When hurricane season starts amping up, I start feeling very attached to my position here on this sandbar. * Just the pre-storm talk of the non-event that was Emily (E? What happened to A, B, C and D?) last week got me thinking about how much I love this patch of grass-covered sand that I can call my own. All my stuff could blow away and I'd be okay, but I don't know how I'd survive having to leave Nags Head for good if a big one wiped us out. * I know this sounds dooms-dayish, but actually it's a positive train of thought: The reality of possible doom gives me a carpe diem mentality and makes me feel hyper-appreciative of my life on the Outer Banks...
My appreciation was over the top this weekend when my little boy caught his first fish on his own. He's been obsessed with casting this summer, but he wasn't having much luck for a while there. He kept at it and was rewarded with a keeper-sized speckled trout, which he ate for dinner, even though he says he doesn't like fish. That's why I love living here...
What are you doing this week? Here are some things that might make you appreciate the Outer Banks even more...
On Wednesday, stop by the Marketplace in Southern Shores for the Sunset Art Show from 4 to 8 p.m. Live music, lots of local artists and more! * Wednesdays are the days to Feed the Rays at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island. Call (252) 473-3494 for info. * It's also the day for The Elizabethan Gardens' Scratch N Sniff Garden mini-camp for kids younger than 12. It's an in-depth exploration of the gardens, without parents. Class is from 10 a.m. to noon. Call (252) 473-1554...
On Thursday: Kitty Hawk Kites is having its annual Watermelon Festival in Nags Head. There's entertainment, seed-spitting contests, a dunk tank, inflatable bounce houses and watermelon to eat. Proceeds go to Wright Flight, a nonprofit that rewards academic goal-setting for fifth graders. Call (252) 441-4124. * The Avon Art Show will be held at Hatteras Realty in Avon from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by and meet a lot of local artists. * The Whalehead Club's Summer Concert Series features Roots in the Sand on Thursday, starting at 6:30 p.m. * The Town of Duck's Summer Music Series on Thursday features The Crowd, starting at 6 p.m. * The Manteo Art & Wine Festival is Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the back courtyard of the Dare County Arts Council building. Enjoy music, art and wine and meet some friendly people. * Join Yours Truly on Thursday mornings at 6 a.m. for Sunrise Yoga on the Beach. Sponsored by the YMCA, it's a free class at the Bonnett Street beach access in Nags Head. Bring a big towel or sheet. * To see and learn about the Purple Martins on the William B. Umstead Bridge to Manns Harbor, go to the west end of the bridge on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. A guide will talk about the hundred-thousand birds you'll see. Go to www.purplemartinroost.com for info...
The N.C. Coastal Reserve is offering three FREE field trips this week: Maritime Forest Kayak Trip in Kitty Hawk Woods on Thursday, a Nature Walk through Currituck Banks on Thursday and an Estuary Exploration of Kitty Hawk Bay on Friday. Call (252) 838-0887 for info and be sure to reserve a space early...
On Saturday, it's the Surfing for Autism event at the Governor's Beach Access at the Comfort Inn South in Nags Head. This event allows kids with autism to learn to surf with the aid of two experienced surfers. Registration is closed, but on Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. there's a banquet and a silent auction that's worth checking out. * On Saturday morning, Sarah Downing of the Outer Banks History Center will be presenting a lecture on Frank Stick and his influence on the Outer Banks at 10:30 a.m. at Roanoke Island Festival Park...
Saturday is the month's full moon. The National Park Service is offering Full Moon Tours of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Each tour is limited to 30 people and tickets must be purchased in advance, starting on Thursday at the lighthouse ticket booth. * The Outer Banks Family YMCA is offering a Moon Rise Yoga class on Saturday at 7 p.m. on the beach on the south side of Jennette's Pier. It's a free class, open to the public. Bring a sheet or large towel...
On Sunday, you have a decision to make: a choice between outdoor performances at both The Elizabethan Gardens and Waterside Theatre on Roanoke Island. The Elizabethan Gardens has Intrigue - A Mystery on Marley, a contemporary dance and classical ballet performance that's also a who-dunnit mystery to be solved. The show is at 8:15 p.m. and tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students. Call (252) 473-3234. Waterside Theatre will host the Hurrah Players in a performance of the musical Hairspray on Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. Call (252) 473-3414 for tickets. * Sunday is the ladies-only Alice Kelly Memorial Billfish Tournament at Pirates Cove Yacht Club, and the 28th annual Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament begins next Monday. Even if you're not fishing, stop by Pirates Cove in the late afternoon and walk the docks. The tournament brings a festival atmosphere to Pirates Cove...
Going out this week? Catch Appetite for Destruction, a G N' R tribute band at The Pit on Saturday. Port O' Call has Latin lovers Bio Ritmo on Saturday. The Comedy Club has John Knight and Roger Keiss Monday through Friday this week. Brewing Station has Keller Williams on Friday and Saturday. Beach Road Grill has the Dreadnecks on Friday. Kelly's has Rich Whiskey Audition on Friday and Saturday and Carbon Leaf on Sunday. This is just a sampling of all the nightlife listings. Find more listings on our By Night section. And keep looking around the By Day section for way more ideas of things to do...
Well, I'm off, to go appreciate some more of this wonderful Outer Banks life. Atlantic Ocean, here I come...
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
