Outer Banks This WeekArticles & Shorts

Outer Banks Articles & Shorts - Issue 36: Spring 2025

I saw my first osprey over this past weekend – always one of the first signs that Spring is close by. And on a walk, those little blue ground-cover flowers that begin sparsely then blanket lawns in Manteo were sneaking in. They were beside a literal hedge of lilies of the valley (but I vastly prefer the French name, muguet des bois). A couple of houses down, the bright yellow daffodils were springing up. It was all a bouquet of sensory happiness.

If you’ve been one of our readers for a while, you probably remember that I’m far more of a fall/winter lover. (And we finally got snow this year – twice!) But even I will admit that the re-coming of Spring feels pretty good. Shops are stocking up, and restaurants that close for winter are reopening. Beach walkers are beginning to go barefoot. I even swatted a mosquito the other day.

Spring reminds us of renewal, starting again, flourishing. It’s the time to, figuratively and literally, throw open our windows … and the windows in our being that might have gotten a little stale over the colder months. Rather than being in our cozy dens, we walk out to fresh air. And we start again. To heck with New Year resolutions. They should come in Spring when we quit hibernating. Right?

So, welcome back, all ye locals and visitors. Let’s see if we can make this Spring that bouquet of sensory happiness that’s unfolding all around us. And, if you happen to see a muguet des bois, definitely stop and give it a sniff.

Beth

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Oh How We Love Spring on the Outer Banks

By Beth P. Storie
Colors FIRST, BEYOND ANYTHING AND ALL ... THE COLORS. (I know, you thought I was going to say the warmth, but that’s just too obvious. But keep reading – I’ll get there.) Everywhere you look, there’s new color: the marsh greens up; trees start budding out with pinks and whites; people emerge from the dark-colored... Read More

Mother Nature's Simple Processes and Showstopping Dramas

By Molly Harrison
Out here on the edge of the continent, the dynamics of nature are on full display. Surrounded by water and fully exposed to the weather, the Outer Banks is just one of those places where you can easily witness a constant show of the world and all its wonders. Consider the fascinating sky above us. Thanks to the dark... Read More

Meals That Make Memories and Community Contributions

Outer Banks Boil Company
By Michelle Wagner
Outer Banks Boil Company is well known and much loved for its signature seafood boils, stocked with jumbo shrimp, crab legs, scallops, andouille sausage, red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob and sweet Vidalia onions, steamed and boiled to perfection in the company’s secret spice combination and served with its homemade... Read More

A Commitment to Conservation

Wild Horse Adventure Tours
By Leah Wingenroth
One of the most exciting aspects of The Northern Outer Banks is the herd of wild horses roaming the 4x4 beaches north of Corolla. These wild horses have a fascinating history. They are descendants of Spanish mustangs that early European explorers brought to this stretch of coastline in the 16th century. The Spanish... Read More

Spring's in Full Swing on The Northern Outer Banks

The Northern Outer Banks
By Leah Wingenroth
Summer brings a lot of excitement and activity to The Northern Outer Banks beaches, but that does not mean the spring season has any less to offer! An early visit to The Northern Outer Banks, which includes Corolla, the 4WD beaches north of Corolla, the Mainland and Knotts Island, is perfect for those who prefer to... Read More