My mom, stepdad Ron, brother Tyler and I have been vacationing in the beautiful and remote Outer Banks of North Carolina for over 20 years. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends have all joined at times over the years, adding to the memories. My mom and stepdad got married on the beach in front of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse back in 1997.

This year, Tyler and his wife (my sister-in-law) Kym planned the vacation for their sides of the family. While there were several last-minute cancellations on both sides, we ended up with a great group – Kym’s grandparents, brother and sister-in-law and nieces and nephew, and my mom and Ron and me and Sean. They got an incredible house right on the ocean with 11 bedrooms, an enormous kitchen, pool with deck and tiki bar, hot tub, and lower-level game room. Perfect set up for a fun week!

The house and then the view of the water from the back deck. Ahhh.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon and after unpacking went for a walk on the beach. It was dusk and the sky was a lovely palette of pastels.

The weather predictions were pretty sporadic for the week but Sunday was sunny and beautiful so we made it a beach and pool and hot tub day. It was a little cool out on the beach but that hot tub was PERFECT.

That night, we stayed in and I made turkey and kale enchiladas for everyone. They were YUM! We played card while Mayson, Noelle and Grace played with Stella. Cuteness!

Monday morning we drove about an hour south to get the ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. We met my mom, Tyler and Kym who had gone earlier to spend time on the beach. We all went for lunch at SmacNally’s Pub, which was an outdoor restaurant right on the harbor. I had delicious peel-and-eat shrimp and a passionfruit mimosa.

Afterward, we rented golf carts for easy touring around the island. We stopped by the lighthouse and various adorable shops, and drove down local roads that ended right by the water or led us to a baseball field in the middle of the marshes. Yeah, that was weird. 

But nothing topped with outrageously creepy statue in front of a small house with the sign “Ocracoke Massage” out front. I really don’t have words for this. And the very top of the pole, which isn’t in the photo, had a unicorn head on it. WTF?

We stayed for sunset which was beautiful, then went over to Zillie’s Island Pantry for the happiest of hours before having a fun dinner with Tyler and Kym at Back Porch Restaurant. The ride home was long – we missed the ferry and had to wait about 40 minutes for another one – so we got back at about 1am. But what a fun day! Ocracoke is such a charming place.

Tuesday started off gray and cloudy and Sean and I both slept in a little since we’d gotten home so late. We decided to have lunch with mom and Ron over in Manteo on Roanoke Island and see if the weather improved for us to walk around a bit. We ate at Full Moon Cafe and Brewery, and then wandered through various shops and along the waterfront. 

Back at the house, it was more pool and hot tub time and I made a yummy shrimp, lime and cilantro dish for dinner. Pretty chill day.

Wednesday was also pretty chill. Started off at the pool with all the kiddos which was fun, and even Stella got in the water for a little bit! 

My mom and I had some time together on the beach in the afternoon, which was so nice. It was perfect weather and the waves were big and beautiful.

Gary (Kym’s brother) had been smoking pork and Sean made ribs, so we had quite a feast at dinner. 

Thursday was another day that started off gray and rainy but then cleared up. Sean and I went back to Roanoke Island and visited the Elizabethan Gardens. Not much was in bloom, but it was still lovely.

When we’d been here over New Year’s, we’d tried to go to the Blue Water Grille and Raw Bar, but they’d been closed for an event. We ended up going for lunch and having a great meal, with a view of the harbor. We had Nandua oysters from Virginia and Hatteras Salts from the island, awesome Corvina Sea Bass fish tacos, and a fresh crab cake salad with pineapple vinaigrette. 

After lunch, Sean and I checked out a few places for beer and Sean found a growler shop that had some things we don’t get in Atlanta. Successful outing!

That night, Kym’s grandma Patty and my mom watched Gary and Kim’s kids (twins Noelle and Grace, and Mayson) so they could come out for dinner and drinks with me, Sean, Tyler and Kym. We went to the Outer Banks Brewing Station and had dinner, beer flights and laughs, then went outside and played cornhole for a while.

Stella loves her Uncle Tyler!

Friday started off at the pool (are you noticing a theme here?) with everyone, which was fun and then me, Sean and my mom went out to the beach in the afternoon. One last dip in the hot tub in the early evening and then it was out for a group dinner at Blue Water Grille and Raw Bar (yes, we liked it so much we went back and took everyone with us) for our final night. 

Sean’s Jamaican Curry Seafood – delish.

Back at the house, it was time for more chats, bonding, Stella snuggles, shenanigans and photobombs. 

I love the Outer Banks. This was a good trip with great weather and lots of beach time. I’ve been many places in the world and this remains one of my favorite spots. It’s remote and that has kept it charming and largely untouched. There are homes, but no highrises and the vast majority of the islands have no malls or other large commercial land-grabs. These islands won’t be here forever, though. If you get a chance to visit, you won’t regret it. The natural beauty is something to see and enjoy.