Cape Lookout National Seashore

President Obama's announcement that he will pursue off-shore drilling along much of the Eastern Seaboard spurred this week's "bonus" Reader Participation Survey.

When it comes to piping plovers, a threatened species, the nesting habitat at Cape Lookout National Seashore is some of the best in North Carolina. That's evidenced by the fact that in 2009 the 37 nests counted at the seashore represented 70 percent of all piping plover nests in North Carolina. While the tally reflected a slight decline from 2008's record high of 46 nests, the number of chicks that fledged was a record high.

Twenty-one units of the National Park System, including five national seashores and four national lakeshores, have been nominated for status as "Marine Protected Areas."

Pounding surf to wake you, and to help you fall asleep. A quick dash into the breakers to wash the sleep from your system. Fresh sea breezes. What more do you need to consider before renting a cabin on Cape Lookout National Seashore for a vacation this coming year?