Welcome to Emerald Isle
Welcome to Emerald Isle
Your First Breath of Salt Air
WELCOME TO EMERALD ISLE.
If you have traveled over the Emerald Isle Bridge you are here! You made it to your vacation on Emerald Isle and like you have discovered from vacations in years passed, crossing the bridge into Emerald Isle awakens the soul! All your cares and troubles blow right out the window. Memories come flooding into your mind as you reminisce of childhood days at the beach with your family and friends. Collecting shells, swimming in the warm wading pools on the beach at low tide, making sandcastles and discovering the small sea life along the waters edge; All of this rushes into your mind like the rising of the tides. Maybe you were married here or plan to marry on this magnificent stretch of beach, because like those who have been here before they know how the ocean has a special magic that draws us to it, whether it is to enjoy the calm and beauty of a coastal sunset or the adventure of kiteboarding it calls to us.
Allow us to welcome you back to the beach! Whether you’re coming back for a little R and R, bringing your family here for the first time, or if you return year after year; we welcome you! With so much to do and see we hope you live it to the fullest. Unplug, unwind and enjoy! Get a little sun, learn about our history, try a local restaurant. This area has some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Some of us have been here for generations others are transplants but we have one thing in common, our love for the ocean.
Tips for a Stress Free Move
/in Real Estate /by Amanda GrayMoving can be challenging and stressful, at best. It can be difficult to remember everything that you need to do during this life-changing event. Here are some useful tips for a stress free move.
Preparation
Write down the names and numbers of utility companies and make the transfers. Give yourself at least a week, as many utility companies can’t transfer service the next day. Change your address with the postal service at least a week in advance.
Finding Packing Supplies
Boxes can be expensive. Check with your local retailers, ABC stores and furniture stores. When you’re finished unpacking, advertise the free boxes on Craigslist so you won’t have to dispose of them.
Packing
The First Night
Pack one overnight bag or box with the bare necessities you’ll need for the first night. Chances are that you’ll be too tired to search for these items after the big move.
Do you have any moving tips to share? Please let us know in the comments below.
Finding Your Match
/in Real Estate /by Amanda GrayFinding your match isn’t easy. Choosing an agent that works well with you and your home search or sells is an important task. You will be spending a lot of time with your real estate agent and there are things you need to know before committing to a annual relationship. Click the image below to watch a quick 2-minute video on what you need to know about your perfect agent hunt.
What to ask:
What to have Ready:
Fly Free in NC
/in Vacation Rental /by Amanda GrayFly Free in NC
– Clarissa G., marketing coordinator
Wright Brothers’s Glider Test Flight in 1902
Photo by OuterBanks.org
North Carolina is the perfect place to take flight. In 1903, the Wright Brothers took off from the sandy height of the dune at Jockey’s Ridge in Kitty Hawk in what is considered (unless you’re from Dayton, Ohio) to be the first powered flight. Two military bases and an air field just moments from the coast keep aviation in the forefront of our minds (and EARS!). Flying is a thrill that many people love. Me personally, I don’t find planes enjoyable. I’m not a terribly social person, and I don’t enjoy crowded spaces, so that probably explains my aversion to commercial flight.
This is not fun for someone with social anxiety. Or anyone else, for that matter!
Pelicans, gulls, even an egret or sandpiper. Of course all birds get to experience the view from above – but to be a sea bird must be a wonderful thing. They get to have all 3 – land, air and water. The sights they must see from above – watching the waves roll in from far out to sea and up over the sand; tiny little specks of people frolicking on the beach – HERE is where they are carefully concentrated, hoping someone will kindly toss a chip or piece of bread into the air; watching whales, dolphins and large schools of fish make their way through the salty waters.
Fly Free in NC
If I could childishly pick “anything” to be for a day, I think I would be a pelican. I love watching them soar through the air in a pack. Sometimes it’s they’re so close overhead that it feels like I could reach up and touch them. When they’re cruising out over the water and see something tasty, they swoop up and then dive bomb down into the water. They hunt and fish in packs, as well. Sometimes if there is a good school running you’ll see them diving in pairs and then floating while they enjoy their catch.
