day of the doritos: an obx wreck busting tale

Living on the Outer Banks has always had its challenges, especially back in the day, and Bankers tend to be opportunists as a result. For over 300 years, a ship ashore was a ship to be salvaged, in short order. Hatteras Island native and historian Danny Couch tells a delightful tale of the history of this tradition… Continue reading day of the doritos: an obx wreck busting tale

tales from the graveyard of the atlantic

The seas off the coast of the Outer Banks are among the most treacherous in the world, fully justifying the title “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” In this blog from Carolina Designs, Kip Tabb tells the tale of two tragedies–tragedies that ultimately led to the creation of the United States Coast Guard. “The winter of 1877-1878… Continue reading tales from the graveyard of the atlantic

obx photog biff jennings – just being himself

Biff Jennings from Shooters at the Beach has built a well-deserved reputation on the Outer Banks as an artist with a camera, and he’s a pretty cool dude. Elizabeth Baier took note and wrote about Jennings’ love of capturing people “just being themselves” in this photo-rich piece over on WUNC’s website. “As Biff Jennings likes to explain, he spent the first third… Continue reading obx photog biff jennings – just being himself

master your obx beach scene this summer!

You’ve seen them out there. The family with the most rockin’ OBX beach gear set up you’ve ever seen: awesome tent, tunes, chairs, and games. But just thinking about the energy required to hump all that equipment to and from the beach is making you sweaty! You wish that somehow that awesome set up could… Continue reading master your obx beach scene this summer!

wright bros: still crazy after 112 years

Orville checks the sunset. Photo by Pia Bell Ford.

112 years after two bike mechanics from Dayton, Ohio took off from a sand dune in what was then Kitty Hawk and proved that we could indeed fly, we’re still celebrating that remarkable feat and we are still captivated by Wilbur and Orville Wright. Mental Floss marks the anniversary of their flight with this whimsical list of things… Continue reading wright bros: still crazy after 112 years

ocracoke haunted tales + history

This story seems timely, in the wake of a spooky halloween season. Ocracoke is one of the oldest towns in North Carolina, and the long history of the village is filled with the stories of islanders who have passed on. Lee Zacharias, writing for Our State Magazine, takes us inside delightful tales of haunts and the odd… Continue reading ocracoke haunted tales + history

just another perfect storm

Photo courtesy Lori Douglas Photography

The Perfect Storm 2015 is winding down, at least that’s what the forecasters are telling us—that by Wednesday the seas will calm down, the rains will go away and the winds will drop off to a manageable 15-20 mph. It’s a storm we’ll probably remember. Sure, we dodged a hurricane, but this storm has lingered for days,… Continue reading just another perfect storm

solved! obx way to pronounce bodie

To many, Bodie Island Lighthouse in South Nags Head is as beautiful and picturesque as any lighthouse anywhere. But the mystery of how to pronounce its name is a conundrum for the uninitiated. John Tennis, writing for the Bristol (VA) Herald Courier steps forward to solve the mystery. “Twice this year, I’ve gone lighthouse hopping… Continue reading solved! obx way to pronounce bodie

has the lost colony really been found?

For more than 425 years the fate of the Lost Colony has beguiled everyone who has studied it. New evidence suggests the Roanoke colonists fled west, and archeologists are closely examining a site in Bertie County. Writing for the Outer Banks Voice, Ed Beckley recounts the history of the search and where we are now.… Continue reading has the lost colony really been found?

a short list of hatteras obsessions

Photo courtesy Island Free Press

These barrier islands have a way of getting under your skin. It can happen to any of us –whether we have just been visiting the Outer Banks or we’ve lived here and moved away– this homesickness for sun and sand and mama ocean. Writing with humor for the Island Free Press, Joy Crist hits all… Continue reading a short list of hatteras obsessions