New bed!

OK, 15-year-old me would not have been excited about this. But 45 year-old property manager me is ECSTATIC! It was long overdue (especially to those of you who have stayed at OBP multiple times over the years) ... we have a new bed in the condo! See for yourself:

Also, we are happy to report that SunSkipper building B also features an outdoor grill and picnic table. (First come first served, of course.)

Want to get away? Go here to check availability. https://www.vrbo.com/263506

Pleasure Island to get beach re-nourishment

Not surprising, due to the path of Hurricane Florence, the beaches along Pleasure Island -- Carolina and Kure Beaches, respectively -- were significantly impacted. In fact, on our recent trip down to CB, we noticed that there is not a lot of beach remaining on the north end of the island as you approach Freeman Park.

There is good news, however. According to reports, beach re-nourishment will begin next month! Let's go to WECT:

“When Hurricane Florence came in, it changed the whole profile of the beach," Carolina Beach Mayor Joe Benson said. "Additional sound was lost and it delayed the bidding of the contract about a month.”

Benson said the Army Corp of Engineers was set to fund the project where the contract includes periodic nourishment every three years, but this project will also include additional repairs for sand lost after Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and Hurricane Florence last September.

Much of the damage to Carolina Beach after Florence occurred at the north end down Canal Drive where entire sand dunes were depleted.

“This project is much larger than the one in 2016," Benson said. "These projects are critically important to protect town infrastructure, public and private property, and the added benefit of drawing tourists and residents for recreational purposes.”

One aspect I would never of thought about is this: the beaches need to be re-nourished to help out the sea turtle population. Nesting season begins May 1.

Governor: Beaches are 'open for business'

It's been a couple months since Hurricane Florence roared across North Carolina (followed not too long after by Matthew). The beaches and inner banks took the brunt of the storm -- and it's been a methodical process to rebuild many of the areas. Thankfully, there has been some great progress made.

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper was along the coast recently, reassuring people that the beaches are "open for business."

“That means employees can get back to work, that puts money in their pockets, that means more tax money can come to the state,” said Cooper, according to WWAY TV.

The timing is great ... after all, people will be wanting to enjoy the coast once all this snow and cold weather goes away!

See ya later, frozen gator

By now you have probably seen this, but it speaks to just how cold it's been ... even in southeastern N.C.

A viral video of alligators frozen in an icy pond at North Carolina’s Shallotte River Swamp Park has been the talk of social media, with many people wondering whether coldblooded crocodilians can survive in brutally cold temperatures.

The video shows several alligator snouts sticking out of the park’s frozen pond – a deep freeze caused by a cold front that covered most of the Eastern United States last week.

Who's ready for warmer "beach" weather? I am. I'm ready for this:

{Full disclosure: That photo at the top is from about seven years ago.}

This warmer weather makes me think of beach music

Hey, y'all, it's getting warmer! It will soon be time to hit the beach again! All this talking about the beach has me thinking also about beach music. We even created a beach music playlist on Spotify for your enjoyment.

So be sure to start thinking about when you'd like to get down to Carolina Beach. After all, some say that's where the Shag was created.

In the meantime, maybe this can hold you over:

The perfect weekend getaway

My lovely wife and I recently had the opportunity to get away JUST THE TWO OF US for our 15th anniversary. We decided to enjoy what Carolina Beach has to offer. In all honesty, it was an opportunity to take advantage of the area like we normally can't with kids in tow. And it was so much fun.

After getting settled into Our Beach Place Friday evening, we hit the Flaming Amy's Carolina Beach location. We've seen the "Eat at Flaming Amy's" bumper stickers for years, but have never been to one. It was amazing. I had the Buffalo Shrimp Po Boy burrito, which was unbelievable. And it's hard to beat their salsa bar.

After dinner, we walked from our condo toward the boardwalk area of CB. Again, this is something we had probably deemed as too ambitious with children, but it was actually a very pleasant mile-walk along the beach. After meandering around the boardwalk activity, we sunk into some chair outside at the Fat Pelican -- a dive bar in every sense of the word.

