Just got back from the OBX and...
 

Holy sh.t! was it busy. We go there almost yearly and this year was busier than we've seen it in many, many years. Long lines up and down 12. Restaurants were packed. Grocery stores were packed. People walking the streets in Duck bouncing from shop to shop. Stores in Corolla were packed with people. Bridge on our way out was backed up with cars coming in. The businesses in the OBX are gonna have a BIG year.

Good to see people out having fun and smiling again. The area we stayed was on the North end of Duck on a relatively private, as far as the OBX goes, street. Everyone seemed to really enjoy being out and talking with others. Most asked question I got as people walked back from the beach... "What's on the grill today?"

I had to look up OBX.

Good to hear. It is going to be one hell of a summer.

Its the nicest and most unique beach north of the Florida line . I love it there, but it makes me sad to see it becoming so popular and busy .
Even last season , with covid, it was pretty busy .
Hope you had a good time ! We just booked our house for September last week . Really looking forward to it.

I was there in late May early June last year and thought it was pretty tame compared to a "normal" year. I'd say when we were there it was about 1/2 the crowd we're used to. This year is as busy as I've seen it in quite some time probably double the number of people we're used to. I haven't spent this much time in traffic on 12 on years. We normally stay down at the North end of 12 near where 12 becomes 4x4 only. The beach where we stayed near Duck was much cleaner for some reason. We walked the 4x4 beach one evening and we all noticed how much stuff was washed up on the beach vs where we were staying.

We had a great time! My son and I spent Monday through Thursday body boarding. Water was cold but manageable once you got used to it. House was one row back from the ocean with nice views. We normally get an oceanfront place but we booked late this year thinking we were going to go to Destin FL or somewhere else along the gulf coast.

Have fun! We spent last summer at the lake and have the same plan for this one, business as usual around here!

I really like the Banks, but it sickens me to see the line of cars on a Saturday AM stretching all of the way from the bridge to just below Corolla...

M-R Ducks? OSAR! It's been years since I surfed Hatteras. Do they still hang glide Kitty Hawk?

They do. While I didn't see anyone doing it this year, I have seen people in the last few years hang gliding. I think one of the times was at an event put on by Kitty Hawk Kites.

That's pretty much how it was this year when we were leaving. Big line on 12 heading out. Big double file line backed up over the bridge coming in. I haven't seen it like that in several years. We usually check in on Saturday and I haven't been stuck in traffic going on or off in years... until this year. This year we checked in on Sunday at 5pm but we got there around 2:30. The traffic going on was smooth at that time. But we left around 2 or 3 on Saturday because the weather was crappy and it was BUSY.

We are heading to Emerald Isle, NC over the 4th weekend for a week. Have been going since the mid 80's every year. Weathered a hurricane last year.

I am anticipating it being a lot busier than normal this year based on what I have read and what you are saying Nick. We have a beachfront house so only steps from the water.

Just head on down to Ocrakoke. Unspoiled beaches and mostly unoccupied north of the city.

mmmm........
go for the 'peck' at Awful Arthurs......