Duck, NC ??

GMascelli

GMascelli

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GaryM
Thinking of heading back to Dare County KMQI on Saturday. We want to spend the day exploring Duck, NC. Anyone have info to share about Duck?

I gave some thought to KECG but the drive is longer then from MQI. Maybe First Flight but not to sure about rental availability. A car out of MQI is $50.
 
Nothing but a couple of airstrips (one only 852 feet long with obstacles :redface:), a pilot's planning facility, and a museum at First Flight. Manteo is your best bet.

Back in the day a couple pilots I know grabbed the dog and drove to a campground at Duck and pitched a tent during the first fall break at The University. Did some surf fishing, stoked a fire or two (literally and figuratively), consumed mind altering substances. Seemed like the 60's, except it was the 80's . . .

Twentieth anniversary this week, I guess it was a good trip!
 
Its just a strip of sand with some stuff like the rest of the Outer Banks. What do you want to know? I've beaten many squalls into and out of KMQI. Its got everything you need.

Just go.
 
GMascelli said:
Thinking of heading back to Dare County KMQI on Saturday. We want to spend the day exploring Duck, NC. Anyone have info to share about Duck?

I gave some thought to KECG but the drive is longer then from MQI. Maybe First Flight but not to sure about rental availability. A car out of MQI is $50.
Click to expand...

Much prefer the southern shores to the northern. Duck to Corolla is an expanse of homes and a few strip malls in between. Not bad, nothing wrong with that, just not my cup of tea.. How's the legs doing? Things get much less crowded as you go south. You can easily walk to the beach at Frisco (HSE), IMHO one of the nicer beaches. Ocracoke is quite a bit different from the northern towns. It is a hike to town however, I'm not sure how the bionic legs are doing. Once there, don't need a car. No car rentals at HSE, there was a guy that rented 4X4's at Ocracoke for a resonable price. Can't find his number or anything on the web - maybe low buget kinda guy. If you are staying at one of the B&B's or hotels, they will usually come pick you up.

Gary
 
Summer 08, I flew to MQI and stayed in Corolla (just North of Duck). My family and I had a great time.

Both going and leaving, the visibility was pretty bad due to humidity and smoke from forest fires. However, the visibility was much better once in the car, and driving along the ocean on Hwy 12.

MQI has 5/23 and 17/35 runways, and both are long enough for any piston GA plane. I recall the ramp area being pretty large, with plenty of tiedown parking. The FBO building itself is neat, designed in the same style as the older beachfront homes. We rented an SUV from the FBO (called ahead, of course).

It was a fairly long drive from MQI to Corolla. I think about 70 minutes. Partly single lane (in each direction) roads, so if you get someone slow ahead, the trip can take a long time.

While in the area - I also flew into First Flight Airport (FFL) just to experience it. There is not an FBO there... and no services. There is a small pilots office/building that has a phone for FSS, charts, and AFDs. Ramp parking is also somewhat limited, and I do not believe you can stay overnight.

Once in the Corolla/Duck area...

  • Of course, the beach is a primary attraction.
  • If you have kids - kite flying on the beach is popular
  • There is a nice trail that parallels the ocean and Hwy12 for many miles. Great for biking/walking.
  • Wright Bros National Monument (good for several hours)
  • Currituck Beach Lighthouse
    • Fun to climb.
    • Great view from the top.
    • Terrifying if afraid of heights
    • Great BBQ joint near the lighthouse 'campus'
For lodging... our trip was scheduled at the last minute, and most beachfront places were booked... So, we stayed at an inn as well as a hotel on the beach. They were both great, but if I go back, I will get a rental home on the beach.




GMascelli said:
Thinking of heading back to Dare County KMQI on Saturday. We want to spend the day exploring Duck, NC. Anyone have info to share about Duck?

I gave some thought to KECG but the drive is longer then from MQI. Maybe First Flight but not to sure about rental availability. A car out of MQI is $50.
Click to expand...
 
Gary said:
Much prefer the southern shores to the northern. Duck to Corolla is an expanse of homes and a few strip malls in between. Not bad, nothing wrong with that, just not my cup of tea.. How's the legs doing? Things get much less crowded as you go south. You can easily walk to the beach at Frisco (HSE), IMHO one of the nicer beaches. Ocracoke is quite a bit different from the northern towns. It is a hike to town however, I'm not sure how the bionic legs are doing. Once there, don't need a car. No car rentals at HSE, there was a guy that rented 4X4's at Ocracoke for a resonable price. Can't find his number or anything on the web - maybe low buget kinda guy. If you are staying at one of the B&B's or hotels, they will usually come pick you up.

Gary
Click to expand...

x2. Not much of interest for me up north except First Flight. I've spent a good amount of time in Avon and have used HSE a lot.
 
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