The Crystal Coast Blog

Come Early to Avoid the Rush

For those who have never visited Emerald Isle and the Southern Outer Banks, if you’re planning a trip to the Crystal Coast you must make it a point to dine at RuckeRJohns in Emerald Isle in the Emerald Plantation Shopping Center. Those who come to Emerald Isle know you must arrive early to avoid a lengthy wait (high season Friday & Saturday supper wait times can exceed 1.5 hours).

Meal Was More Like Sunday Dinner with the Family

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These Buoys Will Make You Happy!

No doubt, you have seen those brightly painted chains of buoys strung on numerous decks and porches on the Crystal Coast. We stopped by the home of Sue Frost the other day and had to take a look at her incredible collection of colorful hand painted buoys. Sue and her husband are the creative geniuses behind Porch Buoys by Sue and their business is located across from the Crab Shack on Salter Path Road (Hiway 58) in Salter Path.

A Wide Assortment

Offering various lengths of buoys, these beautiful works of Crystal Coast art will brighten your deck, porch or any area of your home. For more information on Porch Buoys by Sue, give her a call at 252-247-6726 or email at sales@porchbuoys.com. Sue ask you allow 10 business days for delivery. Be sure to contact Sue with any questions or special orders.

Porch Buoys by Sue Pricing Guide

1. 3 Buoys and two spacers $36.00

2. 5 Buoys and four spacers $62.00

3. 7 Buoys and six spacers $83.00

You must add $12.OO for shipping and handling.

Support of Local Crystal Coast Artist

We offer this information without compensation and trust you will support the local artist in the Carteret County area.

Until my next post,

Bobby

Bowling Comes to the Crystal Coast

During a recent visit to the Golfin Dolphin in Cape Carteret, I spoke with Assistant Manager Tiffany Chavez. Tiffany stated Mac Daddy’s Bowling is scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend. Mac Daddy’s is a complete 24-lane bowling facility with a sports bar and grill, arcade and conference rooms. Now you have one more choice for fun things to do on the Crystal Coast.

Spring Hours at Golfin Dolphin

Tiffany also stated their new spring hours are in “full-swing” at the Golfin Dolphin. Weekday hours are 9:30am to 7:00pm and weekend hours are 9:00am until 7:00pm.

Once Mac Daddy’s is open, we will provide more information and photos too!

Helping you have more fun on the Crystal Coast,

Bobby

North Carolina Coastal Fishing Pier Update

If you have read my recent post, you can tell I find it disturbing that parts of our coastal heritage are disappearing right in front of our eyes. One only has to look back at these special places that are no longer on the Crystal Coast for us to enjoy. No longer can you take your son or daughter to fish off Crystal Coast fishing piers like the Triple S Pier torn down in late March 2008 or the Iron Steamer Pier torn down in early 2005 to make room for ten single-family beach homes.

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Memories in the Thickets

About twenty years ago I took my son Brad and his friend David on a camping trip to the Salter Path Campgrounds for his birthday. Hidden among the thickets of this Bogue Banks maritime forest, we pitched horseshoes during the day, and ate roasted marshmellows and told ghost stories by the flickering campfire in the evening. Camping was (and still is) awesome fun, affordable and a great way to bond with my son. At the Salter Path Family Camp Grounds, we made memories that will last a lifetime.

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For good food and quick service, it’s tough to beat Jordan’s Seafood Restaurant in Emerald Isle. On this particular Thursday afternoon (4-10), the lunch business had slowed a bit. This allowed our waitress, Shelley Gray, to provide excellent service. My wife and I each had the regular portion fried flounder along with side salad and vegetable. Our fish was perfectly fried and the green beans were tasty.

Portions to Suit Each Appetite

Normally, adults with average appetites will be satisfied with Jordan’s senior portions. If you wish to eat light, you might want to go with the child’s portion. With plenty of yummy hush puppies, you will come away satisfied.

Great Service!

Shelley was johnny-on-the-spot with the tea pitcher never leaving me with an empty glass. Kudos to you! All in all, lunch was tasty and the service outstanding! If you’re looking for consistent quality food and service, you can’t go wrong at Jordan’s! It’s one of our favorite restaurants on the Crystal Coast.

Your Feedback?

Have you eaten at Jordan’s Seafood lately? If so, tell us about your experience.

Until my next post,

Bobby

P.S. As usual, we offer our restaurant review without compensation from this establishment.

Earlier today, I posted this question on a local Triangle blog (now published) and thought I would give you the opportunity to answer this question too – so will $4 a gallon gas prevent you from driving to the Southern Outer Banks for your vacation this summer? Many economic prognosticators predict gas prices will eclipse the $4 a gallon mark by the July 4th holiday. So where is your ultimate pain threshold for gas prices when considering a driving vacation? One only has to take a look at the license plates of Crystal Coast tourist to see this area attracts families from distant states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. What impact will $4 a gallon gas have on these travelers?

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Just like the current national financial market and the declining Crystal Coast real estate market are combining to suppress home and condo sales on the Bogue Banks, the same can be said for the home improvement business. Many Emerald Isle, Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach and Atlantic Beach property owners are electing to ride-out the less than favorable real estate market. With more Crystal Coast homeowners deciding to stay put, no doubt now might be the perfect time to consider fix-ups and improvements that will increase the value of your Crystal Coast home and make living there more comfortable and pleasurable too. The fact that the remodel business is sluggish as well will help make the home improvement market a better value for consumers is another factor to keep in mind. All the more reason to consider these high-return home improvement projects:

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If you have read a few of my previous post, you already know boating on the Crystal Coast is such a wonderful experience and great family fun. Of course, being prepared on the water, using common sense and remembering to be safe are keys to having a large time whether your in the Ocean or cruising along the Intracoastal Waterway. If you long for the open water or maybe desire a different vacation setting on the Crystal Coast, you might be ready for a vacation aboard your private houseboat. The folks at Outer Banks Houseboats offer either a 35′ 2003 Vagabond houseboat that sleeps 6 people or a 46′ 2004 model Luxury Aquacruiser that sleeps 10 people comfortably. Each houseboat rental comes with a 21′ Carolina Skiff.

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Protecting Your Beach Baby From the Elements

Perhaps you’re one of those people who book their Crystal Coast beach vacation a year in advance and find a year later that you have a new family addition to bring along to the beach. Or perhaps you just love the ocean and don’t want to forgo your annual trip to the beach because of your new baby. Whatever the case, taking a baby to the beaches of the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina is easier now than ever before.

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