Postby markchatwin » Thu Apr 20, 2017 3:33 pm
Yeh I've got a similar rig: kids (8,10), adults and a May 20th Hatteras trip coming up. We've done it twice a year for 4 years now and choose Rodanthe (Mirlo Beach) for our base. We keep saying we will try Avon or Nags Head or Frisco but we come back to Mirlo for these reasons: Nice little launch in the neighborhood, safe for kids to ride bikes, play some tennis, super short walk to sound or ocean, houses with a pool (not on sound or ocean) are cheap in offseason, views are spectacular (even in non sound front or oceanfront houses). Negatives are no Food Lion except for a 25 minute ride to Avon and 35 minutes to Nags Head. Restaurants are slim except for the excellent Watermen's Grill at REAL and Goodwinds at Kitty Hawk Kites. A few others as well (Lisa's Pizza for ex).
Yes during a 7day stay we drive up 2 times or so to Nags Head and do a movie or some mini golf for kids. We have done the Lighthouse in Buxton, the Ferry to Ocracoke, The Wright Bro Museum, Manteo Aquarium.
I kind of look at the Hatteras trip as a time to relax so we really load up the car with everything we need, tons of food, and just hole up in Rodanthe. But soon that launch at Mirlo will have the bridge obstructing everything so this mouse will need new cheese soon. If your up in Nags Head the Jockey Ridge State Park Public Beach (near Dimitri's house) is a great launch for most wind directions except maybe N, NE, E. Surprisingly I've had great NE sessions in Mirlo though a drift launch is necessary or a buddy launch.