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2018 vacation planner refresher course - Cape Hatteras Motel

Vacation Refresher Course 2018

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The summer season is officially upon us here at Cape Hatteras Motel, and all along the Outer Banks. This is probably a good time for a “vacation refresher course” to make sure you make the most of your time with us, and your experience is the best it can be. I have covered all of this in previous blog posts, but here it is again. There is no doubt about it, an informed guest is a happier guest.

About a week or so before your vacation give us a call if you have any questions about your room type, dates of stay, etc. We do send out e-mail confirmations but sometimes those get lost in your inbox, so it never hurts to refresh your memory. Also — if you feel you might want to extend your stay or make any other changes, we are more likely to be able to accommodate your requests if you contact us in advance. We can also give you recommendations on restaurants, shops, day trips, surf fishing reports, etc. so that you can plan your stay. That’s all part of the fun!

Be patient when driving to your destination. Nearly everyone else on the roads is on vacation too. For some visitors, this is their first time on the island and there are a lot of distractions. Watch out for last minute turns. DO NOT pull into the sand shoulders unless you have four-wheel drive and you know it is permissible to do so. You don’t want to get stuck and it happens. A lot.  Mind the speed limits. In the villages on Hatteras Island they are 35 and even 25 in Buxton and Hatteras. You will get pulled if you speed. Fair warning.

Early check-ins and late check-outs are something many people desire. We try to accommodate those requests, but when it is very busy it may be impossible to do so as we have other guests coming in who want the same. It is very difficult to give someone a late-checkout and then another guest an early check-in to the same room!  We consider cleanliness to be sacred and it takes a while to clean a room well. We know in the end you’d take cleanliness over getting into a room a few hours earlier. If you drive overnight, you can park in our lot, have breakfast, and enjoy the beach and pool. We will try to get you in as quickly as possible.  When you do checkout please leave the keys in the drop box outside the office door (if you leave before we open), or come in and return the keys to us during regular business hours. This helps with the cleaning situation immensely, and it also gives you time to give us a little feedback.

The ocean is to be respected. No matter how good of a swimmer you are, the ocean will beat you. If there are rip current warnings, please heed them. If you have children with you, make sure they have on life preservers. Always watch them if you aren’t in the water with them.  If it is extremely rough, don’t go in. Take a walk, watch the waves from the beach or porch, or use the pool.  There are fish and crabs and shells in the ocean.  The beach is sandy. That’s what this island is all about.

The sun is intense through the summer. Please wear sunscreen and cover-up as needed. Re-apply as necessary. A bad sunburn has ruined many a vacation and can be dangerous. Don’t let that happen to you.

We generally have wind on the island. Rare are the days when we have no breeze at all. The breeze helps cool you on the beach, but it can get sandy at times. The prevailing winds in summer are from the southwest but cooling fronts can shift the wind to the north. You can see variations in the colors of the sound and sea depending on the wind direction. That’s something fun to watch, along with all of the clouds and other weather systems that move by. With our views you can learn a lot about weather patterns and get some great photos. Remember, we have sunrises and sunsets to enjoy!

And speaking of the weather, please don’t let it ruin your stay. We know that everyone wants days and days of blue skies and sunshine and no wind or rain, but we have weather here just like you do at home. It changes quickly and can be unseasonably warm/wet/hot/cool. Seasonal averages are just that — averages. Also — do not rely on any forecast more than three days out. It is just not valid. No matter what the weather,you are still at the ocean and it’s still a wonderful place to be. We do have a fairly long “rainy day list” of activities if you do hit a wet spell. Of course, when we are monitoring tropical systems, we will keep you informed of what’s happening and advise you on when and if you need to change your plans.

And one last note on weather. Please do not use the air conditioner and leave the doors or windows of your unit open at the same time. It wastes energy, pushes our electric bill sky high (which could impact future rates), and it contributes to condensation inside the room which sometimes makes that “musty” smell for the next guest.