On Saturday, we walked back to the boardwalk in hopes of beating the early-morning Britt's Donuts crowd. No such luck. But you know what? We didn't mind -- we had all day and it was nice to meet people while we waited about 40 minutes for the doughy goodness. The wait was well worth it.

The bulk of the rest of Saturday was spent lounging on the (spacious) beach. A cool, stiff breeze kept things very pleasant.  For dinner, we hit the Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar -- and were able to sit on the pier this time around. (Again, because of being sans kids.)  My wife had a crabcake sandwich and I had fried shrimp -- all washed down with great drinks. We even saw an ocean rescued and a wedding from the pier!

Finally, before leaving on Sunday, we had our second donut experience of the weekend at Wake and Bake. I got a turtle-flavored donut, while my wife got a peanut butter one. WOW, were they good. And the donuts are so different from Britt's that I don't even feel like I'm cheating.

All in all, it was a fantastic, relaxing and enjoyable weekend in Carolina Beach.

It's getting closer and closer to shorts weather!

Hey, folks, Spring is finally here! Which means we are getting closer to Summer! I don't know about you, but I am ready for the warm weather. And so are these cuties! (Full disclosure: They are my kids.)

The calendar is already filling up over at Our Beach Place. Check the calendar if you are interested in reserving some time in beautiful Carolina Beach.

The sharks of N.C.

Worried about getting into the ocean? That's understandable these days; however, you are probably more likely to be injured or killed in a thousand different ways than by an attack from "Jaws." But it's still good to know what's swimmin' around with you out in the Big Blue. So, thanks to the Star-News in Wilmington, you can now identify the sharks that call North Carolina's waters home. View the full slideshow here.

Not surprising, the coolest looking one is the hammerhead. (Photo by Barry Peters)

New sand renourishes my soul

It's hard to have fun at the beach if there is no beach. And you can't really have a beach without sand. (Heck, you couldn't even call it "the beach" if there's nowhere to put your feet, your cooler or your umbrella. It would just be "the ocean!") 

We knew when we first bought Our Beach Place that the closest section of beach was, eh, sparse at high tide. But we didn't care so much to not get it. Well, within the past year, a beach renourishment project took place, and the difference is night and day. Whereas before the ocean water came up to the rocks that line the dunes at high tide, now I don't think I've ever seen more beach on the North Carolina coast. It's remarkable. 

Well, more good news (and sand) is on the way as Congress announced it will continue to fund federal renourishment aid to Carolina Beach, according to WWAY. This is GREAT news.

Carolina Beach's 50-year renourishment project was set to expire this year. That left the possibility of finding a way to use state and local funds only to pay for the multi-million-dollar sand replenishment projects. Instead, the WRRDA authorizes a three-year extension of coastal storm damage projects scheduled to expire in the next five years, including Carolina Beach. It also creates a process by which successful projects can be extended by up to 15 years with the help of federal funds.

Look for increased police presence this summer at Freeman Park

Freeman Park is, by most accounts, a true asset to citizens and visitors to  Carolina Beach. With its wide expanse of beach and vehicle access, it's a very popular spot. But some changes are in the works, according to WECT.

Visitors should expect a more pronounced police presence at the park this summer. In fact, the presence will double, according to a memo by Town Manager Michael Cramer.

Also:

A Hatteras ramp designed to decrease any traffic backups at the entrance to the park is scheduled to be completed by the end of April. Additional trash and recycling receptacles are also planned for the park this summer.

Good Hops: CB getting into the craft brewing game

The Atlantic Cities recently asked, "Has Craft Beer Finally Gone Too Far?" The answer is, well, probably. (Click the link and take the ridiculous quiz if you think otherwise.) However, that's not to say that we're not jazzed to see that folks in Carolina Beach will soon get to enjoy all that craft beer has to offer.

Just this week, Good Hops Brewery received zoning approval to open near Dow Road and Harper Avenue in CB, according to the Triangle Business Journal. According to the TBJ, while Wilmington already boasts craft beer opportunities, this will be the first such location on Paradise Island.

