Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great place to call home for a week or two!

Guest: Frank (Charlton, MA)
Date of Stay: 05/06/12 Review Submitted: 05/16/12

Linda and Frank, First of all thank you for the Sun dance—it worked. We had wonderful weather for the entire week. You certainly have not forgotten anything throughout the house. This was a really nice place to stay and have as a home as we wandered all over the outer banks. We took a great 4X4 tour—driving the jeep all over the beach and dunes was a thrill. We got to see horses all over the trip. The ferries weren’t running to Ocracoke but we did get to Hatteras, climbed the lighthouse and also the one in Currituck. It was relaxing to come back to your house each night and enjoy the evening. Great to finally see the Outer Banks and travel from one end to the other – You have provided a relaxing wonderful place to stay that is perfectly placed to walk all over. Thank you, Frank and Lenore

Owner response:No, thank YOU! It was such a joy to come back and find a cottage that was spotless....as if nobody had even been here. Frank and I are thrilled that you had such a good time. Come back any time! Linda

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful and Perfectly Located House in Duck, NC

Guest: B & S (Silver Spring, MD)
Date of Stay: 04/22/12 Review Submitted: 05/20/12

Last month, my husband and I had the good fortune to stay for a week at this house for a much needed break. The house is immaculate and located a quarter mile from the beach and about a third of a mile from downtown Duck! I had not been to Duck before and very much appreciated Linda's very helpful restaurant suggestions. We had a very nice time and would be more than happy to stay at the house again in the future. Linda was very accomodating and helpful, and the location and house are fantastic. It was a very pleasant experience.

Owner response:What a delight it was to have such nice (and helpful) guests. It was such a treat when you managed to get our weather station and laptop cooperating with each other and the Internet. Smart folks! And thank you so much for the customized Google map to add to our web site. We'd love to have you back again next year, and we'll keep the rent at the 2012 rates for you! Thanks for being such wonderful guests! You make sharing our little place all worthwhile. Linda

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Wonderful Hospitality-Exceeded Expectations

Guest: GBH (Atlanta, GA)
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 05/23/12

We are a family of 5 with children ranging in age from 10-15. Chatterbox II suited us perfectly. My husband was very impressed with the cleanliness and excellent condition of the home upon our arrival. One way we try to save money on vacations is by making as much of our food as possible "in-house". Linda takes all the pain out of this process by providing any and every conceivable pantry item, including spices. So I only needed to buy basic ingredients for my recipes. And I had so much fun trying out her state of the art kitchen equipment. It made the cooking WAY more fun for me! We brought 3 bikes and the kids used those for riding down to the beach. And a wagon is even provided for carting all your beach items. The carport shower and clothesline streamline the post-beach experience. The walk is not that far but the kids enjoyed having our bikes. We loved Duck Donuts and Jockey's Ridge State Park. Our 13 year-old hang glided there and had a blast. I couldn't have been more satisfied with the attention and accessibility of Linda and Frank. I highly recommend Chatterbox II!!

Owner response:What a lovely family! We drove down to the cottage right after they left, and it was difficult to find any evidence that anybody had even stayed there. They cared for our home as if it were theirs. Frank and I are thrilled to know they had such a good time and hope to see them back again in the future. Linda

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Fun in the Sun

Guest: Scotty (Scotland)
Date of Stay: 10/19/11 Review Submitted: 10/23/11

Having just returned from my stay at Chatterbox Too, I felt the need to say what a good time my partner and I had there. Linda & Frank, the owners, are two off the most hospitable people you could meet. They did everything they could to make us feel at home. The house itself was lovely with the kitchen stocked with all mod cons, lots of space to cook scrumtious food and a table that can seat 8 comfortably. The beach was only a 5 min walk away and in the other direction you will find a collection of small shops, including duck doughnuts which is reccomended for a tasty snack. Overall we had an amazing time at Chatterbox Too and would highly reccomend anyone to stay here.

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Chatterbox Too

Guest: Michele (Owings, MD)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

Linda, the owner, is very nice and helpful. She checked in on us the day after we arrived to make sure all was well. My first impression of the house was that it was clean and well stocked with items that travelers might forget to pack. There was more than enough room for our family of four and my boys enjoyed the bunk beds. The beach is a short walk from the house and the owners supply a wide variety of beach toys, chairs, umbrella and a cart to push it all down to the beach. The house is within walking distance to quaint shops and eateries. We had a very nice stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

We Loved Chatterbox Too!

Guest: Stephanie(Maryland) (Bel Air, MD)
Date of Stay: 09/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/18/11

Linda & Frank, The house is absolutely wonderful. It is stocked so well, it makes you feel right at home the minute you walk in the door. I love that the beach is such a short walk. The porch swing is great to put our 7 month old to sleep. You truly do a great job in keeping your guests happy. Our vacation couldn't have been better. We had beautiful weather every day and a wonderful home to stay in. The beach toys and chairs came in handy every day. The waves were very strong this week, there was the "No Swimming" sign out for most of the days. I'm assuming the hurricane out at sea had caused the water to be so rough. I can't thank you enough for a great vacation. We will be returning for sure! I will be sure to recommend the Chatterbox Too to all our friends and Family! The Elliott Family

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Another Great Summer at Duck!

