Outer Banks, North Carolina - Fun for both Adults and Kids

For nearly three years, we hadn't been able to see our thirteen year-old grandson, Jason, due to scheduling conflicts and the pandemic. But, we finally did while spending a week with him on the Outer Banks and other nearby areas in North Carolina. 

We chose to take the long route to the Outer Banks at the start of our visit. Long, not because of overall miles, but instead due to the need to take a couple of auto ferries from the south that cross the Pamlico Sound and then the Hatteras Inlet. It is recommended that you get a reservation for ferry that crosses the Pamlico Sound. Many cars were waiting at the docks when we arrived. 

This ferry crossing takes around 2 to 2 1/2 hours. We spent our time either out on deck in the fresh air and sun, or inside at one of many tables and seats to have our lunch. 

The second, and shorter, ferry across the Hatteras Inlet is first come-first served. A long line awaited us when we arrived. It took two hours and several ferries to come and go and load those cars in line ahead of us before we were able to board and make the one hour crossing.

While heading north, we passed through an ocassional town or two. But most of the route was remote with long stretches with nothing on either side of the road but the ocean on the right, the sound on the left, and drifiting sand onto the pavement and in the driving lanes.

Notable stops were in the village of Hatteras and a bit further on at Cape Hatteras where the famous lighthouses are located. They are a must see. 

We quickly changed soon after our arrival at our ocean-side hotel in Kill Devil Hills and began what would become a daily ritual of beachcombing, exploring, and temperature-appropriate dips in the hotel pool. 

At Kitty Hawk, we spent half a day visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial, site of the first successful powered and sustained flight in December 1903. 

Now, granted, this first flight was only 120 feet long and lasted a scant twelve seconds but, hey, it was indeed "flight". Subsequent attempts in the days that followed ranged from 175 feet to as long as 850 feet. 

The path for these first flights leads to stone monuments indicating the endpoints of the various fights during the historical week in December, 1903. 

While walking the grounds, we were struck by how much has changed in the field of aviation in the past 120 years. Light aircraft by everyday pilots were taking off from a nearby airstrip. Soon thereafter, the loud, droning engines of a huge Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft flew overhead, casting a swift moving shadow before our footsteps. What would the Wright Brothers think of their invention if they were alive today? 

South of our hotel, at Jockey Ridge State Park, we had a successful morning of kite flying, taking advantage of the strong and consistent winds that kept Jason's newly acquired "Star Wars"-themed kite aloft for long stretches of time. When we first shopped for kites, I kept suggesting that we buy him one with the image of the princess from "Frozen" on it but, for some reason, he was more interested in the Star Wars kites. 

After lunch and a cigar break ("Grandpa, I didn't know you smoked cigars!"), we hiked to the top of the park's tallest sand dune (the tallest east of the Mississippi) and then amongst the trees, marshes, and wetlands of one of the largest remaining maritime forests maintained by The Nature Conservancy at the nearby Nag's Head Woods Preserve. 

We also did some more "kid-friendly" activities, including fishing at Jeanette's Pier. We were skunked although many around us were catching small, string ray type creatures (called, skates). 

Mini-golf (I won), go-kart racing (Jason won), and arcade games (Jason and I beat another family at laser tag) were also on tap. 

We finished our week by taking a trip to the Raleigh area before returning Jason to his home near Jacksonville. Stops included MaryKay's niece, Tamara, and her husband Matt to view  the livestock operation they manage for NC State University. Other stops included MaryKay's sister, Janice, and her husband Chuck, for family conversation and pasta making for dinner.

It had been a great week reconnecting with our grandson after too long of an absence. We had good times and a lot of conversation such as when we were on one of our many hikes throughout the week. Hiking has a way of drawing out conversation and reflection among those you are walking with. And it was no different than one particular day with Jason. After rattling off a bunch of different sports when MaryKay asked him what were his favorites, I then piped up asking him what was his least favorite sport. 

"Hiking," he said. "My least favorite is hiking."

If you would like to read more trip reports of our travels from around the world, please go to the home page of our blog by clicking here.