No more 2- or 3-day passes for Freeman Park

WECT recently reported that there will no longer be available two- or three-day passes for accessing Freeman Park via vehicle. 

For the entire month of December, a season pass will be sold for $60 but must be purchased in person at Town Hall, Parks and Recreation Center, Island Tackle and Hardware, Canal Drive Scotchman and Brew Thru. 

The regular price of an annual pas swill remain at $100. 

Council members also voted unanimously to allow a daily pass for $20 and weekly pass for $50.

Boardwalk news, y'all

There are some nifty plans to revitalize the Carolina Beach boardwalk -- a boardwalk with national acclaim.

CB town officials recently hosted an informational meeting to talk about plans for a $1.5 million renovation.

Now, town leaders are trying to determine how to use the $1.1 million they have in grant money from various different agencies, according to WECT.

Lewis says they've received a lot of help from volunteers, but they want more public input for the final stages of the project before construction begins.

"Our general public here and the residents here are taking ownership," said Lewis. "It adds a little pride to all of us when we get involved so we're looking to get as many people as we can to make this happen."

In other boardwalk news, Labor Day was probably good for biz.

A great, old view of CB -- 'The South's Miracle Beach'

Tip of the hat to the good folks over at Goodnight, Raleigh! for this one. It's an old linen postcard of Carolina Beach -- at night.

An alligator and an 'awesome' boardwalk

Carolina Beach is such a wonderful place that it is loved by human travelers -- and reptilian travelers, apparently.

Jeremy Kelly was enjoying the beach on Sunday and spotted something, uh, interesting in the surf.

A gator.

"Kelly was even able to snap a picture of it, before police and wildlife officers moved the reptile," according to WWAY.

"No word on how the reptile got there, or where it was taken and released."

Of course, this is not that uncommon as alligators can be found in the Cape Fear River region. And there have been gators spotted at Carolina Beach Lake Park. (There are even signs warning people about gators.)

In other "awesome" news, Carolina Beach has been named one of "America's Most Awesome Boardwalks," according to Tuesday's episode of Today. Click here for the complete list.

"Appropriately located on Pleasure Island, Carolina Beach specializes in making you forget your cares," the report reads.

The Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade in Myrtle Beach also made the list, citing the area's history, charm and hospitality, according to WECT.

Some of the other boardwalks on the list include: Atlantic City, Ocean City, and Disney World. 

(Alligator photo courtesy of Jeremy Kelly via WWAY.)

Freeman Park: the ugly and the beautiful

Freeman Park was apparently the site of a bacchanalian-like Memorial Day weekend in Carolina Beach. Loud parties, litter, debauchery, etc. It's not surprising then to read that some changes may be coming to the park, according to WECT.

Several hours and trash bags later, leaders in Carolina Beach are ready to consider some changes to Freeman Park at the north end of Pleasure Island.

Volunteers joined most of Carolina Beach Town Council Monday afternoon to comb the beach for loose debris and trash left by campers from the Memorial Day weekend.

Councilman Steve Shuttleworth said what he witnessed Monday was not as bad as the messes he saw early Sunday morning, which prompted the cleanup tour.

"We just want Freeman Park to be a positive experience for everyone," he said.
...

More trash cans, some recycle bins and an ash disposal area for what's left of campfires are just a few of the suggestions before council. Lewis said there's also the possibility of stepping up enforcement during busy holiday weekends with part-time beach monitors.

"If people are leaving stuff here, maybe they should get a summons in the mail," he said.

Jan Weissbeck, who helped in the cleanup effort, said the town has a moral obligation to keep everyone safe on the island. She said she's worried about the good times going too far at Freeman Park and spilling into the nearby neighborhoods

"I hear a lot of screaming all through the night, and I hate to think that people are leaving this park in that obviously intoxicated state of mind," said Weissbeck.

