New signs

I noticed this morning that the signs at the beach access ramps have been updated. I don't have pictures of the old signs, but they looked...well, old. They had been sandblasted by storms over the years and looked a bit rough. In addition, some of the information regarding beach access rules and regulations has changed (which, I suspect, was the primary reason for the new signs). Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the new ones.





While we're on the topic of beach regulations, this is as good a place as any to review them. In case you can't read the signs in the pictures, here's what you need to know about the beaches here on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. (Parenthetical comments are mine.)

Beach Regulations:
- Observe all posted safety and wildlife protection closures.
- Driving on dunes and vegetation is prohibited. Drive only on marked ORV routes.
- Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times.
- Small beach fires are permitted below the high tideline and 100 feet from all vegetation. Extinguish all fires using water. (This is REALLY important. A friend's baby burned his hands quite badly a couple of years ago when he stumbled on the beach and put his hands down on sand which was very hot because of the still-smoldering coals beneath it.) No fires from 12 Midnight - 6 AM.
- All fireworks prohibited. (This actually applies to the entire island, not just the beach.)
- No open containers of alcoholic beverages inside motor vehicles, including pick-up truck beds. Liquor and fortified wine prohibited.
- No camping on the beach.

Driving information:
- All traffic rules apply and are enforced.
- May 1 - Sept 15: vehicles prohibited on the beach, 10 pm - 6 am.
- Sept 16 - Nov 15: beach driving permit required, 10 pm - 6 am.
- All vehicles must be legal for highway use.
- 4-wheel drive vehicles recommended. (Recommended is a strange choice of words, if you ask me. The only way you should try driving on our beach without a 4-wheel drive vehicle is if you have a working cell phone with the number of one of our friendly towing services programmed in it.)
- Beach may be impassable at high tide.
- May 15 - September 15: speed limit is 15 mph unless otherwise posted.
- September 16 - May 14: speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
- Lower tire pressure to 20 psi or less before entering beach.
- Pedestrians have the right of way. (Duh...)

Most importantly: be safe, and have fun on the beach!