Saturday, April 7, 2012
How was your stay?
Please share your thoughts and experiences from your stay at Relaxation Station. If you experienced any issues or dissappointments please share those too and we'll do our best to address them to make your next stay even better!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Spring Break, Spring Cleaning!
Sunday
A nice dry sunny day! Chores, kayaking, then a trip to the beach. I paddle surfed in small beach break in an offshore breeze while the girls flew a kite and played on the beach. As we drove off the beach we were escorted by a pod of dolphins swimming close in. Our new neighbor is building quickly:
I'll try to grab a picture of the construction daily from the kitchen window to show the progress.
Monday
Rainy and windy last night into the morning. After a sunrise lull the wind kicked in. Sailed 3.8 at the hole after short runs on a 5.3 and then a 4.6. Joined by Mark staying on the OBX for a month! and George L who just got a job in Maui!
Back to the house to get some cable TV stuff installed and get working with the girls.
Tuesday
I tried some SUP paddling while Jenna was surveying. No luck though as there was about zero surf other than a modest shore break. The east side was pretty wild from the last two days of wind.
On the way back from the beach we bought fiudge, I picked up my repaired board (another masterfull job by Donnie Bowers), and Susie bought some great flip flops at Fox. Visited Andy and Anne at the shop with their new baby Katherine. Congratulations! Back at the house the the girls went for a long kayak trip out to the sound while I did some chores. We had dinner at Diamond Shoals restaurant. Not much work done today but pretty fun.
Wednesday
A warm but gloomy day. We did lots of chores this morning, great work girls. Hot tub was repaired. We headed to the beach which was pretty rough and a bit chilly but fun. Stir fry at home after some hot tubbing and kayaking.
Thursday
A gloomy cold windy day. Time for .....shopping! We ran the Avon gauntlet of shops and all three of us picked up various souvenirs and gifts for our families.
Also the Charter cable guy fixed out TV issue and Midgett inspected the house and blessed it for the season.
Friday
Lots of road surfimg on a very windy rainy north wind day. Finally hooked up with Bill Bell and did a reef run from north of Avon. We were on a 3.8 and 3.7 and it was pretty wild. Bill was looping as usual and scored a really high semi-endo loop out at the reef. The girls hung out at the house all day and were nice enough to clean out the car for our ride home tomorrow. Good job girls. Lat in the day the sun came out and the wind stayed up. I headed to the hole for a sunset session and met Andy and Dale there. Dale advise I rig a 4.6 and it was spot on. I tried a few forwards with some moderate success. Sailed into the sunset and head ed back to a dark parking lot. Awesome last full day of our visit.
Saturday
Pretty blue-sky morning. The house is ready. So much thanks to Jenna and Susie for all their hard work to get the house ready. We have gusts visiting today. The 2012 season (fourth year) begins!
Friday, February 17, 2012
February Visit
I drove down Thursday night (2/16) after work. After ninety minutes of creeping on the DC beltway the rest of the trip was smooth.
On Friday I worked around the house. In the afternoon I bought a $120 beach pass for 4-wheeling and stuck it next to my $90 Assateague pass, ughhh! I rigged up my 5.8 sail for my SUP on a gloomy NW breeze beach just north of Avon (ramp 34?). Just before launching the sun broke through and on my first run out I saw a pod of dolphins. They stayed very near me for my hour-long session. Nice mellow wave rides mostly 3 or 4 feet with a couple shoulder high sets. A nice rentry into the Hatteras waters.
Saturday was a sunny light wind day. I had an am SUP session at ramp 34. Pretty good sized swell, easy to catch but closeouts mostly. In the afternoon I launched a SUP with sail at lifeguard beach in an onshore light air. A few nice rides but I quit early as things were setting up a little too much like when I broke a SUP board and trashed a sail near the lighthouse. I tried out the south side. Ramp 49 where I saw a whale while driving on the beach. I surfed knee high beach break in a light offshore breeze. Nice mellow fun. Oh by the way all action was in the presence of dolphins. Quite close at times, got startled once by two six feet to my side. Supposed to blow tomorrow. Maybe a surf sailing session?