Guest: Sarah (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 07/24/11 Review Submitted: 08/04/11

Our annual trek to Duck and Chatterbox Too did not disappoint. We came "home" to a beautiful vegetable garden in the front with lots of ripe tomatoes and herbs. The newly renovated outside shower now provides extra light and room. Inside our home away from home were new pillows on every bed and a bright, beachy comforter on the king bed. (I hear that two of the other rooms will have the same "down-by-the-sea" look soon!!). The newly installed carpeting on the first floor feels cozy and cool on our feet. The kitchen is still a gourmet cooks dream with every appliance and kitchen gadget you could need or want. The owners have made sure you are also wanting for nothing in the audio visual and computer area!!! The high speed internet was wonderful and the large flat screen t.v. in the family room (and one in every bedroom) made sure we didn't miss any programs!! But we always enjoy the quieter side of our beach stay. Lots of puzzles are available and a storage room complete with beach chairs, umbrellas and toys. Linda & Frank also provide a detailed notebook with mile markers to local shops, restaurants and attractions. The owners are THE BEST and I would recommend this house to anyone. Chatterbox Too is a place to come to kick off your shoes and have a fully relaxing and enjoyable time at the beach.

Owner response:Your fifth year! You and your family always take such good care of our Chatterbox Too. We enjoy having you as guests as much as you enjoy vacationing at our cottage. It won't be too many years before those boys are taking their wives and your grandchildren to the beach with them. Linda

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Can't wait to go back

Guest: Moody Family (Charlottesville, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 02/01/12

We just sent our deposit for our second trip to chatterbox too and our kids are counting down the days. Great location, great owners, GREAT KITCHEN, comfortable beds, best outdoor shower in the outerbanks, and the list goes on and on. Leave most everything at home because if you have thought of it so has Linda. Enjoy!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

The Petersons

Guest: Love the Beach :) (Disputanta, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/12/11 Review Submitted: 06/22/11

Our first time in Duck and our BEST vacation ever!!!! The weather was beautiful in the upper 70's all week....ocean a little cool, but not a problem! We rode our bikes everywhere!! There is a shopping center at the end of the street and our girls thought it was really cool to ride in the road :). There are eateries in the shopping areas...Our fav's were Duck Donuts, Wave Pizza, and the Ice Cream! We didn't drive unless we were heading out of Duck and that wasn't much, mainly for dinner and our fav's for dinner are Black Pelican, Big Al's, and Mako Mikes. At the other end of the street is the beach access so we could ride our bikes there too! and everything was thought of...Even the beach "stuff"(umbrellas, chairs, toys, boards,and even something to roll it all to the beach!) is available for use so that you don't have to use car space to bring. The kitchen is well stocked and organized. Even emergency items (batteries, bandaids, paper, pens, etc.) were available as needed. Francis and Linda, you both have done a fantastic job on keeping your beach home in top shape and full of items that every family needs on vacation!! Thank YOU for the time you have put into your home and property!! Can't wait for our next stay at CHATTERBOX TOO ~ The Petersons

Owner response:We're so glad you had a terrific vacation, and Frank and I really enjoyed meeting the four of you before you left. Thanks for all the nice things you had to say about our Chatterbox Too. Hope to see you again next year. Linda

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Nice little house, even nicer owners!

Guest: Wolverines (Gettysburg, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/11 Review Submitted: 08/30/11

We had a really nice time at Chatterbox Too. It was clean and neatly organized. We had an issue with an appliance in the home and the owners were very helpful, considerate and understanding. The screened porch was so fun for the kids to play in and stay safe while enjoying the outdoors. We initially chose this home because it had a hot tub on the deck and who doesn't love to relax in a hot tub on vacation?!? Well, about a month before our reservation, the owners found out their hot tub had an unrepairable crack in it and the owners made the decision to not replace it, so... no hot tub on vacation, bummer!! We were, however, reimbursed a small sum of money for the inconvenience and kept our reservation. The outdoor shower was wonderful for cleaning off after a day at the beach. All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves and would recommend staying at Chatterbox Too.

Owner response:Frank and I were very sorry to have to notify our renters of the hot tub's demise. However, we felt fortunate that we were able to do so more than six weeks prior to our first renters' arrival. Though we were not required to by the law or the lease agreement, we offered all prospective renters a FULL REFUND. Though there was plenty of time for these first renters to find another cottage, they chose not to accept the full refund. They chose instead to accept a refund of what we considered the value of the hot tub for the week. We are very sorry this situation had such a negative effect on this renter's vacation, but we handled it the best way we knew how. We're happy that they otherwise enjoyed their stay.

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Chatter Box

Guest: Lynda (Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111)
Date of Stay: 06/05/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

I have been visiting Nags Head & Duck North Carolina sine I was a small child and that was 40 some years ago. I have to admit property #315522 Chatter Box Two is the most charming cottage I have had the chance to vacation in. The location, the decor and the restful nights sleep on wonderful mattress was a wonderful experience. I show all my friends pictures of the finely furnished cottage. Look forward to another chance to stay!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Vacationer

Guest: Janis (Powhatan, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 05/22/11 Review Submitted: 07/18/11

I love the location of this property. Walking distance to the beach, to the sound, and to the park. The house is very clean and has all the extras you may want. The owners are easily acessible if you have any questions or problems. It is a quiet neighborhood and the beach is very nice.

Owner response:Hi Janis, We're glad you enjoyed, what, your third visit? Hope to "see" you again in 2012! Thanks for taking such good care of our Chatterbox Too. Thanks, Linda

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car.

A Home Away From Home!

