. Look at sunnydayguide.com and vgnet.com. Great coupons, too!





    Steve



    Beach rentals


    Location, price, amenities and the condition of the properties. Two of these properties are under Joe Lamb rentals and the other agency is Twiddy rentals.




    Mary754, I looked at Serene Irene on Joe Lamb Jrs website. Beautiful looking place, although we%26#39;ve never stayed in a condo. Great amenities and nice and close to the beach. Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills are the OBX%26#39;s most commercialized areas, so you%26#39;ll be able to find everything you want to see or do. Surf Sounds looks like a small house that%26#39;s too far from the beach for me. Plus, it%26#39;s only available in May and Sept. We%26#39;re a month of August renting family. Couldn%26#39;t find Queen III in either rental agencies website. You might want to repost your questions on the Outer Banks forum. You%26#39;ll get more responses.

    Corolla water

    Does anybody know anything about the water on Corolla? If the house description says ';county'; water....is that a good thing? Does the ';well'; water smell like sulpher?



    Corolla water


    County water would be the municipal water system. It has no odor. All homes in the area used to be on well systems and did carry a sulfur-like smell although it was perfectly safe to drink. If a house has switched over to the municipal system, it usually says so in its rental listing. Many people prefer to bring bottled water if they are staying in a home that is not on the ';county'; system.

    I Need The Perfect Answer!

    Beachfront



    Beach House ----



    Not crowded



    For a Couple %26amp; A Dot



    A Week in April



    I Need The Perfect Answer!


    What is a Dot?





    I Need The Perfect Answer!


    One can envision some large or small round dark thing accompanying djanna, perhaps three dimensional and carried sort of like a basketball, perhaps rolling along of its own volition. Or perhaps a dog.




    Wrightsville Beach.




    In April? Just pull out a map of the NC coast and point. You will find a beach that won%26#39;t be crowded then.



    Seriously there are so many beautiful beaches in NC...I assure you they are all nice. Some suggestions though are: Wrightsville, Holden, Topsail, Kure, Emerald Isle, Atlantic, or any village throught the OBX (Hatteras, Frisco, Buxton, Avon, Salvo, Waves, Rodanthe, NH, KH, KDH, Corolla, Duck.




    I%26#39;ll bet the DOT is a DOG




    Wrightsville Beach does not allow dogs on the beach from April 1 to September 30.





    Make sure your rental house, wherever it is, allows pets.

    Things to do near Topsail Island

    We%26#39;re possibly thinking of renting a home in the Topsail Island area and wondered what there is to do in the area. We%26#39;re used to Myrtle Beach and it%26#39;s many choices. Is there anything for kids? Shows of any kind? Anything close by?



    Thanks



    Ron



    Things to do near Topsail Island


    Topsail is much much more laid back than Myrtle Beach. There%26#39;s not too much to do on the island as far as shows or anything like that. There are mini-golf places, and fishing charters you can do. Most people vacation there just to enjoy the beach and relaxing.



    Things to do near Topsail Island


    I agree with the above post. My aunt and uncle bought a place there 20 years ago and while it has grown it still does not offer the extras that Myrtle Beach does. Personally I prefer Topsail to Myrtle Beach any day. There are some great restaurants. And the beach is much less crowded then Myrtle.




    The joy of Topsail beach (which is my favorite here in town) is that this beach is peaceful, yet still affordable unlike wrightsville beach. My advice would be to relax there and drive the 20 minutes into Wilmington to do all your shopping, eating, and hit up Jungle rapids on Oleander Dr. for the kids! They have a climbing wall, go karts, mini golf, and a water park. I would also reccomend going to downtown Wilmington to tour the waterfront, even in the evening its nice and has a great waterfront boardwalk to stroll with the kids, or tour the battleship downtown. Topsail has a sea turtle rescue place that u can tour on some days as well. Hope this helps!




    If you have young kids and they are used to going to Myrtle, they may be disappointed in Topsail. Topsail is a very nice beach but doesn%26#39;t offer much for kids at all. There are a few restaurants there, but a 30 minute drive to Wilmington has many more options.





    If you are going to the beach to be literally ON the beach itself, it%26#39;s a great place! But if you like a lot of options for children, Myrtle may be better.





    Personally, I go to Topsail on the boat almost every weekend in the summer. Water there is very clear and beautiful!




    There is nothing to do at Topsail but that is the attraction. South Topsail specifically is my favorite. The main thing to do for kids is to play on the beach.





    Nowhere around is like Myrtle Beach. If you want shows, minature golf, go karts, waterparks, chain restaurants, outlet malls, traffic, etc then stick to Myrtle. If you want something between crowded Myrtle and quiet Topsail look into Carolina Beach.


  • chap balm
  • 4th of July

    We have decided on a house. We cannot get into it until July 5th. We are planning on driving from Ohio to OBX on the 4th and check into a motel. Any suggestions on motels on the 4th. Are there fireworks? If so, where should we go to watch? Should we stay slightly away from the OBX on the 4th? Any ideas will be appreciated.



    4th of July


    Best advice: book now for the 4th of July. I went to OBX a few years ago for the 4th and didn%26#39;t book a room early enough so my husband and I got one of the last reservations at a local campground and camped for the night.



    Another problem is most hotels/motels have a 2 night min. for that weekend.



    There will be plenty of fireworks to be seen on the 4th!



    4th of July


    If there is a minimum you might even find a place along your way instead. And, yes, book asap. As I remember you have a large group?




    Yes, all of your advice is right on! A lot of the places I%26#39;ve looked at on the OBX require more than one night stay. Our large group will all be leaving at different times and probably staying at different places along the way. All of our cell phones are very busy on these ';family'; vacations. Thanks for all your help! Looking at forums and different web-sites are helping to warm these cold winter days and make the time until vacation go a little faster.