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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 8, 2007 - 31 If you head to the beach you want to get there The whole point of going to a destination with a beach is to be able to be on it, and many, many people who have mobility challenges simply can't, because there is no access. North Carolina is changing all that by building ramps and providing free wheelchairs with fat tires, built to be rolled easily on soft sand. They have produced a brochure to focus on the beaches and attractions to ease facilities for people with disabilities. Elaine Temple, chair of the Carteret County Mayors' Committee for Persons with Disabilities has worked long and hard to ease facilities for everyone. "Ramps to the beach are great for seniors, young families, as well as people using wheelchairs," she says. You can actually reserve the free wheelchairs by calling 252354-3424. North Carolina is famous for its pristine beaches, and colourful history. This is pirate country, and there are some wonderful tales to be told. In Beaufort Inlet for instance, divers discovered what is believed to be the shipwreck remains of Queen Anne's Revenge, the flagship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard. The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is home to artifacts recovered from the shipwreck, as well as a host of other interesting things. All exhibits are accessible. The waters of the Crystal Coast possess a hidden graveyard of more than 2,000 vessels that have made their unlikely final resting place at the bottom of the Atlantic. Many ships were sunk by crew members desperately trying to avoid capture and some were submerged in order to promote coral reef development. During the Second World War, German U-boats frequently targeted and sunk merchant vessels carrying oil, sulfur and other natural resources to northern states. Fort Macon State Park Bathhouse and Picnic area tells its own tale. It was built between 1826 and 1824 to guard the entrance to Beaufort Harbour, and seized by Confederate homes, Beaufort's historical diversity and Southern charm is everywhere. Each historic house and site has its own story to tell. Off season you can drive your car on Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Indiana Beach, and Emerald Isle. You need to get an inexpensive permit. Newport River/Radio Island Fishing Pier at the base of the Morehead City/Beaufort high rise bridge on Radio Island has accessible parking, rest rooms and a long wide pier out on the Newport River. And speaking of Morehead City, it has an accessible pool at the Sports Centre. Another Pier that's accessible and you can fish is the Emerald Isle Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. Popular in the summer, The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores plays host to "On-board Collecting Cruises" in which curious visitors experience the thrill of wrangling marine life while aquarium experts identify each creature and explain how they affect the delicate North Carolina eco-system. Once the explorers learn all they can about the Crystal Coast marine life, the creatures are set free in the ocean. All the exhibits are accessible, as are the washrooms, picnic tables, marsh, boardwalks and overlooks. You won't be surprised when I tell you that this coast is famous for its seafood. You'll also find a huge variety of restaurants serving both traditional and creative. Along with the food, you'll be dished up great stories of the area as well. You may think of cold windswept dunes this time of the year and through the winter, but the climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream, and they brag their waters are warmer in the winter than Boston's are in the summer months. For more than 300 years the wild horses of Shackleford Banks have taken care of their young, frolicked on pristine deserted beaches and foraged for food with not a saddle or fence in sight. You can go to the island by private boat or on one of the ferries running from Harkers Island, Beaufort and Morehead City. There is a huge selection of places to stay, from beach houses to hotels. The Crystal Coast deserves a huge round of applause for working towards more accessible vacations. Learn more at www.crystalcoastnc.org. Sam Ion can be reached at sion10@cogeco.ca. troops in 1861 at the outbreak of the civil war. Later it was used as a prison during the reconstruction years. It became important again during the SpanishAmerican War and again from 1941-1945. It is accessible, and has handicap parking, restrooms, picnic gazebos, oceanfront gazebo, and a ramp to the sand and beach. Call the park to reserve a beach wheelchair at 252-726-3775. The seaport town of Beaufort shows visitors a slice of early American life in a fishing and port town. With tree-lined streets and restored Victorian WINTER BAREFOOT PROMOTION AT NEW COTTON BAY VILLAGE, ST. LUCIA Are you looking for something a bit different from a traditional family resort holiday? Cotton Bay Village, situated on the north-east coast of St. Lucia is now fully operational with all facilities and amenities in place for their first winter season. With 74 Luxury Villas and Apartments suitable for discerning families or get-away-from-it-all romantics, Cotton Bay Village is offering huge savings with the "Winter Barefoot Promotion" for travel between 06JAN08 and 29MAR08. Rates in USD per day are based on double occupancy, children 12 years and under are free when sharing with 2 or more adults and the extra person rate is USD 75.00 per person per night. A Tamarind Suite (max 2 adults) is $350.00 (usually $563-656.00); Calabash Suite Ground Floor (max 4 adults) is $405.00 (usually $750-1025.00); Calabash Suite Top Floor (max 4 adults) is $440.00 (usually $815-1100.00); Coral Penthouse Suite (max 6 adults) is $500.00 (usually $1100-1400.00) and a Terracotta Terrace Townhouse (max 6 adults) is $815.00 based on 4 adults sharing (usually $1375-1550.00). There are also promotional rates on 6 to 8 adult individual villas. All rates include Government Tax and Service Charge. Every suites is beautifully finished with hardwood floors, traditional Caribbean-style louvered windows and sheers. Bedrooms are air-conditioned with four-poster beds and well-appointed en suite bathrooms with Hans Grohe fixtures. Sitting rooms have TV, CD and DVD players and an eclectic blend of furnishings. All ground floor suites have covered dining terraces featuring teak dining furniture and a private sun terrace. Second floor suites are complete with a sun terrace and dining balcony. Included is priviledged access to the Casuarina Spa and Fitness Centre, the Children's Hummingbird Club, Horseback Riding, Movie Night Around the Pool, 3 Restaurants, Water Sports, Golf at adjacent 18-hole St. Lucia Golf Club and the Italian Deli and Convenience Store. More information and photos are available at www cottonbayvillage.com Call us to arrange air, transfers and Cotton Bay Village reservations. BEAVER TRAILS TO EGYPT: Ann and Morton Shore read The Oakville Beaver at the pyramids in Egypt. Take along a copy of The Oakville Beaver on your next vacation and send it in for publication to Beaver Trails, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4 or e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. Visit McTavish At: www.mctavishtravel.com Relax... you're with us 221 Lakeshore Road E. Voted Best Travel Agency Best Cruise Company Best Travel Agent Thanks Oakville! Hopedale Shopping Centre 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville 905-337-2228 www.hookedoncruising.com To place an ad in this section call 905-845-3824 (905) 827-1100 fax: (905) 827-4982 e-mail: travel@mctavish.com