Guest: JJS (Harrisburg, PA)
Date of Stay: 10/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/11/10

This is our seventh time staying at the ChatterboxToo and it is just as pleasurable as the first six! The owners always do a wonderful job at making our stay comfortable and relaxing. It always has the feel as a home away from home rather than a rental home. In addition to the comfort of the home it is within walking distance to Duck's local shops and restaurants. We plan on staying at the ChatterboxToo twice a year as long as it is possible; there's no need to go anywhere else.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Top 10 Reasons we LOVED staying at Chatterbox Too this year.

Guest: The P's (Forest, VA)
Date of Stay: 09/26/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

10. Even tropical storm that caused flooding didn't stop our fun - we found tons of info on what to do in the OBX under the coffee table 9. The sand box under the house was the perfect place to play while we were doing laundry. 8. Location, Location, Location - which way do we ride our bikes, to the beach or to town it just doesn't get any better than not getting in your car for days on end. 7. The Nature walk at the end of the road in Corolla (just before you go on the 4x4 beach) - WHAT A FIND. 6. The Bowling Lanes and the Paint your own Pottery in OBX (did I mention we had a lot of rain?) 5. The vegetable garden right out front - even though we were at the end of the season we found a few peppers and tomatoes - yummy. 4. The ginormous new TV (ok so that was my husband's favorite.) 3. The Blue Ray that hooked up to Netflix - my daughters favorite, and mine when I was trying to cook dinner. 2. The unbelievably well stocked kitchen - there are more wonderful kitchen tools at Chatterbox Too than I have in my own house. I always come back with a list of things to get because I tried them at Chatterbox Too and loved them. and the #1 reason we LOVED staying at Chatterbox Too this year...... 1. The owners - they truly go above and beyond to make your rental experience a great one. The way the house is stocked you feel as if you are staying at your Aunt's beach house - not just some rental you found in a magazine.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great House!

Guest: MebaneClan (Mebane, NC)
Date of Stay: 08/29/10 Review Submitted: 09/17/10

Chatterbox Too is a great, clean, and well ordered house with an amazing location! An easy walk to the beach in one direction and the town of Duck in the other. The house is relaxing and equipped with so much especially in the kitchen. Definitely take time to sit on the porches, soak in the hot tub, eat dinner on the upper deck's picnic table and enjoy the screened in porch! This was a great home for our family with 2 small children!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

August 2010 2 week stay at Chatterbox Too

Guest: Mikereyno (West Trenton, NJ)
Date of Stay: 08/15/10 Review Submitted: 11/22/10

Dear Linda and Frank, Had a wonderful two weeks-weather was great-really enjoyed early morning walks on the beach. Thanks for all the added "perks" in the house-makes cooking so much easier. The house was wonderful and hope to visit again soon. Favorite places to eat: Elizabeth's and Blue Point. Thanks, The Reynolds

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Best Beach House in Duck!

Guest: Sarah (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 07/25/10 Review Submitted: 09/15/10

"There is no place like home, but this rental beach house comes in a very close second! We have now rented for four consecutive years; and each year, I bring less and less from home. The owners have provided every creature comfort, especially in the gourmet kitchen. There is a very large wooden dining room table to feed the entire crew with enough room leftover at the end for laptops and staying connected with friends/family back home. The living space is comfortable with all new bright fabrics on the cushions. Every t.v. in the house is flat screen with excellent picture quality. The bedrooms are spotless with beautiful beachy bed covers on all of them. There are beach chairs, coolers and loads of other beach items in the utility room, along with a new washer and dryer. Soap is always provided too!! The best is the outdoor shower. The location is also perfect. The house sits atop of Christopher Road so you have a beautiful view from the deck of the ocean and on the other side, it's a very quick walk to Scarborough Village, where there is plenty of dinig and shopping to be had. No need to get in your car once you are there! My family looks forward every year to our visit to Duck. The owners are the most lovely people, who take great pride in providing the best place to stay at Duck. You too will feel right at home from the moment you step inside. But don't forget to look at their amazing herb and vegetable garden on the way in. What a find to be able to pick fresh thyme and basil and also a few tomatoes on your way into the front door! Once you rent this place for the first time, you will want to come back again and again!"

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Family Get-away

Guest: Angie (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 11/17/10

What a wonderful 2010 vacation week-our first time in Duck! The weather was ridiculously hot (near 100° every day, 90° by 10AM!), but we had unbelievably cold water temps (60°)! The cold didn't keep the kids out of the water though. And, as my husband pointed out, it only took a second to get cooled off. We brought our own beach umbrellas but they didn't hold up to the OBX wind. Ocean Atlantic Rentals rents good sturdy umbrellas for $10/day or $30/week-totally worth it. Some of us enjoyed Blue Point, but we didn't bring the kids to that one-good call. We walked to Duck Donuts one morning-yum! You can watch them making your donuts and you get them still warm! Pizzaz Pizza was good too. We went to the one in Nags Head, but there's also one in Duck. It's a pizza and salad buffet. We enjoyed the Wright Bros Memorial. The kids became "Jr Flight Rangers." Some of the group also visited the area light houses. Some took their 4 wheel drive to the beach in Corolla where you can drive on the beach. They didn't get to see any horses though. Your kitchen is wonderfully stocked. We made most of our meals right here. We enjoyed your puzzles and especially Apples to Apples. We may need to buy that one for our house. Some of us spent mornings and evenings reading on the shady decks and porch. The kids loved the sand toys and boogie boards. We love your charming home with all the many extra amenities. Our only wish would be better back support on the living room furniture. All in all though, a lovely week! Thanks, The Nordikes and The Snows

Owner response:Hi Angie, We're thrilled that you and your family had such a great time. I'm so sorry that the living room furniture was uncomfortable for you. Though no other guests have ever mentioned this, I will order a bunch of new pillows to accompany those already there. Thanks, Linda

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners.

