Home > Still Traveling > Archives > 2008 > July > 09
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Are you a fan of the Outer Banks?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More and more metro Atlantans are sporting the initials of their favorite beaches on the rear windows and bumpers of their cars. While I expect to see the little oval stickers for nearby beaches like HHI (Hilton Head), SSI (St. Simons) and TYB (Tybee Island), I have noticed an increasing number of cars showing Atlantans’ love for the OBX - the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
 |
I have been intrigued for years by my northern friends’ passion for the string of islands thrust out from the North Carolina coast. They would trek south every year to vacation in places like Duck, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. But I never could muster enough enthusiasm to travel nearly 12 hours and pass countless other beautiful beaches along the way — until this year.
After scrapping an ambitious plan to take the kids Down East in Maine, a little trip to Down East, NC really didn’t seem that big of a deal. We decided to get our feet wet with an OBX vacation on the southernmost “bank” - Ocracoke Island (or OINC if you want the bumper sticker).
It was a long, long drive that ended with a nearly 2.5-hour ferry ride across the shallow Pamlico Sound. The narrow island is only accessible by ferries, private boat or air, and only about 800 people live there year-round. Even at the height of summer season, it didn’t feel terribly crowded.
On the southern tip is the small village, the harbor, a beautiful lighthouse and a museum dedicated to the infamous Blackbeard. The pirate often sought refuge on Ocracoke and was killed in battle just off the island’s coast in 1718. In the village, you can eat, drink, shop, fish, parasail, jet ski, kayak, learn to surf or just enjoy a place where most people ditch their cars in favor of bikes. Because the National Park Service owns much of the island, it remains largely undeveloped - in contrast to villages up the Outer Banks where mini-golf, waterslides and vacation houses abound.
A short distance from the village is the lifeguarded beach that was ranked the best beach in the country in 2007, but we spent most of our time up island on nearly-deserted sands further north. Ocean waves were huge; the sand was pure white, the shells plentiful and the dunes stunning. However, the absence of lifeguards means you have to be more careful to avoid strong rip currents there.
After a week of kayaking, boating, and body surfing - plus a very cool day trip up the Outer Banks to check out the Wright Brothers Museum and the Lost Colony of Roanoke - the kids are already planning next year’s trip.
Have you ever visited the Outer Banks? Which area is your favorite? Where do you stay (house/hotel/camping) when you go? Do you think it’s worth the long drive from Georgia?
Click here to upload your photos of Outer Banks. We will be collecting photos of your travels throughout the summer for possible use later.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Beaches, Southeast travel
