Outer Banks 2025

We headed to the Outer Banks on Father's Day, the first week of summer vacation for Cam. This has been an almost-annual trip for our family for the past 20+ years and it never disappoints! We loved spending the week with my parents, sister, and her kids.

Given how often we've been to OBX, I'm surprised that I'm always able to come up with new-to-us activities. After a little internet research in advance, I stumbled across some park ranger-led activities offered at by the National Park Service. On Monday morning, we met the park rangers at the Bodie Lighthouse parking lot and walked down to the sound to catch blue crabs. It was a fun morning for me, Brian, and Cam.

We were lucky to be oceanfront this year, which resulted in many happy days spent going back-and-forth between the pool and the beach, as well as ghost crab hunting every night after dark. "Hunting" ghost crabs involves catching them on the beach, putting them in a huge bucket, and then releasing them at the end of the night. Ghost crabbing seems to be unique to the Outer Banks and definitely a favorite nighttime activity for the kids.

We spent one day at the waterpark, H2OBX, which we love. We also went back to visit the aquarium on Roanoke Island, which we had not visited since 2017. Jockey's Ridge is another favorite of mine, and we headed there after dinner one evening for the sunset views and some unsuccessful kite flying. :)

We lucked out on perfect weather the entire week! We ate most meals at the house but did venture out to a restaurant and ice cream mid-week. 

Cam joined me for a few evening walks on his bike or hoverboard. We were right next to the Avalon Pier this year, which meant many nights of live music we could enjoy on the deck of our house.

Probably my favorite memory from this trip was sitting with Brooke on the bottom porch of the house each afternoon around 4 PM. This was usually the time when everyone would be wrapping up their beach/pool time and heading inside for showers, TV, and happy hour before dinner. It was easier to change Brooke's clothes outside (given the sand and wet bathing suit) and she was very content to just take out items in the pool bag and hang out on the deck with me for an hour or so. She is learning so many new words! There was a guy working on a bulldozer on the lot beside us some afternoons, so she enjoyed watching that and waving to him repeatedly. 

I have very similar memories just sitting with Cam on the top deck of our OBX house when he was 2 years old and waving to all the people on their morning walks.

I feel so blessed to have had the week to relax and spend unhurried time with them.

Brooke - June 2025

Cam - September 2017

Overall, it was a wonderful week at the beach and I was sad for it to end!