Wonderful family vacation home

Guest: Phil and Nicole (Richmond, VA)
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 11/12/10

Linda and Frank, What a wonderful vacation week we had! I’m so sorry it is Saturday evening and our trip has come to an end. We loved your house and look forward to returning in the future! Our two boys loved all the games, especially Monopoly and learning how to play poker with your cards. We spent every evening on the porch, watching the sunset with a glass of wine. Your tomatoes were just getting ripe and I was so happy to sit and eat one with some salt! We made fresh salsa and used your herbs to cook almost every night. Our favorite Duck spots are: Duck Donuts with kids, The Blue Point without kids. Loved it!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Vacation with Toddlers...and it was RELAXING!

Guest: Melissa (Fort Mill, SC)
Date of Stay: 05/30/10 Review Submitted: 09/13/10

My best friend from college and I brought our husbands and kids to the beach the first week of June 2010. The weather was beautiful and the house was perfect. My friends little boy was 18 months at the time and mine almost 2 and they both loved our quick walks to the beach and playing in the "sandbox" under the house. It was so nice to stay somewhere that had toys and baby gates already provided! Our husbands loved the instant Netflix movies on the TV. My friend and I are both avid cooks. so we loved how stocked the kitchen was and having a garden right outside our door to pick fresh herbs. I have been vacationing in the Outer Banks since I was 14 years old and this is a house I would definitley recommend for anyone to stay!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners.

Guest: Annemarie and John
Date of Stay: 04/11/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Linda and Frank, Thank you for sharing your home with us! All of the little things you do for your renters are very much appreciated. We especially enjoyed the games and free movie rentals. This has been our best vacation in the Outer Banks yet. Thank you, Linda, for the sun dance. Who would have thought we would have had 85-90 degree weather for 4 of our days here. This was a wonderful way for our family to relax. Thank you again for renting to us. We hope to be lucky enough to rent from you in the future. Annemarie, John, Kaitlynn, and John Michael D, Virginia Beach

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Spring Break 2010

Guest: Annemarie (Virginia Beach, VA)
Date of Stay: 04/04/10 Review Submitted: 11/12/10

Linda and Frank, Thank you for sharing your home with us! All of the little things you do for your renters are very much appreciated. We especially enjoyed the games and free movie rentals. This has been our best vacation in the Outer Banks yet! Your photos accurately represented your home. It was spacious and shiny clean. It was wonderful how you had binders for us full of nearby attractions and restaurants. Your lists helped us to find all the items we needed for our stay in your home. Thank you, Linda, for the sun dance. Who would have thought we would have had 85-90° weather for 4 of our days here in April. This was a wonderful way for our family to relax. Thank you again for renting to us. We hope to be lucky enough to rent from you in the future. We will be sure to tell our family and friends about our wonderful time renting from you. Thank you, Annemare and family, Virginia Beach, VA

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Allison
Date of Stay: 11/09/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Frank and Linda, Thank you so very much for this weekend. We all had a great time with the unexpected warmth, 65-70 degrees. The plants have all been watered including the tomatoesJ. Please let me know if the fruit gets any bigger – I can’t believe how healthy the one on the deck is. The one growing in the driveway made me laugh out loud Hope you have a wonderful and winter cozied in at the beach. Allison. PS Pictures to come soon

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Guest: Allison
Date of Stay: 10/04/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Frank and Linda— Thank you for all the little extras you do to make staying at Chatterbox Too – not just staying in a rental house but staying in a home. The Ps, Forest, VA

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Guest: Mike and Joyce
Date of Stay: 09/19/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Our week @ chatterbox too was wonderful. The house is just what we needed for a week with the family. The weather was made to order. Thank you Linda for the SUN DANCE, it worked! The ocean was great, a little choppy Thurs and Fri but that only makes the sound from the deck greater to enjoy! We had seafood with chocolate martinis for dessert almost every night. Made some great friends next door. Free movies were great, got some more new releases before they were out on the shelf. Good thing everything was so close, we walked and shopped, don’t leave out the ABC store so close. The things you have done to this house make it a wonderful and beautiful place to kick back and relax. Our family all needed this time to be with Mother and relax if only for a few days. It was one of our best beach trips . Thank you Linda and Frank for everything you have done to prepare a wonderful experience to be had by all. Maybe we can come again and enjoy your home. Thank you! Thank you! .

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Guest: Sharon, Silver Spring, MD
Date of Stay: 08/30/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We had a wonderful week at Chatterbox Too. The house is beautifulm and the hosts have thought of everything. Garden is wonderful, and we ate a tone of basil, quite a few tomatoes, and some bell peppers. Will rip the rest of the basil flowers off tonight. Rosemary and parsley were also delicious! Notes for Linda and Frank: -A boogie board snapped in two on our watch, so we bought a replacement today and stashed it with the others. -We will leave the beach cart outside when we leave. It was inside when we got here, and it looks lik lots of people before us tried to squeeze it through the door, scratching the door in the process. Maybe the problem warrants a label to warn folks? -As mentioned on the phone, the top center tomato plant has gone to seed. But everything else looks phenomenally good right now. Peppers and tomato plants are absolutely covered in blossoms, and herbs are great. We watered well twice, and there were two good rains while we were here---Bill and Danny, so things are in good shape. -We loved the free movies from Ocean Atlantic—thank you!!! Great time had by all. I hope we’ll be able to stay here again. Thanks and good wishes, .

