Ways to Witness the Rare Beauty of the Wild Horses of Corolla

There are few images quite as breathtaking as seeing one of the Spanish mustang horses run wild and free along the shores of Corolla. Although the Outer Banks have been relatively isolated and under-developed until recently, these wild mustangs have been roaming its shores for over 500 years. There are over 100 colonial Spanish mustangs living on about 7,544 acres of land. Often called a wild horse sanctuary, the land is actually about 1/3 public land and 2/3 private. When you are staying at one of our Outer Banks Corolla rentals, you may even see the horses galloping down the beach outside of your window. 

Designated as the official state horse in 2010, the beautiful Spanish mustangs of Corolla are not actually native to the shores of the Outer Banks. Through DNA testing it has been proven that the wild horses are direct descendants of those that were brought here by the Spanish conquistadors in 1520. Since then, the horses living free in Corolla have been registered as colonial Spanish mustangs and there are several stories surround the horses offering possible explanations of how the horses came to be in Corolla. If you are staying in one of our secluded Outer Banks Corolla rentals, be sure make the time to see the wild and free creatures that have inhabited the shores of the OBX since the 1520’s and take a tour to learn more about their fascinating history. There are several options to choose from when planning a tour to see the wild horses.

Take a tour with a Wild Horse Specialist: Take a two hour trip with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Inc. and learn more about the gorgeous horses and where they originated from. Learn from the experts who are directly responsible for the wild horse herd.Each trip is based on the real time experience and daily activities of the horses and the people that care for them. Not only will you get to see the herd from the perspective of a herd manager, but you will also be helping to support the wild horses because the proceeds from the trips come back to benefit the wild horses themselves.

Bring the whole family on a tour: At Bob’s Off-Road Wild Horse Adventure Tours, family fun is the focus. If you brought the entire family to stay at one of the Outer Banks Corolla rentals, you’re in luck. With vehicles that are child seat friendly and can seat up to fifteen people, you can take the whole family out to witness the Corolla horses in their natural habitat. While you’re on the tour, kids and adults alike can learn a little something about the history of the Outer Banks and the horses. After being amazing by the magnificence of the wild Mustangs, you won’t even realize you were learning during your tour!

Rent a Jeep and take a guided tour:With Wild Horse Adventure Tours you have three different choices to choose from when seeing the North Carolina state horse in Corolla. Ride along in a custom enclosed A/C 4X4 on a Mini Coach Horse Tour or a custom Open-top Hummer with an Excursion Horse Tour or, if you prefer, you can always rent a jeep and drive yourself on a Tagalong Guided Tour. Take any one of thetwo hour long Off Road Adventure tours and enjoy anexcursion that is tailored directly to your party’s needs.

If you are fortunate enough to see one of the wild Spanish Mustangs while staying in one of our Outer Banks Corolla rentals, you understand that this is a picturesque opportunity that cannot easily be described. With any one of these three amazing tours, your chances of witnessing the rare beauty of the horses is much greater than simply looking for them yourself! Try one of these fantastic tours in Corolla and see for yourself the beautiful wild horses frolicking along the shores of the Outer Banks.

Spring Activities on the Outer Banks

We are rejoicing here on the Outer Banks. Why? Spring is in full swing! This means warmer temperatures, sunshine, flip flops, and, of course, the beach. We’re bracing ourselves for those spring-breakers who just couldn’t wait until summer to come see us. Even though it may not be warm enough for certain water sports and activities, there are still a lot of fun outdoor activities to do while staying in one of our gorgeous Outer banks oceanfront rentals. Grab your sunglasses, flip flops and your camera and head on out to OBX this spring for some great outdoor activities.

Learn how to fish

The spring is a great time to catch a few tips from some of the area’s most experienced anglers. Fall and spring, especially, are the prime seasons for surf fishing. Luckily for you, the waters won’t be overcrowded by summertime tourists and you’ll have ample opportunities to reel in some of the season’s most popular fish. Watch out for speckled trout, jumbo striped bass, blue fish or red drum. Take a lesson or class with your friends and family, or head out on your own to see how you fare. Either way, fishing is a fun and relaxing way to spend your spring break while staying at one of our Outer Banks oceanfront rentals. Go on a fishing charter, such as Bite Me in Hatteras or take a lesson with Outer Banks Fishing School in Kitty Hawk.

