A Long Love Affair

I love Southern Shores!  I was a young girl the first time I saw the beach at Sea Crest Village. It was the late 1950’s and we were almost the only family here!!  My father's friend had a home on Third Avenue where our family of 8, plus the dog, stayed for a week.  No air conditioning, but who noticed!  There was a sleeping porch that caught the ocean breeze and hundreds of frogs in the pond croaking all night. It was heaven!  We played with the dolphins, collected big conch shells, swam in the warm water and rode our bikes all over the Outer Banks.  This was many years before there even was a Corolla!  No phones, TV or even radio then.  Just a portable record player with vinyl that drove our parents nuts!!  In 1971, my parents built their own beach house on Third Avenue where every year the whole family gathered from all over the country. Although I moved to Los Angeles, my son learned to swim in the Atlantic ocean!  He always preferred the beach here.  Today he brings his science students each year for their marine biology field trip all the way from Cleveland.  And his 4 year old daughter Lucinda shares our love for our Southern Shores beach. They visit at least four times a year!  My parents sold that beach house when they moved to a year around residence on Sea Oats Trail.  They retired here from the Washington DC area, remaining in Southern Shores until their deaths in 1992 and 2009.  My father, who died last February, refused to leave Southern Shores, even when his eyesight failed and he had to climb 14 steps everyday to get in and out of the house.  His passion for his home brought me here as a full time resident 2000 and I will be forever grateful that he needed me.  What started as a holiday in 1958 became a way of life for my parents, my son and me.  Southern Shores has a way of embracing you, keeping you safe and happy.  It is my hope that other people who visit here will be able to transform their vacation into their own permanent paradise.

Special Reduction - Whalehead Beach Lot Ready To Build - Walk To Beach!

Great price for the incredible value you receive.

$399,000  -   MLS 62070    -  1035 Corolla Dr Corolla NC   -  1035CorollaDrive.CorollaLifestyle.com

This is a level lot ready for construction to begin in beautiful Whalehead Club, an extremely popular vacation destination in Corolla NC. This home site is surrounded by large, custom built beach homes that are either 2nd homes or investment properties in successful seasonal rental programs. All preliminary pre-construction work is finished. Water permit paid, lot filled, custom designed septic approved and electrical installed. We even have plans with permits available for you to use. This is a large lot in one of the loveliest, upscale areas of the Outer Banks. And it is in an X Flood! Come Build Your Dream Home!!

Re-Branding The Outer Banks

One topic at our Realtor Association meeting last week was branding our community. As many know, the Outer Banks has been known as "Fishermen's Paradise" for generations. And our beaches are known as some of the best in the country. However, with the onslaught of the "Consent Decree" beach closings and increased fishing regulations, our Paradise is less about fishing & beaching each year! As one who loves casual bike riding, I think our community could be an ideal destination for others who cycle, either casually or seriously. What can we do to bring this sport into our brand? How about contiguous bike routes from Hatteras to Corolla? Some paths could be along the roads and some closer to the ocean and/or sound. We already have the most important ingredient for success, an unparalleled environment compatible with this sport for 8 months out of the year. It does not depend on "beach weather", would extend our season and expand our visitor demographic. Let's start a discussion around this topic beginning with cycling and moving on from there. What do you think?

Why I Resigned From The Defenders Of Wildlife

I have resigned my membership in the Defenders of Wildlife, an organization whose efforts to save wolves from vicious aerial shooting I have supported for over a decade. Those who know me are aware of my love for all animals. But I believe their misguided participation in the beach closings on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore "consent decree" has damaged our culture, our economy and our wildlife. Over the 4th of July weekend, 67% of the beaches along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore had no access. The next weekend the number rose to 70%. After the first full year of the "consent decree" results are down for the oystercatcher and the piping plover. Cape Point, our prized surf fishing destination, inaccessible! For generations this environment has been treated with love and respect by its' inhabitants whose very lives depend upon the welfare of the birds, fish, turtles and land. Removing the stewardship of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore from those who care for it the most is unreasonable and shortsighted. The proof is in the damage done to the wildlife as well as the community's economy in just 12 months. Please join me in supporting bills moving through the US House of Representatives and the Senate that would restore the authority of the National Park Service to preserve the beach access to the seashore. They are H.R. 718 and S. 1557. Spread the word; call your congressman and senators. Please do whatever you can to help that future generations will have the opportunity to marvel in the wonder that is the Outer Banks! Help us Preserve and Protect, Not Prohibit. Go to Outer Banks Preservation Association.

Why I Live and Work on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

My name is Morgan Mason and I am a real estate broker living and working on the Outer Banks of NC.

I asked myself why did choose to live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina? There are very many reasons, but here are my top five:

1. Like many people, I have wonderful memories of spending childhood vacations here on the Outer Banks. I remember spending hours at the beach with my family. Those same beautiful beaches are still here, still pristine, and I can enjoy them now any time I want. I lost my Dad recently and I find myself walking on the beach sometimes just to remember him and to let the sound of the waves help me to heal. I have been told that the cure for most anything is salt water---sweat, tears, or the sea. I believe this may be true.

2. The feeling of community and safety that I feel living here on the Outer Banks. There is nothing like knowing your neighbors and sharing a common goal of keeping your environment clean, friendly, and safe for everyone.

3. This is a very dog-friendly place. Fannie Rose loves this and so do I. Even businesses here on the Outer Banks recognize that dogs are people too. For example, when we go to the bank, Fannie gets a cookie from the teller. Needless to say, she likes to go to the bank. Fannie only has three legs and she captures the hearts of people who see her out and about. They often comment on her gracefulness. It opens the door for us to meet new friends.

4. There are so many wonderful restaurants here that offer great food at reasonable prices. Three of my particular favorites are: Outer Banks Seafood Company in corolla, Kill Devil Grill, and Art's Place.

http://www.outerbanksseafoodcompany.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/kill-devil-grill-kill-devil-hills

5. And of course, the photo opportunities. I took the picture above while strolling along the beach at dusk one evening. Everywhere I look, I see beauty.

And these are my top 5 reasons for living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Thank you for listening.

MM