Well Sunday was gray and rainy all day. The wind came up but tired after chores all morning, the gloomy cold windy rain did not beckon. That night the northerly wind picked up to gale force. The house really rocked!
Monday the wind continued but the rain stopped. I launched at the Hole with a 3.8. Soon I was joined by Andy and Lopi. What a great session! Fully powered 3.8 sailing with Lopi and Andy spinning and looping all around me. I got some shove it tips from Lopi and had a lot of fun doing nose first jumps off of the occasional steep chop. Andy took a couple pics. Check out his Wind-NC link. After the session packed up and headed home via Edenton to see what the place was like.
Saturday was a sunny light wind day. I had an am SUP session at ramp 34. Pretty good sized swell, easy to catch but closeouts mostly. In the afternoon I launched a SUP with sail at lifeguard beach in an onshore light air. A few nice rides but I quit early as things were setting up a little too much like when I broke a SUP board and trashed a sail near the lighthouse. I tried out the south side. Ramp 49 where I saw a whale while driving on the beach. I surfed knee high beach break in a light offshore breeze. Nice mellow fun. Oh by the way all action was in the presence of dolphins. Quite close at times, got startled once by two six feet to my side. Supposed to blow tomorrow. Maybe a surf sailing session?
Well Sunday was gray and rainy all day. The wind came up but tired after chores all morning, the gloomy cold windy rain did not beckon. That night the northerly wind picked up to gale force. The house really rocked!
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| Hopping at the Hole (photo Andy McKinney) |
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| Me at Canadian Hole (photo Andy McKinney) |
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Fall Fun!
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| Ramp 49 Relaxation! |
Friday (11/11/11)
Arrived about 1 am driving straight from work. Sailed the Hole in the morning on powered 4.6. I tried about 20 loops with little results except a smashed nose on my JP 93 liter board. I later had a noonish session on a 5.3 but the wind was backing off quickly by then. The ocean was pretty huge and nasty.
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| Nice wave, bad position! |
Saturday
Ralph came to visit around noon. We went straight to the Avon pier for some head high SUP action in a fairly strong side off SW breeze.
With the breeze picking up we headed to Ramp 34 and sailed our SUPs at a little cove with two point breaks and a healthy rip inbetween. You could catch a wave and sail down the line towards the little cove and when the wave ended you were in a friendly calm patch to do your jibe and head out for more. The wind started geting unreliable so we tried a little paddling in the same spot but the wind picked back up and the waves were pretty elusive. Ralph treated me to a pizza dinner to wrap up a pretty fun day.
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| Ralph coming in after a great session |
Warm and sunny and small surf. Ralph and I surfed a beach break at Ramp 49. In the afternoon we surfed Ramp 34 on the east side about a mile north of Avon pier at a little cove/chanel set up. Chest high smooth rights. Excellent session!
Monday
SUP sailing at Ramp 27 in the afternoon.
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| Ralph's perfect breakfast |
Tuesday
A warm sunny SW wind came up. We headed to Ramp 34 and launched short boards in a gusty winds. Too many lulls made it hard to stay upwind. Eventually we figured we needed our SUPs about the time Bill Bell and Chad showed up. SUPs turned frustrating gusty conditions into great wave riding in waste to chest high waves.
Wednesday
Ralph packed it up and left earlier than planned with a hurt shoulder. Not clear on what caused it.
I scoped out sites with Ramp 34 looking good but the wind hadn't built yet. I had a noonish 5.3 session at the hole to warm up for the ocean. I returned to 34 to find Keith and Chad schlogging after a half hour or so of short boarding in moderate waves. The wind never returned so I went back to the hole to salvage the day with a nice 5.8 sunset session.