In *better* Freeman  Park news, a seal enjoyed some time along the beach there recently. Let's all "ooh" and "ahh" over this rare visitor.



Enjoy the seal (via YouTube).

CB getting renourished -- in a jiffy!

The beach renourishment project in Carolina Beach is finally underway. The bad news is there may be some ugly, broken-up beaches with pipes and equipment all over for a bit. The good news is it is scheduled to all be over by May 31, according to WECT, so it won't be THAT long.

The even BETTER news is when it's completed, there should be wider beaches for all to enjoy. (And there was much rejoicing.)

Let's go to the TV station's report:

Contractors will add 900,000 cubic yards of sand to the stretch of beach from the pier to the boardwalk area. They're moving at an estimated pace of 1,000 feet down the sand, according to Project Manager Bob Keistler.
He said the 24/7 work schedule should keep beachgoers from being discouraged, because crews won't be in one area too long.
"Once they finish placing the beach in one area, folks are able to swim, surf, and do whatever but they're will be a big pipe there," said Keistler.
The project needed special permits because of its late start, as it is currently turtle season.
Regulating agencies approved the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project to be the designated group to monitor the work's effect on turtles.
Doug Piatkowski, a biologist with the Corps, said crews have several options if they ever encounter a turtle -- they can relocate the turtle, work around it or completely stop the process until it is safe to begin again.

Oh, happy days!

This is really good news:

Mark your calendars and get ready to boogie - the 28th Carolina Beach Music Festival is right around the corner! Held on Saturday, June 1st from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm right on the beach in beautiful Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

But this is even BETTER news!

 It's official! Construction work on the Snow's Cut Bridge is finished for the rest of summer.
Crews finished work on the southbound lanes Thursday, a day earlier than they planned.
DOT crews have been working on the southbound lanes of the bridge since November. Lanes will be open for the rest of the summer, but the work isn't complete.
After the summer months crews will begin to work on the northbound lanes in the fall on October 1.

A community pool is nice and all, but you can just use ours

The town of Carolina Beach is *this close* to having a community swimming pool -- which we are all for.

Let's go to WWAY!

Town Council voted Tuesday night to approve the community pool pending it fitting into the town’s annual budget.
Most of the people that attended Tuesday night’s meeting seemed excited about the idea moving forward but not everyone thought it was in the town’s best interest.
...“It's a need at this point,” said John Pellizzari, Ashley High School’s swim coach.Pellizzari says the facilities in the county are over used and having a controlled environment to teach kids to swim would be beneficial to the community.
"It's nice to have the ocean but you can't control the ocean. In a pool environment, you can control the pool environment. You can see, you can teach, you can walk you can stand," said Pellizzari.
Town Council voted 5-0 in favor of moving forward with the next step of planning for a community pool. They will now crunch numbers and see if a pool fits in with the budget.
...Mayor Bob Lewis says it will be months before the town officially decides whether they will build the pool.

Again, community amenities like this? I'm all for it. But just know that if you stay at Our Beach Place, especially in the warm months, we got a pool.

CB leaders discuss expanding the boardwalk - BOARD-WALK!*

*Yes, that's a nod to "Under the Boardwalk." 

Not sure what the outcome was (the meeting was last night), but Carolina Beach leaders were scheduled to discuss a possible boardwalk expansion, according to WECT.

Anybody want to give an update?

Mayor Bob Lewis wants town council members to consider using $2,500 to draw up plans that could double the size of the existing boardwalk.  

"My concept would be to have multi-layered types of decking," said Lewis.  "Maybe a children's area where we might build a wooden pirate ship and play area for children.  This might be a feature that brings year round visitors." 

Lewis says the plan would not use tax payer dollars.  Instead, the town wants to use $1.2 million of leftover grant money from the NC Aquarium Pier Project, which was never built.  The town would first have to get clearance from state legislators.  

Lewis is confident that if plans are drawn first, then the town can get private investors on board in addition to using state grant money. 

"The idea here is, can we replace it with something that is really spectacular and can be a focal point in the community," said Lewis.