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Guest: Gary, Sarah and The Boys, Gaithersburg, MD
Date of Stay: 08/08/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We are winding down our time here at our home away from home. This was our third year here and it gets better every time! I love the new porch furniture…a great place to have your morning coffee and read the paper. The new cushions in the family room are so bright, cheery, and perfect for a nap! And where else can you step outside your front door and pick fresh herbs and tomatoes….yum. Our two new adventures this year were the Wild Horse Tour and the Ghost Tour at the Whalehead Club, both in Currituck. We took a guided, open air jeep tour first thing in the morning. The weather was cool and picture perfect. Our guide was Wily and a 30 year native of the area. During the ride along the pristine beaches of Corova, Wiley gave us such insight into the secluded region. We also saw the beloved and beauriful horses roaming wild amongh the beach houses. A tour worth experiencing, but make sure you plan on going early or late in the day so you won’t get too hot and sweaty! The other tour was an evening tour of the Whalehead Club…a beautifully restored mansion of a very wealthy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Knight, who wanted a place to go in the winter for duck huntins. For this tour, bring your flashlights and courage. The house is dark and your guide walks you through the house while telling of “weird experiences” that have occurred over the years. If you do believe in ghosts, it’s a “fun time. If you don’t, you might as well do one of the day tours…actually, the day tour of the house would be of interest to any history buff. We ate out a couple of times. Our favorite place was called the Bad Bean…a Mexican restaurant with a California flare. My boys loved the hot dogs wrapped with melted cheese in a flour tortilla. The Cali Burrito is delicious and big enough for two. Only word of warning is that the place is small, loud, and you often have to fight for a table. Frozen margaritas are fantastic at the Sunset Grill, but I would go just for the drinks and the view of the sound. Dinners there are bland and not worth the wait. This year we also rented a surf board from Ocean Atlantic Rentals. Great board, great service, and renting for a week is a better buy. Thank you Linda and Frank for another restful and beautiful stay at Chatterbox Too!

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Guest: Sandi F, Pittsburgh, PA
Date of Stay: 07/26/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Our first trip to the OBX. Great time! Great home! Everything we needed was here! I have rented homes before and they cannot compare to the Chatterbox. Linda Makes sure that everyone has what they need. The garden was lovely! I ate many of the veggies! We also made a special pasta dish from the peppers, tomatoes, and basil. We had a few cloudy, overcast days, but spent them sight seeing. Visited Jockeys’ Ridge, Wright Memorial, and all three lighthouses. Spent many hours on the beach during the sunny days and the nice cool evenings. Well, back to reality. Time to go home. You both are exceptional providers for your summer tenants, or guests like Linda likes to call us. Oh, one more thing. We ate dinner at the Sunset Bar and Grill. I ordered a special drink which was supposed to be a souvenir glass from the Sunset. It was a plastic souvenir glass from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas! So make sure to check if you order a drink from the Sunset Bar and Grill. I hope the next guests have a great week!

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Guest: Tom F
Date of Stay: 07/26/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

It’s dark; and quiet….a perfect night for sleeping…then they attack! GIANT, CLAW-FOOTED reptiles (about the size of German Shephards)…the launch themselves against the house, and try to claw their way up the wall to get to the roof. Herds of them attack – all night long…and only the wtrong will survive. The moral of the story? If you have a VIVID imagination, sleep does not come early when a tree is banging against the house in a wind storm!! (cut down the tree!) Note from Linda: We had the offending tree cut down and removed on the following Tuesday (July 28).

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Guest: Annie, Gill, and The Girls
Date of Stay: 07/19/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Linda and Frank Thank you again! It just keeps getting better! When Gill and I got married on a beach 3 years ago, we decided that it would be wonderful to spend our anniversary on a beach. We never planned on returning to the SAME beach, but Duck and The Chatterbox have charmed us so! We find we simply NEED to return! We really love the outdoor shower head, which made rinsing off sandy dogs so much nicer. We found on this third trip, third anniversary that we really feel like The Chatterbox Too is our home too. Thanks for making us feel so at home. It’s pure heaven.

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Guest: Carol S
Date of Stay: 06/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

All the extras, like the sand toys and the beach chairs and beach cart made our first OBX stay so much better. We walked everywhere—the only time we used the car was to get people to the Norfolk Airport—what a great location! While we were disappointed with our dinner at the Red Sky Café, the Blue Point was a raging success with all who dined there. The porch setup was terrific and we spent lots of time on the deck in the sun—and the cloudy days too. It was still great. Thanks so much for sharing your home with us and for working so hard to make our experience a good one. (5 Colorado, 1 Atlanta, 2 Maryland)

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Guest: Gary, Lissa, and Ella, Arlington, VA
Date of Stay: 06/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We had a great time this week at Chatterbox Too! The weather was excellent all week. Ella, our dog, had a blast digging for crabs and actually caught a few! We really enjoyed the garden and used the dill, oregano, and parsley. One afternoon we rented a jeep and went on the beaches north of Corolla and saw some wild horses! Thank you for sharing your wonderful house, and your time and effort making it welcome to visitors was much appreciated. We look forward to returning to Duck and OBX some time very soon! Warmly, Gary, Lissa, and Ella, Arlington, VA