Thursday
Cold north wind blowing in. Packed up and headed out around 10:30 after arranging some work from the builders.
Monday, September 12, 2011
After Irene
Authorities allowed property owners onto the island starting September 10th. Remember the storm hit around August 28th. Access was via an emergency ferry from Stumpy Point, a 2 hour ride. I headed down on September 11th and arrived at the ferry just after sunset. My ride experience to the island was great. Only an 8 minute wait and then a beautiful ferry ride across Pamlico Sound. There was a full moon shining off of the undulating water driven by a balmy breeze.
Once on the island I delivered some tools to my neighbor who owns a house in Rodanthe. After a soda and some chatting I headed down to Avon. The house looked great. Just a little muddy residue on the concrete. The interior was perfect.
On Monday I picked up my new SUP from Wind -NC. It was a free replacement of my broken board.I took it to Avon pier and although choppy in-shore breeze I caught a wave on my first try. Out the back again I saw a weird patch of water on the outside and realized it was water churning due to a school of fish being agitated. Not wanting to meet the agitator I took the next wave into the beach and headed to Frisco after visiting Andy and getting some loop tips. At Frisco I caught one wave paddling but it was choppy and surf was poor. I put up a sail and had a fun hour sailing back and forth. Then headed up to Rodanthe near sunset to check out damage. Visited Rod, who invited me to dinner.
Tuesday
A pretty fun southside SUP session. Moderate surf with some fun rides. Dave joined me to try his first ocean SUP session. With a huge "lounge" and mostly waist high surf, I thought it would be a good first day. However when Dave showed up some larger sets started coming in increasing the shore break. There was also an onshore breeze making the water slightly choppy and making it harder to get out. Unfortunately Dave didn't make it out. It was a pretty rough day to start ocean SUPing. SUPs are pretty hard to handle in shore break. I recommend getting very deep, holding the board near the nose with it trailing behind you before climbing on. Then get to your knees and give several strong strokes to get past that impact zone near the shore.
Wednesday
Surfed the cove with a local fellow. The cove has a really unique wave wrap and from the perspective of standing near the point, the waves go down the beach rather than into it. Saw a couple dolphins and a big game fish jumping. That one kind of creeped me out as I wondered what may have been chasing it. The waves looked beautiful, peeling lefts. Catching them was much harder tha I thought it would be. Although some were head high when jacked up, they broke very gently. I found myself stepping on the tail too early or too agressively to avoid a pearl and then losing the wave. I finally figured that out and stayed forward on the board longer which resulted in some successful rides.
Thursday
Awesome cove surfing and then I saw at the same time: the rising sun, the setting full moon, a water spout, a double rainbow, and dolphins jumping out of the swells!
Once on the island I delivered some tools to my neighbor who owns a house in Rodanthe. After a soda and some chatting I headed down to Avon. The house looked great. Just a little muddy residue on the concrete. The interior was perfect.
On Monday I picked up my new SUP from Wind -NC. It was a free replacement of my broken board.I took it to Avon pier and although choppy in-shore breeze I caught a wave on my first try. Out the back again I saw a weird patch of water on the outside and realized it was water churning due to a school of fish being agitated. Not wanting to meet the agitator I took the next wave into the beach and headed to Frisco after visiting Andy and getting some loop tips. At Frisco I caught one wave paddling but it was choppy and surf was poor. I put up a sail and had a fun hour sailing back and forth. Then headed up to Rodanthe near sunset to check out damage. Visited Rod, who invited me to dinner.
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| Pretty empty beaches |
Tuesday
A pretty fun southside SUP session. Moderate surf with some fun rides. Dave joined me to try his first ocean SUP session. With a huge "lounge" and mostly waist high surf, I thought it would be a good first day. However when Dave showed up some larger sets started coming in increasing the shore break. There was also an onshore breeze making the water slightly choppy and making it harder to get out. Unfortunately Dave didn't make it out. It was a pretty rough day to start ocean SUPing. SUPs are pretty hard to handle in shore break. I recommend getting very deep, holding the board near the nose with it trailing behind you before climbing on. Then get to your knees and give several strong strokes to get past that impact zone near the shore.
