For the Love of the Beach (Outer Banks Pt. 1)
I have such a strange history with beaches.
I think because I never had the healthiest relationship with my body, I never enjoyed wearing swimsuits. This meant I never enjoyed or looked forward to going places where it was required to wear a swimsuit…beaches, pools, ect.
My interests turned to the Outer Banks last year after unsuccessfully trying to plan a trip to Dewey Beach in the early spring. Rates around Rehoboth Beach proper skyrocket after April, which means by the time we were ready to plan a trip we couldn’t truly afford to do so. I put my researching skills to work, Googling beaches along the east coast. I quickly learned that the OBX was chock-full of experiences and I was itching to visit!
Mother’s Day weekend of 2018, Chris and I drove down to Corolla, NC in the Outer Banks to enjoy a short getaway and join his Mom and step-dad for a bit of adventuring. For such a compact visit, we were able to squeeze in a number of fun activities! By hotel hopping were amazed to see how different each town truly is, down to flora and fauna. The vibe in Kill Devil Hills was more face paced than that of Corolla - though we loved both areas for how unique they seemed. We always had plenty of exploring to look forward to, but we enjoyed our downtime at the beach as well.
I think because I never had the healthiest relationship with my body, I never enjoyed wearing swimsuits. This meant I never enjoyed or looked forward to going places where it was required to wear a swimsuit…beaches, pools, ect.
It wasn’t until a trip to the Bahamas in 2017 that I
realized that I had been missing out all of these years! Afterward, I longed
for more beach vacays. Alas, my wallet was like “byeeeeeee!”
I figured Maryland beaches could be my substitute. Ocean
City, while conveniently located, just wasn’t cutting it though. I just didn’t find the beaches that
appealing. The hotels were often old, dingy, and outdated. It was
clear that families with children were flocking to the area and since I was
unwedded and had no children of my own, I didn't truly feel like it was "for me" outside of taking my younger family members. My niece (pictured above) had a pretty good time at the boardwalk though.
That brings me to my discovery of Dewey Beach in Delaware. I
honestly don’t remember how I found out about this little gem of a town, but I am
so happy that I did. My husband (then fiancé at the time) and I visited two
years in a row - with our first trip being our favorite. It had everything I felt I was missing from Ocean City –
beautiful beaches, modern accommodations, and activities for adults who aren’t
traveling with children.
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Map from Outerbanks.org |
My interests turned to the Outer Banks last year after unsuccessfully trying to plan a trip to Dewey Beach in the early spring. Rates around Rehoboth Beach proper skyrocket after April, which means by the time we were ready to plan a trip we couldn’t truly afford to do so. I put my researching skills to work, Googling beaches along the east coast. I quickly learned that the OBX was chock-full of experiences and I was itching to visit!
Riding through Duck, NC |
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Currituck Lighthouse in Corolla, NC |
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The hotel staff at Shutters on the Banks were so nice! They let us sneak into my mother-in-law's room and set up her gift! |
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Sunrise at the beach behind Shutters on the Banks hotel in Kill Devil Hills, NC. |
Mother’s Day weekend of 2018, Chris and I drove down to Corolla, NC in the Outer Banks to enjoy a short getaway and join his Mom and step-dad for a bit of adventuring. For such a compact visit, we were able to squeeze in a number of fun activities! By hotel hopping were amazed to see how different each town truly is, down to flora and fauna. The vibe in Kill Devil Hills was more face paced than that of Corolla - though we loved both areas for how unique they seemed. We always had plenty of exploring to look forward to, but we enjoyed our downtime at the beach as well.
Highlights during this trip included an ATV ride through the
OBX forests and dunes (and seeing wild ponies on the beach) with Corolla Jeep Adventures and visiting Bodie Island
Lighthouse right before sunset.
The OBX is one of the most ecologically diverse places in
the U.S. The natural beauty of this area almost feels magical, and it has
definitely placed a spell on both myself and my husband. If you are considering a trip there, check dates before Memorial Day or after Labor Day. You are almost guaranteed to have an affordable, crowd-free vacation!
Where's your local beach destination? Leave a comment below!
Happy traveling!
-Jasmine (The Invincible)
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