Emerald Isle Realty Beach Vacation Blogs

Down East Carteret County is home to one of the major wintering waterfowl areas on the east coast of the United States. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum will offer a day in the field to observe these birds. After a short indoor presentation, areas around the Museum will be explored to identify ducks and geese, as well as other waterfowl, and discuss issues involving these birds.

Birding classes begin on January 20.  There are only 15 openings per class so call today and reserve your spot at 252.728.1500.  This birding class is free of charge.

Michelle Voelpel

If you happened to walk the beach anytime since this March here on the island, you may have stumbled upon a wedding or two…or three…or more!  Weddings have become a popular sighting out on the sand from sunrise to sunset until the chilly wintry weather falls upon us.  As an avid beach walker, I’ve seen many productions in the works to make the perfect vision complete for brides galore.  From chairs, to benches, arbors, urns, huppahs, flags, plants, seashells and the list goes on, brides have definitely kicked it up a notch when planning their perfect Emerald Isle wedding.

Strolling seaside on day in September, I witnessed one wedding that really caught my eye.  From a distance, I could see the bride making her way down the boardwalk of a beach cottage somewhere near the 7300 block of the island.  I didn’t hear any music sailing my way through the ocean breeze, however, I did notice an unusual number of people standing at the altar alongside the priest and the groom-to-be.  I wondered to myself what kind of wedding this was and what the purpose of the two “extras” could be. 

Trying to be as nonchalant as possible, I stood off to the side just so I could get a bird’s eye view of the happenings as the service began.  Soon enough, my questions were answered as the groom’s translator began signing the words of the priest.  He would then respond accordingly and the translator would then speak the responses.  What a beautiful and unique wedding ceremony I thought to myself!  I’ve seen hundreds of weddings out on the sands of Emerald Isle, but this was the first I’d seen of it’s like.  I continued to observe through the vows, exchange of rings, and sand ceremony.  Everyone in the congregation watched on with teary eyes and bright smiles.  The flicker of cameras catching their expressions as they were pronounced man and wife could be heard in the distance.  I resumed my walk towards the Bogue Inlet Pier thinking…I can’t wait til next March!   

Heidi Barlow 

Haven’t planned your summer beach vacation yet?  Are gas prices keeping you from your long awaited beach trip?  Well, wait no longer!  We’ve got some helpful hints to help you get to the beautiful Crystal Coast AND save on gas.  So pack up the family, the beach bag and get ready for some barefoot fun!  Note:  Slowing down to island time can do wonders for your gas tank!       

General tips

The folks at Edmunds.com decided to test which gasoline-saving tips really work. They conducted their tests under real-world conditions. Here are the tips that they say will make a real difference in your gasoline mileage.

1. Take the pedal off the metal.

The Edmunds' test showed you can reduce your gas consumption by 31 to 37 percent simply by gently accelerating rather than gunning it. You can also save money by taking your foot off the accelerator as soon as you see a light ahead of you change.

2. Drive the speed limit or less.

Driving at slower speeds can save 12 to 14 percent in gas consumption. Allow a little more time to get to your destination. Not only will you reduce your stress, you'll save dollars at the pump as well.

3. Use your cruise control.

Humans don't accelerate or decelerate as smoothly as a computer does. Save 7 to 14 percent in gas consumption by using your cruise control whenever possible.

4. Leave your air conditioning on; it doesn't change your mileage.

5. Keep tire pressure at recommended levels.

According to Edmunds, tire pressure has little effect on gas mileage. Nevertheless, keeping your tires inflated at optimal levels increases safety and reduces wear. The cost of tires has increased dramatically because of the petroleum products used in their manufacture.

6. Avoid excessive idling.

It's common for people to leave their cars running when they're logging their mileage, waiting for someone to get in the car, or stopping for just a couple of minutes. Eliminating these behaviors can save you up to 19 percent in gas consumption. Bottom line, if you're going to stop for more than a minute, shut it down.

7. Combine multiple stops into one trip.

If you do your own errands, do them all in one trip. Hit the cleaners, the bank, the grocery store, post office, beauty salon, and gas station in a single trip.

If you want to take away the pain at the pump, implement these few simple changes for major savings.

Heidi Barlow