Resolution: OB West Indies in 2014

Soooo, it’s clearly been awhile, okay, a very long while, since I’ve posted here. I can give the typical excuses: work, kids, where’s the time go, you know the litany. My answer is the same on my SATs (D) – all of the above :-). Anyhow, all jokes aside, in my (manageable) list of 5 New Years Resolutions, I am officially resolving to spend more time at the beach this year. I find when you write things down, they actually do happen. It goes into the “universe” and therefore, on whatever level, you become accountable. So, to all of you reading this – I am now accountable – to my family and myself for getting our arses down to the beach more frequently. The benefit is clear – rest, relax, fuel up, spend quality time, make memories, the list goes on and on.

My amazing husband sent me this link (was it a hint?) probably yes. Anyhow, it was so good it kicked me in the proverbial and forced me to make the beach visits on my Top 5 Resolutions.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bAoxqsj3Wbg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DbAoxqsj3Wbg

WARNING: Clicking here will bump one of your New Years Resolutions for a stay at OB West Indies :-). Cheers to the New Year!!!!

SNOWBIRDS, WE HAVE YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME!

The Farmers Almanac and accuweather.com are both consistent in predicting a much colder winter than we’ve had in some time and above average snowfall in the Northeast and Midwest. Brrrrr. Who wants that? Not you. Come escape the bitter cold and the backbreaking shoveling and enjoy warm coffee on our deck that looks out into the ocean. Need more incentive? How about sinking into luxurious beds that wrap your body in comfort? One more – our home is not your typical snowbird rental or beach getaway. Its a true home that’s been invested in and cared for and waiting for you to experience the luxury our guests have.

We have painted the interior and the exterior was painted last fall. We upgraded our HVAC this summer, we have brand new deck furniture and have stocked the kitchen even more. You will truly find everything you need at our home – inside, outside and at our little slice of heaven – Holden Beach. What are you waiting for?

…or this?

Check Us Out Now!

Enjoy the Fall at Holden Beach!

Happy Fall Y’All! We are running a promotion this fall for weekend rentals!

 

Our nightly rate is usually $125, and we are offering a 10% discount off that. Check us out! The weekends won’t all last! www.vrbo.com/280006

(Not applicable on our weekly rentals as they are already discounted).

Acclaimed Holden Beach is a Nationally Known “Top 10 Family Beach”

Here at Holden Beach you won’t find flashing neon signs or high-rise buildings– due to building height restrictions of only 35 feet. Holden Beach is focused on being a small ” family beach”. In the 2005 Yahoo! “Spring Vacation Guide”, Holden Beach was ranked #4 for the Top Ten places to buy a second home. Again in the Spring of 2012, Holden Beach was recognized by National Geographic Traveler Magazine as one of the 38 Best American Beaches. Holden Beach was rated 9th out of all US beaches in the Family Beach category . Points were awarded for various categories such as sand softness, water temperature and clarity, and number of sunny days per year. Holden Beach, NC is one of America’s Top Ten Family Beaches! Other awards and recognitions have also been given to Holden Beach as one of America’s few “Healthy Beach” award winners.

OB West Indies would love to host your stay, where you can experience the all the beauty and gifts Holden Beach has to offer!

 

Surf’s UP!

So what would you do if you were laying out on the beach and all the sudden saw something about 10 feet long, black and right in the break of the wave?  Freak?  I might.  But, my odd sense of curiosity would get the better of me and once I knew my family and I were safe, I’d investigate.  In fact, I am quite certain my 10 year old daughter would be in lock step with me.

Okay – so what’s the deal?  How about a big ol’ gator rolling ashore!  WOW!!!  We weren’t down there to see it, but I wish would have been.  Here’s the skinny from the Brunswick Beacon!

“Shane Holden took this photo of crews rescuing an alligator from the ocean surf in Holden Beach today. He writes: “About once every few years we get an alligator that gets flushed out of the Lockwood Folly river just to our east. When it rains a lot an alligator gets washed out the river into the ocean. This morning, we had a big one! He was about 11ft and weighed over 200lbs. It played in the surf for over 2 hours while we wiated for the Wildlife guy to show up and remove it.”