Wednesday
Surfed the cove with a local fellow. The cove has a really unique wave wrap and from the perspective of standing near the point, the waves go down the beach rather than into it. Saw a couple dolphins and a big game fish jumping. That one kind of creeped me out as I wondered what may have been chasing it. The waves looked beautiful, peeling lefts. Catching them was much harder tha I thought it would be. Although some were head high when jacked up, they broke very gently. I found myself stepping on the tail too early or too agressively to avoid a pearl and then losing the wave. I finally figured that out and stayed forward on the board longer which resulted in some successful rides.
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| Driving to the cove |
Thursday
Awesome cove surfing and then I saw at the same time: the rising sun, the setting full moon, a water spout, a double rainbow, and dolphins jumping out of the swells!
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| Heading back home! |
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Spring Fun
I just finished a quick trip to Hatteras. I spent a couple days with friends in a huge sound-front house and then finished the stay at Relaxation Station after the most recent guests checked out.
I had two days of high wind sailing on the sound during which I took a forward loop lesson from Andy, owner of Wind-NC. I made about 30 attemps in about 90 minutes with two complete rotations. I haven't sailed away from one yet but I'm getting there, and I have the bruises to show it!
The next two days were spent stand up paddling and surf-sailing a stand up paddle board. I got caught inside by a big set in light wind and the photo shows the results. A real bummer to break all that gear but what an awesome session! Read more at my friend's site: http://ncboardrider.blogspot.com/
Update, Starboard will honor my warranty claim for the broken board. The sail was already held together with tape and I intentionally used it only with my paddle board because I figured such a big board could be rough on a sail in the surf.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
The family is wrapping up the 2010 beach season with a stay at Relaxation Station.
On Sunday, after a great breakfast at Diamond Shoals restaurant in Buxton, a couple hours were spent regaining the old sea legs Stand Up Paddling (SUP) at Avon pier. There was no wind, small surf and tons of dolphins on the outside. After sunset a beautiful orange full moon came up over the ocean. Just chilly enough tonight for the hot tub to feel really good. Spring and fall are definitely the best time to enjoy a hot tub.
Monday
I grabbed a coffee and caught a small wave SUP morning session in front of the Avon cottages via ramp 38. It was fun driving on a new part of the beach but it is narrow and steep there so definitely not for the inexperienced or less capable 4WDs. In the afternoon I surfed near the old lighthouse. It had clouded up making the sky and glassy smooth ocean merge. I was distracted once buy the perfect reflection of a pelican flying overhead. As a tight formation of dolphins passed close buy, I found myself eye-to-eye with one as it swam on its side beneath the nose of my board. Awesome!
Tuesday
A warm and sunny day. I sailed my SUP in a light side-onshore breeze with just enough surf to keep it interesting. Stopped by Indian Town gallery and chatted with Ann the owner about the latest on beach access. This fall, with the beautiful beaches and lack of crowds it's easy to forget that spring and summer are now very different with miles of beach closures, not only to driving but to pedestrians too. Beach house rentals are way off in the spring with local businesses feeling the crunch too. Fishermen can no longer get to the places they and their fathers fished from so many of them no longer come. The relentless expansion and reach of big brother has to be stopped. Please do what you can, vote, write letters, donate to organizations representing beach goer interests. So spring isn't looking good but it's supposed to be windy tomorrow! I'm looking forward to some high wind ocean action!
Wednesday
A strong north wind filled in this morning. I took a few quick runs at lifeguard beach with huge shore break and no surf. A few hours later I sailed at the old lighthouse beach with a fellow named Sasha. Fully powered 5.8 on my 93 liter board with some friendly waves. I got my first true cutbacks today, clew first heading back up the wave and having the white water kick the board back to the beach. Wow! They felt good!