Go golfing

Spring breezes and mild temperatures make for a perfect golfing environment for any beginner or experienced golfer. For a little added adventure, if you brought the entire family to stay at one of our Outer Banks oceanfront rentals, there are tons of fun themed putt-putt courses scattered throughout the OBX. Some golf courses to check out include the Kilmarlic Golf Club in Powell’s Point, the Carolina Clubin Grandy or, for the kids, Waterfall Greens Miniature Golf in Kitty Hawk.  

Visit Jockey’s Ridge

The tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States, Jockey’s Ridge is a park full of scenic rolling hills of sand and dunes. Take a short hike around the dunes or sign up for beginner hang gliding lessons on the dunes. Spring is the perfect time to visit Jockey’s ridge, as the heat may too overwhelming come summer. Located in Nags Head, this park could be very close to some of our oceanfront Outer Banks rentals. 

Enjoy the view at Elizabethan Gardens

Inside of a brick-walled gate you’ll find a beautiful collection of Renaissance statues, a sound-front Elizabethan-gazebo, a sunken Elizabethan knot garden and year-round color of exquisite flowers and plants. There are special events in spring to mark on your calendar as well, such as the Home and Garden Tour at the end of April.  Located in the quaint town of Manteo, these gardens are gorgeous in the springtime and will be sure to delight the entire family.

Horseback Riding

While staying in one of our Outer Banks oceanfront rentals you’ll notice that spring here always rewards us with an abundance of gorgeous beach days. Make your day at the beach even more special by taking the entire family horseback riding. At Equine Adventures in Hatteras, take a two hour guided tour through the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and the Maritime Forest out to the beach. They will match you up to your perfect horse based on each rider’s experience. Beginners welcome!

Regardless of what you decide to do while staying in one of our many Outer Banks oceanfront rentals, you will not want to leave the OBX when it’s time to go home. Choose the Outer Banks as your perfect family getawayand come out to celebrate spring with us this year!

Jockey’s Ridge in Nags Head

If you’re planning on staying at one of our Nags Head rentals, you will probably be seeing a lot of signs for Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Spring time is probably one of the better times to visit this beautiful park, as the weather is temperate and mild and is often accompanied by a refreshing spring breeze. If you’ve never been to Jockey’s Ridge, you are in for a treat! It is the tallest active sand dune system in the Eastern United States and it’s picturesque dunes are constantly being reshaped by the shifting winds. Because of this, it is often called “The Living Dune.” Jockey’s Ridge is one of the most visited parks in the Outer Banks and for good reason. The view is absolutely amazing and there are several different activities to do or events to take part in while you are there. Jockey’s Ridge is only a short distance from our Nags Head rentals, so make sure that you include this wonderful state park in your vacation itinerary.

The park encompasses three distinct ecological environments: the Dunes, maritime thicket and the Roanoke Sound Estuary. Although the dunes are not home to plants or animals, with the exception of the grasses that take root at the bases of the dunes, the maritime thicket and Roanoke Sound Estuary both provide a rich habitat for an abundance of wildlife such as Hognose snakes, Six-Lined Racerunner, Raccoons, Opossums, Foxes, Deer and Rabbits. Bird watchers will also be delighted by the variety of species of birds that you can see flying over the dunes. Keep a keen eye out for Ospreys, Blue Herons and Brown Pelicans. You’ll want to bring along your camera during your trip to Jockey’s Ridge State Park—there will be several unique photo opportunities you’ll want to take advantage of!

Many visitors choose to get a better view of the park by walking down the 360-foot boardwalk that is located near the parking lot. For those who don’t mind a bit of walking, there is a leisurely paced 1.5 miles trail called “Tracks in the Sand” that goes over the dunes, to the southside and back. The Southside Nature trail is a bit shorter—it is a mile one loop that begins at the southside parking lot and leads to an overlook. Unlike the first trail that focuses on the fragile sand dune environment, this trail focuses on the estuary and scrub thicket ecosystems that can be found there. Don’t leave your shoes behind at ourNags Head rentals, you will need them during your hike!

