Outer Banks Articles & Shorts - Issue 25: Summer 2021

Publisher's Letter

After What A Year, we now have WHAT A SUMMER! But, then, a lot of locals say that it’s felt like summer here since around April with unprecedented numbers of visitors coming to our shores. Yep, it’s busy out there, folks. And that busy-ness is being compounded this year by too few locals and international students to help staff our restaurants, shops and accommodations. It’s kind of like the storm after the storm.

And yet … is there always an and yet? … Outer Bankers are resilient, tenacious, courageous, conscientious, ambitious, loquacious (how, we’re not sure when they’ve worked five doubles back to back), gracious – and, yes, occasionally pugnacious when met with unfair expectations.

We salute all of you workers who are, in almost every case, going above and beyond to take care of our vacationers. And we salute you vacationers who take the time to recognize how their waiters/cleaners/shopkeepers/innkeepers are trying to do the very best job they can.

The summer of 2021 will be one for the books – that’s clear even from the vantage point of early June when I’m writing this. My sincere wish is that we all reach September with a harmonious and collective, “Shew! What a summer it has been!”

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Fly, Paddle, Walk and Ride Through all Sides of the Outer Banks

By Hannah Lee Leidy
Like many remote locales, the Outer Banks is at the mercy of the elements. These tiny islands shift and shape with the whims of the water and air, and the distinct maritime environment determines the diversions and activities at our fingertips. There’s water – obviously – in abundance. But, the Outer Banks offers... Read More

The Beach Scene Goes Off-Island at H2OBX

By Hannah Lee Leidy
Everyone talks about going to the Outer Banks for the beach. It’s a week-long stretch (or maybe more!) to kick back in the sand, bask in the sun and play in the ocean. Now, we love our beach, don’t get us wrong, but after a few days, it feels like your crew has built all the sandcastles, found all the seashells and... Read More

Your Safe, Fun, Family-Friendly Option for the Summer

By Maggie Miles
When a company is awarded “#1 Dolphin Tours” by Tripadvisor for the past seven years in a row, you know there has to be a few good reasons. The Umphletts have been running businesses on the Outer Banks for 25 years, so they know a thing or two about how to be successful. They’re the owners of OBX Marina in Wanchese, a... Read More

The Lost Colony is Back - and Better than Ever

By Molly Harrison
When America’s longest-running outdoor symphonic drama was forced to go dark in the summer of 2020 due to COVID-19, all was not lost.  Rather than dwell on disaster, The Lost Colony’s producers and creative staff got busy, using the time as an opportunity for growth. The result after a year of hard work is a 2021... Read More

Corolla Bob: He's More Than a Tour Guide, He's an Advocate

By Maggie Miles
When Bob White came down to the Outer Banks as a teenager, he had no idea he would become an advocate for the majestic wild horses of Corolla.  “I was 14 at the time and couldn’t imagine why my dad wanted to build a house here,” Bob says. “There were no girls and nothing to do!” Flash forward to now, and not only... Read More