The family is converging tonight. Three form the north and two via the ferries to and from Ocracoke. We have an obscenely big turkey in the fridge. We wonder if we have big enough pans to handle it. Worst case, we have a meat cleaver!
Thursday (Thanksgiving)
Thankful to have a nice beach house and time to spend Thanksgiving with the family. A few of us went to the south side near Frisco to do some paddling (SUP) and catch some rays on a beautifully warm day. Also kind of thankful that the surf and wind are both low today so it is easier to stay at the house and help with the cooking and cleaning.
Friday (Black)
Hooked up with Bill Bell at Ramp 23 and did some light wind surf sailing until the cold front blew in, straight off shore. A little scary getting back to shore which was straight up wind.
On Sunday, after a great breakfast at Diamond Shoals restaurant in Buxton, a couple hours were spent regaining the old sea legs Stand Up Paddling (SUP) at Avon pier. There was no wind, small surf and tons of dolphins on the outside. After sunset a beautiful orange full moon came up over the ocean. Just chilly enough tonight for the hot tub to feel really good. Spring and fall are definitely the best time to enjoy a hot tub.
Monday
I grabbed a coffee and caught a small wave SUP morning session in front of the Avon cottages via ramp 38. It was fun driving on a new part of the beach but it is narrow and steep there so definitely not for the inexperienced or less capable 4WDs. In the afternoon I surfed near the old lighthouse. It had clouded up making the sky and glassy smooth ocean merge. I was distracted once buy the perfect reflection of a pelican flying overhead. As a tight formation of dolphins passed close buy, I found myself eye-to-eye with one as it swam on its side beneath the nose of my board. Awesome!
Tuesday
A warm and sunny day. I sailed my SUP in a light side-onshore breeze with just enough surf to keep it interesting. Stopped by Indian Town gallery and chatted with Ann the owner about the latest on beach access. This fall, with the beautiful beaches and lack of crowds it's easy to forget that spring and summer are now very different with miles of beach closures, not only to driving but to pedestrians too. Beach house rentals are way off in the spring with local businesses feeling the crunch too. Fishermen can no longer get to the places they and their fathers fished from so many of them no longer come. The relentless expansion and reach of big brother has to be stopped. Please do what you can, vote, write letters, donate to organizations representing beach goer interests. So spring isn't looking good but it's supposed to be windy tomorrow! I'm looking forward to some high wind ocean action!
Wednesday
A strong north wind filled in this morning. I took a few quick runs at lifeguard beach with huge shore break and no surf. A few hours later I sailed at the old lighthouse beach with a fellow named Sasha. Fully powered 5.8 on my 93 liter board with some friendly waves. I got my first true cutbacks today, clew first heading back up the wave and having the white water kick the board back to the beach. Wow! They felt good!
The family is converging tonight. Three form the north and two via the ferries to and from Ocracoke. We have an obscenely big turkey in the fridge. We wonder if we have big enough pans to handle it. Worst case, we have a meat cleaver!
Thursday (Thanksgiving)
Thankful to have a nice beach house and time to spend Thanksgiving with the family. A few of us went to the south side near Frisco to do some paddling (SUP) and catch some rays on a beautifully warm day. Also kind of thankful that the surf and wind are both low today so it is easier to stay at the house and help with the cooking and cleaning.
Friday (Black)
Hooked up with Bill Bell at Ramp 23 and did some light wind surf sailing until the cold front blew in, straight off shore. A little scary getting back to shore which was straight up wind.
Saturday
Ken caught a 4.6 session at the hole early morning and Dan did a SUP down-winder from the creek in our backyard out to the sound and all the way to Canadian Hole using a strong NW breeze to help his paddling.
Sunday
Another great week on the Outer Banks is ending. It's time to take down the house sign, winterize the house and hit the busy holiday highway. I'm already looking forward to our next visit.
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