Check out this GoPro video by YouTuber “hkstrongside” of a pelican diving for food right in front of him. He got the full underwater shot, too! Note: If you have nothing pressing to do, check out the “Pelican Learns to Fly” and “Pelican Learns to Fish” clips, too. Pelican’s eye view and the most snuggly pelican ever. Seriously, his name is Big Bird and he loves his people.
Given all of this birdy background, you can imagine that when we decided to get footage for our website with a drone I was completely excited. I love that drone footage is becoming so popular. I love that we get to see what these guys have seen forever – the world from the air – so easily. In the past, we got aerial photos every few years in order to create the aerial maps you see linked to each property. That was really neat to see because some parts of the island look so different from above, and there are some parts you wouldn’t get to see any other way. But the drone footage took that to a whole other level and gave us sweeping views from the air of the coastline sweeping down from the dunes, the waves filing in to meet the sand and how majestic the line of houses looks from out over the water. Watching that type of drone footage is probably about as close as I’ll ever get to knowing what the pelicans and gulls see every day. And you know what? I think those guys have it pretty good, if it’s even half as breathtaking as this footage is. Check out what we did with the footage!
Live Music Returns to The AB Circle
/in Vacation Rental /by Amanda GrayLive Music Returns to The AB Circle
3rd Annual Beach Music Festival and 1st Annual Crystal Coast Music Festival
The Atlantic Beach Circle was known for its live music for decades. The Pavilion in between 1957-1995, Chevyz in the 70’s-80’s, Jolly Knave, Lisa’s, and Big Surf to name a few. All these establishments brought the jam! So many musical acts have performed at these spots that we call ‘The Circle’. Some were coastal favorites others national and international musicians that graced this small coastal town with reggae, shag, rock to heavy metal. As I explored the Facebook page that immortalize these places; by sharing photos of the glory days on the circle; I realized the huge impact it had on past generations. The sunny days spent on the sand; dancing and socializing were the norm. For many years the Circle was silent during a period of redevelopment. All things come to an end then begin again! The Circle has begun to welcome back the crowds of new beach goers. This year we welcome back the 3rd Annual AB Beach Music Festival and the 1st (and hopefully not last) Annual Crystal Coast Music Festival to the sands of our coast!
The AB Beach Music festival brought the music back to AB in 2014, drawing huge crowds for its 1st annual event! Returning for its 3rd year, May 21st from 11am-6pm on the boardwalk at the Circle, 105 Atlantic Blvd. Admission is free to the public but pets and glass containers are prohibited. People returned to the circle to reminisce of days gone by. Due to the tremendous success of this event, The AB Beach Music festival will return this year with such acts as crowd favorites Holiday Band and Band of Oz.
Featuring
Emcee John Moore | Holiday Band | Band of Oz | Fantastic Shakers | Mighty Saints of Soul
This year the Circle will host the Crystal Coast Music Festival, offering popular 90’s pop rock band Third-Eye Blind along with up and coming Robert Delong an LA based performer. Judah & The Lion an American folk band from Nashville and opening act Amasa Hines which infuses a diverse range of Soul, Afro-Beat, Psychedelic, Blues and Indie Rock. If you’re interested in listening to bands, search them on YouTube and give a listen. (I was pleasantly surprised by Amasa Hines! I could totally see myself at this event.) Sales have began through Ticketmaster or by phone at 800-745-3000 with gates opening at 3pm. Advance admission ticket price is$18 with upgrade VIP tickets available for $75 (This includes preferred entry, viewing area, exclusive cash bar and restrooms) Day-of General Admission goes to $23. If you want more information go to their website to see more. www.crystalcoastmusicfest.org
75th Airshow
/in Vacation Rental /by Amanda Gray75th Airshow at Cherry Point MCAS in Havelock, NC
Though it was a bit colder than expected, my husband and two nieces were determined to enjoy the 75th airshow this year. Derrick (husband) is an aircraft engineer at the base the show was held at and becomes a little boy anytime he even mentioned going, seeing or meeting some of the Blue Angel pilots.
The clouds did not deter the awesomness that is the V22 Raptor. You could not even imagine how loud this aircraft was. I kid you not, my heart re-adjusted itself to beat with the sound waves. The Blue Angels only come through the air station every other year and put on a show for the entire community. And may I add that it is FREE! It’s a nice way to promote awareness of the programs and machinery our tax dollars are funding.
Just in case you hadn’t seen enough