Beyond the Outer Banks

Beyond the Outer Banks Beaches

By Julie Dee Suman

At the turn of the last century, the blustering winds and plentiful sand lured the Wright Brothers to the Outer Banks (OBX), North Carolina, to pursue their dreams of flight.

The sand still calls visitors to this string of barrier islands, including me and my family.

I have many fond teenage memories of family beach vacations in the charismatic towns of Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, and Buxton. However, my love for this natural paradise has grown beyond mere suntans and miniature golf; now, the OBX represents a world of discovery.

First Flight

No place captures this adventurous spirit better than the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Orville and Wilbur Wright spent four years

Photos: Sand dunes at Cape Hatteras National Seashore ©Julie Dee Suman; Cape Hatteras Lighthouse ©Julie Dee Suman; Sunset at Jockey’s Ridge State Park ©Julie Dee Suman; Wright Brothers National Memorial ©Outer Banks Tourism Bureau

launching and perfecting their fliers from a 90-foot tall dune in Kitty Hawk. My husband Mark and I learned about their perseverance during an hour-long tour led by Claire, a National Park Service Ranger.

The Visitors Center houses historical artifacts and a replica of the First Flight airplane. We enjoyed touring the memorials marking the four flights flown in December,1903. The efficiency of the Wright Brothers' wing-warping and propeller designs has stood the test of time. Commercial aviation still uses their creative innovations.

Graveyard of the Atlantic

The ever-shifting sands coupled with strong ocean currents led to thousands of shipwrecks off the OBX coastline. In addition, both pirates and explorers plied these waters, and visitors can discover their stories in the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in the town of Hatteras.

The treacherous Atlantic waters also called for lighthouses to guide passing ships. The OBX's four lighthouses are iconic landmarks that still function today. My favorite lighthouses are Island Lighthouse. the two iconic black and white striped beacons, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Bodie

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Due south from Nags Head is Hatteras Island and the magnificent Cape Hatteras National Shore. Here, the OBX becomes an untamed wonderland. The dunes encroach upon the road creating a feeling as if you’re on the moon.

The 70-mile drive along the nation’s first national seashore passes through small fishing villages like Waves and Avon, reminding you of older coastal times. With views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pamlico Sound on the other, this scenic byway is my road tripper's dream.

Year-Round Wildlife

The OBX has something for every wildlife lover, from diving ducks to black bears. For example, my husband and I searched for bears at Alligator National Wildlife Refuge on our last trip. Due to the abundance of food sources, these bears never hibernate. So even though we were there in December, we spotted two chubby ones grazing in the refuge’s fields.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge is a stellar location for year-round birding. Each season brings unique species such as Least Terns in the spring and migrating Tundra Swans and Snow Geese in the winter. In summer, Loggerhead Sea Turtles make their nests on the refuge's beaches, and you can spot over 40 different species of birds in any single day.

Besides the refuges, you can spot ducks and Great Blue Herons near the Duck Boardwalk. Brown Pelicans and cormorants hang out near the Bonner Bridge Pier. We also love Jennette’s Pier, the longest pier in the OBX for its ocean birding.

Magnificent Sunsets

Watching the sun dip below the horizon is a must in the OBX. One night, Mark and I climbed the tallest living dune at Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Atlantic Coast. No other place provides such panoramic views of the stunning landscape.

I have such warm memories of the Outer Banks. From its lighthouses and birdwatching to many memorable meals, the Outer Banks is a place you need to explore with all your senses. Every visit reminds me why I want to visit here again and again.

Food, Wine, and Beer Lovers

No trip, in my opinion, would be complete without a fantastic meal. Fresh seafood, especially North Carolina shrimp, is a must at family-friendly Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse or the lively Blue Water Grill and Raw Bar. For a fine dining experience, head to an OBX favorite, the Colington Cafe . However, my recommendation is the oneof-kind dishes served at the charming Salt Box Café.

We were pleased to sample the expansive wine menu at TRiO Restaurant and Market on our last trip. (And, yes, you can buy your favorite bottle here). Beer lovers have their choice of craft breweries. The newest kid on the block, Swells’a Brewing, invites guests to sit on their patio and kick back with a hazy IPA.

Photos from top: Jennette’s Pier ©Julie Dee Suman; Snow Goose at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge ©Julie Dee Suman; Pea Island sand dunes ©Julie Dee Suman; Fried green tomatoes and homemade strawberry jam at the Salt Box Café ©Julie Dee Suman