 

 

Why Holden Beach (and of course, OB West Indies!)

Many of our guests are first time visitors to Holden Beach and are typically comparing it against either the Outer Banks or Myrtle Beach.  Here’s WHY people choose Holden…and why you should too!

Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the nation by USA Today Readers, Holden Beach is truly a sparkling gem nestled on the deep blue Atlantic Ocean coastline. Holden Beach stretches nine miles long and is largely residential with 900 permanent residents. National Geographic’s Traveler magazine ranked the placid community as one of the best family beaches in the country. Throughout the main tourist season, May through August, the beach comes alive with families from around the world and the population increases to nearly 15,000 people. As the growth of the Island continues, across on the mainland new shops and restaurants are springing up. A new shopping center was recently built about a mile inland with a grocery store, a Chinese restaurant, a pizza place, a sub shop, an old fashioned ice cream shop and movie store. Ever constant are the amusements in the area; Treasure Island offers a little something for everyone with two go kart race tracks (one for younger children), bumper boats, a rock climbing wall, carousel, ice cream shop and arcade with pool tables as well as an 18- hole mini-golf course. Bring the kids to the water slide on the warm summer days and make sure to take their picture as they slide down the slides at Magic Mountain. For those who love to fish, the Holden Beach Pier is the place to visit. In a world where wooden piers are becoming a thing of the past, being replaced with concreted structures, Holden Beach Pier stands on large wooden pilings and is the perfect place to take sunset photos. The heartbeat of Holden Beach is its beloved turtle nesting program. This North Carolina beach is fortunate to be a nesting beach for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. This protected species begins nesting on the beach at night in mid May and continues to nest thru August, sometimes into September. The babies start hatching in July, usually continuing into October. Watching turtle ‘boilings’ or hatchings is an unforgettable experience. Holden Beach is a treasured year-round vacation spot. The annual Festival by the Sea, held on the beach in October, displays many different local artists and vendors from the area. Oysters, in season, are cooked over a wood fire though there are many different types of cuisines served – from Italian sausages and Funnel Cakes to Shrimp Bog and Barbeque. There is so much in the area to enjoy, Holden Beach offers a beautiful beach, laidback atmosphere and so much more. Come and discover why this quiet hidden treasure has been named among the best of the best beaches in the United States. So…What are you waiting for!!!!  Book your stay today!!!  Happy Summer Friends!

Is Summer Here to Stay?

I cannot even believe how GLORIOUS this week has been.  I actually went running every single day this week (it’s usually a Sunday morning long one).  No humidity in North Carolina is, of course, a dream.  The temperatures have brought out the best in everyone and we are all now thinking of Summer.   Next week is forecasted to be similar – I almost can’t take it.  I’m one of those people who love all four seasons (read:  all FOUR seasons).  I would have loved a good snow, but the holidays this year were so perfect for us, that when it started warming up, I was looking forward to Spring.  Of course, that lasted, what, a hot second?  Anyhow, I for one, would love 70ish degree weather, no humidity and late night rains to carry us through the end of May.  Then, let’s turn it up to 90 and hit the beach!

Speaking of hitting the beach – look at these three.  Can you guess what they are?  It’s a family of dolphins right in the break of the waves.  Just gorgeous!  I took these two years ago, in March.  We were at OB West Indies getting our home ready for the season.  We’d go down to the beach every morning around 9:30 and there they were – for three days straight.  They would swim from the pier to the Sunset Isle end of the beach.  Then, around 2:00, we would be on the beach again and they would be swimming back towards the pier.

I’m telling you – if you have ever seen dolphins, you know what I’m saying here.  It’s almost an ethereal feeling.  They are so graceful and emit love, and then to see a mom and dad swimming with a baby…put it on your bucket list!  Promise.

Enjoy the weekend and coming week!  GO TARHEELS!