Bike Week is picking up!

Bike Week continues and the traffic is slowly picking up, as does the activities that are planned. It was definitely warmer today, in the 60s and the wind was trying to switch direction of ESE from the cool and breezy NE we've had the last couple days. More vendors have set up at the OBX Harley-Davidson shop and the demo fleet truck was in. We saw "Fatboy" floating around his pond when we arrived at the shop so I cautiously crept up on him and took his picture.





Believe me, I'm not going to be the one to tell Fatboy they spelled "Aligator" wrong on his sign!!

This Kawasaki caught my eye ... no, I'm not into cowboys and indians.

But, I do LOVE jewelry! Especially painted on a bike.

The Ted Riser Band was in the middle of playing a little Allman Brothers. We listened to them for awhile as we shared an order of Sweet Potato Fries ... yum!

Next time, we'll try the Biker Burger ... you just KNOW that's good!

After we finished our fries, we left and checked out a few of the vendors. There's a nice selection at the First Baptist church and they're handing out free yellow soft cloths to everyone to shine up your bike with.

This "Ghost Rider" truck was in the church parking lot ...

The back driver's side bumper ...

The passenger side ...

As usual, Hooters was rolling. In my book, they win hands down with the biggest ... Welcome signs!

Ride safe and see you on the beach!

Julie

"Black Lace" Bracelet

In anticipation of Outer Banks Bike Week, my Sandy Gear collection has been foremost in my thoughts when sitting down to design new jewelry pieces. I wanted to create another beaded chain bracelet, like the "Filigree" bracelet on my website, Jewels of the OBX, but something in black and silver - well, Sandy Gear-like! The "Filigree" bracelet was just sold at Cloud Nine so I was really motivated to start this one.

I designed my own variation of an embellished diamond chain and once the bracelet was complete, it looked so light and lacy, I called it, "Black Lace." It was hard staying on task while in the middle of the chain ... instead of a bracelet, I could imagine what it would look like sewn onto black leather for embellishment. I kept carrying it around looking for things to lay it up against, a purse, a wallet ... it would look really awesome but I had to stop and stay focused!

The bracelet's finished size is 7 1/2 inches. A Sterling Silver toggle clasp would have looked just as nice but decided to go with the gunmetal clasp instead to help the extra beaded diamond and silver drops stand out.

Ideas (or should I say beads?) are always rattling around in my head but this probably will be the last Sandy Gear piece I'll make anytime soon. There is a Surf & Sky piece calling to me ... it's sitting on the desk in the middle of conception that will include beautiful turquoise shells and pewter glass pearls. But, for now, it will just have to wait until Bike Week is over!

Ride safe and see you on the beach!

Julie

Finally, Outer Banks Bike Week begins!

Kind of a cool start with temperatures in the lower 50's and the wind blowing from the NE for most of the day but it wasn't bad with a leather jacket on. At the Outer Banks Harley Davidson shop there are just a few vendors set up but more will come in as the week goes on. There were a number of bikes there but that, too, will increase. All of the week's info, maps and flyers are on a table as you come into the store. Look for their permanent display over in the corner near the service department where you'll find the Thunder and Full Throttle magazines and more that are free for the taking.

We only stayed out for a couple hours today since it was kind of cool but I did snap some more Welcome signs, like the ones at the Harley shop.

Don't you want this sign to hang in your driveway?!?

Harry waits patiently while I take just one more picture at the Harley shop before we go.

I was thrilled to see Harley has two new Bike Week logos for this year - a skull and this great scroll with the lighthouses. The ladies will appreciate it better than the pirate girl on back of a Harley, thanks!

Of course, I had to buy one!

The Wright Brothers were bikers, too! (Did you get it right?)

Live Free and Ride Hard! Bet you don't stay Free!

The Lucky 12 on the beach road had a free pig pickin outside in the back. We stopped in and had a "refreshment." Lucky 12 has great food and they welcome bikers all the time!

Someone at Lucky 12 had parked their Whizzer! Bet a local owns it, they only go about 25 mph at top speed. The Whizzer has been around for 70 years ... check them out at http://whizzermotorbike.com/index.html .