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Guest: Joan, Bob, Lauren, and Alison, Burke, VA
Date of Stay: 06/06/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Linda and Frank, Thank you for sharing your home with us! It is so clean and well cared for. We appreciated how well-stocked it is and the many extras that you provided for cooking, etc. It made us feel at home. We enjoyed a week of just being together and spending time with our two college age daughters. We had five days of perfect weather, then some clouds, rain and wind. We took many walks to the beach and town of Duck. We enjoyed the bookstore and ice cream at Loblolly Pines. A perfectly relaxing week. Even our dog loved it here—she would lay on a towel on the beach next to us contentedly. The love and care that you put into your home is evident. We appreciated being able to use your home for our restful vacation. All the best and God bless-- Joan, Bob, Lauren, and Alison, Burke, VA

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Guest: John, Sue, Jorja, PA
Date of Stay: 05/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We’ve been coming to OBX for over 10 years and have been here at Chatterbox Too three times. We love your home! The week started a little rough with rain and lots of it. But by mid week the sun cam out, the wind died down, and it was a wonderful time. The new cushions on the sofa and chairs are beautiful and give us a very homey feeling as does the new porch setup. What a great idea. The garden is coming along great. We believe the plants have grown in the last few days. Thank you for sharing your home with us. We had a wonderful time and will be back in October John, Sue, and Jorja

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Guest: Janis and Lynda
Date of Stay: 05/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Pilates at the park was fun! Everything is so clean—I don’t feel like I have to wear flip flops in the house all the time. The location of Chatterbox Too is perfect—so much you can readily walk to. Discovered the Rundown Cafe this trip. Like the “island” flavor in food and decorations. And the owners are out of this world , owners of Chatterbox Too that is. Janis , Powhatan, VA . I fell in love with this retro style used creatively throughout. Comfortable beds, beautiful floors. Kitchen was so cute. We had 2 wonderful restful days, great shopping close to the beach and park. Thank you for allowing us to stay, came May 11 and left May 14, 2009 Lynda, Mechanicsville, VA

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Guest: Greg and Carol
Date of Stay: 04/10/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Boy what a great week! Our family has enjoyed a week here at Chatterbox Too. We started off with a trip to Ocean Atlantic Rentals to outfit every family member with a bike and helmet. The guys who run the shop are sweet and helpful. For Emilee, our youngest, we rented a co-pilot bike trailer so she could “ride in style” behind her daddy’s bike. This was a wondervul ecperience and highly recommended. Our family and the Masseys headed off right away on a ride down Route 12. Sun shining, breeze blowing, and children laughing…you can’t get any better than that. The beach is beautiful and we really appreciated the great collection of sand castle building tools. Courtenay, Ethan T., Ethan M., Jamie, and Emilee all truly enjoyed them all. As a “princess in training”, Emilee, 4 yrs old, was delighted to find a Cinderella mold in the bucket. She spent at least an hour creating sand Cinderellas along the beach. For me on a personal level, it was great to spend some time with dear friends after the children had fallen asleep. The movie rentals program is such a generous gift for guests of Chatterbox Too. We watched “Slumdog Millionaire”. It was moving. Thank you for sharing your home with us! Greg and Carol, Courtenay, Ethan, and Emilee

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Guest: Molly and Justin
Date of Stay: 04/10/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Can’t believe the week has already ended! We’ve had a blast during this spring break with the Taylor Clan! The weather has been crazy—it started nice (60s and sunny) and deteriorated to rain and 50s by mid week, so we made good use of the free movies from Ocean Atlantic Rentals as well as the Roanoke Island Aquarium---especially the shark exhibit! We cooked all but two meals for 4 adults and 5 children in athe awesome Chatterbox Too kitchen. We really appreciated the sharp knives and fresh cilantro from the garden. Lour two meals out were lunch at Mulligans—great food and relatively inexpensive---and dinner at Tale of the Whale---expensive but good (too much sauce on the marinated tuna according to Justin). A few other touches were much appreciated—the XBOX in the living room, great for kids and dads on r ainy days, laundry baskets (this was a big deal for us), hardwood floors (the men Swiffered every day because it was fun!), soap dispensers in every bathroom, toilet paper available on arrival (no explanation needed), warm water in the outdoor shower, and backpack beach chairs. There were lots of other little touches that didn’t go unnoticed. I just can’t remember them all here. Thank you for sharing the Chatterbox Too with us. We had such a good time and look forward to visiting again soon! Love, Molly (your daughter), Justin (your son-in-law), Ethan and Jamie (your grandsons), and Bonnie (your granddog), Bon Air, Virginia PS Pictures are on the way J

