Thanks for joining me in my adventures. This blog is dedicated to travels off the beaten path. You won't find my review of Disney World here, but you might just discover a new way to explore your world. If you're a fan of the road less traveled, I think you'll like what we have in store today.

Are you in need of a relaxing place to just get away from the stress and the hurry of your every day life? If so, North Carolina's Outer Banks may be the perfect place for your next vacation. A trip to Hatteras Island practically guarantees a week (or two!) of peaceful relaxation, soothing surf, and mesmerizing sunsets. Join me for a quick tour of the island.

As you drive down highway 12 onto the island of Hatteras, you'll notice a series of dunes on the ocean side of the road. At times, the sand from the dunes spills over the highway, threatening to close the road. After storms, it's not unusual for the road to be completely blocked off. As much as you might like to scamper all over those huge sandy mounds, they are protected in the eyes of the US government, so it's best to admire them from a distance.

On the sound side of the road, the landscape tends to be much more flat. There are occasional dunes, but most of the trip will involve lush fields of grass sloping gently to flat waters. The beaches on the sound side tend to be covered in a mix of pebbles and sea shells. The water is quite shallow - you can venture several dozen yards from the beach and still only be waist deep in the sound.

One of the best things about the sound side is that it is perfect for water sports. Most days will find any number of wind surfers, kayakers, and kiteboarders zooming around in the calm waters. The wind is typically pretty steady, so whether you are a novice or a pro this is a great place to play. During the tourist season, lessons are offered for those that are new to the sport.

Further down the island, near the southern tip, is the ferry station. The ferry is free of charge and runs about every 30 minutes to an hour over to the neighboring Ocracoke Island. The trip takes about 45 minutes and the boat is a lovely vantage point from which to watch the sun set over the sound. Once on Ocracoke, be sure to have a plan: it's about 13 miles from where the ferry drops you off to the actual town.

Near the ferry station is also the place to go if you are interested in chartering a private or semi-private fishing trip. Most of the boats in the marina advertise their services, which range from half day sound tours to full day deep sea fishing. It can get a bit pricey, so be sure to bring some friends to go with!

Remember those dunes stretching all along the ocean side? Many places have well-maintained ramps crossing them so that you can easily access the beach. Most are even wheel-chair friendly, and have benches at the end for those who don't wish to actually get their toes in the sand. As you walk down the ramps, look over the edge for beach crabs. They often make their homes far from the water and can be seen sunning themselves outside of their holes.

Another inhabitant of the beach are these cute little birds. They feed in the surf all day long. It's quite amusing to watch their tiny stick legs scurry to avoid the incoming water, then see them dart right back out as the wave recedes. From time to time, a bird isn't quite fast enough and he ends up taking a bath instead! The waters of the Atlantic tend to be on the cold side, but the sun is warm enough to encourage even the most faint to wade in a ways and feel the crash of the waves.

From the beach can be seen endless rows of vacation homes. Most of the homes are available to rent by the week and availability fills up fast. Homes typically have at least 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with all the expected beach accouterments. The kitchens are large and the living rooms are build for relaxing, often having over stuffed couches and chairs along with huge televisions. The houses sit on stilts which allow most of the ocean storms to wash right under the house.

Every day, the tides wash new bits of debris onto the otherwise pristine beaches. Old trees encrusted with barnacles are a common site, and visitors with a keen eye will often spot a wide variety of ocean life - starfish, jelly fish, hermit crabs -washed up on the beaches as well. There are shells of all shapes and colors, although many of them are broken. Their damage simply adds to their unique beauty.

And of course, you can't miss the incredible sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. This early in the morning, there is a nip to the air and you'll have the beach mostly to yourself. The waves will wash over the sand keeping the rhythm of the world in balance, reshaping the landscape multiple times a day, lapping at the shore in an incessant effort to smooth everything from the beach. This is the time to day to take a breath and remember all the good things in life. What's good in your life? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for joining me on the beach today. To book your own beach adventure, find me at Travel Life Services.

Happy Travels!

Jennifer

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This post was originally posted here, but I also posted it here on WEKU.