Loved the green stripes on this one, reminds me of that energy drink can, whatever it's called.

Mexi-Cali on the beach road ... a great place if you're in the mood for tacos or if you want to eat outside, they have a fenced-in area with picnic tables and corn hole games, too.

There are four restaurants on Colington Road, two have Welcome signs ... Skeeter's Grill (nice little place with indoor seating and an outside porch). There are places to sit and corn hole games on the back lawn, too.

and, if you just want a beer, don't forget the understated Blue Crab Tavern, right on the water.

I'll be having a nice warm drink at home tonight (coffee!) and planning the day for tomorrow.

Ride safe and see you on the beach!

Julie

Welcome Bikers!

We were out for a short ride on the bike Friday evening and noticed all the "Welcome Bikers!" signs are up. I thought it would be fun to start a collection of them and snapped a few pics (I always carry my camera with me!)

Of course, the Nags Head Harley shop is ready! The good news is that all the standing water that's been on the beach road near the entrance has dried up. Hope it stays that way. Say it with me ... no rain, no rain, no rain ... !

Most of the restaurants love to see the bikers roll in ... just as long as they don't show up all at the same time ! Especially little Mama Kwans on the bypass - a sweet place with the BEST Pad Thai! Order it Hot!

The Dunes Restaurant is a little bigger - maybe more so since they've remodeled - we haven't been there in awhile. A good place for family-style food. You can get there from either the beach road or bypass.

The Ship's Wheel Restaurant is on the beach road right in front of the Ebb Tide Hotel - we used to stay at the Ebb Tide back in the 1970's! The restaurant is seasonal and it has a good breakfast, usually a busy little place in the middle of summer.

The best "Welcome" sign so far is this one in front of Krave ... they've started Bike Week a day early ... officially it starts Sunday, April 18 but I like their enthusiasm and the bikers were starting to roll in today, April 17. Maybe they'll keep adding on extra days and we'll eventually have Bike Month! But, like Harry says ... we live here so EVERY week is Bike Week!

That's all the pics I took Friday night, like I said it was a short ride. I saw a sign today that's probably my favorite but didn't snap it yet ... will get it Sunday and add to the collection as the week goes on. The sign says (these) brothers (in history) were bikers, too. Can you guess who they're talking about? I thought it was pretty clever. Here's a hint for you ... one of the brothers is in this picture with two of our grandchildren, Jade and Aiden. Oh, and can you tell me which brother is in the picture? Sorry, no prize if you get it right ... well, you do get to see two really cute grandkids!

Ride safe and see you on the beach!

Julie

Outer Banks Bike Week is almost here!

The 8th annual Outer Banks Bike Week finally kicks off this Sunday, April 18 and for the first time, activities are scheduled for the entire week! Harley Bayside has the complete schedule listed on their site at http://www.harleybay.com/custompage.asp?pg=bikeweek .

On Sunday, it starts at Vertigo Tattoo in Manns Harbour beginning at 11:00 a.m. with contests and competitions. A tip if you go ... bring a $10 bill with you - they'll charge you at the entrance. We rode over there last month and they were putting up a new fence along the front so they'll probably have a new way to exit, too. Last year, they also had beer, food and vendors. Triple Shot is on the official Bike Week poster to play at Vertigos beginning Sunday but the Harley Bayside schedule has them starting on Wednesday. Either way, it will be a real treat to see them again, they are awesome! Vertigos has some great pictures of past Bike Rallys on their site under "Events" at http://www.vertigotattoo.com .

Knowing that bike week was coming up, I wanted to update my collection of "Sandy Gear" and added a couple new racer bracelets to the mix. Please check them out at http://www.jewelsoftheobx.com . By the way, if you know of anyone who likes to draw bikes, please let me know ... I need a logo for "Sandy Gear," maybe of a back wheel spinning out sand, something like that.

I'll take lots of pictures to share with you during the week and hopefully, we'll see you there!

See you on the beach!

Julie