Sand Dunes and Stingrays

Sand. LOTS OF SAND. That's exactly what you get when you walk Jockey's Ridge, and it is glorious.

Jockey's ridge is a national state park that covers 426 acres, and is the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. (It's like a mini desert). There are a few legends on how it got its name, but the most popular from the practice of capturing and racing Spanish Mustangs. The horses came from ships that wrecked offshore. Jockeys used the flat parts at the base of the dunes to race and the steep sides of the ridge served as a grandstand to view the race. Honestly, It was probably named for the people who originally owned the land, but I'm going to stick with the horse legend. It's way more interesting.



We make sure sure we walk Jockey's Ridge at least once or twice during the week. It is Scott's favorite part of vacation. It is the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the sound. The colors in the sky get incredibly brilliant and simply take your breath away. This year, the clouds covered the last part of the sunset, but the sky was still phenomenal. The sand is so fine it's like sugar. We love to just relax on the dunes, watch the colors of the sunset and see kites fly high in the wind above us. Sometimes, if we arrive soon enough we'll walk to the sound, which takes a bit of time since walking in sand can be difficult. We were able to go once this year. On our last evening, we were headed there and a massive storm swept through and cancelled our plans, but we will always have next year. It is such a special place, I'm already dreaming of next year.

The men of the family. They wear green on Wednesdays.

The beautiful newly weds

I love this woman

Sunset from 2012

A perfect cap to a sunset on the ridge is a walk on Jennettes Pier. 

Jennette's Pier was first erected in 1939 as the first pier on the Outer Banks. It was a pier with so much character. It stretched 754 ft into the sea and was completely made of wood. Growing up, we would stay in a small cabin next to Jeanette's Pier when we would vacation to Nags Head. The pier had so much character, it was a true fisherman's pier. When you walked into the entrance, it was full of pool tables, arcade games and a counter to buy bait. Honestly, It was pretty sketchy and it was completely thrilling to go in. Going out onto the pier was always a great experience. We were always excited to see what the fisherman would catch in the ocean. I loved the sound of the wood boards underneath my feet. I would lean over the edge, careful not to touch the sides because they were covered in fish and gross stuff and wonder what all was swimming mere feet under the surface.

Original Jeanette's Pier

Unfortunately, with every bad hurricane that passed through the area, a little more of the pier would be damaged and washed away. In 2003 Hurricane Isabel swept down the coast and completely demolished the then 540 ft pier. It was devastating to everyone who knew the pier. I was heartbroken.

Luckily, in 2009, the NC Aquarium Society stepped in. They decided to rebuild the pier.Today, Jeanette's Pier is a gorgeous 1,000 ft all concrete pier that is a fantastic experience for all visitors to the banks. It is first and foremost a fisherman's pier, but it is also very family friendly and a great educational experience for anyone who visits. It has become quiet an event in the area.

We always try to visit at least a few nights during the week. You never know what you might see. Last year we saw a giant Manta Ray swimming underneath the water. VERY COOL. This year we witnessed a guy catch a huge Sting Ray, which was quite thrilling. It's one of my favorite things to do in Nags Head.

Jennette's at night

Night on the Pier

Love Birds

This guy caught the biggest stingray I've ever seen! 

I felt so bad for him laying there

Our catch of the day!

Love looking off the pier (flashback from 2012)

Horseshoe Crab

There is so much to do while on vacation it seems that we are constantly on the go. I guess that's what happens when you go to the same place all your life, you keep collecting new and old experiences that you can't wait to enjoy each new year.

Oh, and here is just a fun seagull photo I took. :) Enjoy!

Lauren Marie