Find your happy in Hatteras

Yes … as those who have been, and have memories in this serene coastal vacation spot, there is no place like the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

So full disclaimer: I have been visiting the OBX as a teenager, newly married pre-kids, with young’uns, with teens and.. now.

I have seen the progressive evolution of the various towns along the coast, the rather tragic erosion due to Nor’ Easters and hurricanes over the years, the loss of stunning beach front houses washed away, and the local businesses ebb and flow due to the challenges of climate.   But this beauty, strong and serene perseveres.

It truly is a magical place.  For me a bit of a mission to journey to:  erratic flight options/car rentals or a  15 hour drive from Toronto.

Why do it?

Well… above and beyond the fact that ‘Beach Week” as so graciously hosted by my eldest brother and his lovely wifey to reconnect and chill for a week with some of our truly favourite siblings, SOs and cherished friends is a unique summer memory… the locale is serenely beautiful and a place where I can truly exhale, relax and reconnect with some of my favourite people in the world.

Are you not familiar with Cape Hatteras and the Outer Banks?   Here are some great things to consider seeing and doing:

• Biking …? You like biking?? There are miles of bike lanes along some of the most popular highways, including route 158 and route 12, which is the road that follows the ocean. Don’t worry about bringing a bike because ther eare about 15,000 bike rentals in this area of North Carolina.

Ship wreck and pirate aficionado?…. The Graveyard of the Atlantic is one of the top Outer Banks attractions. It is famous because there are more than 500 ships and water vessels resting at the bottom of this part of the Atlantic Ocean.   If you or your family are pirate and shipwreck aficionados, you could not have found a better place. There are a variety of tours where you can walk in the footsteps of the legendary pirate Blackbeard…plan your day here

And if aviation and history is your thing,. then the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills is not to be missed.  The memorial is enthralling and you can even walk the path of the ‘first flight’.

About the Upper Cape:

Duck, Corolla and Kitty Hawk are flush with activity of every nature: gorgeous resorts, shopping, theatres, restaurants of all permeation, go-carts, mini-putt and so on. You will not be bored.

However, be forewarned: this is the upper part of the Cape and as such easy to get to but very, very busy.

Very!

Crowded on many levels, so if this works for you- go for it!!

If you cruise further down the Cape (to our ultimate locale: Avon), the crowds thin out….. the beaches open up….and life seems to slow down a smidge.

You can see both the Sound and Atlantic waters.

It gets sandier.

It gets more serene…. You can literally exhale here.

Stop along highway 12 at Morris’s Market. This has always been our go-to for loading up on gorgeous produce, local jams, chutneys, ciders….

Featuring so much local talent from a foodie perspective, there’s a crazy fabulous local vibe with live entertainment, local artists’ fare and tons of food sampling.

What’s not to love?

Then upon coming into the lower part of Cape Hatteras, you enter a different world.

The houses/rental houses are built for multi family and multi generational living. There truly is something for every family size, budget and preference. I suggest you check out OUTER BEACHES realty site.     They have been so accommodating over the past few decades and the properties are well maintained and spotless.

Though I can share a number of fabulous things…. Here are some of my favourite things that over the years I simply cannot get enough of:

The town…

Avon has some absolute go-tos :

Duck Donuts for gourmet decadent donuts.  Be patient because of the business model and ‘crafted to order’ this is NOT fast food.   Trust me:  it’s worth the wait!

Orange Blossom Bakery  for the Apple Uglies are an absolute necessity!  These gargantuan donuts are like no other and should not be missed. I suggest you go early… I mean 7:00 am  and no later because the lines are long, and the uglies fresh, warm yummy…. So utterly worth it!!  ( plus they WILL sell out)

Froggy Dog has warm memories for me as when all our kids were young, this was an inexpensive family friendly breakfast spot for all those early kid risers. Family style, very casual, good home cooking….and despite the sign outside announcing karaoke night, we’ve sadly not partaken! ( Thank me now)

Diamond Shoals was once a favourite years past with its buckets of all you can eat shrimp or crab legs….and quite possibly the best hush puppies on the planet.

Sigh

That is no more… read my restaurant review from our last stop there on Trip Advisor.

The beaches….

** sigh  **

Since there are more than 200 miles of beaches that include North Carolina and a tiny part of Virginia, the Outer Banks islands provide more fishing, sailing and swimming than any other coastal area in the United States.  You just know you can find your perfect spot to enjoy whatever suits you.

Though they have been much, much wider in previous years and the hurricanes have eroded the dunes and beaches immeasurably….they are quintessentially gorgeous. Pristine,   white sand,   stunning surf…. I am never disappointed.

Simply serene with sunrises on the ocean side and sunsets on the sound side, if you have a passion for either… you shall not be disappointed.

To be fair, we have been blessed to enjoy a beach house quite literally on the beach (and with a pool!), so our beach lunch picnics were rather special and always treasured.

Everyone brings their own some kinda wonderful to the beach.

Serene views

Family gatherings with each family hosting their night with a delight of concoctions across cocktails, appetizers, mains and desserts that meant my early morning ( steamy ) penance runs were a lot slower….but Carpe Diem righhhhhtttt?

I am sure you have gathered from my other posts, when I travel I do love to support the local economy and especially appreciate the local artists.

Some of my favourites…….

Just look at this beautiful hair clip my delightful SIL Donna gave me for my birthday. From the beautiful Pea Island Art Gallery this is a lovely piece from Vic and Ellen Berg. They have been hailed as one of the most prolific husband and wife carving teams in the US . I simply love their dedication to carving with a focus on nature. This hair clip is seriously one of the most comfortable and stylish ones I own.

Ahhh now… how is this for a simply stunning tea towel? Again for my birthday and from my other truly special SIL Janice, this tea towel by Victoria Lowe encompasses all the things I love about beautiful art: glorious colour, and a  sense of comfortable , soothing artistry. Originally from England, then New York City she now teaches water colour classes at Hatteras Realty in Avon.  Next time I’m down I hope to perhaps have a class ( fingers crossed!)

I think I may have to frame this for my home office so that I may look at it when I’m stressed and remember all those things about OBX that make my heart sing.

Yes… we all know it, and I shall admit it: I am a fiend for colour and glorious graphics.

This coaster (and I believe I bought the note cards….but long since used up) is magical. Designed by Stephanie Kiker located in Buxton, my one regret is I did not buy more.

Though there are many beautiful light houses to visit on the Cape, my favourite with many warm memories is the Cape Hatteras Light House. It is one of the most famous and recognizable lighthouses in the world. It is one of the world’s tallest brick lighthouses standing at an impressive 208 ft tall.

When I was young and when the kids were little we could enjoy this beauty on the beaches of Cape Hatteras. Alas, due to decades of hurricanes, storms and Nor’esters the beach in front of it was all but essentially washed away. In 1999, the lighthouse and its surrounding outbuildings were carefully moved almost a kilometre inland.

Though, I do miss its magnificent presence on the beach, I am happy that it has found a safer, more protected area for future generations to enjoy.

Have I sold you yet?

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Yes, from Toronto it IS a 15 hour drive and a bit of a mission. But the serenity and beauty of the seaside, and the gorgeous comfortable homes that allow for decadent dinners, long life chats with my favourite people and endless beach walks make it all worthwhile.

Let me know what you think!

xoxo – Sandra