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Guest: Carol and Harold
Date of Stay: 11/20/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Dear Linda....just wanted to let you know that we are really enjoying your delightful house...we love staying here. Also, we need to compliment you on your well equipped kitchen. Fantastic. Also, the many thoughtful 'extras' that you include. The house is just so welcoming and would gladly recommend it. The notebook is very helpful. We are having a great time. Weather at start was very cold, and even a little snow. However, the last two days have been beautiful and warm. We will be leaving Thursday morning and will have everything in good shape for you when you arrive. Also, I need to let you know that when I took the hand mixer out to use it, it just simply did not work. The motor ran but did not turn the blades and smelled like it was getting hot. I was happy to pick up another one for you at Kelloggs. I will let both on the counter for you. I do appreciate the offer for the veggie peeler and scissors. Am very eager to try them. Will think of you and your wonderful house each time I use them. The temperature did go below 32 degrees and alas, the basil was frozen as were the tomatoes. I do hear that the weather is to be very nice here the next couple of days so you will be able to enjoy a few warm days. I left you a pumpkin pie in the fridge...baked today...that you can use for your dinner tomorrow. When you are finished you can give the pie plate to Harold or Jen. Also, I made fresh ice for your arrival. Harold and I have gone over everything so that the house will be clean for your arrival. Your attention to detail has made our stay here wonderful and I thank you again. Hopefully, we can come back earlier next year and stay longer. Thank you again for everything. Have a great Thanksgiving!! Again, thank you for a lovely week...Carol and Harold

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Guest: R and S
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

A restful and relaxing time was spent at Chatterbox Too. Being able to extend our time here was fabulous! The attention you give to your beach house is very much appreciated. Our decision to return will certainly be an easy one. Took advantage of the free movie rentals and watched a variety of new releases. What an awesome perk!! Enjoyed our walks in the morning, afternoon, and early evening. The dogs really looked forward to them. So much calmer here in the off season. Well, we’ll be returning refreshed and anxious to return next year. Rs and Ss, Latrobe, PA

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Guest: Allison, Bill, and Carol Ann
Date of Stay: 09/27/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Top 10 reasons our trip to Duck was better than ever before: 10. There are gates on the deck so the child and the dog are contained. 9. For the first time ever we went to historic Manteo…..how charming. 8. We met Captain Jack Sparrow and had our picture taken with him. 7. Baldee’s Ice Cream, the perfect spot to stop on a bike ride. 6. The vegetable/herb garden has grown exponentially—we love it! 5. The new shower head in the outside shower—you can bathe a 3 year old and a dog in one fell swoop. 4. Mom, Dad, daughter, popcorn, and free movie rentals…does it get any better? 3. We discovered the Sound Beach behind Jockey’s Ridge—the perfect beach for little ones. 2. We learned how to sleep in a house that was slightly moving. 93L is the official name of the “Hybrid Subtropical Storm” otherwise known as a Nor’easter that hit while we were here. And the #1 reason our trip to Duck was better than ever……. 1. This house! It doesn’t get better than Chatterbox Too: the location, the kitchen, the beach chairs, the sandbox, the beach wagon, the Penzey’s spices….I could go on and on and on. Simply said we’ll be back next year for the 3rd time. You have made an amazing beach cottage. Thank you for sharing it. The Ps, Forest, VA

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Guest: Emeline and Dave T
Date of Stay: 08/24/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Dear Linda and Frank, Thank you so much for the great house. It was full of character and very well stocked. We felt like we were at home with all your attention to details. Even though the weather was against us, we had a blast. You have a great garden—made some great bruchetta for leftover hot dog and hamburger buns one night with all the ingredients from your garden. We cooked every night—how could we not with a kitchen like yours? Really love the Durkee’s six pepper spice. The kids took advantage of the free video rentals which came in handy that one really rainy day. We would definitely come back to enjoy your beautiful home. Sincerely Emeline and Dave T. and Sidney (13) Aiden (9), Justin (3), Summit, NJ P.S. Justin really enjoyed the ride in the Wheeleze to and from the beach!

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Guest: Nancy S, Arlington, VA
Date of Stay: 08/23/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We really enjoyed staying at Chatterbox Too. I was drawn to it because of the screened in porch and was so pleased to be able to see the water both from the porch and decks and the living room. We enjoyed watching the Olympics on TV, and my daughter was tickled with the free movie rentals. We at in most nights and it was such a help to have so many kitchen tools and everything so well organized. We really enjoyed the beautiful skies, sun rises, and sunsets—it’s so great to be able to walk easily to the beach or to the sound. One night we had pizza at Angelo’s and ate while watching a beautiful sunset—what a treat! Thank you Linda and Frank for going to so much trouble to make your house so welcoming—from the herbs and spice to the fresh tomatoes and peppers. We have really enjoyed ourselves and plan to return next year. Nancy S., Arlington, VA

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Guest: Sarah and Gary
Date of Stay: 08/09/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We love our Chatterbox Too and the time we get to spend here. This is our second year and we hope to keep up the tradition! Our weather has been picture perfect…hot and humid during the day and thunderstorms at night! The new beach cart is a huge help in carting our “stuff” to the beach…along with the backpack beach chairs, it’s a breeze going to and from the beach. Gary and I both appreciate the new umbrella to keep us in the shade and youthful! This is the most well equipped kitchen for a rental property. Linda and Frank take good care of us! I didn’t have to pack any extra culinary supplies…from all of the spices to the pots and pans, we were good to go for any meal. We ate out a few times at Pizzaz Pizza (the boys’ favorite white pizza ever) and to Sooey’s (enough ribs to eat for days after). We also got take out from Fishbones….good eats but ask for salad dressings on the isde. The lettuce was a tad drenched. Besides our usual treks to Professor Hackers’ Putt Putt Golf (got to go at night) and go cart riding in Corolla. We rented wave runners….what fun! We rented from Kitty Hawk but [?] was a bit cheaper and closer. To save even more $ go at 9AM when they all open..they take $10 off each rental. We stayed out for ½ hour…plenty of time to get your feet wet if it’s your first time. Until next year….I hope whoever is renting next will appreciate how lucky we all are to have such a special place to stay at OBX! The H Brood, Gaithersburg, MD