While you are at the park, you will probably see people soaring above the sand while attached to giant colorful contraptions that look a lot like kites. Hang-gliding is one of the most popular recreational activities on the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge because of the great winds that blow from on top of the dunes. Kitty Hawk Kites offers lessons on top of the dunes and all experience levels are welcome!Sandboarding is also allowed in certain areas of the park, but only during designated times of the year. 

Jockey’s Ridge is one of the most popular locations in the Outer Banks and it is highly recommended that you stop by while vacationing in one of our Nags Head rentals. With its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife and exciting recreational activities, Jockey’s Ridge State Park remains a favorite among both residents and visitors of the Outer Banks. Also, if you see what you think is a castle peeking out from beneath the sand, don’t worry—you aren’t dreaming! Years ago there was a putt-putt golf course in Nags head. Unfortunately, because of time, wind and erosion, the dunes have been creeping over the “castle” for years!

Bodie Island Lighthouse Renovations

The striking black and white striped Bodie Island lighthouse provides one of the most distinctive and picturesque sceneries of the Outer Banks. Planning a visit to one of our OBX vacation rentals? Why not plan a trip to the newly renovated Bodie Island Lighthouse. Re-opening this spring, the tower is located on Bodie Island, just south of Nags Head. The 165 foot lighthouse that is standing today is actually the third attempt to illuminate the stretch of coastline between Currituck Beach and Cape Hatteras.

The planning and construction of the first Bodie Island lighthouse began in 1838 with the final completion occurring years later in 1847. The budget of the lighthouse was foreseen by the Fifth Auditor of the Treasury who was more concerned with saving money than with building a sound structure. Thus, the 54 foot tower was fraught with problems from the very beginning.The unsupported foundation developed cracks and leaks which caused the lighthouse to gradually sink and lean to one side. Because of its many issues, the first Bodie lighthouse was leveled after only 11 years. It certainly seemed that the second tower, which was completed in 1859 and designed by the Army Corps of Engineers, had procured a much more promising future. Unfortunately, however, the second tower also met an untimely and unfortunate end during the Civil War when the confederates succeeding in destroying the majestic 80 foot tower. 

The construction of the third and final Bodie Island Lighthouse began in July 1871 and was completed by the following year. Its existence, unlike its predecessors, was relatively peaceful for many quiet years. However, as the years went by, the structural preservation of the lighthouse seemed to be fading with time. In 2004 this became abundantly clear when two cast-iron chunks fell from the gallery atop the tower. The tower was then closed off to visitors because of safety hazards. Funding for the restoration of the lighthouse was removed from the federal budget and hopes for a restoration of the stately lighthouse began to fade. 

In the following years, faith prevailed and after years of postponement and diligently raising funds, work began briefly in January of 2010only to be cut short once again in August 2010.Further issues were found during the process and authorities still lacked the funds necessary to bring the lighthouse back to life. As the lighthouse and its supporters waited patiently and searched tirelessly for more funds, the arrival of Hurricane Irene in 2011 caused even more damage to the unfortunate structure. 

Thankfully, the story of the Bodie Island Lighthouse has a happy ending. We are happy to announce that visitors to our OBX vacation rentals in the upcoming seasons can certainly plan on taking a tour of the beautiful tower. In the past months, restoration work has been ongoing for the lighthouse and its renovations will be unveiledsoon inspring 2013. After that time, visitors and residents of the Outer Banks will now be allowed to climb its 214 steps to the top.Workers will have replaced existing windows that needed repair and installed a system to eliminate airborne particles that could be a health threat. They will also design and create metal patterns for parts in need of replacement, and design and place interior scaffolding that will allow them to reach inside parts of the tower for repainting. Always scenic, the BodieIsland Lighthouse is now in its prime once again. For those of our guests who will be staying in one of our OBX vacation rentals this spring and summer, why not plan a trip to theBodie Island Lighthouse and find out more about the fascinating history of this magnificent sentinel?