Outer Banks Articles & Shorts - Issue 19: Spring 2019

Publisher's Letter

Hi folks.

Happy Spring.

Have you ever pondered the many uses of the word spring in our vernacular? As always, writing these Publishers letters gives me think time. Here goes:

Spring up. Spring forward. Spring back. Spring green. Spring chicken. Spring to mind. Spring a leak. Spring into action. Spring for. Spring to life. Spring to attention. Spring in your step. Spring from. Spring clean.

Then there’s Spring Fever.

That’s the one that rolls off everyone’s vibes that I’m around these days. I, being the cold-weather lover that I am, secretly roll my eyes and internally stomp my foot over the horrible slight that we got no snow this year. But I know I’m out-numbered. All the “Only ___ more days til Spring” posts of Facebook, all the “Man, I can’t wait for 80° days” comments. Whatever.

But I will acknowledge that it’s exciting to see the Outer Banks coming back to full functioning status during Spring. Many beloved restaurants open back up after a winter hiatus, and those that sustained us through the cold (thank you!) entice us in with new Spring menus. Shops extend their hours and display the marvelous new warm weather merchandise on their shelves. Lots of outdoor adventures begin anew. Reservations for our hotels, rental homes, B&Bs and campgrounds start pouring in. And, yes, the warming breezes and all the flowers that start popping out of the ground are very nice.

Ok, ok … seeing friends emerge from winter hibernation is great too. So is going walking or running without four extra layers. And I have to give a nod to being able to get back out on the boat or onto the golf course. Then there’s the ability to throw open the windows and stop seeing power bills that make you want to faint. Spring gardens. Spring yard work. Spring beauty.

You got me. Hope springs eternal … even for a winter diehard.

Welcome back, Spring. We appreciate all you bring.

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Spend More Time in the Place You Love

By Molly Harrison
You know that feeling of joyful anticipation you get when you drive over the bridge on your way to the Outer Banks? Then you also know that wistful feeling of trekking back over the bridge on your way home. How, you might be thinking, can I spend more time on the Outer Banks?  Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates has... Read More

Shop, Sip, Stretch and Soar

By Hannah Lee Leidy
The Cotton Gin was established in the 1960s as an Outer Banks shopping oasis. In recent years, though, it’s becoming equally regarded as a recreation destination. With the return of warm weather and long daylight hours, The Cotton Gin and Sanctuary Vineyards furnish a bounty of outdoor activities that capture the... Read More

Where Memories of a Lifetime are Made Every Day

By Molly Harrison
When Russ King was growing up, his family vacationed on the Outer Banks. His father took him and his brother, Stephen, fishing every year – starting on the piers and Bonner Bridge catwalk when they were younger and then inshore and nearshore charters as they got older. In the afternoons, they’d head down to Oregon... Read More

Catch our Drift

By Molly Harrison
The Outer Banks offers so many ways to catch so many different fish in so many different places. There’s bottom fishing for triggerfish on wrecks, fly fishing for trout in the sound, casting for bluefish in the surf, spear fishing for sheepshead on the bridges, pin rigging for king mackerel on the piers, trolling for... Read More

Edenton Events in Full Bloom

By Hannah Lee Leidy
I love Edenton in the spring. The trees leaf out, and blossoms and blooms bring bursts of color to the walkable downtown. It’s like Mother Nature waved her paintbrush over the town and left it for rest of the world to stroll through and admire.  This time of year brings a blooming of activity in Edenton.  After the... Read More