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Guest: Annie, Gill, and dogs, Atlanta, GA
Date of Stay: 07/19/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

What a beautiful and perfect week we celebrated at Chatterbox Too! We couldn’t have asked for more. From doing crossword puzzles on the deck to fabulous romps on the glorious beach. We have to admit, we rarely left the area. Your home is so sweet and cozy. The cherry tomatoes are perhaps the most delicious we’ve ever tasted. Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. We celebrated our second wedding anniversary at Blue Point. Looks like we’re starting a tradition. (Note from Linda: They celebrated their first anniversary week at Chatterbox Too in 2007.) We are in love with Duck and the wonderful Chatterbox Too. Annie, Gill, and dogs, Atlanta, GA

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Guest: Kent
Date of Stay: 06/26/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

Linda and Frank, Your place is beautiful! We loved everything and had a great time! Spen many hours on the deck reading—and everybody loved having the Internet. Went miniature golfing at Professor Hackers—which was fantastic—and also ate at Owens which was fabulous as well. The weather was great; we went to the beach every day and enjoyed the hot tub at night. We also enjoyed the free movie rentals as well. All in all a great time! Hope to be back again! Kent

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Guest: The Ms and the Ps
Date of Stay: 06/12/08 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We enjoyed a great week in Duck. Your home was awesome and such a well equipped kitchen! The garden is a nice touch too. We had rain one day and one afternoon, but otherwise the weather was incredible—not nearly as hot as ourjusual July visits to Duck. We always enjoy ging to Lone Cedar in Nags Head. Incredible food and well worth the drive there! Dockside Seafood is great too for fresh seafood to cook in. We hate to see the week come to an end, but there is always next year! Blessings, The M’s and The Ps P.S. Be sure to visit Duck Park for beautiful sunsets! The backpack chars are WONDERFUL!

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Guest: The Ps, Forest, VA
Date of Stay: 04/06/08 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

A long weekend @ Chatterbox Too—what a wonderful beginning to spring. We only had one partially sunny day—no wind—perfect for playing on the beadh. Friday it rained cats and dogs all day. We believe a rainy day at the beach is better than a sunny day at home—and it was. We splashed through puddles as we drove to Nags Head, hit the outlets, and had lunch at Duck BBQ and Delii—GREAT BBQ and yummie brownies. The hardwood floors are gorgeous and the kitchen is superbly stocked. We always feel as if we are in a home away from home. The new Adirondack chairs made the perfect place to sit and check email. We are due back here in September, and I simply can’t wait! You have made the perfect vacation home. Thank you, The P’s, Forest, VA

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Guest: Dawn Marie and Ron
Date of Stay: 11/22/07 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

Thanksgiving Day—the sun was ablaze and the weather warm (high 70s) for the “Turkey Trot”. A large number of people participated—must be the nice weather! Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful—we had all the necessary items to made a scrumptious meal—spices, cookware, utensils, etc. The weather has been so nice that we spent a lot of time at the beach. There were not very many people in the water—mostly children and a few surfers. We only went out to eat once, at the Roadside Bar and Grill. The food was delicious! The rest of the time we cooked all our meals so we could take advantage of the great Penzey’s spices! Thanks Linda and Frank for sharing your house with all its nice personal touches. Ron, Dawn Marie, Rocky, Ringo and Grandma and Grampa

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Guest: John, Sue B, & Whippadore Jorja
Date of Stay: 10/13/07 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

The last week has been very relaxing. It was just what we needed, however the weather was unseasonably warm. Not at all what we expected—therefore having limited need for the hot tub. The house and all the extras made the vacation feel like home away from home. We’ve been coming to the Outer Banks for 10 years and this is the first time we have experienced such care. If you are looking for something fun and interesting to do, we recommend Eco-Kayak Tours—check out North Banks Outfitters (they have 5 different ones). We hope to return to your home next May! Hope to see ya then, John and Sue B and our Whippadore Jorja., Harrisburg, PA

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Guest: The Ps, Forest, VA
Date of Stay: 09/28/07 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

Two weeks at the Chatterbox Too—what a way to recharge batteries and reconnect. After the first week which was very windy and rainy, the second week was warm and sunny. This house has been the perfect second home. The notes around the house have brought smiles to our faces---My grandmother had notes on her furniture and paintings so we would all know where things came from—so for me seeing notes is like being home. We went out onto Oregon Inlet. It’s only for 4X4s but if you have one it’s worth it. The waves are almost nonexistent near the bridge and the views are wonderful. My two year old loved the large puddles. We also went to the Nature Center on Corolla—what a great place to explore. The grounds are fun to play on and a photographer’s heaven. I discovered a few shops behind the light house “Historic Corolla Village”. Chatterbox Too couldn’t have beeen a more perfect home. I’m hooked on Penzey’s spices. The kitchen amenities were like no other I’ve seen. We’be been renting houses on OBX for 10 years, and this kitchen tops all. My two tear old loved searching for tomatoes in the vegetable garden, and I was overjoyed to have all the herbs in the garden to add to our dinners. The wireless Internet was a life saver. I can’t say enough good things about our stay. We are hooked on Duck---and for the first time in 10 years, we will definitely be renting the same house twice! C U next year…… Duckin’ on….. The Ps Forest, VA

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