If you encounter an issue — any issue — bring it to our attention — don’t tell us at check-out or write it up in a review after the fact when we can’t assist you. We will bend over backwards to remedy any issues you have while you are on the property. We care.  Your satisfaction matters. We take it personally as this is our property. That’s one big advantage of working with a Mom and Pop shop — Mom and Pop are here.

And one final thought. This island is not exactly like your home. It’s a remote island, rustic, and it’s not big city living. People either love this place or they find it is not to their liking because there isn’t enough to do for their lifestyle. It’s your hard earned money. Do you research and make sure Hatteras Island, or any part of the Outer Banks, is a good fit for you and your family. When there’s a match of expectation to reality, it’s a win/win, and everyone is happy.

We look forward to seeing you in the summer of 2018!

Sincerely,

Jan, Dave, Suzy, Ramy, Andy, Karen and the CHM Team

 

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Rusty's Restaurant Hungry for Hatteras - Cape Hatteras Motel

Hungry For Hatteras?

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We have to smile when guests ask us if there are any good seafood restaurants on the island. After all, not only are we a sport fishing capital, but also the island’s history is all about the fish!  Commercial fishing was, and is, a way of life for many, many islanders and their families. The lives and stories of the watermen are a rich part of our culture here.

But back to the original question about where to go for seafood when on vacation. Here are some things we tell our guests to help them locate the restaurant that will serve the food they want at the right price point. Truly, on Hatteras Island, the restaurants all serve good seafood.  It’s what they do. So it really is a matter of what you are looking for. Is it a special occasion?  There are a few white table cloth restaurants with bars and wine lists that are perfect for a birthday, anniversary, proposal, or any other special event.

Are you interested in a sunset?  While we do not have oceanfront dining on the island, soundside choices are plentiful and every sunset is beautiful in its own way. Are you traveling with small children? Several restaurants have kid-friendly menus and early dining allows families to get in and out quickly before the later crowds settle in.  Do you want to eat where the locals eat? Some of our year-round establishments are favorites with those of us who do enjoy eating out on the off-season. Do you yearn for fried fish, French fries, hush puppies and slaw? There are places that cater to real down home southern cooking without frills.

Some places are experimenting a bit more with their menus and offer seafood with global twists and fusion cuisines.  Always ask for the fresh, local catch. Shrimp and scallops are usually plentiful and softshell crabs in season are awesome. Oysters from our waters are usually harvested in the cooler months but can be enjoyed at other times of the year and they are wonderful. From light and flaky flounder to more hearty blue fish or meaty tuna, there all sorts of fish to try. Be bold and taste something you haven’t tried before. Fresh fish are amazingly flavorful and healthy and with all the preparations that local chefs utilize, you can enjoy something different all the time.

And of course we do realize that many people do not enjoy seafood or have allergies, so rest assured there are plenty of meat choices, increasing vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, to-die-for pizza places, and many, many restaurants serve homemade desserts.

One thing is for certain, you will not go hungry here on Hatteras Island. Bon apetit!

 

Photo from Rusty’s Surf & Turf

Locate Restaurants & Specials from Corolla to Hatteras on the Restaurant page of Outer Banks Events Calendar.

 

Big World On the Beach - Cape Hatteras

On the Beach – Out and About

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You’re all settled into your room and now the real vacation can begin! For first-time visitors to the ocean and the Outer Banks (and even for repeat visitors), the variety of things to do and places to visit can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to enjoy your visit to the fullest. Just please remember, the beach environment is unique and can bring you challenges you don’t deal with at home. Use a lot of common sense and heed all posted warnings of any kind related to beach access and use. We are surrounded by national park land and there are rules and guidelines to follow.

1.       No doubt you are anxious to see the beach and maybe you want to drive along the beach like you’ve seen them do in other places. First rule is: if you do not have a four-wheel drive vehicle, DON’T. Do not attempt to even pull off the side of the road as the shoulders are soft sand and you may very easily get stuck. A tow is not inexpensive, and we have seen this happen time and time again. You can rent a four wheel drive vehicle if you want to do some off-roading. Even if you have four wheel drive during the dryer summer months you will want to slack your tires. You do need an off-road permit which you can obtain at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Visitor’s Center. Be careful of the tides – we always post the tide times outside the office along with the weather forecast. An incoming tide can catch you off guard if you have taken a long beach walk. Also, beach ramp access changes regularly and due to bird and turtle nesting, some areas are off limits. Check access information regularly.

