Something about October always makes me feel more grateful. Maybe it's the clarity of the air or the slant of the golden light or the feeling of being in the limbo of summer and winter - whatever it is, in general, fall makes me grateful for being alive in this awesome place where we can see the water all the time and eat fresh seafood (how 'bout those greentails?) and bask in this lovely light...
Then there are the little things that amp up my feelings of gratitude: The shooting star (though it seemed more like a comet) I saw sailing across the dark sky during my 6 a.m. run in the dark; the hunk of aqua sea glass I found tumbling in the waves; swimming in an October ocean and seeing dolphins leap completely out of the water nearby; sleeping under a stack of blankets with the northwest wind whipping in the windows; watching a 50-year-old man float and roll in the surf for an hour while his wife read a book on the beach - his enthusiasm for the ocean was simply infectious... It's all just so beautiful...
It looks like the weather is going to be sunny and in the 70s or upper 60s this week, so that good feeling is just gonna roll right on. What will we all be doing on this amazing week of fall? Read on...
Reports from Hatteras Island point to good times in the Pamlico and Atlantic. Sounds like the island is crawling with kiteboarders, kayakers and anglers. Go. Join them...
For those who want to be outdoors, Pea Island NWR Bird Walks and Canoe Tours are still going on. Guided bird walks are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. in October (days change for Nov. and Dec.). Meet at the Pea Island Visitors Center. * Canoe tours at Pea Island are on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October. Meet at New Inlet, 3 miles south of the Visitors Center. * Alligator River NWR's Canoe Tours are held Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of the month. They're also from 9 a.m. to noon, but you meet at Buffalo City Road off U.S. 64 in East Lake. * You must call (252) 475-4180 to reserve a space for either canoe tour...
It's a good time to head up to the weekly Pet a Gentled Spanish Mustang event at the Corolla Wild Horse Museum. It's Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Thanksgiving...
This weather is perfect for planting. If you missed the N.C. Aquarium Native Plant Sale, you can still get plants from their nursery - and prices have been reduced on some plants. It's very eco-friendly to plant native, you know... Call Kathy Mitchell at the Aquarium, (252) 473-3494, for a plant list and other info...
The weather is also perfect for running. Get ready to run in the inaugural The Lost Colony Lost & Found 5K and Fun Run on Saturday. * The cross-country 5K goes through the grounds of Fort Raleigh and along the bike path. 5K at 8 a.m. and Fun Run at 9 a.m., so bring the kids. Proceeds go to The Lost Colony and Food for Thought. Register at www.outerbanksrunningclub.org...
A couple of other fund-raisers this week: On Tuesday, Spa Koru is hosting Fall Fashion Trunk Night from 5 to 8 p.m. See the fall fashions from local businesses, enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres and do a little shopping to benefit the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation. * On Friday, it's the Outer Banks Hospital's Get Pinked Campaign Party. The Get Pinked cause raised funds and awareness about treatment and prevention of breast cancer in Dare County, and this is their wrap-up celebration. The party is at Kelly's on Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. There will be live music, drinks, a buffet and desserts, and it's just $30 for a single ticket or $25 apiece for two or more. Get your tickets in advance by calling (252) 449-9183. * If you act quickly, you can get in on All Saints Episcopal Church's Annual Lobster Feast on Friday. They're offering lobsters - shipped live from Maine - for eat in or take out ($25 for a meal, $15 for just the lobster), but they need orders and payment by Wednesday afternoon. Proceeds benefit the church and local charities. Call (252) 261-6674. * A Family BBQ Fundraiser for Isabela Rainey is on Sunday at Aqua S in Duck. It's a family fun day with BBQ, beer, live bands, raffles, a climbing wall, face painting and more. $15 adults, $5 for kids. Call 261-9700...
For entertainment, check out the Tony Award-winning Red Clay Ramblers on Saturday, presented by the Outer Banks Forum. This N.C.-based group is nationally recognized for its bluegrass, country, rock and Americana music. It's at First Flight High School at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $12 for students; call (252) 255-2274.
On Sunday at 4 p.m. at Roanoke Island Festival Park, see The Conner Miller Duo perform traditional renditions of acoustic Americana music. The show is included with park admission...
On the town, this band called Eyes of the Elders playing the Brewing Station on Friday sounds very worthwhile. The six-piece mixes street poetry with music of different sounds like jam-band, hip hop, blues, rap, Southern rock and classical. Hmmm.... very interesting * There's still a lot of music out there in the restaurant bars. Some highlights: Ocean Boulevard has The Beagels on Friday, Aqua S has music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Goombays has Formula on Saturday, Port 'O Call has Agent Orange on Saturday, Beach Road Grill has Dreadnecks on Saturday, Kelly's has Hijinx on Friday and Saturday, Pamlico Jack's has Steep and Winding Road on Friday...
For a little early Halloween fun, head to First Flight Middle School on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. for Haunted Halls. On Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m., First Flight Elementary has its Trick or Treat Night festival. * It's First Flight High School's Homecoming, so check out that game on Friday. (Congratulations to Manteo High School for winning their homecoming game last week!)...
BTW, it's time to register for the Wings Over Water Festival, coming up from November 9 to 14. Have you seen the list of trips? If not, you'll be amazed at the number of guided field trips and workshops they're offering - birding trips, paddling tours, photography workshops and hikes in all the natural areas of the Outer Banks and beyond. What an awesome way to explore the local ecosystems and learn about our natural world. I just sent in registration to take my son on a trip to a pelican reserve. Call (252) 216-9464 or email: wow@coastalwildliferefuge.com...
Allright, allright, I know you have things to do. I'll set you free. If you've got anything to add to the list of things to do, make a comment below. And keep looking around the site, especially the Shopping section. There are some good deals and sales posted there...
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
