Andy Griffith passed away from a heart attack July 3, 2012. He was 86 years old and a longtime resident of North Carolina.

He is best known for his role on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Matlock”. In the Outer Banks he was known for starting his career in the 1940’s with “The Lost Colony” before moving on to movies and television.

Andy Griffith was one of the founding members of The Outer Banks Community Foundation which was “organized in October 1982 as a public charity to meet local needs in the Outer Banks area not ordinarily within the province of other charitable organizations, religious institutions, or government.”

With the passing of Andy Griffith we have had Brad Paisley’s music video “Waitin on a Woman” resurface.

The video was filmed in the Outer Banks and contains scenery from Cape Hatteras and Nags Head as well as the Outlet Mall.

From an article in the LA Times Brad Paisley reminisces about how he reached out to him for the music video. Paisley wrote a letter that said, “This song epitomizes your character as well as the values and things you celebrate, and I wonder if you wanted to be in a music video.

Before they filmed the video the Paisley family came to spend the day with him and a friendship was formed. While shooting the video Brad Paisley remembers the part when he goes to sit on the bench he said “Here comes this legendary actor and he sits down and says, ‘You waitin’ on a woman?’ I look over at him and I never in my life had a more surreal moment than that first take.”

They became friends and one time while Brad Paisley was putting on a concert in Virginia Beach he was able to brighten Andy’s day by setting up a jam session at Andy’s home for an afternoon since Andy had been sick.

Andy Griffith had a love of music throughout his life and even was a high school music teacher in Goldsboro, NC and the president of the University of North Carolina’s Men’s Glee Club. Through the years he sang in different roles and produced southern gospel albums as well as a Christmas album.

Later in life Andy kept to himself and valued his privacy. He had a strong love for this area and was laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island. We will miss you Andy!

Corolla, NC is located on the northernmost reaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks and is located in Currituck County.  Corolla is a great place for a family vacation, weekend getaway or even year round living.  Getting to Corolla can be a challenge in the summer but well worth the drive.

Corolla has beautiful beach homes and condos, restaurants, golf courses, a variety of shopping destinations and something for everyone to enjoy.  For people looking for a more remote home and experience you can rent a home on the 4wd beaches.

While visiting Corolla you need to plan time to visit the Whalehead Club, Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, and the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.

No trip is complete without seeing the Corolla wild horses.   These Spanish wild mustangs roam free and survive in a coastal environment that used to be remote.  These horses are thought to have arrived approximately 500 years ago.   The only way to see the horses are in a 4wd vehicle and it is best to take a tour from one of the local companies as they know where to find the horses.

There are a variety of restaurants located in Corolla, from Seafood, Italian to barbecue.  Most restaurants you can eat in or even bring it back to your house to eat.    Corolla has two grocery stores and an ABC store so you can even prepare your own food if you don’t want to eat out.  Be warned if you travel off season you will find a lot of these restaurants are closed for the season and the grocery store has limited supplies.

During the season Corolla has a movie theater and The Currituck Club hosts a comedy show and outdoor family movie night.  The Whalehead club offers daily events such as Wild Horse Days, 4^th of July Fireworks, and a concert series.  New this year will be a weekly Lighthouse 5k series starting July 11^th and going through August 1^st.

Whatever you discover while visiting Corolla, you will make memories that last a lifetime which will have you returning year after year or looking for a place you can call home in Corolla, NC.

These are some of my favorite 4^th of July Activities:

1. Ducks 8^th Annual 4^th of July Parade – The fun starts at 9:00 a.m. on the 4^th of July with music, food and a parade.
2. The Outer Banks Firecracker Freedom 5k and Little Sparkler Stroll – This event will support OBX’s local Veteran’s Association and Operation Wounded Warrior Project.
3.  OBX Killer Dunes 2 Mile Run/Walk – conquer the toughest 2 miles on the Outer Banks.
4. Head to the Beach – All you need is your chair, some drinks and snacks.
5. Fly a Kite at Jockeys Ridge
6.  Go to the Faire Day Festival – Live Horse Rides, Juggles, shopping and so much more.
7. Go Fishing – we have lots of piers to choose from as well as open water fishing adventures
8.  Have a picnic – Pack a picnic for the beach or have a cookout
9.  Explore the Aquarium – Great way to get out of the heat and learn about the ocean.
10.  The 440^th Army Band with Fireworks – Enjoy a patriotic concert at 8:00 followed by a firework show at 9:30.  Nothing like patriotic music and fireworks to celebrate the holiday.

I hope that you enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday in the Outer Banks.  For a listing of fireworks and events in the Outer Banks go to:  Outer Banks Events.