2.       Speaking of driving, the posted speed limit signs in the villages are for real – yes, that includes 25 mph in Buxton. Don’t ruin your vacation with a ticket. It’s vacation time – relax and just go slowly. Nothing here is going anywhere!

3.       Let’s spend a moment on the beach itself. When the sun is shining brightly, you need sunscreen – a good high number. When the day is partly cloudy with nice, billowing clouds, you need sunscreen – a good high number. And when the day is overcast with no sun, you need sunscreen – a good high number. Especially in the summer, but actually all year, the sun is intense and a bad burn is no way to spend a vacation.  Protect yourself! A beach umbrella is a fine investment!

4.       The ocean is amazingly beautiful but it is the ocean. Currents can be strong, waves can be rough, and the water clarity and temperature can vary. Never, ever swim alone.  Watch your children. Knowing how to swim in a pool is not a indicator of swimming ability in the ocean.  On really rough days, stay along the water’s edge and enjoy the magnificence of mother nature. If you want to swim at a guarded beach, there is one provided by the Park Service near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Of course, you can also enjoy our pool but the same rules apply – watch your children and don’t swim alone!

5.       There are fish, jelly fish and other creatures in the sea. 99.9% of the time you will not encounter a jelly but if you do, over the counter remedies will help ease the sting. If you see a lot of jellies on a particular day, you may want to simply stay out of the water or go to a different stretch of beach. The north beach and the south beach can vary tremendously on any given day, and the sound side can be different still. More and more people like the sound side especially if they have small children. The water is calmer and very shallow and often warmer.

6.       Beach fires are a vacation tradition. There are rules to follow. We have copies of the guidelines from the NPS in the office.

7.       Shelling is a wonderful past time here. We have found great shells at all times of the tide, although low tide does give you some advantages. The biggest rule of thumb is to get up early and be the first one out. If we have a day of stormy conditions, often shelling improves a bit on the day following as interesting things get churned up from the bottom and tossed on the shore. We can help you identify your shells, and if you haven’t found anything by the time you leave, check out our shell buckets for a treat to take home. All are OBX shells we collected during the winter months.

8.       Many people love to spend a day shelling and sightseeing in Ocracoke. We have ferry schedules in the office. Tip:  if you want to spend your day on Ocracoke and not in a line for a ferry plan to leave as early in the morning as you can. You will get there ahead of the crowds, have time to enjoy the beaches, catch a bite to eat and head home easily. The ferry lines are not where you want to spend your time.

9.       We love fishing – it’s what we are famous for along with the beautiful beaches. A license is required for surf fishing, which includes the beach at our motel. There is no license required at a pier. The nearest pier to us at CHM is in Avon about 7 miles away. There are tackle shops galore and plenty of fishermen and women who can give you advice on what’s biting and how to catch them. Talking to locals is truly your best bet for fishing information as they fish all year and have been fishing for many years. You can also rent charters for inshore or off shore fishing for a half day or a full day. There are also head boats (party boats) where your whole family can enjoy an outing. Check in at the harbors in Hatteras Village for information on any of these options. You can keep your catch in our freezer. Some of the local restaurants will prepare your catch for you if you bring it along.

10.   Speaking of restaurants, there are some fine choices here on Hatteras Island. We have restaurants serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at every price point from family casual to special event evenings out. We keep many menus in the office for your review, and since we have eaten at all of them we can give you some firsthand information. During the summer months, most restaurants open at 5pm and close by 9 pm for dinner.  A few places stay open after 9 if it is really busy. During the non-peak season, hours and closings vary widely so check in the office for who’s open and when.

As always, if you have questions on anything covered here, or something we missed, just stop by the office or call us ahead of your travels. We want you to have the best OBX vacation ever here with us at Cape Hatteras Motel.

Next up:  Checking Out and Heading Home